Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Day 7
Krabi is one of the hottest spots in southern Thailand while Chiang Mai is one of the hottest spots in northern Thailand. You can easily fly from Krabi to Chiang Mai by direct flights. AirAsia connects both the cities with non-stop direct flights twice a day at an economical rate, of course if booked earlier. Today we are flying to Chiang Mai and one of my friends is joining us there from India – double excitement!
Highlights of the Day
- Fly to Chiang Mai
- Check in at Hug Bed and Breakfast
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
HOSTEL AT AO NANG to Krabi Airport
The airport bus crosses the road to Ao Nang Beach, so we got the bus from right in front of our hostel.
It was a lazy morning – as it was the last day in Krabi in this vacation, I made sure I get enough playtime at Ao Nang beach before I get fresh. The beach was just 1 min walk away from our hostel.
I and my parents were in love with the local Thai food served at the nearby restaurant, so we had Pad Krapaw Sai Phak (rice with stir-fried basil and vegetables) for brunch there before we took the airport bus at around 1 PM. The bus takes an hour to reach the airport.
Chiang Mai Airport to the City Hostel
Our flight was at 4 PM, and we arrived Chiang Mai Airport at 5.45 PM. Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand and its airport is the fourth busiest airport of the country, serving all major places of Northern Thailand and other international destinations as well.
We met my friend at the airport and decided to take a taxi to the hostel, as that would cost cheaper than taking a songthaew for 4 people.
Many touts would approach you at the airport exit, but it is better to go to a taxi coupon booth that you certainly cannot miss, and get a cab to the city. Tell them where you want to go, and they will give you a two-part receipt and will tell you where to find the driver at the exit. The old city is only 15 min away..
Hug Bed and Breakfast
Chiang Mai is an ancient city at the center, which is still surrounded by semi-preserved walls, gates, and moats. Inside the old city, there are hundreds of Buddhist temples reigning from the Lanna era, as old as 14th century.
The hostel I booked for 3 nights was just a 5-min walk away from Chang Puak Gate, which is at the north of the old city. Toward the east is Tha Phae Gate, which is close to the Night Bazaar and the popular road full of bars leading to the bazaar, named Loi Kroh Road where I stayed at for the first time I was in Chiang Mai, somewhere in May this year. Suan Dok Gate is on the west of the old city, toward the Doi Suthep mountain, and Saen Pung Gate is on the south.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The the most famous place for shopping with bargain is Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Chiang Mai is a shoppers’ paradise, and every evening, it comes alive with the massive Night Bazaar, which is located near the Ping river on the east side of the city. It offers the cheapest price for goods in Thailand.
The market was full of colors, just like usual Thai-style market, but it stretches for several blocks and includes restaurants, bars and entertainment. It was huge!
It was already time for dinner. We found a heavily-crowded restaurant in the shopping alley of the night bazaar. I was sure the food must be good there.
On sharing, each person’s bill summed up to 200 ฿ only.
You have to be in a queue, take the number, and wait for the waiter to call your number. Do not worry, because the queue is for a good reason. Undoubtedly, the meal tasted awesome. Later, I found out on TripAdvisor that the restaurant is actually pretty popular in Chiang Mai. They serve the best Thai dishes foreigners love – its name is Lemongrass.
After such a heavy and delicious dinner, we decided to walk back to our hostel. It took us around half an hour, though the distance was only 2 km. But, we decided to enjoy the streetlife of Chiang Mai at night on the way back.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 7 in Thailand – Chiang Mai.
- Krabi to Chiang Mai flight: 2000
- Hostel in Chiang Mai for single bed (3 nights): 1600
- Getting around: 250
- Food: 350
Total expense (roughly): 4200 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Ohh seems like you got to see the best side of both world! I am from Thailand and I am always happy to hear when someone take their time to visit northern Thailand aswell as there are other vibes there than beach. Its seems as you had a great time! Thanks for sharing your vacation story with us!
I am glad you liked it.
Thanks for sharing a very useful guide on Chiang Mai. I loved your hostel as it is neat and clean and also they provide basic fruits and bread all day long at ground floor. Also this hostel is near to Night Bazaar which is very good as I love to stroll around night bazaars after having dinner. Also food from Lemon Grass looks awesome and I would surely order it from here, when I visit Chiang Mai.
Yes, the food is great here.
I would really like to visit. I’m not a big fan of hostels but this one looked quite nice. The food market looked like such an interesting place to explore and try local dishes at an affordable price.
Hostels in Thailand are really stylish.
What a cool guide! I actually took the bus from Krabi to Chiang Mai and had a great time. I really enjoyed the countryside. Thank you for sharing this awesome article.
Woah, that must be very long.
I am going to take this trip sometime soon. I have been to Thailand but I missed Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on my last trip and I really want to go back for that. Chiang Mai’s night bazaar looks pretty cool, I loved the night market in Bangkok as well as Pattaya so I am sure this one will be similar and I would really love to go!
The north of Thailand is very different and totally worth a visit.
I love traveling to international bazaars while on vacation. All the vendors and food immediately make me feel like home and I love the destination that much more. It sounds like the Chiang Mai bazaar was the highlight of your travels! It’s an added bonus that the food and accommodations were affordable and wonderful. I love that your hostel was only a one minute walk from the beach, how divine!
Yes Martha, Chiang Mai night markets are lovely.
I would love to consider visiting Chiang Mai on my next visit to Thailand. I am glad to know about the convenient taxi coupon booth at the Airport. It would be a great experience visiting the Buddha temples in the old city, the lively night market and I dis surely savour on the Thai dishes too.
Yes, you would love them Anjali.
Never knew that Krabi to Chiang Mai can be done for such a low budget? I remember my first trip to Thailand some years back when we opted to drive down from pattaya to surat thani for Koh Samui as flights were ridiculously expensive at that point of time. Will definitely check it out as an option the next time we’re there.
Yes, it’s just one direct flight.
Happy to see a senior-citizen friendly list. Would work out for me too coz I travel with a little baby!
Super happy to know about this vegetarian friendly, authentic Thai cuisine restaurant.
Interesting to see families incl. senior citizens staying in hostel! I somehow stopped thinking of them since my gal was born. I should reconsider it too.
Yes, the hostels there are too cool. Families can easily stay there, so not a big deal.
I am so happy to see a post that connects with the senior citizens and those that have slow mobility. I am glad to see that you stayed in a BnB. As an aggregator of Bed and Breakfast accommodations across India, I know the level of belongingness one feels when they stay in a BnB. I have never been to Krabi and would definitely want to explore the hottest spot of Thailand thanks to your blog post!
You are welcome! There are more coming up!
Krabi would be on my list when I get to Thailand. The food at the Lemongrass restaurant sounds amazing. The night bazaar looks like fun too, definitely a must.
he night bazaar is lit!
Anything to do with Thailand piques my interest. My eyes have already clocked that deliciously looking plate of food. I am gutted I never got that time to visit Krabi but would love to include it next time I am in Thailand if this post is anything to go by.
Sure.