Cheap Hotels In Chiang Mai: Best Budget Hotels, Hostels & Homestays

Are you looking for the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai? This is the post for you!

I absolutely loved Chiang Mai; it’s one of the most laidback mountain towns to visit in northern Thailand. I’ve been twice and would happily go back! One of my favourite things about the city is how affordable it is, and as a tourist visiting, you’ll easily find cheap hotels in Chiang Mai.

However, I know it can be daunting trying to decide where to stay, so I’ve put together this accommodation guide to help you find the best but cheapest hotel in Chiang Mai. I’m including homestays, hostels and bed and breakfasts so you can find your perfect spot!

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Where To Stay In Chiang Mai: Accommodation Types & Quick Links

If it’s your first time choosing budget hotels in Chiang Mai, don’t be put off by the fact they’re cheap; there are some beautiful places to choose from! However, there are things to look out for. For example, you’ll want to check the reviews before booking…but I’ve already done this for you!

All the accommodation options below are selected from my personal research and they all have great reviews with comfortable and clean amenities. I’ve also ensured they are in a good location near the centre of Chiang Mai’s old town.

Hostels

For backpackers and those of you on a tight budget, you might want to consider staying in hostels. These generally entail a shared dormitory where you get your own bed, usually a bunk. You’ll be sharing with around 8 to 10 other people, including a shared toilet. 

I don’t mind staying in hostels and find them to be sociable places, great if you want to meet other travellers. Contradictory to common belief, they are generally clean and well-managed. It’s also possible to find private double rooms in some hostels too.

Quick Links:

• Hostel One Art And Gallery: Check prices and dates here
• About A Bed Chiang Mai: Check prices and dates here
• Green Sleep Hostel: Check prices and dates here
• Ban Lung Pohstel: Check prices and dates here
• Hostel Lullaby: Check prices and dates here

Guesthouses

This type of cheap hotel in Chiang Mai tends to be smaller family-run accommodations within a family household or complex rather than large hotels. If you’re looking for a more cosy, traditional and intimate atmosphere, a guesthouse is a great choice, especially if you’re travelling with a family.

You’ll generally get your own room and sometimes a bathroom. Doubles or family-sized rooms are popular; however, a few will still have dorm options. 

Quick Links:

• All in 1 Guesthouse: Check prices and dates here
• Ma Guesthouse Chiang Mai: Check prices and dates here
• Little Guesthouse Hotel: Check prices and dates here
• Wayside Guesthouse: Check prices and dates here
• Hoh Guesthouse: Check prices and dates here

Bed & Breakfast

I love a bed & breakfast. In Thailand, they are very similar to homestays in atmosphere, but the finish can be a little higher and less thrown together. Although most hotels will offer a breakfast deal, this style of accommodation will always include breakfast in their price. It’s a good option if you’re looking to save on meals throughout the day.

Quick Links:

• Villa Thai Orchid: Check prices and dates here
• Amaka Bed and Breakfast: Check prices and dates here
• Chiang Mai Walking Street: Check prices and dates here

Budget Hotels

I’m including a selection of the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai to finish this guide off. The best cheap hotels Chiang Mai has to offer, like the ones below, are slightly more pricey than the other options, but you’ll get your own room and bathroom, while some of the hotels include swimming pools and other luxuries.

Quick Links:

• i Lanna Hotel: Check prices and dates here.
• Le Canal Boutique Hotel: Check prices and dates here.
• Rimwiang Hotel: Check prices and dates here.
• Lee Chiang Hotel: Check prices and dates here.

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My Pick: The Best Cheap Hotels in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Good to know >> Overall, my belief is a price between £5-£50 ($6-$60) is reasonable for budget travellers. Therefore, that’s what I’ve used as a base guide within this post.

The Best Hostels In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Firstly, I wanted to start with the cheapest of them all. Hostels! Great places to stay if you’re travelling solo and want to meet people. All these hostels have shiny reviews, and I’ve filtered them down to the best-looking ones from there.

1. Hostel One Art and Gallery

✔️ Hostel One Art Gallery is one of the best cheap hotels in Chiang Mai and my top pick! The charming hostel is near Tha Phae Gate, with a lush garden, outdoor entertainment area, and free self-parking.

✔️ Comfortable dorm beds with curtains and lockers for privacy. Private rooms are also available for added comfort. Modern amenities include rainfall showers, bidets, hairdryers, Smart TVs with Netflix, communal kitchens, full-sized fridges, and daily housekeeping.

✔️ Ideal for remote workers with laptop-friendly workspaces, free in-room WiFi, and a beautiful terrace for undisturbed work.

✔️ Friendly family-run vibe with hospitable staff who go the extra mile, including helping arrange tours.

✔️ Perfect location near weekend markets, famous temples, and Chiang Mai’s top attractions.

2. About A Bed Hostel Chiang Mai

✔️ About A Bed is a modern and fresh hostel in the heart of the old town. It’s just a short distance from Tha Phae Gate, with clean and stylish decor and a relaxed vibe.

✔️ Comfortable dorms featuring blackout curtains, individual bed lamps, and air conditioning for a private and restful stay. Free in-room WiFi.

✔️ Friendly and welcoming staff, who are always available to help with questions or recommendations.

✔️ Excellent location close to ATMs, convenience stores, local food markets, dining options, and top tourist attractions, making it another one of the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai.

⚠️ Note: Some guests mentioned that the WiFi could be a little slow at times, but most agree it’s an exceptional place to stay.

3. Green Sleep Hostel

✔️ Green Sleep Hostel offers a rustic charm with lush greenery, including plants, trees, and flowers, creating a peaceful and inviting environment; it’s a beautiful yet cheap hotel in Chiang Mai.

✔️ Comfortable beds and spacious rooms ensure a relaxing and restful stay. Free Wi-Fi and great common areas and atmosphere ideal for meeting travellers and socialising.

✔️ Central yet quiet location, perfect for exploring Chiang Mai while enjoying some tranquillity.

✔️ Brilliant and friendly staff who make guests feel welcome and assist with any needs.

4. Baan Lung Poshtel

✔️ Baan Lung Poshtel is in a convenient location near Tha Phae Gate, within a 10-minute walk to attractions and close to night street food markets. (What’s a poshtel, you ask? It’s a hybrid between a hotel and a hostel.)

✔️ A delicious and highly rated breakfast is included with this one, along with in-room WiFi and free self-parking.

✔️ Comfortable beds with individual lights and charging stations. Well-designed interiors that provide a smart and cosy atmosphere for travellers.

✔️ Modern amenities, including air conditioning, sound-insulated walls, kitchenettes, fridges, and microwaves in all rooms.

✔️ Friendly and accommodating staff who go the extra mile to make guests feel welcome and at home.

5. Hostel Lullaby

✔️ Hostel Lullaby is in a prime location near Wat Chedi Luang and the Sunday Walking Street Market. Rooms offer a comfy bed with plump mattresses, a rarity in Thailand, where mattresses tend to be firm, ensuring a restful sleep.

✔️ Modern amenities, including rainfall showers, bidets, communal kitchens, fridges, microwaves, and a snack bar/deli, make it a great budget hotel in Chiang Mai.

✔️ Clean and safe environment with well-maintained common areas, chill lobby spaces, and a social vibe perfect for meeting other travellers.

✔️ Friendly and helpful staff who assist with tour arrangements and ensure guests feel welcome.

✔️ Free perks include breakfast, in-room WiFi and self-parking. There are plenty of free activities, such as yoga, Muay Thai, and cooking classes, creating a fun and social atmosphere offering fantastic value for budget travellers.

⚠️ Note: Some guests mentioned the lack of windows in certain dorms and a limited number of showers as minor drawbacks.

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The Best Homestays & Guesthouses In Chiang Mai

As mentioned above, this type of accommodation is best suited for those of you wanting a more homely, personal stay with a local family, if you’re travelling with family or if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. 

6. All in 1 Guesthouse

✔️ All in 1 Guesthouse is the best option and excellent value for money. You’ll get spacious, clean, and comfortable rooms, complete with hot showers and free drinking water.

✔️ All rooms have a cosy and charming atmosphere featuring simple rooms, lots of decorations, and greenery with plants throughout. Modern amenities are included such as free in-room WiFi, air conditioning, safes, fridges, and TVs with cable channels.

✔️ It’s in a prime location in the heart of the Old Town, close to restaurants, bars, markets, and major attractions like Tha Phae Gate and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

✔️ Friendly and helpful staff, including the owner, who provides great advice on local attractions and activities which are offered to the guesthouse, including a cooking class and Thai massages, making it a one-stop shop for experiences.

✔️ Additional perks like a terrace, garden, library, bike and scooter hire, express check-in/out, and ATM/banking services on-site.

⚠️ Note: Breakfast is available for a surcharge.

7. Ma Guesthouse Chiang Mai

✔️ Ma Guesthouse Chiang Mai has overwhelmingly positive reviews, with guests frequently praising the kind and friendly host, Ma, who goes above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay.

✔️ The rooms are clean and comfortable rooms, offering a cosy and relaxing environment for travellers. There is also a tasty breakfast option included, making mornings hassle-free and enjoyable.

✔️ Warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a personalised touch that makes guests feel at home.

✔️ Convenient location, providing easy access to local attractions, restaurants, and markets making it another one of the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai.

8. Little Guest House Hotel

✔️ Cute and homely atmosphere with a warm and welcoming vibe, perfect for travellers seeking comfort and charm.

✔️ The Little Guesthouse Hotel has clean and well-maintained rooms, ensuring a pleasant stay for all guests. It’s very good value for money and is one of the best budget hotels Chiang Mai has to offer!

✔️ Friendly and helpful staff who go the extra mile, offering recommendations for local attractions and restaurants.

✔️ Convenient location near the city centre, making it easy to explore Chiang Mai’s top sights and activities.

⚠️ Note: Some guests mentioned the early call to prayer from a nearby mosque as a potential disturbance.

9. Wayside Guesthouse

✔️ Wayside Guesthouse is another peaceful and comfortable accommodation in Chiang Mai, located in the charming Old City. It’s close to major attractions and amenities while maintaining a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

✔️ A warm and welcoming host, Jackie is mentioned a lot, known for her exceptional hospitality and delicious breakfast options.

✔️ Overwhelmingly positive reviews, with guests frequently recommending the guesthouse for its cosy vibe and great service.

⚠️ Note: Not all rooms have air conditioning, which could be a drawback for those visiting during Chiang Mai’s hotter months.

10. Hoh Guesthouse

✔️ Hoh Guesthouse is highly recommended by guests. It’s perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable stay in Chiang Mai with convenient amenities, including mosquito zappers, spray, free laundry, and cold drinking water.

✔️ The rooms are traditional and cosy, and there are a few unexpected perks, such as Netflix, adding extra comfort and entertainment.

✔️ You’ll get a fabulous complimentary breakfast served on the terrace, with options like noodles, bread, eggs, tea, and coffee. The staff are also said to be fantastic and friendly and provide helpful and welcoming service.

✔️ Hoh Guesthouse accommodation in Chiang Mai is in a great location, close to major attractions and easy to explore the city from.

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The Best Bed & Breakfast In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Next up we have Bed and Breakfasts, although not that common in Chiang Mai. The great thing about these types of accommodation is that breakfast is always included and the standard tends to be higher but still affordable!

11. Villa Thai Orchid 

✔️ Villa Thai Orchid is a beautiful, spacious, and comfortable budget hotel in Chiang Mai filled with natural light, offering a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

✔️ An exceptional breakfast which has been praised by guests for its quality and variety is included.

✔️ Highly rated for cleanliness, comfort, and attention to detail, offering great value for the money. A free laundry service, adding an extra convenience for guests during their stay.

✔️ Friendly, attentive, and helpful staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.

✔️ Great location, close to many of Chiang Mai’s top attractions.

12. Amaka Bed and Breakfast

✔️ Amaka Bed and Breakfast comes highly recommended by guests, with the staff and cleanliness being especially praised. It’s another fantastic cheap hotel in Chiang Mai.

✔️ The rooms are comfortable and clean, spacious enough for two people, featuring amenities like air conditioning, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping.

✔️ Friendly and helpful staff who are always available to offer suggestions for local attractions and markets.

✔️ Of course, you’ll get a delicious daily breakfast, with both continental and Asian options, and plenty of time to enjoy it without feeling rushed.

✔️ Family-friendly atmosphere with an indoor play area for children, a shared lounge for relaxation, and an on-site restaurant.

⚠️ Note: Although it is still in a great location, it is just outside the old city walls.

13. Chiang Mai Walking Street Home

✔️ Chiang Mai Walking Street is one of the cheapest guesthouses in Chiang Mai, offering a good vibe with friendly staff and creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

✔️ The guesthouse is simple but convenient and a very affordable option, perfect if you’re looking for a no-frills place to stay in Chiang Mai.

✔️ The location is great, near famous temples and the Sunday night market, perfect for exploring Chiang Mai.

✔️ All rooms are said to be clean and comfortable rooms, offering a simple yet pleasant stay. You’ll get free use of bicycles, which provides an easy way to explore the city at your own pace.

✔️ A tasty breakfast is included, with positive feedback from guests!

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Best Budget Hotels In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Finally, we enter the realm of budget hotels. To be honest, these are pretty damn nice cheap hotels in Chiang Mai. They are still under the £50 budget and are all highly rated in good locations within the walled city, so some of the best budget hotels Chiang Mai has to offer!

14. i Lanna House

✔️ My top pick as the best budget hotel in Chiang Mai! It’s a fantastic budget-friendly option for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

✔️ The rooms are clean, spacious, and comfortable, some featuring beautiful stained glass windows. There are guaranteed hot water and drinking water available, even outside lobby hours.

✔️ i Lanna House is a cosy and convenient hotel in a prime location inside the Old Town, close to popular attractions and great restaurants with friendly and accommodating staff.

✔️ Includes a relaxing pool for guests to unwind and enjoy during their stay.

15. Le Canal Boutique House

✔️ Le Canal Boutique House offers a charming and unique place to stay with a traditional and colourful design.

✔️ Guests loved the cleanliness, friendly staff, and excellent location, perfect for exploring Chiang Mai with the added bonus of 24-hour security.

✔️ While no breakfast is included, there are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants nearby.

✔️ A highly recommended option for its character, comfort, and great location!

16. Rimwiang Hotel

✔️ Elegant and affordable—a budget-friendly hotel in Chiang Mai with a touch of luxury.

✔️ Guests appreciated the friendly and accommodating staff, who provided excellent tips for exploring local attractions and restaurants.

✔️ The rooms are comfortable and clean, featuring good amenities and breakfast options.

✔️ Convenient location, offering easy access to Chiang Mai’s tourist attractions.

✔️ Overall, a highly recommended hotel that offers fantastic value for money!

17. Lee Chiang Hotel

✔️ A charming and welcoming hotel, perfect for a comfortable stay in Chiang Mai, making it another one of the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai.

✔️ Guests loved the clean and cosy rooms, as well as the friendly and helpful staff who provided excellent local tips.

✔️ The location is convenient, with easy access to key attractions and amenities.

✔️ Breakfast featuring fresh fruits and yoghurt was a favourite among reviewers.

✔️ Overall, a delightful choice with great service and a relaxing atmosphere!

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Extend Your Trip In Thailand

Thailand is a country full of wonderful destinations to explore with hiking, snorkelling and fantastic scenery. Whether you’re backpacking or looking for a more immersive experience, these five places are definitely worth a visit!

Pro tip >> Is it your first time in Thailand? You might want to read my guide on Thailand and all the reasons I think it’s a country worth visiting!

• Phuket Town >> Phuket is a destination that may surprise you. Although many tourists flock to the island’s more popular areas, like Patong, Phuket Town is a hidden gem. Spend some time exploring the town’s charming Sino-Portuguese architecture, quirky cafes, and street food markets. Want to visit Phuket? Check out the best hotels in Phuket town here.

• Koh Mook Island >> Koh Mook Island is a secluded paradise that can only be accessed by boat. It’s a great place to disconnect and enjoy nature by the sea. There are no cars on the island, just friendly locals and Thai culture. The main street has a handful of shops and restaurants, making it the perfect place to unwind.

• Kanchanaburi >> Kanchanaburi is a city with a rich history, and it’s a must-visit destination in Thailand. Learn about the infamous Death Railway and Hell Fire Pass, and pay your respects at museums, monuments, and memorials to those who lost their lives. Kanchanaburi is also close to two national parks, Yai Sok and Erawan, which offer stunning scenery, and the waterfalls at Erawan National Park are unbeatable!

• Khao Sok National Park >> Khao Sok National Park is a nature lover’s dream come true. Stay in one of the famous floating bungalows and enjoy a unique experience in the middle of the park’s stunning scenery. Go on rainforest hikes, explore deep caves, and learn about the park’s history. You might even get to make jewellery with a local!

• Ayutthaya >> The ancient capital of the Siam Kingdom, it’s a wonderful place to learn about Thai history and visit old temples. The heart of the city is located on a small island where most of the attractions are, but the surrounding countryside of Ayutthaya is also worth a visit.

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Is Chiang Mai Safe For Tourists?

Based on my experiences in Chiang Mai, I believe it is a secure destination. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to take precautions while travelling, regardless of where you go.

To ensure safe travelling, it’s important to:

• Remain watchful, never leave valuable items unattended, keep an eye on your surroundings, and steer clear of political demonstrations and unrest. 

• Avoid drawing attention to yourself, such as by wearing expensive jewellery, flaunting cash, or overindulging in alcohol. 

While violent crimes are infrequent in Chiang Mai, petty crimes like theft and scams are more common, especially in touristy areas such as street markets and the walled city. 

Staying informed about current news and travel information and adopting safe travel practices can help ensure that your trip to Chiang Mai is as secure as possible.

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The Wrap: Cheap Hotels In Chiang Mai, Thailand

And there it is, the best budget hotels in Chiang Mai! I’ve wheedled out the nasties and provided you with what we think are the best cheap hotels in Chiang Mai. 

Hopefully, you’ve found your perfect hotel. I know there are still quite a few options to choose from in this guide, but it’s definitely an improvement from the hundreds available online!

I hope you enjoy your holiday; we have tons of useful guides on Thailand and especially Chiang Mai you might be interested in reading… 

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