Chiang Rai is a charming city near Chiang Mai. There is plenty of accommodation to suit the budget traveller.
When we began tentatively planning our trip, The White Temple in Chiang Rai was one of the places that we decided we must visit. We had no idea where Chiang Rai was, how easy it would be to get there, or if there was anything else worth visiting in the area. Fast-forward one year and we find ourselves in Chiang Mai, with plans to stay in the area for at least 3 weeks. This gave us time to enjoy Chiang Mai at a relaxed pace, breaking it up with a trip to Chiang Rai.
Click here to discover how to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus.
Current Transport Information:
Arriving in Chiang Rai
Most transport from Chiang Mai will drop you at the central bus station in Chiang Rai. If you need a tuktuk, you will have no problem finding one as they literally swarm around you as you step off the bus. There are also a number of cafes and shops surrounding the station, should you need some food or drink.
Where To Stay In Chiang Rai
Click here for all accommodation in Chiang Rai!
These are some of the best hostels in Chiang Rai, according to user reviews. These are affiliate links to the Agoda web site. I found Agoda to be much better than booking.com in Southeast Asia. I receive a small amount for any bookings made through these links at no extra cost to you.
- TT Hostel Chiangrai
- Adchara Mansion
- Ti Amo Chiangrai Central
- Bankullar
- Backpack Hostel
- Tanyahouse
- Sook Cafe & Youth Hostel
- Baan Bua Homestay
Ann Guest House
Our room at Ann Guest House, Chiang Rai
Within 15 minutes of arrival, we were at our hostel. We had booked to stay four nights in ‘Ann Guest House’ (map). The room was much bigger than any we had stayed in up to that point and it was clean and had a great big poster bed! The wifi was good when it was working, but it did cut out more than we would have liked. A simple breakfast of toast/jam/coffee/juice/sausages/fruit was provided each morning and it was nice to start the day in the outdoor communal area. The guesthouse is located about 10 minutes walk from the centre of Chiang Rai and you can be in a local restaurant or bar within minutes, yet it is on a very quiet street. I would definitely recommend this guesthouse for those wanting a private room on a budget. There is also ‘Ann Hostel’ which provides dorms for travellers on a tighter budget.
**********
Click here to book a stay at ‘Ann Guest House’
