Major city · Thailand
Nanน่าน
Give Nan 2 nights: the old town wats and museum fit one full day, and the province needs a second day or a rented bike.
Nan is a small Lanna-era town on the Nan River in Thailand's far north, near Laos, with a compact old town of temples, a national museum and a teak noble house. It sees few foreign visitors, so English is thinner and transport is slower than Chiang Mai. Two nights covers the town; add a day for the province's mountains and national parks.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–Apr (smoke and heat), May–Oct (wet)
- Airport
- NNT
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Nan191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyNan is calm and low-crime; the real risks are motorbike crashes on mountain roads, smoke-season air from Feb–Apr, and heat in the hot months.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNNT Nan Airport (About 1.5 km (0.9 mi) north of the centre; Nok Air and Thai AirAsia fly to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) only.).NNT Nan Airport (About 0.9 mi (1.5 km) north of the centre; Nok Air and Thai AirAsia fly to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) only.).
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable in 15–20 min end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced drink฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or khao soi฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught / can at a shop฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿40–60 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (many are free)฿0–40 (≈ US$0–2)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿1,400 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿3,500 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿3,500 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NNT Nan Airport (About 1.5 km (0.9 mi) north of the centre; Nok Air and Thai AirAsia fly to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) only.)NNT Nan Airport (About 0.9 mi (1.5 km) north of the centre; Nok Air and Thai AirAsia fly to Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) only.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable in 15–20 min end to end. Songthaews and tuk-tuks cover longer hops; agree the fare first. Motorbike rental is the way to see the province: expect ฿250–300 per day, higher than Chiang Mai or Pai because there is little tourist infrastructure. Cars are easy to drive here: roads are wide and quiet.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wat Phra That Chae Haeng
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Songthaew or motorbike southeast across the river, about 2 km (1.2 mi) past the bridgeSongthaew or motorbike southeast across the river, about 1.2 mi (2 km) past the bridge
The province's most sacred wat, on a hill with a valley view; go early or late for light.
Nan Riverside Art Gallery
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Songthaew toward Tha Wang Pha on Rte 1080, about 20 km (12 mi) northSongthaew toward Tha Wang Pha on Rte 1080, about 12 mi (20 km) north
Open 09:00–17:00, closed Wednesdays; small entry fee (check).Open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Wednesdays; small entry fee (check).
Wat Nong Bua
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Motorbike or car north on Rte 101, about 45 km (28 mi)Motorbike or car north on Rte 101, about 28 mi (45 km)
Tai Lü murals and carvings; no public transport, so you need your own wheels.
Si Nan National Park and Pha Chu
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car or motorbike south, about 80 km (50 mi)Car or motorbike south, about 50 mi (80 km)
Cliff viewpoint and forest; too far for a comfortable return day.
Thung Chang and Doi Pha Phueng
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car or motorbike north on Rte 1080
Caves, waterfalls and hill-village country; base there for a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town, Pha Kong / Mahayot / Sumonthewarat roads
Walk to Wat Phumin, the museum and the night market; the best base for two nights.
Riverside, east of Sumonthewarat Rd
Guesthouses and small hotels facing the Nan River; 5–10 min walk into the old town.
Bus station area, south end
Practical for a late arrival or an early bus out; little to do on foot.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿900–1,500 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ฿1,400 | ฿2,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Motorbike rental, one day2 × ฿275 · check | ฿550 |
| Songthaew across town2 × ฿60 · check | ฿120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,127 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,099 per person per day, bed included | ฿12,397≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced drink | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or khao soi | ฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught / can at a shop | ฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿40–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Songthaew across town | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) (check) |
| Motorbike rental, one day | ฿250–300 (≈ US$8–10) |
| Temple entry (many are free) | ฿0–40 (≈ US$0–2) |
| Nan National Museum entry | ฿100 (≈ US$4) foreigners (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Smoke season roughly Feb–Apr: air quality can be poor; check AQI before booking.
- Few staff speak English outside hotels; have addresses written in Thai.
- Motorbike rental often means leaving your passport as deposit: negotiate a copy instead.
- Some temples close midday and many close before dark; plan around opening hours.
- Songthaew drivers may quote a flat tourist fare: agree the price before boarding.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Nanน่าน
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Nan; most are in Bangkok. The US consulate-general is in Chiang Mai (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nan Airport → old town, taxi: about ฿100–150 (≈ US$4–5), 5–10 min (check)
- Bus station → old town: about ฿50–80 (≈ US$2–3) by songthaew (check)
- Bus Nan → Chiang Mai: about 6–7 h; fare check with Green Bus
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (thao rai)
- แพงไป — Too expensive (phaeng pai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
- จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม — Can I pay by card? (jai bat dai mai)
Tipping is not required; round up or leave small notes for guides and massage.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–Apr (smoke and heat), May–Oct (wet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NNT: last Nok Air and AirAsia departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Pha Kong Rd, the museum and Wat Phra That Chang Kham, Wat Phumin and Wat Min Muang, the riverside.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Wat Phumin, Nan National Museum, Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, Wat Suan Tan) and eat pages with last orders.
- Smoke-season and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.