Nan is the northern Thai town that Pai used to be before the crowds: slow, green and cheap, with Wat Phumin's murals in the centre and mountains all around. Thai tourists know it well, but foreigners made up under 2% of its 422,000 visitors in early 2026. Fly from Bangkok Don Mueang in just over an hour, or take an overnight bus from Bangkok or a six-hour bus from Chiang Mai. The old town is flat and small enough to walk or cycle; the hills (Doi Phu Kha, Bo Kluea) need a scooter or a bus. Give it four days.
When to go
November to January is the season: dry (about 12-16 mm of rain a month) and the coolest months, though highs still reach about 30°C. March to May is very hot (highs 36-37°C). July to September is the wet season (up to about 290 mm in August), and Doi Phu Kha National Park closes from 1 June to 30 September.
Nan right now and the next 7 days
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Nan on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Nan · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Nan in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Wat Phumin murals1 h · free · Cross-shaped temple from the late 16th century with famous 19th-century murals of daily life. No ticket reported; dress to cover shoulders and knees.
- 12:30Lunch break
- 13:30Nan National Museum1 h · ₹310 each · The old palace across from Wat Phumin, home of the black elephant tusk. Reported 120 baht for foreigners (Oct 2025); check opening days.
- 15:00Wat Phra That Chae Haeng1 h · free · Golden chedi on a hill across the river, with naga staircases. Go late afternoon.
- 08:00Bo Kluea salt wellsHalf day · free · Mountain village where families still boil brine from ancient wells into salt. Free to watch; buy a bag of salt.
- 12:30Lunch break
- 13:30Weekend walking street2 h · free · Evening food market in front of Wat Phumin on weekends. Sit on the mats and eat northern food.
- A slow morning before the journey home.
How to get to Nan
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Domestic flight
₹4,500Thai AirAsia and Nok Air fly it. Aggregators show one-way fares from about US$38 in low season to €63; baggage is usually extra.
Overnight bus
₹1,800Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour and others run evening buses. Gold-class seats about 650-800 baht, first class up to about 1,100.
Bus Cheapest
₹1,000Greenbus leaves daily at 08:00, 11:30 and 15:00 (plus 22:30 on Fri, Sun and Mon). Fares about 381-571 baht by class; book on Greenbus's site.
Getting around once you're there
Rented scooter
₹640About 200-300 baht a day for a 125cc. Needed for the hill roads. You need a motorcycle licence or an IDP with motorcycle cover, and a helmet.
Bus to Pua
₹260Greenbus about 77-120 baht, or the old red fan bus for less. Pua is the gateway to Doi Phu Kha.
Songthaew to Bo Kluea
₹330Shared pick-up, about 100-150 baht, only a few a day. Ask at the bus station the day before.
On foot or bicycle
FreeThe old town is flat and compact with bicycle lanes. Many guesthouses lend or rent bikes.
Where to stay in Nan
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Dorm
₹900/nightOnly a couple of hostels; their private rooms cost about the same as a dorm bed.
Budget hotel
₹1,200/nightPlain rooms from about US$13-15 a night.
Boutique
₹3,000/nightAbout US$30-41 a night for a 3-star with character. The town average is about US$36.
Park room
₹770/nightBasic rooms from 300 baht, shared outdoor bathrooms, no hot shower. Tents 450 baht. Online booking was down in 2026: phone the park.
What to eat, and what it costs
Khao soi (chicken)
₹155Northern curry noodle soup, about 60 baht a bowl near Wat Phumin; beef from about 75.
Walking-street dishes
₹155Weekend evening market in front of Wat Phumin, with local northern dishes and mats to sit on. Chiang Mai's markets charge about 40-80 baht a dish; Nan is no dearer.
Khao soi (beef)
₹190From about 75 baht at the better-known shops.
Things to do in Nan
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Wat Phumin murals
FreeCross-shaped temple from the late 16th century with famous 19th-century murals of daily life. No ticket reported; dress to cover shoulders and knees.
Nan National Museum
₹310The old palace across from Wat Phumin, home of the black elephant tusk. Reported 120 baht for foreigners (Oct 2025); check opening days.
Wat Phra That Chae Haeng
FreeGolden chedi on a hill across the river, with naga staircases. Go late afternoon.
Doi Phu Kha National Park
₹510Cloud forest and viewpoints about 85 km from Nan. 200 baht foreign adult, motorbike 20 baht. Closed 1 June to 30 September.
Bo Kluea salt wells
FreeMountain village where families still boil brine from ancient wells into salt. Free to watch; buy a bag of salt.
Weekend walking street
FreeEvening food market in front of Wat Phumin on weekends. Sit on the mats and eat northern food.
Day trips and next stops
Pua & Doi Phu Kha
₹260Bus to Pua, then scooter or park transport
Bo Kluea
₹330Songthaew or scooter over the hills
Chiang Mai
₹1,000Greenbus
Bangkok
₹1,800Overnight bus or flight
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Doi Phu Kha National Park closes every year from 1 June to 30 September, and some caves stay shut through the rains.
- The hill roads to Bo Kluea and Doi Phu Kha are steep and winding. Ride only if you are experienced, and only with a licence that covers motorcycles, or your insurance may not pay.
- Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a fee on every withdrawal. Take out larger amounts less often, in Nan town.
Ways to spend less
- Come for the weekend: the walking street in front of Wat Phumin is the best cheap dinner in town.
- Book Doi Phu Kha park rooms Monday to Thursday for 20% off, and stay a night to see the viewpoints at sunrise.
- Nan has no railway, but the Greenbus from Chiang Mai is cheap and scenic. Take the 08:00 to arrive in daylight.
Before-you-go checklist
Nan in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Nan?
Jan, Nov–Dec is the best time. November to January is the season: dry (about 12-16 mm of rain a month) and the coolest months, though highs still reach about 30°C. March to May is very hot (highs 36-37°C). July to September is the wet season (up to about 290 mm in August), and Doi Phu Kha National Park closes from 1 June to 30 September.
How do I reach Nan?
Domestic flight: Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) → Nan (NNT), About 1 h 15 m, about ₹4,500 one way. Overnight bus: Bangkok Mo Chit → Nan, 10-12 h, about ₹1,800 one way. Bus: Chiang Mai (CNX), Arcade Terminal 3 → Nan, About 6 h, about ₹1,000 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Nan cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹5,100 on a shoestring, ₹7,800 mid-range or ₹12,600 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is bus (Chiang Mai (CNX), Arcade Terminal 3 → Nan) at about ₹1,000 each way.
How many days do you need in Nan?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Wat Phumin murals, Nan National Museum, Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, Bo Kluea salt wells without rushing.
Is Nan good for families or solo travellers?
Nan works best for solo, couples, groups, families. Solo travellers find it easy and cheap.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Nan?
Workable: say 'kin jay' (vegan, Buddhist-style) or 'mai sai nuea' (no meat), and know that fish sauce and shrimp paste are in most northern dishes. Look for yellow 'jay' flags at stalls, and expect more choice in town than in the hills.
Will my phone and cards work in Nan?
Buy a tourist SIM at the Bangkok or Chiang Mai airport before you come up. Hotels and some cafés in town take cards; little else does. Baht cash for food, buses, songthaews and park fees. Bo Kluea and the park are cash only.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- gov.uk OfficialFCDO: advises against all but essential travel only to the far south and within 20 km of the Cambodian border; Nan not listed. Updated 28 Sep 2026, current 11 Oct 2026
- nan.mots.go.th OfficialNan Q1 2026: 422,362 visitors, 7,790 (1.85%) foreign
- web.greenbusthailand.comGreenbus Chiang Mai-Nan departures 08:00, 11:30, 15:00 daily, 22:30 Fri/Sun/Mon; page updated 15 Sep 2026; no fares shown
- 12go.comChiang Mai-Nan Greenbus ~6 h 10 m, fares 381-571 baht (reseller)
- north-vietnam.comBangkok-Nan bus 10-13 h; Nakhonchai Air Gold 650-800, first 950-1,100 baht; Sombat 600-1,000 baht (estimates)
- skyscanner.ieDMK-NNT direct on Thai AirAsia/Nok Air, ~1 h 15 m, from €63
- kupi.comLow-season DMK-NNT fares from US$38; baggage often extra
- thainationalparks.comDoi Phu Kha fees 200/100 baht foreign, motorbike 20; closed 1 Jun-30 Sep; rooms from 300 baht, tents 450; Mon-Thu 20% off; ~85 km from Nan (as of May-Jun 2026)
- en.wikipedia.orgMonthly rainfall and highs, 1991-2020 normals (TMD data, secondary)
- hostelworld.comYindee Travellers Lodge dorm from ~Rs1,030 (live INR), rescaled
- hotelscombined.comNan avg US$36/night; Sawadeelanna US$30, Khum Muang Min US$41, budget US$13-15 (updated 9 Oct 2026)
- wongnai.comKhao soi chicken 60 baht near Wat Phumin (menu photo ~Nov 2025); beef from 75
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Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Khunkay · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Ellnik · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: K.Phothiwijit · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Tankura · CC BY 3.0 · source
