Flights from Melbourne to Chiang Mai

What are the best things to do in Chiang Mai?

Wat Phra That Soi Suthep

Wat Phra That Soi Suthep is a cultural marvel. Perched on top of a hill, the ornate temple overlooks the city and is a one-hour drive from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). If you go to the temple on a clear day, you can see over the entire city. To get here, you can hike up (only recommended for fit travellers) or hop into a shared songthaew taxi. If you want to enter the temple, you’ll need to pack clothes for your flights to Chiang Mai that cover your shoulders and knees.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park is where you’ll find the highest peak in Thailand. Travellers buying return flights to Chiang Mai can go on a day trip to the national park and explore the several hiking trails that wind past breathtaking waterfalls and visit a hill tribe village. The best way to get here is to hire a car for the day as it's a 2-hour drive from the city. When booking your airfare to Chiang Mai with Webjet, you can reserve and pay for your rental car at the same time.

Chiang Mai Gate Market

Want to dine on some of the best street food as soon as your flights to Chiang Mai arrive? Make your way to the Chiang Mai Gate Market and try classics like phad thai, mango and sticky rice, or pad kra pow. The market is open from 5am to midnight, seven days a week; fewer vendors operate on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday Walking Street

If you're booking return flights to Chiang Mai and will be here over a Sunday, don't miss out on the Sunday Walking Street. It's a massive market that's full to the brim with vendors selling trinkets and local cuisine. You can pick up souvenirs for your friends and family or eat your weight in street food. The market is open from 5am until 10.30pm.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

November to February

If you’re planning to buy flights to Chiang Mai to spend as much time as possible exploring the city’s natural beauty, visit between November to February. While the weather starts to dry up and temperatures are comfortable, you’ll still need a light jacket for the evenings. You can also time your airfare to Chiang Mai around cultural festivities such as the Chiang Mai Flower Festival and the Loi Krathong Festival.

March to May

March to May is a popular time to buy tickets to Chiang Mai. You can attend the famous Songkran New Year Festival in April and the rainy season has yet to start. One thing to keep in mind is that daytime temperatures can reach highs of 40°C. When packing for your flights to Chiang Mai, bring light cotton clothes and a reusable water bottle to help you stay hydrated.

June to October

June to October is the rainy season in Thailand, but it also happens to be an excellent time of year to find cheap flights to Chiang Mai. While you’ll need to pack rain gear like umbrellas and raincoats, the downpours don't last all day. You'll still have dry periods to explore the city's many temples, cafes and nearby attractions.

What are the best restaurants and cafes in Chiang Mai?

Free Bird Cafe

Free Bird Cafe is located in Nimman, a neighbourhood that’s only 15 minutes by car from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). The menu has plenty of plant-based options, making it a popular choice for vegans travelling after flights to Chiang Mai. The cafe also promotes a sustainable lifestyle through its on-site zero-waste shop.

On Cloud Nine

Love pink? On Cloud Nine is a dessert bar that’s home to the pastel pink aesthetic of your dreams. Tucked away in Nimman, the cafe is decked out in pink hues, from floor to ceiling. If you’re booking return flights to Chiang Mai and you love sweets, you can enjoy items like fairy-floss drinks, butterfly pea tea and ice cream.

Cafe Rosemary

Another popular brunch spot in the Nimman neighbourhood is Cafe Rosemary. It offers vegan alternatives on its menu and serves healthy options like homemade Kombucha. If you're feeling peckish, order the avocado, mushroom and poached egg on toast.

Rustic+Blue

Need a break from city life for a while? Pop into Rustic+Blue and kick back on one of their hammocks while savouring their delicious food. Vegan and vegetarian travellers buying tickets to Chiang Mai won’t struggle to find something on the menu and the WiFi is fast and reliable if you need to catch up on emails.

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is during the cool season from November to February. Chiang Mai has a tropical climate made up of a cool season, a hot season and a rainy season. The hot season runs from March to June and temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. The dry heat is constant and the temperature generally won’t drop below 25 degrees. The rainy season begins in July and continues through to October, bringing humidity and close to 3 or 4 days of consistent rain per week. 

Chiang Mai International Airport

Located around a 15 minute drive from the city centre, Chiang Mai International Airport is the main airport serving the Chiang Mai Province. It is a major hub to Northern Thailand. Flights travel to Airport from a number of destinations, including Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore. There are no direct flights available from Australia.