🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This route suits anyone flying into Lampang or driving up from Bangkok who wants to bag both cities in one trip. Lampang has a small airport with a few direct flights a day from Don Muang, or you can take the northern railway line down to Nakhon Lampang station for the atmosphere. From Lampang town to Chiang Mai you take Highway 11 through Hang Chat, Khun Tan, Doi Ti and Lamphun into Chiang Mai, roughly 100 km and an easy ninety-minute drive. A private car or a rental works best for this plan, because several of Lampang's key temples sit outside the town.
How to start the trip
If you fly or take the train into Lampang, the smart move is to rent a car in Lampang, drive both cities, then drop it off in Chiang Mai (one-way). Several companies accept cross-province returns, so you never have to loop back. If you're driving your own car up, just start in Lampang and follow this plan as is.
Day 1
Horse-cart Lampang — Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Kad Kong Ta, chicken-bowl ceramics
08.30
Start at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Ko Kha districtAn ancient teak-wood temple widely considered one of the most beautiful in the North, about 18 km out of town. It has a golden chedi, a teak main viharn, and a spot where you queue to photograph the inverted reflection of the chedi inside the Buddha hall. Go early while the sun is gentle and the crowds are thin. Free to enter, dress modestly.
10.30
Back into town, stop at Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao SuchadaramAn old temple on the Wang River that once housed the Emerald Buddha. It has a chedi and a small museum, with attractive Burmese-influenced architecture. A short walk-through, good to tick off before lunch in town.
12.00
Lunch — khao soi or clear-broth noodles in Lampang townLampang has clear-broth noodle shops the locals actually eat at, plus several long-running khao soi spots around town. After lunch, rest through the hot afternoon before heading out to walk Kad Kong Ta in the evening.
14.00
Ride a horse cart around the old townLampang is the only town in Thailand where horse carts still run as a real service. The cart ranks are near the five-way clock tower junction and in front of the old hotels. A short loop starts around 200–300 THB. You ride past old shophouses along the street for a proper old-world feel. Always agree on the price before you climb aboard.
15.30
Paint a chicken bowl at Dhanabadee CeramicLampang is the birthplace of the red-rooster chicken bowl that every Thai household knows. Dhanabadee Ceramic has a museum telling the story plus a workshop where you can paint your own bowl and take home a handmade souvenir. Check the workshop times with them before you go.
17.30
Walk Kad Kong Ta (Saturday–Sunday only)An old walking street along the Wang River, lined with wooden shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings the whole length. There's local food, crafts and live music. If you're here on the weekend, don't skip it. If you come on a weekday, walk the same street in daylight to admire the old buildings instead. One night in Lampang.
Line up your day with Kad Kong Ta
The Kad Kong Ta walking street only runs Saturday–Sunday in the evening. If you want it at its liveliest, set day one to fall on the weekend. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and Dhanabadee Ceramic are open daily, so any day works for those.
Day 2
Drive Highway 11 through Khun Tan → Thung Kwian market → into old-town Chiang Mai
09.00
Check out, stop at Thung Kwian market, Hang Chat districtA big souvenir market right on the Lampang–Chiang Mai road, selling crispy pork, sai ua (northern sausage), green chili dip, naem, khao taen rice crackers, and Lampang ceramics at good prices. It's a great souvenir stop before you leave Lampang, and the northern snacks here are cheaper than in the tourist towns.
10.30
Drive up Highway 11 through Khun TanA mountain road through the Khun Tan area, near the longest railway tunnel in Thailand. Green forested hills line both sides, so just cruise and take your time. From Lampang to Chiang Mai is about 100 km and around ninety minutes including stops.
11.30
Pass Doi Ti–Lamphun (detour to Wat Phra That Hariphunchai if you have time)You pass through Lamphun before reaching Chiang Mai. If you want to add more, detour to Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in the center of Lamphun, about 30–40 minutes. It's an ancient temple paired with the town, with a handsome golden chedi — a nice bonus along the way for temple lovers.
12.30
Arrive in Chiang Mai, check in around the old town / Tha PhaeStaying inside the old city moat or around Tha Phae Gate makes it easy to walk to temples and the walking streets. Drop your bags and head out for lunch.
13.30
Lunch — Chiang Mai khao soiKhao soi is the first dish people think of in Chiang Mai. The famous shops are scattered around the Chang Khlan area and the old town. Most close by mid-afternoon, so arriving before 2 pm is the safer bet.
15.30
Temple walk inside the old city — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra SinghWat Chedi Luang has a huge chedi partly collapsed from an ancient earthquake, and it still looks grand. Wat Phra Singh is the royal temple in the center of town. Both sit inside the moat and are within walking distance of each other. Entry is just a few tens of THB each.
18.00
Dinner + walking street (Tha Phae on Sunday / Wua Lai on Saturday)On a Saturday there's the Wua Lai walking street; on a Sunday there's the Tha Phae walking street, which is longer and livelier. Stroll and snack on local food and crafts for a good while. One night in Chiang Mai.
About the day-two route
The Khun Tan stretch of Highway 11 is a winding mountain climb — drive carefully in the rainy season when the road is slick and foggy, but on a clear day the views are stunning. Set GPS to ‘Chiang Mai via Lamphun’ and it routes you onto Highway 11 automatically, no shortcuts needed.
Day 3
Nimman → Doi Suthep → souvenirs → head home
08.30
Morning café in the Nimmanhaemin areaNimman is Chiang Mai's real café district, with stylish coffee shops opening early, many using beans from the hills around town. Sit with a coffee and an easy breakfast before heading up the mountain.
10.00
Up Doi Suthep — Wat Phra That Doi SuthepThe mountaintop temple that's the symbol of Chiang Mai. Climb the naga staircase or take the cable car up. From the temple terrace you can see the whole city of Chiang Mai. There's a small fee for the cable car and entry for foreign visitors. Go early while the mist hasn't burned off and the air is cool.
12.00
Back down, lunch at the foot of the mountain / in townThe foot of Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai University has plenty of northern restaurants and khao soi shops. Grab lunch before the final souvenir run.
13.30
Souvenirs — Warorot Market (Kad Luang)Kad Luang is the souvenir market in the center of town, with sai ua, crispy pork, green chili dip and dried northern goods all in one place at friendly prices. Buy now and stock up before the trip back.
15.00
Head home / return the car at Chiang Mai airportIf you're flying back, drop the car at Chiang Mai airport and board. If you're driving your own car back to Bangkok, that's about 9–10 hours — better to break the drive with an overnight stop somewhere for safety.
If you have more than 3 days
This plan focuses on the two old towns. With 4–5 days, add Lampang's nature side — stop at Chae Son National Park for hot springs and a waterfall hike — or, on the Chiang Mai side, continue up to Doi Inthanon, or hit the field-side cafés around Mae Rim–San Kamphaeng before looping back.
Rough budget per person (3 days, 2 nights)
- Two nights' accommodation — 1 night Lampang + 1 night Chiang Mai, from around 1,000–2,200 THB for mid-range places, split in half with two people.
- 6–7 meals — around 700–1,300 THB; northern food and street food are easy on the wallet.
- Lampang horse cart — a short loop from around 200–300 THB per cart, seats several people.
- Chicken-bowl painting workshop — around 150–300 THB per person depending on the design, and you take the bowl home.
- One-way car rental + fuel — around 1,500–2,500 THB per car, split by the number of people.
- A mid-range total lands around 2,500–4,000 THB per person (going with 2–4 people splits it cheaper; airfare not included).
🎟️Book the activities in your Lampang trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
🎟️ See all Lampang tours & activities (Klook) Can you do it without a private car?
Yes, but it's a bit harder to get around. Buses and vans run between Lampang and Chiang Mai all day, taking about ninety minutes for anywhere from a few tens to just over a hundred THB. In Lampang town you can use the horse carts or motorbike taxis, but Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is outside town, so you'll need to charter a songthaew or use a ride-hailing app. In Chiang Mai, the red trucks (songthaew) run all over the city and ride-hailing apps are easy. Doi Suthep has chartered red trucks going up from the foot of the mountain. Without a private car this trip suits people who focus on the towns and aren't fussy about timing — but if you want to move freely and cover the out-of-town temples in full, a rental is the better value.
Best time to go
The most comfortable window for the North is Nov–Feb, when it's cool and clear, ideal for temple walks and the drive up Highway 11 through Khun Tan. From Mar–Apr the North often has crop-burning haze, so visibility is poor and it's hot — avoid it if you can. In the rainy season (Jun–Oct) everything is lush and green, but the Khun Tan road gets slick and foggy, so drive carefully.
