Budget — Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is one of the most affordable cities in Thailand, with an average budget of €35/day/person covering comfortable accommodation, three meals and local transport. The city is especially popular with digital nomads and backpackers for this exceptional value for money.

A backpacker can live very comfortably on €15-22 a day: a dorm bed in an Old City hostel (200-400 THB, €5-10), meals at street markets (30-80 THB per meal, €0.80-2), travel by bicycle or songthaew. The mid-range traveller — double room in a guesthouse with pool or a small charming hotel (600-1,500 THB/night, €16-39), mid-range restaurants (100-300 THB per meal), songthaews and scooter rentals — sits between €35 and €65 per day. The luxury traveller staying in Nimman Road boutique hotels or peripheral resorts (2,000-6,000 THB/night, €53-158), enjoying spas and premium cooking classes, counts €80-150 per day in Chiang Mai.

By spending category, here are realistic ranges. Accommodation: dorm 200-400 THB (€5-10), basic double 400-800 THB (€10-21), charming room with pool 900-2,000 THB (€24-53). Food: street market 30-80 THB (€0.80-2), local restaurant 80-200 THB (€2-5), international or trendy Nimman restaurant 200-500 THB (€5-13). Transport: shared songthaew 30-40 THB, bicycle rental 50-100 THB/day, scooter rental 200-300 THB/day. Activities: full-day trek (guide, lunch, hike) 800-1,200 THB (€21-32), half-day cooking class 800-1,200 THB (€21-32), entry to Doi Inthanon National Park 300 THB (€8). A small donation (a hundred baht or so) at temples is appreciated but not required.

Budget tips: traditional Thai massage classes in Chiang Mai are among the cheapest in Thailand — count 200-300 THB/hour in the rooms around the Old City. Most Old City temples are free or ask for a modest contribution (20-40 THB). Negotiate private songthaews for excursions (Doi Suthep, outer markets) — 300-500 THB round-trip for a whole group is reasonable.