2 days in Chiang Mai: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 7 free; 5 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 16:37 each day
- Start and finish
- Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) → Doi Inthanon
- On foot
- ≈ 38 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 54 min
- Lunch
- around 12:37
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- November to February: clear and cool. Winter mornings at the summit are near freezing.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Chiang Mai09:30–16:37 · 6 places · 7 h 10 min
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
· 30 min · ≈ 50 baht
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Tha Phae Gate
· 20 min · Free
- 14 min on foot
Wat Chiang Man
· 30 min · Free
- 14 min on foot
Wat Chedi Luang
· 1 h · ≈ 40–50 baht
- Lunch · 1 h
- 10 min on foot
Wat Phra Singh
· 45 min · Grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht
- 35 min · transport or taxi
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
· 1 h 30 min · ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20
Day 2 · Chiang Mai09:30–13:30 · 1 place · 4 h
Doi Inthanon
· 4 h · Entry 300 baht, children 150; car 30; pagodas ≈ 100
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 7 are free; 5 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) | 39 | 30 min | ≈ 50 baht |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Tha Phae Gate | 44 | 20 min | Free |
| 3 | Wat Chiang Man | 44 | 30 min | Free |
| 4 | Wat Chedi Luang | 39 | 1 h | ≈ 40–50 baht |
| 5 | Wat Phra Singh | 38 | 45 min | grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht |
| 6 | Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | 31 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20 |
| 7 | Doi Inthanon | 17 | 4 h | entry 300 baht, children 150; car 30; pagodas ≈ 100 |
| Total | 8 h 40 min | 2 of 7 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple). The Silver Temple from around 1500 on the silversmiths' street. About 50 baht; by tradition women do not enter the ordination hall and view it from outside.
- 2
Tha Phae Gate. The Old City's east gate and the place to start. On Sunday evenings the walking market begins here.
- 3
Wat Chiang Man. The city's oldest temple, from 1297: a stupa carried by 15 brick elephants. Free.
- 4
Wat Chedi Luang. The ruined 15th-century great stupa, once 82 m tall. About 40–50 baht; monk chats during the day.
- 5
Wat Phra Singh. A temple from 1345 with the Phra Buddha Sihing statue and the Lai Kham hall. Grounds free, hall about 20 baht.
- 6
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Northern Thailand's great temple at 1,073 m: a golden stupa and a view over the city. About 30 baht, funicular about 20.
Day 2
- 7
Doi Inthanon. Thailand's highest point, 2,565 m: waterfalls, royal pagodas and cloud forest. Park 300 baht; two hours each way.
Who this route is for
- A weekend in Chiang Mai
- Temples and nature
- A car with driver or a tour
- The elephants are in the 3-day itinerary
- Without a car, Doi Inthanon means a tour
November to February: clear and cool. Winter mornings at the summit are near freezing.
How the two days work
Day one is the one-day Chiang Mai itinerary. Day two is a full-day trip, about two hours each way — leave early.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Doi Inthanon: tickets and the drive
National park entry is 300 baht for adults and 150 for ages 3–14, plus 30 baht for a car. The royal pagodas are a separate ticket of about 100 baht. The summit is about 100 km away, two hours by car.
Is 2 days in Chiang Mai enough?
For the city and the mountain, yes. Wat Umong with its tunnels is on the way to Doi Suthep, and Elephant Nature Park is day three. In the evening, the Night Bazaar.
How to do it right
- Bring warm layers for Doi Inthanon: it is cool and windy at the top.
- Leave by 7:00 — clouds often cover the summit by lunchtime.
- Temples want shoulders and knees covered — no vests or shorts; shoes come off at the door of the halls. Sarongs are often lent at the gate or for a deposit.
- Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
- A car with driver for the day is easy to book through your hotel or Grab.
Questions
What to do with 2 days in Chiang Mai?
Day one: the Old City temples and Doi Suthep. Day two: Doi Inthanon with its waterfalls and pagodas.
How far is Doi Inthanon?
About 100 km, two hours from Chiang Mai.
How much is Doi Inthanon?
300 baht for adults, 150 for children, 30 for a car; the pagodas about 100 baht.
Is it cold on Doi Inthanon?
Yes — cool and windy, near freezing on winter mornings.
Can I visit Doi Inthanon independently?
Yes, by hire car or with a driver; no bus goes to the summit.
Is 2 days in Chiang Mai enough?
For the city and the mountain, yes. The elephants and Wat Umong need a third day.
How much does it cost?
Temples about 200 baht, Doi Inthanon 430 baht per adult with the pagodas, plus the car.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; ages 3–14 pay 150 baht for the park.
When is the best time?
November to February.
What currency is used in Thailand?
Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Department of National Parks, Thailand: Doi Inthanon
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): Chiang Mai
