D
Dayravel
Thailand

Chiang RaiTravel Tips

Everything you need to know before you go.

Vibe
🤍White Temple
⛰️Golden Triangle
🍵Tea Estates
🎨Art Scene
🏮Lanna Heritage

Peak Season

NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY

Best Experience
Feels LikeDry Season
Temperature15 — 28°C

Local patterns vary by region.

Shoulder Season

MARCH - MAY

Budget Friendly
Feels LikeSummer
Temperature22 — 35°C

Local patterns vary by region.

Off Season

JUNE - OCTOBER

Avoid
Feels LikeMonsoon
Temperature24 — 32°C

Local patterns vary by region.

💬

Chat

LINE

App
The absolute essential chat app for communicating with locals, businesses, and even booking services.
💵

Money

PromptPay

App
The dominant QR payment standard used by almost all vendors, though tourists need a compatible app like Wise or local bank account.
🛠️

Utility

Google Maps

App
Accurate navigation for walking, public transit, and driving.

Google Translate

App
Crucial for translating Thai menus and signs via the camera feature.
🍕

Delivery

GrabFood

App
Most comprehensive food delivery service nationwide.

Foodpanda

App
Strong secondary food delivery option, especially outside major cities.
🚕

Transport

Grab

App
Primary ride-hailing app for cars and bikes across Thailand.

Bolt

App
Often cheaper alternative to Grab for rides.
💳

Travel Cards

Rabbit Card

Card
Essential stored-value card for the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok and some retail.

MRT Card

Card
Separate stored-value card required for the MRT subway system in Bangkok.
🧾

THE DAILY TARGET

3 Premium Meals + Coffee$25.00
Daily Transport & Buffer$25.00
Activities & Entry Fees$20.00
Daily Spend Target$70.00
🪙

TIPPING GUIDE

Restaurants

Not expected but appreciated
5 — 10 %

Taxis

Round up to nearest 10 or 20 Baht
0.5 — 1 USD

Massage

Expected for good service
1.5 — 3 USD

"When in doubt, rounding up to the nearest bill is always a safe strategy."

🚕

LOCAL TRANSPORT

🚕

Grab

Single Trip
$2.5 — 6
🛺

Tuk Tuk

Single Trip
$1.5 — 4
🚌

Songthaew

Single Trip
$0.5 — 1.5

"Public transit (BTS/MRT) is the fastest way to bypass gridlock."

🗣️

Talk Basics

EnglishPronunciation
Hello
sa-wat-dee (khrap/kha)สวัสดี
Sorry / Excuse me
khor thot (khrap/kha)ขอโทษ
Thank you
khop khun (khrap/kha)ขอบคุณ
💸

Pay & Buy

EnglishPronunciation
Discount?
lot dai mai?ลดได้ไหม
How much?
thao rai?เท่าไหร่
Bill please
gep ngoen duaiเก็บเงินด้วย
🍽️

Eat & Drink

EnglishPronunciation
Vegan
kin jeกินเจ
Not spicy
mai phetไม่เผ็ด
Vegetarian
mang-sa-wi-ratมังสวิรัติ
🛡️

Help & Safety

EnglishPronunciation
Help!
chuai duai!ช่วยด้วย
Hospital
rong pha-ya-banโรงพยาบาล
Pharmacy
ran khai yaร้านขายยา
✋

Polite Refusal

EnglishPronunciation
I have a ride
mi rot laewมีรถแล้ว
No thanks
mai ao khop khunไม่เอาขอบคุณ
Stop here
jot thi niจอดที่นี่
🛠️

Utility

EnglishPronunciation
Water
nam plaoน้ำเปล่า
Toilet
hong namห้องน้ำ
Where is...?
yu thi nai?อยู่ที่ไหน
Emergency Contacts
🚨
Police / Tourist1155
🚑
Medical / Ambulance1669