Cheap Flights to Chiang Rai

Why Travel to Chiang Rai?

Chiang Rai is a small, memorable area with eye-catching modern shrines, serene mountain scenes. Furthermore, Chiang Rai is rooted with Lanna culture that can be easily forgotten in the other tourist centres of Thailand. With must-see attractions, such as the surreal white of the Wat Rong Khun. The place has many blazing colours of the local markets, and the serene gardens of Doi Tung. Chiang Rai can offer visitors photo-worthy temples, and real-life experiences with the various ethnic groups within a short taxi ride.

What makes it a better place than any of the many other places? To a traveller seeking a blend of culture, nature and adventure, this part of Thailand offers effortless trekking, river-view in the Golden Triangle. To add, it is a slower, more reflective pace compared to the big cities. Chiang Rai is perfect for photographers, culture hunters and anyone in need of a relaxed experience. When you are considering alternatives, whether it's to visit a temple, check out the hill-tribe villages, and see the sights on a single outing. These are exactly what visitors reserve their planes to Chiang Rai and spend the nights.

How to Find the Cheapest Flights to Chiang Rai

To find the best cheapest flights to Chiang Rai, travellers will be quickest to book using our flight tool and subscribe to our newsletter. Use our flight tool to make flexible-date searches to allow you to observe cheaper combinations on Thailand routes. Book midweek flights that are several weeks to months in advance will usually reduce the fare compared to last minute purchases. The shoulder seasons in Thailand (spring and September-October) tend to be cheaper than the peak season in winter. So combining date flexibility in our tool with a focus on those months can help you find some of the cheapest flights to Chiang Rai.

When it comes to securing a deal, our newsletter is the place where we send the best and cheapest Chiang Rai flight deals. If you join, you will be able to receive Chiang Rai flight deals, along with other deals for different flights. Oceans Travel will send you special return and direct fare deals, along with Thailand specific deals we have made. The best way to save money is to be flexible with dates, and fly during mid-week wherever possible! You can choose to find the cheapest flights to Chiang Rai, Oceans Travel has everything you need to book your next trip!

When to Visit Chiang Rai

The best time to visit Chiang Rai would be between November and February. These months of cool and dry weather are ideal when it comes to sightseeing, temple touring and outdoor days when the weather isn’t raining or too hot. It is also a season when big festivals, such as Loy Krathong/Yi Peng, illuminate the city. Therefore in case you are interested in clear skies, pleasant weather and maybe wanting to participate in the local festivals then plan during these months. Most travellers feel that this is the right amount of time to be comfortable and have access. However, it is also the peak season for hotels, flights, and higher fares so book your flights to Chiang Rai early.

Different travellers should plan their trip to match with their priorities, Budget travellers can get the best deals during the shoulder season (March-May and June-October) when Chiang Rai is quieter. Moreover, this means there will be cheaper flights to Chiang Rai and cheap return flights are more common. However, just expect hotter days or the occasional monsoon rain. Adventure and trekking visitors should go during the cool season since there will be clearer trails and better views. Whereas, those attending festivals should go during November (or Songkrak in April to enjoy the life of the Thai New Year). In case you prefer the best weather and activities, go during November-February. Making sure to combine international and domestic flights to save on total travel cost.

Most Popular Routes and Airlines

The majority of tourists visiting Chiang Rai will use major Asian airports instead of direct flights. The most popular globally is through Bangkok, with regular domestic links to both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK. This is because of how easy and popular the option is when booking your flights to Chiang Rai. It is a short trip (approximately 1.5 hours), with several departures per day. There are also other regional flights, such as through Singapore or Phuket. However, long-haul passengers flying out of the UK, Europe, or North America usually land in Bangkok before they board other flights since there are not many direct international services.

There are many airlines that serve routes with a mix of low cost and full service carriers that provide the traveller with varied options in terms of budget and comfort. There are low-cost airlines, such as Thai AirAsia, Thai VietJet Air, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air. Premium service of Thai Airways on major domestic routes. Airlines, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways are popular in Bangkok to connect to other destinations. This helps travellers to find cheap flights to Chiang Rai and more convenient multi-stop routes. With such a variety of airlines and routes, it is easier to choose, get good flights to Chiang Rai. Make sure to organize a hassle-free trip regardless of where one is located in the world.

Top Things to See and Do in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai's attractions provide both artistic and cultural experiences that make Chiang Rai an enjoyable place to visit after booking flights to Chiang Rai. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is one of the most famous places in the area. A blended surreal, glistening modern Buddhist temple that is old fashioned spirituality and modern-day art. It is by far the most photographed place in the north of Thailand. Close by is the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) with its striking blue and gold design. The Baan Dam Museum (Black House) is a remarkable art complex of artistic pieces with suggestive sculptures and architecture.  Evening activities around the city, such as the vibrant Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. Make sure to visit Walking Street markets that are flavoured with local food, crafts and a vibrant ambience.

Along with these cultural points, there are outdoor and local activities to complete your visit. Singha Park attracts people who love nature to explore, ride bikes or walk around flower fields, tea plantations and lakes. Furthermore, there are seasonal events like the Chiang Rai Flower Festival that feature displays of cold-climate flowers (e.g. tulips). To experience both history and nature, most tourists also explore Tham Luang Nang Non cave. Not only is it known for the ‘Tham Luang cave rescue’, but it is also extraordinary.  Enjoy panoramic views and local life at such places like the local lookouts and green areas. The best attractions in Chiang Rai can always give you a memorable experience regardless of the kind of a traveller you are! Chiang Rai attractions have things to do that are both artistic, market, nature and Thai cultural related.

Neighbourhoods and Surroundings

Chiang Rai itself is located in an area of relaxed urban neighbourhoods and rural living communities that provide the area with a relaxed northern Thai feel. Local markets, riverside roads along the Mae Kok, small villages, such as Nang Lae and Mae Kon, are all that are a short drive away. It gives the sense of day-to-day living and peaceful life in the countryside of traditional Lanna style. Beyond the city, the northernmost point of Thailand is the Mae Sai District on the border with Myanmar. The subdistricts around it like Pong Ngam, Si Mueang Chum and Ban Dai have more peaceful village life amidst farming land and foothills.

On the west and the north, the wider Chiang Rai Province extends to scenic highland and hill-tribe areas. The Mae Salong region (including villages of Mae Salong Nok and Mae Salong Nai) is home to tea plantations, cool climate and panoramic mountain ranges. It gives an entirely different feel compared to the city. Other areas, such as Mae Chan and Wiang Pa Pao, are equally rural with communities blending with natural landscapes with small villages scattered along the roads. To add, life feels much slower and relaxed, with coffee farms and rice fields on hills. These surrounding areas provide tourists after booking their flights to Chiang Rai a clearer understanding of local life and the countryside culture in the areas beyond the city centre.