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Climate & seasons

When to visit Chiang Mai?

By La rédaction · Updated 22/05/2026

The Editors
The Editorsauteur principal✓ Verified

"Janvier est le mois le plus frais de Chiang Mai — les nuits descendent à 12-15 °C, prévoir un vêtement chaud. Idéal pour les treks en montagne : l'air est clair et les sentiers secs."

Expert on Chiang Mai · 1 contributions

The best periods

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November to February (cool and dry season). The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Novembre, Décembre.

Nov, Déc, Jan, Fév

Saison fraîche et sèche — le meilleur de Chiang Mai

  • ✅Températures idéales pour les treks : 15-20 °C la nuit, 28-30 °C le jour
  • ✅Ciel clair, air frais, visites de temples très agréables
  • ✅Festival Yi Peng (lanternes) en novembre : l'un des plus beaux spectacles d'Asie
  • ❌Haute saison touristique, hébergements à réserver à l'avance
  • ❌Nuits fraîches en décembre-janvier (12-15 °C) : prévoyez un vêtement chaud
Mar, Avr, Mai

Saison chaude — pollution de l'air

  • ✅Festival Songkran (avril) très animé à Chiang Mai, grande fête de l'eau
  • ❌Pollution de l'air très sévère (brûlis agricoles) de janvier à avril : qualité de l'air parfois dangereuse
  • ❌Chaleur montante : 35-38 °C en avril, treks en montagne déconseillés
  • ❌Smog persistant qui voile les collines et dégrade les panoramas
Juin, Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct

Saison des pluies — verdure et tarifs bas

  • ✅Paysages de rizières en terrasses d'un vert éclatant, cascades gonflées
  • ✅Tarifs hébergements et vols en forte baisse
  • ✅Moins de foule dans les temples et les marchés nocturnes
  • ❌Averses quotidiennes en fin d'après-midi, parfois intenses
  • ❌Treks rendus glissants et moins agréables par la pluie
  • ❌Risques de glissements de terrain dans les zones de montagne en août-septembre

Month-by-month climate

Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Chiang Mai across the 12 months.

JanFévMarAvrMaiJuinJuiAoûSepOctNovDéc
Min17°18°21°23°24°24°24°24°23°22°20°18°
Max28°30°35°36°34°32°30°30°30°29°29°27°
Mer————————————
Pluie13mm41mm14mm77mm224mm236mm363mm411mm416mm212mm60mm20mm
Soleil/j10.7h10.7h10.7h10.8h10.7h9.5h9.3h7.7h8.6h9.6h10.4h10.6h
Janvier
17° - 28°
Février
18° - 30°
Mars
21° - 35°
Avril
23° - 36°
Mai
24° - 34°
Juin
24° - 32°
Juillet
24° - 30°
Août
24° - 30°
Septembre
23° - 30°
Octobre
22° - 29°
Novembre
20° - 29°
Décembre
18° - 27°

Tourist crowds

Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).

Jan
85
Fév
82
Mar
65
Avr
70
Mai
48
Jui
40
Jui
38
Aoû
35
Sep
37
Oct
45
Nov
75
Déc
80

Average flight prices

Average round-trip Paris → Chiang Mai by month.

Jan
680€
Fév
650€
Mar
600€
Avr
640€
Mai
560€
Jui
520€
Jui
510€
Aoû
500€
Sep
510€
Oct
540€
Nov
600€
Déc
700€
Compare flights →

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in Chiang Mai?+
Three days is enough for the main sights (Doi Suthep, Old City, Night Bazaar). Five to seven days lets you add a one- or two-day trek in the hills, a Thai cooking class and a few markets. Many travellers stay a week or more, especially digital nomads drawn by the city's coworking spaces and laid-back rhythm.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?+
November to February: cool, dry weather, ideal for trekking and temple visits. November is the headline month with the Yi Peng lantern festival — one of the most beautiful spectacles in Asia. Absolutely avoid March-April due to the severe air pollution from agricultural burning, which can reach hazardous levels (AQI above 200) for weeks on end.
How do I get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?+
The domestic flight from Bangkok Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai takes 1h15, for €25-70 return depending on availability (Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air). The overnight sleeper train from Hua Lamphong (departing around 6 pm, arriving around 7 am) in an air-conditioned second-class berth is a memorable experience for 600-900 THB. The overnight bus (10-11 hours) is the cheapest option (400-600 THB).
Are treks around Chiang Mai safe?+
Yes — treks organised by reputable Chiang Mai agencies are led by experienced local guides. Choose an agency recommended by your accommodation or by recent online reviews. One- to three-day treks include visits to Karen or Hmong villages, bamboo-raft descents and forest walks. Avoid the rainy season for multi-day treks (landslide risk on steeper trails).
Should I worry about air pollution in Chiang Mai?+
It's a real and serious problem. From January to April, agricultural burning across the region creates smog that can reach very unhealthy to hazardous levels (AQI > 200 in March-April). If you have respiratory sensitivities or are travelling with children, avoid Chiang Mai during this window. Check the air quality index on AirVisual before and during your stay, and consider a quality N95 mask.
Which Chiang Mai markets are unmissable?+
The Night Bazaar (every evening, Changklan Road) is the most central and most touristy. The Sunday Walking Street (Wualai Road) is the locals' favourite for craftsmanship. The Saturday Walking Street offers more good artisans. The Warorot market (Talat Warorot), open every day, is a lively local market for food and textiles.
How do I get around Chiang Mai?+
The Old City is best explored on foot (it's compact). Songthaews (shared red pickups) handle longer trips for 30-40 THB. Bicycle rental (50-100 THB/day) is ideal for wandering between temples. For Doi Suthep and further excursions, shared songthaews (90-150 THB one way) or chartered private songthaews (300-600 THB round trip) are the classic options.
Are Chiang Mai cooking classes really worth it?+
Yes — Chiang Mai is globally recognised for the quality of its Thai cooking schools. The best (Thai Farm Cooking School, Zabb E Lee, Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School) offer half- or full-day sessions including a market visit to pick the ingredients. Plan 800-1,500 THB (€21-39) for a complete class covering 4 to 6 dishes prepared and eaten on site.

Our verdict

Chiang Mai is one of those places you plan three days for and end up staying a week. The city is small, human, rich in temples, in flavours, in surprises — and the mountains are right there, a short drive away. For a balanced trip to Thailand, pair Bangkok (urban culture, grand royal sites) with Chiang Mai (spirituality, gastronomy, trekking): the two cities complement each other perfectly and connect in 1h15 by air or by overnight train.

Our take: time your visit around either the Yi Peng festival in November (book accommodation a full season ahead) or the cool, clear January-February window. Avoid March-April unless air quality is a non-issue for you. And do at least one cooking class on your first days — local chefs are at their warmest in the morning markets, and you'll cook better Thai food at home for years afterwards.

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When to visit Chiang Mai — climate and best travel seasons · Mowando