Chiang Mai is at its best from November to January.
It is busiest and priciest in November to February.
Expect the most rain in June to October.
Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.
Chiang Mai month by month
Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.
| Month | Weather | Season | What's on |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 26° / 19°rainy spells, 123 mm | Shoulder | China Golden WeekDussehra |
| November 2026Best weather | 25° / 16°mostly dry, 37 mm | Peak | DiwaliLoy Krathong |
| December 2026Best weather | 24° / 14°dry, 13 mm | Peak | Christmas and New Year |
| January 2027Best weather | 26° / 13°dry, 15 mm | Peak | Christmas and New YearRepublic Day weekend |
| February 2027 | 29° / 14°dry, 4 mm | Peak | Lunar New Year |
| March 2027 | 32° / 17°dry, 23 mm | Off-season | HoliGood Friday weekend |
| April 2027 | 34° / 20°some rain, 63 mm | Shoulder | SongkranIndian summer holidays |
| May 2027 | 31° / 21°wet, 189 mm | Off-season | Indian summer holidays |
| June 2027 | 29° / 21°rainy spells, 141 mm | Off-season | Indian summer holidays |
| July 2027 | 28° / 20°wet, 178 mm | Off-season | Rainy season: afternoon storms and green hills; waterfalls are at their best and... |
| August 2027 | 27° / 20°wet, 237 mm | Off-season | Rainy season: afternoon storms and green hills; waterfalls are at their best and... |
| September 2027 | 27° / 20°wet, 222 mm | Off-season | Rainy season: afternoon storms and green hills; waterfalls are at their best and... |
Dates to plan around
Festivals, holidays and closures in Chiang Mai, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.
- 1–7 OctChina Golden WeekChina's National Day holiday: mainland travellers pack Hong Kong, Macau and the big Asian hotspots, and hotel prices rise.
- 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
- 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
- 24 NovLoy KrathongCandlelit floats on rivers and canals, and the Yi Peng lantern nights in Chiang Mai around the full moon.
- 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
- 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
- 6 FebLunar New YearDragon dances and street food in Thailand's Chinatowns, biggest in Bangkok's Yaowarat.
- 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
- 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
- 13–15 AprSongkranThai New Year: a nationwide water fight. Great fun, but hotels fill up and many Thais travel home.
- 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
- 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.
Flights to Chiang Mai from India
The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.
Good to know
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The best weather in Chiang Mai is from November to January. Cool season: warm, sunny days around 29-30°C and fresh nights. The best time for the old city, the temples and the hills. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is November to February. The quietest months are March and May to September.
When is the rainy season in Chiang Mai?
The wettest months are June to October. Rainy season: afternoon storms and green hills; waterfalls are at their best and prices are low.
When is Chiang Mai most crowded?
Peak season is November to February, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.
How hot does Chiang Mai get?
The hottest month is April, with average highs of 34°C; the coolest nights come in January, around 13°C.