Planning a Family Trip in Chiang Mai

5 Steps to Plan the Perfect Family Trip in Chiang Mai.

Planning a family trip to Chiang Mai promises unforgettable adventures and memories.

But amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, planning such an escapade can feel overwhelming, especially with little ones in tow.
Juggling work, school, and various commitments leaves little time to craft the perfect itinerary. The thought of creating a schedule that caters to everyone’s needs may seem daunting. Here are 5 Steps to Help you planning a Perfect Trip for you and your Family in Chiang Mai.

Step 1

Bullet points and a rough Blueprint

As you delve into the planning process, imagine the kind of experience you wish to create for your family.
Consider the ages and interests of each family member.
Do you dream of exploring ancient temples, venturing into jungles, or immersing yourselves in the vibrant local culture?
Perhaps trekking through the mountains or trying your hand at Muay Thai sounds exciting. For the Art Interested , Chiang Mai’s thriving art scene offers workshops and galleries to explore. What kind of Food do you want to experience is it local Street food or Michelin Star Restaurants.
And for wildlife enthusiasts, ethical elephant sanctuaries provide the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.
With Chiang Mai’s diverse array of attractions, the possibilities are endless. Crafting a rough itinerary and write down Bullet points for each family member help you to Taylor the Perfect trip for a Family adventure.


Step 2

Navigating the Maze of Logistics

As you begin to tackle the logistical challenges of planning your family trip to Chiang Mai, start with a comprehensive checklist. Consider how long you wish to stay in Chiang Mai and its surroundings.

Next, establish your budget for accommodations. Determine how much you’re comfortable spending per day and research options that align with your financial plan. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly guesthouses, mid-range hotels, or luxurious resorts, Chiang Mai offers a wide range of accommodation choices to suit every preference and budget.

Additionally, decide on your preferred mode of transportation. Are you comfortable navigating the city’s streets on your own and rent a car ? Or would you prefer the convenience of hiring a driver? Consider renting a car if you’re keen on exploring the region at your own pace, or opt for the ease of hiring a knowledgeable local driver who can double as a guide, providing valuable insights and recommendations along the way.

Finally, plan your arrival logistics. Plan transportation options from the airport to your hotel. Chiang Mai International Airport offers various transfer services, including taxis, private shuttles, and rental car pickups. Choose the option that best suits your family’s needs in terms of convenience, comfort, and budget.

By addressing these key logistical considerations and creating a checklist, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother and more enjoyable experience in Chiang Mai.


Step 3

Prioritize Must-See Attractions

Begin by researching the top attractions and activities in Chiang Mai that align with your family’s interests. Make a list of must-see sights, such as historic temples, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders. Prioritize these attractions considering factors like proximity, accessibility, and opening hours. By identifying key points of interest, you can focus your itinerary and ensure you don’t miss out on must-see experiences during your trip.

Some recommended must-sees include:

  • Doi Suthep: Explore the iconic hilltop temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, offering panoramic views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings.
  • Jing Jai Market: Immerse yourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of this local market, where you can sample fresh produce, handicrafts, and street food delights.
  • Sunday Night Market: If you’re in Chiang Mai on a Sunday, don’t miss the bustling Sunday Night Market, where you can shop for souvenirs, enjoy live performances, and enjoy in delicious street food.
  • City Temples: Visit the many temples scattered throughout the city, including Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chiang Man, and many more.
  • Culinary Exploration: Enjoy Northern Thai specialties like Khao Soi, a fragrant coconut curry noodle soup, and explore the local food scene through street food stalls, markets, and traditional eateries.
  • Day Trip to Doi Inthanon: Consider whether to include a day trip to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, known for its stunning landscapes, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints.
  • Nature and Recreation: Discover the region’s natural beauty by visiting waterfalls like Mae Sa Waterfall or Huay Tung Tao Lake. Alternatively, explore playgrounds and parks where children can run, play, and interact with locals.
  • Culture and Art Museums: Immerse yourselves in Chiang Mai’s rich cultural heritage by visiting museums and galleries showcasing traditional art, crafts, and exhibits on local history and culture.
  • Chiang Mai Zoo


By making a Checklist which of these must-see attractions and considering additional options such as day trips and fun activities, you’ll be able to craft a well-rounded itinerary that ensures a memorable and enriching family experience in Chiang Mai.


Step 4

Balancing Structure and Spontaneity

Craft a flexible itinerary that outlines your daily activities and sightseeing plans while allowing room for spontaneity and relaxation.

Divide your days into morning, afternoon, and evening , with designated time slots for exploring attractions, dining, and leisure activities.

Don’t forget to build in downtime to allow your family to rest and recharge between adventures. Schedule breaks throughout the day for snacks, meals, and relaxation, giving everyone the opportunity to unwind and reflect on the day’s experiences. Consider incorporating leisurely activities like Visiting the shopping Mall , a Walk in the park, exploring local markets, or simply strolling through Chiang Mai’s charming streets and neighborhoods. Enjoy a Spa traditional Thai massage or Day at the Pool.
By striking a balance between exploration and relaxation, you’ll ensure a well-rounded and enjoyable family trip to Chiang Mai.
While it’s essential to have a general plan in place, remain open to last-minute changes and unexpected discoveries along the way.


Step 5

Chiang-Mai-Driver place picture
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Geraldine Tan profile pictureGeraldine Tan
13:23 26 Dec 24
Nice driver, will definitely engage their service again. Very proactive and even helped us with the restaurant bookings 👏🏻
krittika saha profile picturekrittika saha
02:51 20 Dec 24
May and her team were excellent and helpful throughout. The driver was punctual and very accommodating. Highly recommend May’s service if you are visiting Chiang Mai
Gijs de Lange profile pictureGijs de Lange
00:43 15 Dec 24
We had a great day with Chiang Mai Driver May! She is really kind and interesting to talk to. Learned a lot about Thai culture! May took us to some amazing places with a lot of natural beauty; waterfall, hot springs and the beautiful Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat. We highly recommend May!
renato costella profile picturerenato costella
14:47 09 Dec 24
We had a wonderful tour in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai organized by May and her team
Very knowledgeable and precise in every thing. Absolutely brilliant and nice
Recommended 100% !👏👏👏👏
Chia Li Leong profile pictureChia Li Leong
09:33 08 Dec 24
We had an unforgettable trip in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, thanks to our amazing tour guide! From the moment we were picked up, everything was well-organized and stress-free. The guide was not only professional and knowledgeable but also warm and accommodating, ensuring our family had a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout.

We particularly appreciated their flexibility in tailoring the itinerary to our preferences, whether it was hiking into Doi Inthanon, exploring local attractions, or finding great food spots. They shared fascinating insights about the culture and history, which made the trip even more meaningful.

If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, I highly recommend booking this guide for a smooth and memorable adventure. Thank you for making our holiday so special!
James Moore profile pictureJames Moore
05:58 03 Dec 24
Steve Quinn profile pictureSteve Quinn
01:07 02 Dec 24
Thanks to Chiang Mai Driver I have incredible memories – and photos to preserve those memories – of my visit to Chiang Mai. May was patient while I explored various cultural treasures – the people and the place – as I took photos of my three tours. Additionally, she was very communicative, even with a 15-hour time zone difference, and that made for efficient planning. May also helped me enjoy the days when I was not taking one of her tours. Chiang Mai Driver should be every visitor’s first choice for tour bookings.
Flory Leong profile pictureFlory Leong
00:45 26 Nov 24
A memorable and fun experience in Chiangmai with the hospitality from May. A very friendly, helpful and attentive to most of our request. She is easy to deal and communite with. Highly recommend tour service.
hying019 profile picturehying019
11:35 25 Nov 24
Lindy Tram profile pictureLindy Tram
07:58 25 Nov 24
We used Chiang Mai Driver for a few days in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. They were so accommodating, especially getting us around remote areas such as the Doi Chang Mountains! I love how flexible they were with our schedules. Our driver was very professional, friendly, and always super punctual! Highly recommend their driver services 🙂
Derek Pierre profile pictureDerek Pierre
17:39 22 Nov 24
We were introduced to May through the Melia Hotel, and her service exceeded our expectations. She drove my family and me from the hotel to a villa in northern Chiang Mai, and the trip couldn’t have been smoother.

May was punctual, professional, and incredibly friendly, engaging in great conversation with both us and our kids, which made the journey enjoyable for everyone. We were so impressed with her that we asked her to take us to the Chiang Mai airport a few days later at the end of our stay, and she gladly accommodated us.

Her pricing was very reasonable, and her warm and reliable service added a lot to our trip. I would absolutely recommend May and will gladly use her services again if/when we return to Chiang Mai!
Tanya Sowaprux profile pictureTanya Sowaprux
05:24 22 Nov 24
If you’re looking for a driver who is friendly, easy to talk to and knowledgeable, you should consider Chiang Mai Driver. Had a great time with my group of friends today. Great service and clean car! Thank you 🙂
Ranjana singh profile pictureRanjana singh
10:43 19 Nov 24
Booked a van for 9 people from this agency. We visited sticky waterfall, doi suthep in night, doi inthanon and chiang rai in 3 days. They were very prompt in replying and arranging the vehicle in short notice. The drivers were friendly and guided us the places to eat. Overall they made our trip hasslefree. I will definitely recommend them to others.
Sabrina Fernandez profile pictureSabrina Fernandez
11:06 17 Nov 24
Used Chiang Mai Driver to access Doi Suthep. Driver suggested a stop along the way at Wat Pha Lat which was free and even more lovely! Highly recommend company.
Dean Mendum profile pictureDean Mendum
02:37 15 Nov 24
Booked a day trip around Chiang Mai for us as a family and to see the local attractions – It was super easy to book and from the start there was great communication, right the way up to the morning we got picked up. We had the choice of several itineraries for the day, all with affordable/competitive pricing and even suggestions on the best tour/places to visit with our 4yr old. Golf our driver was friendly and attentive and I would highly recommended using Chiang-Mai-Driver again. Thanks for a fun and memorable day out seeing the beautiful city of Chiang Mai.
Doug R profile pictureDoug R
05:16 05 Nov 24
I rode from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao and then Chiang Rai with this business. The price was fair and everything went well. I can recommend them if you need a driver.
Eva Plut profile pictureEva Plut
11:41 04 Nov 24
She speaks good english, is very kind and answers any of your questions! Se took us to some nice caffee and restaurants. The drive was comfortable and safe. 100% recommend!
Anny Sanchez profile pictureAnny Sanchez
10:33 29 Oct 24
May was an excellent tour guide during our stay in Chiang Mai. She picked us at the airport and took us on excursions during three days. She is courteous, punctual, excellent driver and knowledgeable. We experienced all the highlights: waterfalls, mountains, temples, elephants. An amazing experience. Highly recommended.
Gary James profile pictureGary James
05:29 26 Oct 24
Our lovely driver was a delight – very friendly, helpful and funny. Superb English and gave us lots of information. Highly recommended – wish we’d met her sooner – my wife fell in love with her!
Filippo Gromo profile pictureFilippo Gromo
08:21 23 Oct 24
Our first experience in Thailand and May our driver (and owner) took us up to Ban Rak Thai (highly recommended). We found her via google maps, sent a message and she responded at once. We had a call and we discussed together our plans. She recommended a few places and helped adjusting our itinerary. What was great for us was her flexibility, anything we wanted to do, go and see was possible. She also helped with a lot of useful tips for other destinations. She has always been very kind, always on time and at our full disposal. She covered all our needs and we loved spending time with her. Giuliana and Filippo
Saskia profile pictureSaskia
07:13 29 Sep 24
I had the best time with May, the driver, she was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of tips with me. A custom tour with her was very convenient and designed as per my personal preferences vs being in a car with other tourists where you have a fixed schedule and no flexibility. Like this I was able to discover more hidden gems and enjoy chiang mai even more. When I’m back I’ll definitely book a trip with her again and I can highly recommend her to anyone looking for a driver in Chiang Mai.
Irene Chin profile pictureIrene Chin
14:53 28 Sep 24
I contacted Ms May as private driver service to Mon Jam area . Unexpectedly we stucked in a flooded situation in Changklan road on departure day. Despite the flooded and raining situation, she safely sent us to our next destination in Mon Jam. We had a good lunch together. The following day, she sent us to airport. I highly recommended her service and will definitely contact her again when I have the chance to visit Chiang Mai again 🥰

To Ms May, sincerely thanks 🙏 from me and my girlfriends for the excellent care and service to ensure we have a safe journey to Mon Jam to and fro in raining situation.
Phil Me profile picturePhil Me
06:01 19 Sep 24
We actually booked a 2 day tour to the nearby mountains but did an additional day tour within the city because we enjoyed our drivers (May) personality and professionality. Its so much better than group tours or organizing a taxi to every site.
Maxime Lenssens profile pictureMaxime Lenssens
15:53 18 Aug 24
Trustworthy, flexible and reliable tour service in the chiang mai area

Friendly driver, always on time.
Recommended
Nuttaya Sato profile pictureNuttaya Sato
11:56 17 Aug 24
Nicole Reinecke profile pictureNicole Reinecke
09:17 03 May 24
We had a lovely trip up to doi suthep with a funny tour guide! Recommendation!!!
Irina Magdali Karch profile pictureIrina Magdali Karch
17:49 02 May 24
Very good tour and service, highly recommended. We went to ‘Buatong’ waterfalls and had a great day, thanks to the guide. Good organization, punctual and very friendly. With lots of information about the place and Chiang Mai.
Andrea Recussi profile pictureAndrea Recussi
17:14 28 Apr 24
A fantastic experience with an excellent guide and a fantastic route. Highly recommended.
H.A profile pictureH.A
16:27 28 Apr 24
In January 2024 we were only in the south for 2 weeks and then set out to explore the north. On the recommendation of a friend, we booked the Chiang Mai Driver service.
We can only report with enthusiasm about our experience with Chiang Mai Driver.
After a lady picked up my husband and I from the airport and took us to the hotel we had booked in advance, we arranged to meet for a city tour the next day.
The lady showed up on time the next day and showed us some sights in the city, then drove us to Doi Suthep Temple and organized a great lunch and dinner. We were able to take our time eating because the lady waited outside during the meal.
We really enjoyed our first day in Chiang Mai, so we decided to use additional services at short notice.
After consultation, we were able to reserve a complete weekly package including hotel and restaurant bookings.
She took us to the Sticky Waterfall, the elephant reserve and organized a game of golf, we drove to the White Temple in Chiang Rai, went to Singha Park including a bike tour, was in Lampang etc. we can’t even list everything, it was just impressive.
The hotel and restaurant suggestions that we ultimately booked were all great and never exceeded our budget.
We will definitely use the service again on our next trip to Thailand (winter 2024/2025). However, it was pointed out that we should definitely book the service in advance (from Germany), as we were lucky this year that the driver was still available.
Carlos profile pictureCarlos
08:25 26 Apr 24
I recently took a tour with Chiang-Mai-Driver and it exceed all expectations. The itinerary was perfect , our driver and guide May was knowledgeable and passionate . Overall , a fantastic experience. Highly recommend!
Michele Lari profile pictureMichele Lari
15:46 25 Apr 24
Great experience, very kind. Fair prices. Recommended.
Dima Bargield profile pictureDima Bargield
13:52 25 Apr 24
Our one-day tour to explore the temples and city of Chiang Mai was just Perfect.
We had the best time, learned so much about the City , and had the most delicious food throughout our Thailand trip. Our driver’s recommendations were spot on, adding extra charm to our experience. Highly recommended!

Get someone Local to Plan and drive for you.

In conclusion, planning a family trip to Chiang Mai requires careful consideration of various factors, from prioritizing attractions and managing Transportation.
However, if you’re looking for a stress-free experience.
Simply provide me with the rough information about your family, including the number of days you have in North Thailand, the number of persons traveling, and any specific interests or preferences. Let us handle the planning and logistics for you, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable adventure.


My Name is May I can plan the Trip for you and be your driver.
I’m passionate about helping you make your family’s stay in my Hometown of Chiang Mai nothing short of perfect. Let’s create lasting memories together in the beautiful North of Thailand.

3 Benefits of Planning with me

Insider knowledge from a local expert

Efficient Time Management

Maximize the time with your loved ones.

Make sure you visit the right places at the Right season of the year.

Safety and Comfort Assurance


Let us know your the place you want to go, activity, and , and we’ll get back to you right away. Let’s make your dream adventure happen!