Getting Around Chiang Mai
Travel around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is quite easy to get around, since it's a tourist town. Note that there are some airport licensed taxis and some non-license taxis. You will find a few men with their cars hanging around outside the hotels offering to take you on tours, etc. Use them at your own risk. Here are your other options for getting around:
Outside Chiang mai area
Hiring a car or minibus with professional driver
This is a great option for traveling to places outside Chiang Mai city, and is often the same price as hiring a car and driving yourself. You'll also be able to relax and enjoy the scenery in air-conditioned comfort. The cost is depending on the type of vehicle and where you are going.
Getting around Chiang mai by Bus and Train
Visiting close by district such as Chiang rai, Mea hongson , Lampoon can be made by public bus. Mean while visiting southern route of Chiang mai can be travel by train as well.
Around Chiang mai City area
Getting around Chiang mai by Song Thaew
| Song Thaew is a convertible pick up truck with two row of seat on the pick up truck with roof cover. Song Thaews are the standard vehicle for typical Chiang mai residents. Cheap and readily available, they are perfect travel within the main city. Most Song Thaews drive along standard routes but are more than happy to take you to a specific destination. Flag the driver down and ask where he's heading. If your destination lies in the same direction, then hop in and signal him when you want to get off. |
|
The fare for most destinations in the city center is about 20 baht/ride/person. If you want to go to a specific destination then you should negotiate the fare before hand. In general, expect to pay about 30 baht for a trip within the city center.
Getting around Chiang mai Tuk Tuk
|
Tuk Tuks are a second option for traveling around Chiang Mai. These colorful, three wheeled vehicles are an unofficial symbol of Thailand. If you are traveling somewhere outside the main city area, or are in a hurry, then a tuk tuk is a better option than the slower song thaews. Tuk Tuks can be found near all of the major hotels and tourist areas such as the night bazaar and Moon Muang Road. Make sure to negotiate the fare before you climb in. For a ten minute ride a tuk tuk should cost about 50 baht per ride. |
Getting around Chiang mai Taxi
| Chiang Mai has Bangkok-style metered taxis, but unlike in Bangkok it's very hard to persuade the driver to use the meter. Rates are very reasonable at 30 baht for the first 2 km and 4 baht/km after that, . Dial +66 53-279291 states your destination and the call centre will give you a quote. Individual drivers can be contacted using their mobile phone numbers which are displayed on the vehicle, again few will use their meters. |
|
By Bus
 |
Chiang Mai's on-again, off-again local bus service began operation again in November 2005. There are currently 5 routes and fares are a flat 15 baht. Route 4, connecting to the airport, is probably the most useful. |
Motorcycle
| Chiang Mai has an abundance of motorcycle rental services, with choices aplenty. Typical Asian motorbikes can be rented, such as Honda and Yamaha 110cc and 125cc models (both step-through and automatic), but off-road bikes and larger street bikes can also be found quite easily. Renting a small bike starts at 200 baht/day with insurance; larger machines can climb to 800 baht/day for a V-twin chopper or large sport-bike, also with insurance. Passports are usually taken as a deposit, although some shops will accept a photocopy with a cash deposit of a few thousand baht. As with any other tourist town in Thailand (except possibly in Bangkok), a valid international permit (IDP) isn't required by the rental shop. |
|
Chiang mai Bicycle
 |
Within the old city walls biking is still an easy option to get around. You can get everywhere in town within 10 minutes and it saves the hassle of negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers all the time. Bikes rentals are offered at every other street corner and for a simple bike start from 30-50 baht/day. You can pick up quality bikes for a comfortable ride at "Crank Tavern" near Chiang Mai Gate. They run well-organized tours in the mountains around Chiang Mai as well. |
Return from Getting around Chiang mai to home page
|
