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Sawngthaews are a great way to get around Chiang Mai
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Or you could try something more home-made!
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Getting Around Chiang Mai
From the Airport
If your hotel hasn't arranged transportation for you, the taxi kiosk located just outside the baggage area will arrange a taxi ticket to anywhere in the city.
Tell the attendant where you're going, and she'll sell you a "Taxi Lanna" slip for 50 baht which you carry to a taxi driver outside, and he'll take you to your destination.
Pay the driver directly for the metered fare.
If you've already booked your hotel or guesthouse, beware of touts who will tell you your place of lodging is booked, then attempt to spirit you away to another hotel, where they're paid a sizable -- by Thai standards -- commission to rope you in.
There is a plethora of ways to get around in town and out-of town.
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Visit beautiful Wat Phra Singh while in Chiang Mai
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In addition to your feet, there are four decent ways to get around Chiang Mai, by bicycle, tuk-tuk, sawngthaew, and unmarked taxi for hire.
Bicycles are ideal for exploring the old town.
Many guesthouses rent them, or you can select from the list below. Price is generally 50 baht per day.
Metered taxis have begun appearing on the streets of Chiang Mai.
Approximately 40 yellow and blue cars are initiating the new fleet, with flag drop fare starting at 40 baht.
Tuk-tuks are easily found, and all fares are negotiable.
To ensure you're paying a fair price, ask a nearby English-speaking shop owner how much the fare should be to your destination, then tell your driver what you'll pay.
Generally, it's around 50 baht, rarely over 60.
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Hop a sawngthaew!
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Sawngthaew (red, four wheeled pick-up trucks with facing bench-seats in the bed) travel along main streets.
When there are other passengers, ask the driver where he's headed.
Fare is 10 baht, and when you've reached your exit point, you ring the buzzer on the ceiling above you, exit, and hand the driver your 10 baht coin.
If there are no other passengers, tell the driver where you'd like to go, and he'll quote you a fare (don't forget to bargain).
Cars-for-hire can be the best way to travel if you have little time, and want to go to outlying antiquities and crafts areas such as San Kamphaeng Road and Hang Dong.
Ask your hotel for daily rates.
You can either rent cars from rental agencies (consult your hotel) and drive yourself, or your hotel can recommend a car-and-driver combination package.
Rates at guesthouses are typically less than what you'd pay at larger hotels.
By auto
Hiring a car can be done from a number of establishments in Chiang Mai, including Avis and Budget. Rates start at 1000 baht per day and cars and jeeps are available. We have found the Suzuki Caribian to be unstable on mountain roads, so caveat emptor. You may also hire a car with driver on a daily basis from your hotel.
By bicycle
Lots of experiences are available, from in-town rentals to mountain bike tours, and individual routes. Easier outlying routes would include the Mae Rim Valley. More challenging is the mountain road to the temple at Doi Suthep. Experienced cyclists often climb Doi Inthanon, then ride 50 km through Ob Luang Gorge to Mae Cham, passing through Akha and Karen villages.
Contact Travel, 73/7 Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai 50100, tel: (053) 277-178.
Located next to the Diamond Riverside Hotel, one block from the Night Bazaar, offers intensive tours with Shimano-equipped bikes, and may include support vehicles. They also offer rafting, kayaking, and trekking experiences. http://www.activethailand.com
Click and Travel, 158/60 Chiang Mai Hot Road, Chiang Mai 50100, tel: (053) 201-194.
Located southwest of the old city, this company hosts group mountain bike tours for all experience levels and age groups, and also offers consulting advice for individual cyclist wanting to go it alone and design their own routes. http://www.clickandtravelonline.com
The Chiang Mai Bicycle Club, tel: (053) 943-018, puts together a tour of outlying areas most Sunday mornings, grouping at 7 am in the square in front of the Ta Phae gate.
By motorcycle
In Chiang Mai, you can rent 100 cc Honda Dreams, dirt bikes, and road cruisers. Dreams can be rented for roughly 120 baht per day, and have a small rack up front, suitable for a day pack and jacket. For 700 baht a day, you can find a dirt bike, such as a Honda 250 XLR, with luggage carrier that will handle a full backpack, for longer and more aggressive trips.
Two well-established motorcycle rental companies can be found just east of the moat:
Dang Bike Hire, 23 Kotchasan Road, Chiang Mai, tel: (053) 271-524. Open 9 am - 8:30 pm
Lek Big Bike, 74/2 Chaiyaphum Road, Chiang Mai, tel: (053) 251-830.
David Unkovich has put together a Thai biking website, http://www.gt-rider.com, that is top-notch, telling you everything you'll need to know about licensing, bikes, and motorcycle touring in Thailand.
