Most people pack for Chiang Mai like it's a Thai beach town. It isn't. The cool season mornings get down to 16°C (61°F), April hits 37°C (99°F), and the rains run from May into October, so the month you book decides almost everything in your bag.
Chiang Mai weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 27°C81°F | 30°C86°F | 34°C93°F | 37°C99°F | 34°C93°F | 31°C88°F | 30°C86°F | 30°C86°F | 30°C86°F | 30°C86°F | 28°C82°F | 28°C82°F |
| Low | 16°C61°F | 18°C64°F | 20°C68°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F | 23°C73°F | 22°C72°F | 20°C68°F | 18°C64°F |
| Rain days | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 18 | 9 | 3 |
Season by season
Cool season
December–FebruaryThis is the easy stretch. Highs run 27°C (81°F) to 30°C (86°F) with only 2 or 3 rain days a month, but January lows drop to 16°C (61°F), which feels cold on a dawn songthaew ride up Doi Suthep or a scooter trip to the hills. Bring one light long-sleeve layer and you're set.
Hot season
March–AprilApril is the hottest month at 37°C (99°F), and the nights stay at 24°C (75°F), so there's no break. This is also when smoke from crop burning in the north can sit over the valley, so check air quality before you go. Pack loose, breathable clothes and plan temple visits and Old City walks for early morning.
Rainy season
May–SeptemberRain shows up on 22 to 31 days a month, with August the wettest at 31. It usually comes as heavy bursts, not all-day drizzle, and highs still sit at 30°C (86°F) to 34°C (93°F). Bring a packable shell, quick-dry clothes and repellent, because the mosquitoes come with the water.
Shoulder season
October–NovemberOctober still has 18 rain days and a 30°C (86°F) high, then November drops to 9 rain days and 28°C (82°F). November is when Yi Peng and Loy Krathong usually fall, and the city fills up. Pack for warm days and one cooler evening layer.
What to bring to Chiang Mai
0 of 24 packed- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
Chiang Mai's rainy season brings mosquitoes, and this picaridin lotion lasts up to 12 hours without damaging your sunglasses or camera, so decant some and bring it.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
In April the high is 37°C (99°F) and the night barely drops below 24°C (75°F), and a handheld fan is what gets you through a midday wait for a songthaew.
Rainy season storms come fast, and a shell that packs into its own pocket lives in your day bag until the sky opens.
Same story for him: it squashes into its own pocket, so you actually carry it on the days the forecast says sunny and it pours anyway.
- Crocs Classic ClogFootwear & Shoe Care
You'll take your shoes off at every temple, and a slip-on clog goes on and off in a second and wipes clean after a rainy-season downpour.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
A 24 oz insulated bottle keeps water cold for 24 hours, which matters when it's 34°C (93°F) and you're walking between temples in the Old City.
- Dramamine Less Drowsy ChewablesHealth & Safety
The mountain road to Pai is famous for its curves, so take one of these 30 to 60 minutes before the minibus leaves.
Clothing
- Breathable quick-dry shirts · 4April hits 37°C
- Lightweight long trousers or skirt · 2Cover knees at temples
- Light scarf or shirt to cover shoulders · 1Temple dress code
- Light fleece or sweater · 1Cool-season mornings get down to 16°C
- Swimsuit · 1
Footwear
- Slip-on sandals · 1 pairShoes off inside temples
- Walking shoes with grip · 1 pairWet paths May–Oct
Gear
- Compact umbrellaRains run May–Oct
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Dry bag or zip pouchesKeeps phone dry in the rainy season
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen · 1
- Electrolyte tabletsHot season heat, Mar–May
- Stomach and rehydration medicine
Documents and money
- Passport
- Travel insuranceFor trekking and outdoor day trips
- Some cash in baht
Tech
- Universal plug adapterSockets vary: A, B, C and O
What shoes should you pack for Chiang Mai?
Bring shoes you can slip off in two seconds. You take them off at every temple, from Wat Phra Singh to Wat Chedi Luang, and at some cafes and guesthouses too. A light walking sneaker plus a pair of slip-ons covers the Old City, Nimman and the Sunday Walking Street. Lace-up boots only make sense if you're trekking.
What do people wear in Chiang Mai?
Locals dress casually but modestly, and temples expect shoulders and knees covered. Light trousers or a midi skirt and a t-shirt work almost everywhere. Skip the beachwear look in town; it reads as tourist straight away.
What plugs does Chiang Mai use?
Thailand uses types A, B, C and O at 220V. Many outlets take both flat US-style and round European-style pins, so a universal adapter with US and EU plugs covers most hotel rooms. Type O is a Thai socket the usual adapters aren't built for, so don't count on it.
Tours and things to do in Chiang Mai
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Chiang Mai.
What should you leave at home for Chiang Mai?
Leave the heavy jeans and the thick jacket. Jeans never dry in the rainy season and a single long-sleeve layer handles the coolest January morning. Leave the big umbrella too; a packable shell does more on a scooter or songthaew.
Around Chiang Mai
Packing for Chiang Mai: questions people ask
What should I wear in Chiang Mai in December?
Light, breathable clothes for 28°C (82°F) days, plus one long-sleeve layer for early mornings, when it drops to 18°C (64°F). Bring something that covers your knees for the temples.
Is it cold in Chiang Mai in January?
It's not cold by most standards, but January lows hit 16°C (61°F), which feels chilly on a scooter or in the hills. A light sweater or wrap is enough.
When is the rainy season in Chiang Mai?
Roughly May to October. August is the wettest month with rain on 31 days, and by November it drops to 9.
Do I need to cover up at temples in Chiang Mai?
Yes. Cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off before going inside.
Do I need a plug adapter in Chiang Mai?
Probably not if you're from the US, since many sockets take type A pins, but the voltage is 220V, so check your devices. Visitors with UK or Australian plugs need an adapter.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.