When is it cheapest to visit Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is cheapest to visit in May, June, July, August, and September.

Peak season is January, February, November, and December, when rooms cost the most.

Chiang Mai seasons and room prices

Chiang Mai's high season is the cool dry period from November to February, and the single busiest week is the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng lantern festival in November, when Old City hotels fill weeks ahead. New Year and Lunar New Year are also expensive. Songkran in mid April is celebrated harder here than anywhere in Thailand, so that week spikes too. From late February into April the burning season brings smoky air: rates fall but many visitors stay away for their lungs. The rainy season from June to October is the cheapest and greenest time, with rain mostly in short afternoon bursts.

Chiang Mai local costs and payment

The currency is the Thai baht. Hotels, cafes and malls take cards, but the night markets, street stalls, songthaews and tuk tuks, and temple entry fees are cash, so you will use more notes here than in Bangkok. Exchange booths and ATMs are everywhere in the Old City, and since ATMs charge a flat fee per withdrawal it pays to take out larger amounts less often. Pay the hotel in baht rather than in your home currency. Some boutique hotels list rates before tax and service charge, so compare Agoda channels on the total including tax.