Exploring Chiang Mai with autistic children requires careful planning and organising to ensure the trip is a success and is as stress-free as possible. We spent an extended amount of time in Chiang Mai, around 6 weeks in 2017. We travelled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by sleeper bus overnight. Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips, family-friendly activities, and accommodations.
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Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai offers several transportation options:
- Flight: A flight would cost approximately 1,000-2,500 THB (€27-69) per person for a one-way ticket. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours. Direct flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports to Chiang Mai International Airport are the fastest and most convenient way to travel, especially with children.
- Train: A train ticket will cost approximately 600-1,600 THB (€16-44) per person for a one-way ticket. It takes approximately 12-15 hours by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Overnight trains from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Chiang Mai offer a scenic journey but are much slower. Consider booking a sleeper car for comfort.
- Bus: A bus costs approximately 500-1,000 THB (€14-27) per person for a one-way ticket and takes approximately 10-12 hours. Buses from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 are a budget-friendly option, but the long travel time can be challenging for children. Travis coped very well with the journey, though none of us slept well.
Private Car Service: You could consider a private car service, and it should cost approximately 8,000-12,000 THB (€220-330) for a one-way trip. A car would take approximately 8-10 hours. Private car services offer door-to-door convenience and are ideal for larger families or those with specific needs.
Where To Stay in Chiang Mai
We travelled by night bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, but the plan had been to take a sleeper train. The trains booked up so quickly that we missed out and we had hotels reserved we needed to meet so we opted for the bus. We arrived very early morning in the centre of Chiang Mai near the old walls and decided to wander around until we could go to our hotel.
We stayed in a number of establishments in Chiang Mai with autistic children, including: Anantara Chiang Mai, De Lanna Hotel and quite a few different budget hotels also. I will try to update the list once I get back into my booking.com account to confirm the names.
Below are links out to Tik Tok videos or picture slideshows of our stays in Chiang Mai:
I would recommend staying within or near the Old City walls if you want to be able to walk around most of the things you want to see and do. For more luxurious hotels like the Anantara you will be just outside of the city walls.
Family-Friendly Activities in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers numerous family-friendly activities that cater to different interests and sensory needs. Here are some highlights:
Elephant Nature Park:
A rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants. Children can learn about these gentle giants and interact with them in a safe and ethical environment. This elephant park is about 60km outside of Chiang Mai.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary:
This is another elephant rescue centre near Chiang Mai. You can organise a tour there, I can’t remember exactly how we did it but I think I booked it online. Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general, is very easy to travel and you’ll find shops everywhere that you can book tours and trips to different places. You can pre-book tickets to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary online here.
Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium:
A large zoo with a variety of animals and an aquarium. It’s educational and visually stimulating, ideal for children who enjoy wildlife. It is on a hill, if I remember correctly, so it can be hard to access in some areas with a wheelchair or stroller. I don’t remember it being impossible, but definitely hilly.
Here are some picture highlights of our trip to Chiang Mai Zoo.
Art in Paradise Chiang Mai:
A 3D art museum where visitors can become part of the artwork. It’s a creative and interactive experience that’s great for photo opportunities. We loved it here!
Click here to see more pictures of our trip to Art In Paradise on Tik Tok. Book your tickets for Art in Paradise here.
Chiang Mai Night Safari:
A night safari park where families can explore by tram and see nocturnal animals in a naturalistic setting. The exciting part is being able to explore and investigate animals at night! You can book the Night Safari here with included transfers too!
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park:
A beautiful national park offering hiking trails, waterfalls, and the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple. It’s a peaceful retreat from the city. Book your tour to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park online via GetYourGuide to ensure your visit.
Wat Phra Singh:
One of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, featuring beautiful architecture and serene surroundings. One of the hotels we stayed at was beside this temple, so we did a little bit of exploring here one afternoon. It is a lovely temple which was quiet and peaceful to explore.
Sunday Walking Street Market:
A vibrant market with food stalls, crafts, and live performances. It can be sensory-rich, so visiting earlier in the evening might be less overwhelming. We did this every single Sunday that we were in Chiang Mai because we loved it. Our autistic sons favourite thing at the Sunday Walking Street Market was all of the different foods to try – things like ice cream, roti, waffles and rice dishes.
Chiang Mai Railway Park:
A spacious park with playgrounds, cycling paths, and picnic areas. It’s perfect for a relaxing family day out.
Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders:
A quirky museum showcasing a vast collection of insects and fossils. It’s educational and fascinating for curious minds. We were even given different bugs to hold which was an interesting experience for our autistic toddler.
Baan Kang Wat:
An artistic village with small shops, cafes, and art studios. It’s a creative and peaceful place to explore.
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre:
A museum offering insights into Chiang Mai’s history and culture. Interactive exhibits make it engaging for children.
Lanna Folklife Museum:
A museum showcasing the traditional culture of the Lanna people. It’s visually interesting and educational. We did this on our last week in Chiang Mai and I thought it was a perfect way to end our time in Chiang Mai by learning more about the traditional culture of the Lanna people. It was a quiet place within a busy area of Chiang Mai and was a lovely escape from the chaos.
Khum Khantoke:
A cultural dining experience with traditional northern Thai food and performances. It’s a sensory-rich experience but can be enjoyable for the whole family.
Chiang Mai Old City:
Exploring the historic Old City with its ancient walls, temples, and markets offers a blend of cultural and sensory experiences. We went to the Old City every single day we were in Chiang Mai with autistic children – we stayed within the Old City walls for a lot of the time we were in Chiang Mai too. The Old City area is bordered by a wall which is a square. There are four gates but some of the wall is crumbling and so it isn’t like there are big gates you can’t get through.
The picture to the left is of Travis and I at the Old City Walls, you can see an opening of a gate in the picture. At night it is nice to walk along the wall boundaries as they are lit up and it looks so beautiful.
You can book to do a tour of the Old City of Chiang Mai by tuk tuk online with GetYourGuide, or choose to do a walking tour of the Old City with temples too.
Flight of the Gibbon:
A thrilling zipline adventure through the rainforest. Suitable for older children and teenagers, it offers an exciting way to experience nature.
Mae Sa Waterfall:
A beautiful multi-tiered waterfall ideal for picnics and nature walks. It’s a refreshing escape from the city heat.
Tiger Kingdom:
An interactive zoo where families can see tigers up close. It’s educational and offers unique photo opportunities. There are a lot of different theories about the tigers being drugged to be safe to be around. Do your research and make your own decision about whether you want to go there or not.
Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Activity in Chiang Mai
Maya Mall:
This mall is an interesting mix of stores and eateries. We found it to be a reliable spot for me to work with free internet connection and for David and Travis to go off and explore and have fun. There is an arcade in the mall which is was our main draw to the mall. There were also restaurants that served some safe foods – like pizza! We found that in Chiang Mai with autistic children, Maya Mall was a huge draw due to the arcades but also the water fountain outside that you could walk and play in between sprays.
Getting Around Chiang Mai With Autistic Children
Most days we walked in Chiang Mai, but we would also use Songthaews and tuk tuks. When we went to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary it was booked as a tour and they organised pick up and drop off for us.
Is Chiang Mai Autism-Friendly?
Chiang Mai, a cultural and historical city in northern Thailand, is known for its relaxed atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and natural beauty. While it is not as large or as developed as Bangkok, Chiang Mai offers a unique environment that may appeal to families with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Things That Make Chiang Mai Stand Out
- Public transportation in Chiang Mai primarily consists of songthaews (shared taxis), tuk-tuks, and taxis. These can be less structured and more unpredictable than the public transport systems in larger cities. For families with individuals on the autism spectrum, hiring a private car or using ride-hailing services like Grab can offer more control and comfort when getting around the city.
- Chiang Mai is generally more relaxed and less crowded than Bangkok, making it easier to navigate. The old city area, with its historic sites and more walkable streets, is relatively calm, though certain areas can become busy, especially during festivals or peak tourist season.
- Chiang Mai is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and Royal Park Rajapruek, which provide peaceful and serene environments ideal for those who may need a break from more stimulating surroundings. Visiting these areas on weekdays or during off-peak hours can enhance the experience by avoiding crowds.
- The city’s numerous temples, such as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang, offer a calm and reflective atmosphere, though they can be busy with tourists. Early morning visits might offer a more tranquil experience.
- Chiang Mai is known for its ethical elephant sanctuaries, such as Elephant Nature Park, where visitors can interact with elephants in a more controlled and respectful environment. These experiences can be therapeutic but should be chosen carefully to ensure they are autism-friendly.
- Chiang Mai’s famous markets, like the Night Bazaar and Sunday Walking Street, can be sensory-rich environments that might be overwhelming. However, there are quieter times, especially during the early opening hours, when these markets are less crowded and more manageable.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Consider using our Thailand PECS to add to your experience.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
Our extended trip to Chiang Mai with autistic children was filled with activities and rewarding experiences. The city’s rich culture and numerous family-friendly activities made it a worthwhile adventure, even with the additional considerations of traveling with a child on the autism spectrum. We had so long in the city that we mostly rolled with it day by day without any set plans. After Chiang Mai, we flew to Hong Kong to continue our adventure in Asia.
Do you plan to check out more of Thailand with autistic children? Check out the articles below: