Things to Know Before Going to Northern Thailand (2025 Travel Guide)

Back in January 2025, we did an unforgettable 8-day road trip through Northern Thailand, covering Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Dao, and Pai. If you’re planning your own Thai adventure, especially up north, this is your go-to guide for all the things to know before going to Northern Thailand—from local currency tips to what kind of food to expect, how to get around, and where to shop for souvenirs. Grab a roadtrip checklist here.

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1. Currency & Exchange

• Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
• Exchange rate: As of our trip, the rate was roughly 35-36 THB per 1 USD. You can check the latest rate here.
• How much to carry? We carried around 5,000-7,000 THB in cash (~$150-200) for local markets, small eateries, and gas. Cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and convenience stores. In local night markets like kalare night bazaar, market at Pai, we only spent average of 500 THB to eat/drink.
• Where to exchange: Avoid airports for the best rates. Exchange at local banks or use reputable money exchange services in Chiang Mai. As soon as we landed, we exchanged 50USD at the airport for immediate use. Later, we went to mr.pierre in Chiang Mai to get the rest of the cash. Expect long lines!

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2. Transportation

• Rental car: We rented a compact car from Chiang Mai Airport and returned it at the same spot. We booked through chiangmaiwheels.com but you can also check local providers. We drove a rental car for 7 days (960 kms) and it cost us 240$USD approximately for rental and 65$USD for gas plus 3.77$USD for parking.
• Driving tips: They drive on the left side in Thailand! Roads in the north are generally well-maintained but can get winding, especially around Pai.
• Gas stations: Easy to find in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Use stations like PTT or Shell. Cost was around 37 THB/liter (~$4/gallon).
• How to pump gas: Full-service stations—just pull up, tell them how much (by Baht or liters), and they do the rest. Payment by card or cash. Best to use cash.
• Other transport options: we did not use any other transport as we rented a car. The information below is only based on our research.
  • Songthaews (shared red pickup taxis) in Chiang Mai (20-40 THB)
  • Grab app for taxis
  • Buses & minivans for city-to-city travel if not renting a car
  • Trains for travelling between big cities.

Driving License & Car/Bike Info

• International Driving Permit (IDP): Required if you plan to drive in Thailand. Carry it along with your home country driver’s license.
• Car Type: A compact car is perfect for city and highway driving. For mountainous areas like Pai, something with decent ground clearance is helpful but not essential.
• Motorbikes: Very popular in Chiang Mai and Pai. You need a motorcycle license and an IDP with the motorcycle endorsement. Helmets are a must.

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3. Language – good to Know Before Going to Thailand

• Most people in the cities speak basic English, especially in tourist areas.
• Learn a few Thai phrases—it goes a long way!
  • Hello: Sawasdee ka (for women) / Sawasdee krap (for men)
    Thank you: Khop Khun ka (for women) / Khop Khun krap (for men)
  • How much?: Tao rai?
    In Thai, “ka” is used by women and “krap” by men as a polite ending to sentences or phrases.
    🎧 Audio Tip:
    “Sawasdee ka” sounds like: sa-wat-dee kah
    “Khop Khun ka” sounds like: kop-koon kah
    Try saying it with a smile—Thais appreciate the effort even if it’s not perfect!

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4. Food & Water – What to Know Before Going to Northern Thailand

Northern Thai cuisine is unique and full of surprises. Street food is everywhere and super affordable.

• Daily food cost:
  • Street food: 50–80 THB per dish
  • Local restaurants: 100–300 THB per person

Must-Try Dishes:

• Khao Soi – Chiang Mai’s famous coconut curry noodle soup with crispy noodles.
• Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) – Spicy stir-fried wide rice noodles with garlic and basil.
• Northern Kanom Jeen – Fermented rice noodles in spicy broth.
• Coconut Smoothie – Fresh, cooling, and perfect for hot days.
• Coconut Ice Cream – Often served in a coconut shell with toppings.
• Anything coconut! – Coconut appears in drinks, curries, snacks, and desserts.

💧 Drink only bottled mineral water, even when brushing your teeth, to avoid stomach issues. We bought a 2 gallon jugs from local 7 eleven and stored them in our car. Everyday, we would just refill our water bottles.

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5. Daily Budget (Per Person)

• Meals: 300 THB
• Transport (car + gas): ~500 THB
• Accommodation (mid-range hotel): 800-1200 THB
• Activities/entry fees: 200-400 THB
• Souvenirs: 200-300 THB
• Total Estimate: 2,000–2,500 THB/day (~$55–$70)

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6. Souvenirs

Souvenir shopping is one of the best parts of Northern Thailand!

• Best places: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Pai Walking Street, and Chiang Rai markets.
• What to buy: Handwoven textiles, carved wooden crafts, herbal balms, essential oils, handmade purses (they are really beautiful and unique), Thai teas, and elephant-themed goodies.

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7. Power Sockets

• Type: Thailand uses Type A, B, and C plugs.
• Voltage: 220V, 50Hz. Most modern chargers work fine, but bring a universal adapter just in case.

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8. Restrooms – what to know before going to Northern Thailand

• Public restrooms are usually available at gas stations, malls, and tourist spots, but not always the cleanest. If you travel to more rural local restaurants, you might not find western toilets. Instead you will find local style, which can be hard to sit.
• Carry tissue—most places don’t provide toilet paper.
• You’ll often find bidet hoses instead.
• Some public toilets charge a small fee (2–5 THB), so keep coins handy.

9. SIM Card & Internet Access in Thailand

Staying connected in Thailand was super easy thanks to eSIMs. Before our trip, we purchased an eSIM online, and it activated automatically as soon as we landed. No need to hunt for kiosks or deal with swapping physical SIM cards. We had mobile data right away, which was super convenient for grabbing a ride, checking maps, or just letting family know we arrived safely. we got our eSIM from airalo.com

If your phone supports eSIM, we definitely recommend it—it’s fast, hassle-free, and often cheaper than buying one at the airport.

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10. Final Tips

Here are a few last things to know before going to Northern Thailand:

• Use sunscreen—it’s sunny even in winter.
• Dress modestly when visiting temples.
• Carry small bills and coins for local transport and street vendors.
• Download Google Translate and Grab before your trip. We pinned every spot we wanted to try in our google maps and grouped them under separate titles. This made things easier when we got there.
• Don’t forget travel insurance—worth every penny!
• Carry your passport everywhere you go!. Make sure its secure and not easy to grab by petti thieves. We use this crossbody bag to carry our personal documents and water bottle, when visiting local markets. Best part about this bag is that it has a anti theft zipper compartment. You can store extra cash and passports in here when walking through busy and crowded areas.
• Grab a roadtrip checklist here.

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Northern Thailand stole my heart with its misty mountains, vibrant food markets, and welcoming people. If you’re dreaming of a road trip through Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and beyond—I hope these things to know before going to Northern Thailand make your travel smoother and even more memorable.

Have questions about our trip? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram @thenomadstudio!

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