Chiang Mai is the mystical and history-rich hub of northern Thailand. It’s the second largest city in the Land of Smiles and offers something completely different to Bangkok. Nestled under the jungle-covered mountains that run along the border with Burma, it’s a place laden with golden Buddhist temples and ancient gatehouses that date back to the old centuries of the Lanna Kingdom. It’s also become a major hub for digital nomads, who seek out cool condos amid neighbourhoods that brim with vegan eateries and independent cafés. Nearby, some of Thailand’s best national parks are awash with waterfalls and elephant sanctuaries.
Airbnb in Chiang Mai could be your ticket to a whole pad Thai full of awesome rentals. Traditional timber-built cottages with leafy gardens are on offer in the UNESCO-attested heart of the city. Sleek condos with beautiful pools and state-of-the-art gym facilities pepper the periphery. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside offers eco stays and hostels on the cusp of bird-squawking hills and monkey-swinging forests.
In this Airbnb guide to Chiang Mai:
- Is Airbnb legal in Chiang Mai?
- Where should I stay in Chiang Mai Airbnb?
- Best Airbnbs in Chiang Mai
- Best Airbnb apartment in Chiang Mai
- Best Airbnb house in Chiang Mai
- Best Airbnb for families in Chiang Mai
- Best Airbnb for large groups in Chiang Mai
- Best Airbnb for budget stays in Chiang Mai
- Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Chiang Mai?

Is Airbnb legal in Chiang Mai?
Strictly speaking, Airbnb in Chiang Mai – like in the rest of Thailand – is not entirely legal. The 2004 Hotels Act says that only registered establishments like resorts and hostels can offer short-term bookings of less than 30 days. The reality is that the platform runs pretty much as normal on the ground. There are still thousands of listings to pick from up in the northern hub, from old school cottages in the historic center to chic condominiums in the buzzy digital nomad districts.
There have only been a few verified reports of the law being enforced against Airbnb, and those have ended with fines for the owners, not the travelers. You might find there are warnings against short-term lettings visible in the lobby of certain accommodations, and it’s generally considered wise to stick strictly to in-house Airbnb rules – no parties, no loud events, no smoking inside. Overall, it’s probably also a good idea to do a little research before you book and double check the situation with your host.
Where should I stay in Chiang Mai Airbnb?
Chiang Mai might be the second-largest city in Thailand but it’s a whole different beast to Bangkok. Here, little pockets of ancient architecture sit pretty in the Old City (1), before giving way to areas like Chang Klan (2) and the sleepless Night Bazaar (2), which is where you’ll want to go for haggling and shopping after hours. On the flip side of town is the hipster enclave of Nimmanhaemin (3), the mainstay of the city’s digital nomad community, mirrored down on the Mae Ping by the chilled neighborhood of Riverside (4). An alternative to all the above could be Ban Kang Wat (5). That’s a creative splinter of Chiang Mai that awaits under the mountains a little to the south.

Old City
- Really atmospheric
- The top sights right on the doorstep
- Fantastically characterful Airbnbs on offer
- Always busy with locals and tourists
- Might be a little cramped
The Old City is the epicentre of Chiang Mai. The most historic and culture-rich district in town, it sports the filigreed tops of the beautiful Wat Chedi Luang and the shimmering stupa of the Wat Phra Singh. But it’s no museum piece. The Old City is also lived-in and bustling with energy. You’ll see Chinese veggie cookhouses spilling onto the streets. There are pockets of beer bars that swing with life until the early hours. There are cultural centers and art galleries galore. The distinct Lanna-style architecture of this area means you can score some authentically northern Thai Airbnb in the form of timber-built townhouses with creaking floors and porches.

Chang Klan & the Night Bazaar
- You’re right in the action for the Night Bazaar
- It’s an affordable area
- Lively nightlife
- Can be busy
- Not the same level of luxury as other areas
The sub-district of Chang Klan runs southwards along the Ping River from the end of the Old City. A little to the north is the famous retail mecca of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. It’s one of the town’s must-visit spots. Starting at 5pm each evening, it offers up thousands of stalls selling everything from knock-off fashion tees to traditional Thai handicrafts and – of course – taste-bud-tingling street food. Chang Klan proper, meanwhile, has its own boutique shops, a few strips of tacky expat bars, and an array of Airbnb condos and apartments that tend to be on the more affordable side.

Nimmanhaemin
- Really vibrant local crowd
- Awesome cafés and eateries
- Airbnbs are super modern and stylish
- A little pricy
- Not inside the historic Old City
Nimmanhaemin has ridden the digital nomad wave and transformed into one of Chiang Mai’s – nay, Thailand’s – hippest and most energetic districts in the last 10 years or so. It spreads over a few blocks to the west of the Old City en route to Chiang Mai University, all brimming with stylish Japanese udon restaurants and more coffee shops than you can count. You’ll be sharing the streets here with a creative young crowd, who also happen to like a drink or two after dark – venues like Infinity and Prohibition take care of that. Airbnbs usually take the form of uber-cool urban flats with polished concrete interiors, Scandi furnishings, and on-site pools.