We tracked every transaction for a month in Chiang Mai with two kids. Here's exactly what we spent across accommodation, food, transport, and activities — including the unexpected costs that catch most families out.
Quick summary: total spend
Our total for the month came to roughly £2,180 for a family of four, including a 28-day apartment rental, daily meals out, school fees for two children, and weekend activities. That's about £540 a week, or £75 per person per day.
This is meaningful real-world data because we weren't trying to optimise either way — we weren't budget-maxing, and we weren't living large.
Accommodation: £680 / month
We rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Nimman district of Chiang Mai — central, walkable, with reliable Wi-Fi and a small pool. Booked directly with the landlord through Wise, which saved us roughly 15% compared to the Booking.com listing for the same property.
Food: £620 / month
A mix of local Thai restaurants (£3–6 per meal for the family) and the occasional Western meal (£15–25). Cooking at home for breakfast saved us at least £150 over the month.
Transport, activities, and the unexpected
Songthaew (shared red truck) trips around the city: £40. Day trip to Doi Suthep: £18. Activities for the kids (climbing wall, art classes, swimming): £180. Visa run to the border: £85.
The unexpected line came from healthcare — a routine doctor's visit when one of our children had an ear infection cost about £35 at a private clinic, fully paid out of pocket. Our travel insurance excess would have been higher than the bill itself.
What we'd budget for next time
Realistically, £2,000–2,400 for a month is achievable for a family of four in Chiang Mai if you book accommodation directly, eat mostly local food, and don't over-schedule activities. Bangkok and the islands would push that 25–40% higher.
