Quick answer: Chiang Mai runs about EUR 35 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: November–February (cool season; avoid March–April burning season).
What things actually cost
| khao soi bowl | 1.80 EUR |
| street pad thai | 1.20 EUR |
| songthaew ride across town | 0.80 EUR |
| one hour Thai massage | 7 EUR |
| latte at a specialty cafe | 1.80 EUR |
| scooter rental per day | 5.50 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yaithe definitive coconut curry noodle bowl, about 1.50-2 EUR
- Sai ua (northern herb sausage) and crackling from Warorot Market stalls - about 2 EUR for a takeaway bag
- Cowboy Hat Lady braised pork leg rice at the Chang Phueak north gate night market - about 1.50 EUR
- Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Roadgraze the whole length on 5 EUR of skewers, mango sticky rice and dumplings
- Specialty coffee from local mountain beans at Akha Amalattes around 1.80 EUR
Money mistakes to avoid
- Visiting during burning seasonroughly late February to mid April the air fills with crop-burning smoke; check the AQI before booking those months
- Picking an elephant camp that offers riding or showschoose an ethical sanctuary like Elephant Nature Park and book days ahead
- Renting a scooter without a motorcycle licensepolice checkpoints fine tourists routinely and travel insurance will not pay if you crash unlicensed
- Turning up at temples in shorts and tank topsshoulders and knees covered, and carry a sarong for Doi Suthep
Transport without the tourist tax
The airport is only 15 minutes from the Old City; a Grab or metered airport taxi costs 3-4 EUR. In town, shared red songthaews cost about 0.80 EUR a hop, Grab rides run 1.50-3 EUR, and scooters rent for about 5-6 EUR a day if you are licensed.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Chiang Mai itinerary.