Is Chiang Mai Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Solo travel

- The north is the cheapest in Thailand as its not as popular for tourists (still popular though) - Best spot for trinkets and gifts, much more unique compared to the rest of Thailand - Activities: Head to Chiang Rai for the day and visit all the temples/ Three Kings monument/ Wua Lai Walking Street/ Chiang Mai Cabaret (I think its like a burlesque show)/ Sticky Waterfall (Wear swimwear and bring a bag with towel/ suncream etc. Didn’t realize when climbing the waterfall you’ll get soaked so have like a bag you can put your clothes in or wear something you don’t mind getting wet)/ Elephant Sanctuary (lots of ethical elephant sanctuaries you can visit now, make sure no riding!! Ideally no feeding or bathing also, always check before booking)/ Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium (600bht) (Authentic Muay Thai experience) - Unique Activities: NHD Never Hate Drawing Studio (Local Thai artist studio, the art is so sick and you can get cool postcards and stickers with his art on it)/ Khom Chocolate House (little cafe place where they sell varieties of hot chocolate, you can even order multiple as shots so you can try a few (alt milk options too))/ Museum of World insects and Natural Wonders (200bht) (lots of taxidermy insects with so much history and information on so many creatures especially mosquitoes, this place was 10/10)/ Hideland bar (rooftop bar, fab for views) - Food: AUM Vegetarian (10/10)/ Gord Chiangmai Kithcen (10/10 - must try Tom Yum Soup) (They have lots of koi fish here)/ Another World (10/10)/ Kats Kitchen (9/10)/ V.Napaphud Vegetarian Restaurant (9/10) (10/10 for creativity though, they can imitate any meat including fish and pork) - Accommodations: Pai Residence (has a pool, it was small but nice location and did the job)/ Mad Monkey (go here if you want to meet people, there’s always events on (you can also join the events if you’re not here though just come to the hostel independently)) - Lots of markets up here on every day and night

Solo travel

- Safety : Chiang Mai is pretty safe, as thailand is in general compared to many other countries. - Things to do : So many things ! Definitely the night market in the old town every weekend. A day tour of the old town the same day would be perfect. And then, book a tour either with your hotel or while walking on the street on a travel agency (best way for me) to see the elephants, the mountains and the jungle ! - Food : Khao Soi. Aroi mak ! (Delicious haha) - Budget : Pretty Cheap destination. You have to pay a fee to go to the national parks and to visit some temples but honestly, it's very very affordable ! Only big expenses will be for the market and the food because you will eat too much ! - Accommodation : Hostels are a great deal to find some new friends. Very cheap and very clean. (I stayed right at the entrance of the old town). But if you like more "jungle" experience, there is some very nice inn with amazing view at the limit of Chiang mai - Transport : for me it's the hardest thing in thailand in general as I can't drive a bike. If you have international driving license, renting a bike is the easiest way to moove around but It can be very dangerous is the city. So maybe keep it for when you wanna go outside of the city to some remote places with less traffic. In the city, you can take the songtae (some cars open at the back where you can sit). It's the local way to moove around. A bit like bus and taxis. Otherwise, to go out of Chiang mai, either mini van or local bus (better to book before on 12go Asia for example). I went straight to the local bus station and took a bus to Chiang Dao (some place up north) and the bus dropped me 2km before my stop (I was the only foreigner). Seems to happen quite a lot to foreigners for some random reason so book before haha Anyway, Chiang Mai is really amazing, worth the visit ! (1 day to visit the old city center and weekend night market, 1 day tour to see elephants, 1 day tour to visit Chiang Rai, 1 day to visit temples and around, and 1 last day to enjoy the city and it's weekend market ! Stay around 5 days minimum)

Solo travel

Great experience in Chiangmai last July. After went to Bangkok with group, I solo to Chiangmai. It’s not modern as Bangkok but more like rural. I think it’s safe for women to solo travel there. Many foreigners and activities there, recommend Thai massage and night market.

Solo travel

Felt very safe as a woman alone, plenty of great things to do, even if it's just walking around the city , great food, good, cheap, accommodation. Locals are very friendly and getting around is easy just waking!

Group travel

I recommend temple hopping in Chiang Mai - it's a very affordable activity, with free to minimal fees. Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary is also a very fulfilling experience. For food, I highly recommend khao soi - it's very cheap if you buy it from night markets or small eateries, but you can also enjoy it in restaurants.

Solo travel

It is definitely safe, and the vibe is really relaxed and comfortable. The food is good, loved the night markets and the local food there, and definitely loved the jazz bar in the evening its where people can come and sing and play musical instruments and it was lovely. I also did the vipassana course in Chiang mai, which was beautiful!

I was really afraid going to Thailand as a solo female traveler but it was a really safe place to be. In Chiang Mai I felt always safe and people are kind, they didn’t want to ask for more money. Even in the night when I walked several times, I didn’t have any problems. Especially in the Old town.

Comparing Chiang Mai to many cities I’ve been in Russia, it’s the safest place for me: I know that no one want to cause me any harm, even when I’m walking alone at night. Im not even locking my apartment’s door, cause I don’t feel like I need to. I wouldn’t do that in Russia ever. No matter what clothes Imm wearing, I’m not getting any extra attention, aggressive or violent, only things I hear — it’s cheerful compliments, that’s it.