3 days in Chiang Mai: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 8 free; 6 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 3 days, 9:30 to 16:37 each day
- Start and finish
- Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) → Elephant Nature Park
- 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. Book the elephant park ahead — booking closes 24 hours before.
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
Day 3 · Chiang Mai09:30–13:30 · 1 place · 4 h
Elephant Nature Park
· 4 h · Half day 2,500 baht, ages 3–11 1,250
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 8 are free; 6 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 |
| 8 | Elephant Nature Park | 16 | 4 h | half day 2,500 baht, ages 3–11 1,250 |
| Total | 12 h 40 min | 2 of 8 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.
Day 3
- 8
Elephant Nature Park. A sanctuary for rescued elephants — feeding and watching, no riding. Half day 2,500 baht with transfer and lunch, by booking only.
Who this route is for
- A first trip of 3–4 days
- Nature and an ethical elephant visit
- Families with children aged 3+
- Elephant riding — not at this sanctuary
- Pai and Chiang Rai are separate trips
November to February. Book the elephant park ahead — booking closes 24 hours before.
How the three days work
The first two days are the 2-day itinerary. Day three is the elephant park programme: about 1.5 hours' transfer from your hotel, with lunch and a guide included.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Elephant Nature Park
A half day costs 2,500 baht for adults and 1,250 for ages 3–11; the full-day SkyWalk is 3,500 and 1,750. Transfer, a vegan lunch, a guide and insurance are included. Book only on the park's website; booking closes 24 hours ahead and needs a deposit.
Is 3 days in Chiang Mai enough?
Yes, for the city, the mountain and the elephants. Add Wat Umong for its tunnels and forest, and the Night Bazaar and weekend markets in the evenings. Bangkok is about an hour's flight away.
How to do it right
- Book the elephant park a few days ahead — it fills up.
- Warm layers for Doi Inthanon.
- 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.
- Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy at the elephant park.
Questions
What is a good 3-day Chiang Mai itinerary?
The Old City temples and Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, and Elephant Nature Park.
How much is Elephant Nature Park?
Half day 2,500 baht for adults, 1,250 for ages 3–11, with transfer and lunch.
Can you ride elephants there?
No — you feed and watch them.
Do I need to book the elephant park?
Yes, online in advance; booking closes 24 hours before.
Is 3 days in Chiang Mai enough?
Yes for the city, the mountain and the elephants. Pai and Chiang Rai need more days.
How much does it cost?
Temples ≈ 200, Doi Inthanon ≈ 430, the elephant park 2,500 baht per adult, plus transport.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; children 3–11 pay half at the elephant park.
How do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
About an hour by air, or by overnight train.
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
- Elephant Nature Park official website
- Department of National Parks, Thailand: Doi Inthanon
