Major city · Thailand
Phayaoพะเยา
Give Phayao one night, two at most: a lake town between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai with a boat to a sunken temple and cheap food.
Phayao is a small northern lake town about 100 km northeast of Chiang Mai and 100 km south of Chiang Rai, on Highway 1. Most travellers pass through on the Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai route; those who stop get a quiet lakefront, Thailand's largest Chiang Saen-era Buddha, a boat ride to a partly submerged temple and some of the cheapest food in the north. Two nights is enough to see the lake, the temple and one national park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–Apr (smoke and heat), Jun–Sep (rain)
- Airport
- CEI
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Phayao191 ▾
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 Phayao, 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
- SafetyPhayao is a quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are smoke-season air, motorbike riding on Highway 1 and unlit rural roads after dark.
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.
- AirportCEI Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International (About 100 km (62 mi) north of Phayao; bus or taxi onward, roughly 1.5–2 h).CEI Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International (About 62 mi (100 km) north of Phayao; bus or taxi onward, roughly 1.5–2 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is small and flat: walk the lakefront, or take a tuk-tuk from the bus station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice plate฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beer7-Eleven can / bar฿35–60 (≈ US$2)฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk hop in town฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideNight-market plate near the bus stationAbout ฿50 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room฿900 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room with air-con, a night, per room฿900 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedDouble room with air-con, a night, per room฿1,800 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿700 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿1,400 (≈ US$45) · High ฿2,600 (≈ US$80)
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
- CEI Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International (About 100 km (62 mi) north of Phayao; bus or taxi onward, roughly 1.5–2 h)CEI Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International (About 62 mi (100 km) north of Phayao; bus or taxi onward, roughly 1.5–2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
not flagged
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
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Apr, Jun–Sep. 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 (20 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Phayao: 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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°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 town is small and flat: walk the lakefront, or take a tuk-tuk from the bus station. Songthaews and tuk-tuks cover short hops; for Phu Langka, Phu Sang or Doi Phu Nang you need a car, motorbike or a hired driver.
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 Tilok Aram (lake island)
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min return
Boat from the Phayao city jetty
About ฿40 per person; boats run roughly 08:00–17:30.About ฿40 per person; boats run roughly 8:00 AM–5:30 PM.
Phu Langka Forest Park
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h each way
Car or motorbike via Pong, about 60 km (37 mi)Car or motorbike via Pong, about 37 mi (60 km)
Open daily about 06:00–18:00; go at dawn for the fog sea.Open daily about 6:00 AM–6:00 PM; go at dawn for the fog sea.
Phu Sang National Park
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Car or motorbike on Highway 1093
Warm waterfall at about 35°C (95°F); park hours about 08:30–16:00.Warm waterfall at about 35°C (95°F); park hours about 8:30 AM–4:00 PM.Warm waterfall at about 95°F (35°C); park hours about 08:30–16:00.Warm waterfall at about 95°F (35°C); park hours about 8:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Doi Phu Nang National Park
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h each way
Car or motorbike to Chiang Muan district
Waterfalls and peacocks; park hours about 08:30–16:00.Waterfalls and peacocks; park hours about 8:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus from Phayao bus terminal
Frequent departures; onward base for the Golden Triangle.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus from Phayao bus terminal
Only a few departures a day; book ahead.
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.
Lakefront (east shore)
Guesthouses and hotels facing Kwan Phayao; walkable to the boat jetty and the night food strip.
Town centre near the bus station
Cheaper rooms, tuk-tuks at the station, about 10–15 min walk to the lake.
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
- ฿700–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,200–2,200 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,200 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with air-con1 × 2 nights × ฿900 | ฿1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,400 | ฿5,600 |
| Boat to Wat Tilok Aram, return2 × ฿40 | ฿80 |
| National park entry, foreign adult2 × ฿50 | ฿100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿818 |
| Trip total≈ ฿2,250 per person per day, bed included | ฿8,998≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local café | ฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice plate | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Night-market plate near the bus station | About ฿50 (≈ US$2) |
| Beer: 7-Eleven can / bar | ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) / ฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Tuk-tuk hop in town | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus Phayao → Chiang Rai2024 fare; check current | About ฿92 (≈ US$3) |
| Bus Phayao → Chiang Mai | ฿150–250 (≈ US$5–8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Burning-season smoke can cut visibility and air quality from roughly Feb to Apr: check air quality before you go.
- National park entry is charged at a higher rate for foreigners than for Thai visitors.
- Some temples restrict women from inner areas: look for posted signs and follow them.
- Buses to and from Chiang Mai run only a few times a day: book the return leg when you arrive.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Phayaoพะเยา
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Phayao; the US consulate-general and most embassies are in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat to Wat Tilok Aram: about ฿40 (≈ US$2) per person, 08:00–17:30about ฿40 (≈ US$2) per person, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Bus Phayao → Chiang Rai: about ฿92 (≈ US$3), 2 h
- Bus Phayao → Chiang Mai: about ฿150–250 (≈ US$5–8), 3 h
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
- สถานีขนส่งอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the bus station? (sathani khonsong yu thi nai)
- เก็บเงินด้วย — The bill, please (kep ngern duay)
Tourist police 1155 answers in English; 1669 is the national ambulance line.
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 Phayao. 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), Jun–Sep (rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CEI: bus and taxi options to Phayao, last-departure check, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: lakefront, boat jetty, night food strip, bus station.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees for Wat Si Khom Kham, Wat Tilok Aram, Phu Langka, Phu Sang and Doi Phu Nang.
- Smoke-season and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.