A day trip to Chiang Dao Cave offers the perfect escape from Chiang Mai City, while also exploring one of the most important religious and cultural centers in the region.

The cave is relatively close to Chiang Mai, making it a regular feature on Chiang Mai hiking tours and kayaking trips. However, a full-day tour to the Chiang Dao Cave remains the best way to explore this labyrinthine cave complex in its totality.

Here’s all you need to know about Chiang Dao Cave, one of the most spectacular day trips from Chiang Mai.

How to get to Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai?

Chiang Dao Cave is north of Chiang Mai City in an area dotted with beautiful temples and pristine nature reserves. The cave system is approximately halfway to Chiang Rai, making it an ideal pit stop when you're on your way to a Chiang Rai temple tour.

From Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao Cave by car or Scooter

If you have an international driver’s license (IDL), you could make the journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao Cave by car or scooter. From Chiang Mai’s city center, you’ll head north, staying on Route 107 until you reach the cave.

The journey is about 80 kilometers long and will take an hour and a half by car, or an hour and fifteen minutes by scooter.

Guided tour to Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai

A guided day trip to Chiang Dao Cave is one of the best ways to explore the cave complex’s winding chambers and dark recesses. The guide will take care of all the details for you, enabling you to take in the beauty of the caves.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Chiang Dao Cave cost?

Entrance tickets to the Chiang Dao Cave complex are inexpensive and are split into two different categories — domestic and foreign tourists. You can hire a guide with a lamp for an additional fee. Unfortunately, there’s no separate entrance fee for children.

Domestic tourists tickets

Adults and children: THB20 (US$0.50)
Hire a guide: THB150 (US$4.50)

Foreign tourists tickets

Adults and children: THB40 (US$1.00)
Hire a guide: THB150 (US$4.50)

What is the typical itinerary?

A typical day trip to Chiang Dao Cave starts with a pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai City. An air-conditioned van will take you to the Chiang Dao Cave complex, where you will explore the stalactite and stalagmite-filled caverns, Buddha statues and intricate temples.

Most day trips to the caves include an entrance fee and guide hire, but some may require you to pay this on arrival — confirm this with your tour company when booking.

After your cave exploration, you’ll visit a local market and enjoy a delicious Thai lunch, before heading back to Chiang Mai.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Chiang Dao Cave?

There are a number of tours to Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai, each with a different itinerary and unique activities.

Guided day tour to Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai

A guided tour to Chiang Dao Cave is one of the best ways to explore this ancient cave system to its fullest. Your guide will take care of all the planning and logistics for you, enabling you to sit back and enjoy the experience.

After a day of guided spelunking, you’ll put your feet up at a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional Thai lunch, before heading back to Chiang Mai.

Full-day small group Chiang Dao Cave tour from Chiang Mai

A small group day trip to Chiang Dao Cave is a perfect way to avoid crowds while working with a budget. This full-day tour really packs a punch when it comes to value for money, with pickup, transfer, a cave guide and a local lunch all included in the price.

This is even more impressive when you take into account that the tour is limited to 9 participants.

Private Chiang Dao Cave tour from Chiang Mai

While a private day trip to Chiang Dao Cave is a bit more expensive, it’s still worth the price if you are traveling as a couple, a small family, or a group of friends. You’ll be the only people on this tour, enabling you to set the itinerary and explore the things you want to explore.

How much does a day trip to the Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai cost?

A full-day small group Chiang Dao Cave tour from Chiang Mai is one of the least expensive options, costing US$50 per person — a bargain when you take into account that the tour is limited to 9 participants.

The guided day tour to Chiang Dao Cave costs US$80 per person. Finally, a private Chiang Dao Cave tour from Chiang Mai will cost US$120, making it one of the more expensive options.

What will you see and do?

Apart from exploring the Chiang Dao Cave complex, a day trip offers a number of extra activities for you to enjoy. These include hiking tours, kayaking expeditions, and a traditional Thai meal.

What are the opening times?

The Chiang Dao Cave is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM with the shops and restaurants surrounding the cave usually operating from 9 AM to 8 PM. During the rainy season (May to October) the caves may close for a couple of days for safety concerns.

When is the best time to visit the Chiang Dao Cave?

The cave opens at 8 AM, and this is also the best time to start your Chiang Dao Cave tour if you want to avoid crowds.

The best time of the year for a full-day tour to Chiang Dao Cave is during the winter months of November to February.

What are the other day trips from Chiang Mai?

Travel tips

Wear comfortable shoes, fit for hiking in humid and slippery conditions.
Always wear appropriate clothes when visiting places of worship.
Take extra water and snacks when exploring a cave.
Ensure you have an extra light source at hand.
Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged.

Chiang Dao Cave: Day Trips and Tours from Chiang Mai