5 Days in Chiang Mai with Kids
Plan a gentle 5-day Chiang Mai family itinerary built around Old City temples, ethical elephant care, hands-on Thai food, and enough pool time to keep younger travelers fresh. The pacing avoids long mountain days back-to-back and keeps most transfers under 45 minutes. Use this draft to fork a northern Thailand trip that balances culture, wildlife, and markets without turning every day into a logistics puzzle. It is especially useful for families flying in from Singapore, Australia, or the Gulf who want a safe first base in northern Thailand.
Budget Breakdown
Per person, excluding international flights
Per person · excludes flight · 5 days · varies by season
Where to Stay
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Daily Costs
Per person · per day
Budget
Comfort
Splurge
Accommodation
THB 1,200
family guesthouse near Old City
THB 3,000
pool hotel in Nimman
THB 8,000
boutique resort with family room
Food
THB 500
markets and casual Thai meals
THB 1,100
mix of cafes and sit-down restaurants
THB 2,500
resort dining and private cooking class
Local transport
THB 250
songthaews and walking
THB 650
Grab rides for family transfers
THB 2,000
private van for sanctuary and Doi Suthep
Activities
THB 900
temples plus market snacks
THB 2,200
cooking class and sanctuary
THB 5,000
private guides and premium elephant program
One-Time Costs
Not included in per-day figures above
Ethical elephant sanctuary
THB 2,500–3,500 adult
Book no-riding programs early in school holidays
Flight Estimates
Return flights · economy · varies by booking time
Singapore
$135–$270
SGD 180–360