When to go · Chiang Mai, Thailand
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
The sweet spot is January, February and December — averages 22°C, only 1 rainy days, peak-season crowds and peak prices.
November–February for cool, dry, clear days and the Yi Peng lantern festival in November. Avoid the smoky burning season (February–April).
Tropical savanna: cool dry season (November–February, 15–29°C), hot season (March–May, up to 36°C) with smoke haze, and a green rainy season (June–October).
The short answer
22°C · 1 rainy days · high season
24°C · 1 rainy days · mid season
22°C · 1 rainy days · high season
Hardest months: July and August. averages 27°C, 19 rainy days, few other visitors.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C | 1d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
| February | 24°C | 1d | mid | Comfortable |
| March | 27°C | 2d | low | Hot |
| April | 30°C | 5d | mid | Hot |
| May | 29°C | 13d | low | Wet |
| June | 28°C | 16d | low | Wet |
| July | 27°C | 19d | low | Wet |
| August | 27°C | 21d | low | Wet |
| September | 27°C | 17d | low | Wet |
| October | 26°C | 11d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| November | 24°C | 4d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
| December | 22°C | 1d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
March, May, June, July, August and September are low season in Chiang Mai — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $20–40 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.