How To Get To Doi Suthep: Ultimate Doi Suthep Day Trip
Planning a Doi Suthep day trip is one of the best things you can do while visiting Chiang Mai.
The temple itself, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, is the city’s most famous landmark, but getting there can feel confusing if you don’t know your options.
Trust me, I made a few mistakes when we visited 😰.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get to Doi Suthep on your own, including prices, transport tips, and a step-by-step itinerary that also covers nearby stops like Doi Pui Village and Wat Phra Lat.
Some links in this Doi Suthep itinerary are affiliate. If clicked, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Where is Doi Suthep?
Doi Suthep is located about 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Chiang Mai Old Town.
The drive up the mountain takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic and your mode of transport.
Because of its close proximity to Chiang Mai, it is a very easy half or full day trip from the city!
How To Get To Doi Suthep
There are a few ways to get to Doi Suthep, but most include a couple of steps. Here is a list of your main transport options:
Grab & Songthaew (Red Truck)
This is the most common way to get there and how we traveled to Doi Suthep ourselves. First, you will need to Grab (or Bolt) to either Chiang Mai Zoo or Chiang Mai University.
This is where the red songthaews line up, waiting to take passengers up the mountain.
A ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep usually costs around 50 THB per person one way, though prices can fluctuate.
Songthaews typically wait until they fill up before leaving (up to 10 people).
If you don’t feel like waiting, you can negotiate a private ride for the day, but expect to pay a lot more money.
Note: We tried to Grab directly from Old Town to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, but the driver refused to go all the way without negotiating a much higher price than we saw on the app. Unless you can get a good deal, I wouldn’t rely on Grab alone to get you to the top.
Motorbike
If you’re confident riding in Southeast Asia and don’t mind winding mountain roads, renting a motorbike can be a budget-friendly option.
Rental prices start around 150-250 THB per day.
I’ll admit this wasn’t for us and we have no experience renting motorbikes, but a lot of travelers do it and love the freedom it gives!
Hike the Monk’s Trail
For those looking for a more adventurous way to reach the temple, you can hike the Monk’s Trail.
This trail starts near Chiang Mai Zoo and winds its way through the jungle up to Wat Phra Lat and eventually Doi Suthep.
- Distance: 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) out & back
- Elevation: 620 metres
- Time: 2-3 hours one way (depending on pace)
- Trail type: mostly shaded forest paths, moderate-hard difficulty
Download the free App, AllTrails here to follow the Monk’s Trail.
It’s a great way to experience the forest and arrive at the temple the traditional way, but make sure to bring water, proper shoes, sun protection and go early to avoid the midday heat!!
It is recommended you NOT hike this trail during rainy season (July-October).
Group Tours to Doi Suthep
If you’d rather skip the logistics, booking a group or private tour is an easy option and stress-free option.
Most tours include transportation, a guide and sometimes entrance fees, so you don’t have to worry about negotiating with drivers or figuring out the route yourself.
Check out these group tours:
- Hiking & Temples: For a group tour that has some hiking and includes Wat Phra That Doi Supthep and Wat Pha Lat, click here.
- Spiritual Sunrise Tour: Experience sunrise at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with an ex-monk tour guide (breakfast included), click here!
- Evening Tour: Visit Wat Umong and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at sunset. Click here.
Tours will always be more structured and a bit pricier than doing it on your own, but they’re convenient if you’d prefer a guide and set schedule.
That said, make sure to check out my budget breakdown for doing it independently below. Going solo isn’t too difficult, and if keeping costs down is a priority, it may be a better choice for you.
Important Tips for Visiting Doi Suthep
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Doi Suthep is the same as the best time to visit Chiang Mai in general, November to February.
These months are cooler, drier and have the clearest skies (perfect for the viewpoint at the temple).
Avoid the end of February – April if you can, as this is the burning season in northern Thailand, when the air quality is often poor.
April and May are also the hottest months of the year, which makes climbing those 300+ stairs a sweaty challenge.
Dress Code
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is an active temple, so dress respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees and choose lightweight breathable clothing since you will be outside most of the day.
Clothing that can cover shoulders/knees can be bought just outside the temple from vendors (ie. sarongs/scarves).
Weather Prep
Bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.
If you’re visiting in the rainy season, pack an umbrella or light rain jacket, sudden showers are common in the mountains.
How Much Time Do You Need for Doi Suthep
If you’re visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Lat and Doi Pui Village, you will want to set aside at least 75% of a day.
For reference, we started at 12PM and didn’t make it back to Old Town until 5PM.
If you’re short on time and just want to see Doi Suthep itself, you can squeeze it into a couple of hours or a half-day trip.
Accessibility Notes
The ride up Doi Suthep (the mountain), is winding and can be a bit nauseating if you’re prone to motion sickness.
At the temple (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep), you will need to climb over 300 stairs to reach the top, but there is also a cable car option if stairs are difficult for you.
Cable car cost: 20 THB (cable car + entrance = 50 THB)
Wat Phra Lat and Doi Pui Village both involve uneven paths, stairs and small hills, so they are less accessible than Wat Phra That Doi Suthep itself.
Is Doi Suthep Worth Visiting?
Doi Suthep is one of those day trips from Chiang Mai that everyone talks about, and for good reason.
It was actually one of my favourite day trips, aside from my Ayutthaya day trip (from Bangkok).
The mountain is home to beautiful jungle temples, quiet forest trails, hill tribe villages, royal gardens, and of course, the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most important temples in northern Thailand.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth adding to your Chiang Mai itinerary, the answer is yes.
A Doi Suthep day trip gives you the chance to step out of the city and into nature, while still experiencing some of the region’s most culturally significant sites.
It is the perfect balance between adventure, culture and a break from the bustle of Old Town!
Doi Suthep Day Trip Itinerary: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Pui Village & Wat Phra Lat
How to Visit on Your Own
This is how my husband and I visited in November, and honestly, it’s the way I recommend you do it also!
We had a few hiccups when negotiating with our songthaew driver (learn from my mistakes!) so I put this itinerary together so your day can go a little smoother.
If you’re curious about what NOT to do, scroll to the bottom where I share the mistakes we made.
Get a Grab to Chiang Mai University or Chiang Mai Zoo
This is the main pickup spot for the red songthaews (shared rickshaws), heading up to Doi Suthep. They line up here and wait until they’re full before making the climb.
The average cost of a Grab or Bolt from Chiang Mai Old Town to the pick up point is 90-120 THB per ride.
Songthaew to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Now for arguably the trickiest part of the day, songthaew negotiations. Or you can skip the drama and just follow the prices they give you (I’m a drama queen, haha).
When you arrive at Chiang Mai University or Zoo, you will see the trucks lined up. The posted price to get up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is usually 50-60 THB per person. That’s what you should expect to pay.
The only catch is that the driver will wait until the truck fills up before leaving (usually 8-10 people).
If you don’t want to wait, you can negotiate for a private ride, but this usually costs 1000 THB+ for the day.
The drive up takes about 30 minutes, but fair warning: the mountain road is very windy. I actually felt a bit nauseous and wished I had taken a Gravol ahead of time.
If you get carsick easily, sit up front or bring some motion sickness tablets.
Explore Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most important temples in northern Thailand and it’s easy to see why.
With golden spires, sweeping views over Chiang Mai and the iconic naga staircase, it’s a stop you cannot miss.
We opted to walk up the 300+ stairs to get to the top, which honestly wasn’t too bad and felt like part of the experience. But if this you’d prefer to skip the climb, there’s a cable car for just 20 THB.
- Entrance Fee to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: 30 THB
- Cable Car Fee: 20 THB
- Entrance + Cable Car: 50 THB
Give yourself at least an hour here to soak it in. And don’t forget the appropriate dress code, knees and shoulders covered!
Continue to Doi Pui Village
From the Doi Suthep songthaew station, you can arrange a ride further up the mountain to Doi Pui Hmong Village.
Drivers will quote you a round-trip price (expect around 120 THB per person round trip).
The village is home to handicrafts, gardens, a cafe and traditional shops. Yes, it’s touristy, but still has a sweet charm to it. It’s a fun cultural stop.
We ended up chatting with a local man who let us try shooting an old-fashioned bow and arrow in his yard. Moments like this make it worth it.
Wat Phra Lat (The Jungle Temple)
On your way back down, ask to stop at Wat Phra Lat, which should cost 50 THB per person.
This quiet forest temple feels worlds away from the bustle of Doi Suthep. With waterfalls, mossy steps and serene vibes, it’s one of those hidden gems you will be glad you didn’t skip.
Plan to spend about 45 minutes here wandering the grounds and enjoying the peace. It’s the perfect place to catch your breath before heading back into the city.
Return to Chiang Mai Old Town
When you’re ready to wrap up, you can find a songthaew here, they are easy to find all over the mountain.
We paid about 80 THB each to head back to Old Town. Again, songthaews only leave once they’re full, so be prepared to wait a bit.
Once loaded, it’s a quick ride back into the city where you can relax and refuel.
Our Mistake When Visiting Doi Suthep
Our first mistake was trying to Grab straight to the top of the mountain. I hadn’t done the best research ahead of time, and it quickly backfired.
We ordered two different Grabs, and both drivers quoted us way over the normal price to take us all the way up and wait for us.
At that point, we realized it was not a realistic option.
So instead, we took a Grab over to Chiang Mai Zoo, where the songthaews line up. The problem was that when we arrived, there was no one else around and since songthaews only leave once they’re full (usually 8-10 people), it would have taken forever.
Because we had already started our day later than planned, we decided to negotiate a private songthaew for the day.
The driver gave us a quote of 500THB per person (1000 THB total), which honestly was not terrible considering the convenience, but it did come with a drawback; he was giving us strict time limits at each stop (which NO WAY, we did not want that).
So after the first stop, we paid him off and continued with our plan as outlined above. Hence, why I recommend my step by step itinerary to keep it under budget and straight forward.
Always learn from my mistakes haha 🙂
After you’ve finished planning your Chiang Mai trip, start research for your Bangkok itinerary here!
Budget Breakdown for Your Doi Suthep Itinerary
Here’s what you can realistically expect to spend if you follow my suggested route:
- Grab/Bolt from Chiang Mai Old Town to Chiang Mai University or Zoo: 90–120 THB (per ride)
- Songthaew to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: 50–60 THB per person (one way)
- Entrance to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: 30 THB
- Cable Car (optional): 20 THB one way, or 50 THB entrance + cable car combo ticket
- Songthaew from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to Doi Pui Village: 120 THB round-trip (60 THB one way)
- Songthaew stop at Wat Phra Lat (on way down): Often included in your negotiated ride, but budget about 50 THB extra just in case
- Songthaew back to Chiang Mai Old Town: 80 THB per person
💰 Estimated Total (without cable car): ~370–460 THB per person (about $10–13 USD)
💰 Estimated Total (with cable car): ~400–490 THB per person (about $11–14 USD)
Of course, this depends on how good your negotiating skills are and how patient you are with waiting for a full truck, but this is the ballpark.
Doing It On Your Own Vs. Group Tour: Group tour prices start around 900–1,200 THB ($25–35 USD) depending on tour type (sunrise, hiking, evening, private, etc.)
Bottom line: Doing it yourself is usually half (or less) the cost of a group tour. If you’re budget-conscious and don’t mind a little adventure, DIY is the way to go.
If you’d rather skip the logistics and want a guide to share history and stories, a group tour can be worth the extra cost.
Optional Add-Ons Near Doi Suthep (If You Have Time)
If you have a bit more time, you can easily add on a couple of extra stops around Doi Suthep:
- Bhubing Palace (Royal Gardens): Just a short drive past Doi Suthep, this is the winter residence of the Thai royal family. The landscaped gardens are beautiful to walk through, especially if you love flowers and mountain views. Entrance is around 50 THB.
- Huay Kaew Waterfall: Located near the base of the mountain, this small but scenic waterfall is a relaxing spot to unwind before heading back to town. It’s free and only a short walk from the road.
Final Thoughts On Your Doi Suthep Day Trip
A day trip to Doi Suthep is a must when you’re in Chiang Mai.
Whether you choose to go DIY with songthaews or book a guided tour, you’ll get to experience one of Thailand’s most sacred temples, breathtaking views over the city, and unique cultural stops along the way.
I personally recommend going on your own, it’s budget-friendly, flexible, and a little more adventurous.
But either way, you’ll walk away with unforgettable memories from northern Thailand.
