Public Transport in Chiang Mai and How to Getting Around

Chiangmai’s city centre is straightforward to navigate. Rental automobile, vans and motorbikes are extensively available. You could journey around Chiang Mai via taxi, train, Song Taew, tuk-tuks, rickshaws and car.

Transport from Airport to Town

You’ll find several kinds of transport providers offered for passengers, together with limousine and car charter services. transport service counters are positioned on the 1st floor opposite home and worldwide arrival lounges. Chiang Mai Airport is located a brief distance from the town middle and Songteaw and tuk-tuks are readily available to supply taxi services outdoors the terminal building. Count on to pay 160 baht for a taxi to most destinations within the city, while the return trip to the airport costs around one hundred baht. Many hotels and resorts will arrange free switch to and from the airport. Verify together with your lodge to see if they provide this service.

Transport from Train & Bus Terminal to Town

From the train station and bus terminal is not have taxi service but you may easily get a mini-bus or song thaew in Thai to town. If you would like to constitution a minibus or car, higher test the right fare at the TAT counter first. Usually, first-class hotels offer free transportation between the railway station or bus terminals and the hotel for his or her advance booking guests.
Chiang Mai train station and bus terminal is about 3 km east of town centre. Alternatively, you possibly can constitution the whole songthaew or take a tuk-tuk. For Songthaew or Red Truck, The drivers will strategy you as soon as you’ve got arrived and will ask as much as 80-100 baht to the city centre/Tha Phae Gate, exhibiting you a bogus value record with “mounted” prices. The honest price for tuk-tuk there may be 80-120 hundred baht, and is not more than 150 baht even to the other aspect of the city.

Transport in Chiang Mai City

Songthaews or Red Truck

Songthaews (means 2 rows) operate as shared taxis, and they roam the streets picking up customers who are frontage in the way they are travelling. There are actually no set routes so the easiest thing to do is to ask if the driver will take you someplace you want to go. Journeys start from 20B for a short travel of a few blocks and 40B for a longer pilgrimage. It’s also possible to rent 1 for the day gentle if there’s a few visitors and that will set you back around 2,000 thb or so depending upon where you want to go.

Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuk are the ever-present and quintessential Thailand icon and Chiangmai has a lot.Tuk-tuk work only on a charter basis and are costlier than red truck, but they provide that energising wind-through-your-hair feeling and are quicker in traffic. Charges begin at 60B for short trips and creep up to 100B at night. Some drivers may be pushy and should try to steer you in the direction of attractions that pay commissions.

Car rental

Car hire services are available both within the city centre and on the airport. Cars sometimes offered embody the Toyota Vios, Altis, and Yaris, and the Honda City and Jazz. Typical rates for newer models are 1200-2500 baht per day, depending on season and model. Expect a slight discount when renting weekly. Utility pickups such as the Toyota Hilux or Fortuner SUV are additionally available.
This can be a nice option for traveling to locations outside Chiang Mai city, and the price is commonly much like hiring a car and driving yourself. You will additionally be capable of loosen up and enjoy the surroundings in air-conditioned comfort. The price for a non-public car with driver is usually from 1,500 to 2,500 baht per day plus fuel relying on the kind of automobile and where you’re going. The motive force will usually decide you up with a full tank of gas and also you pay at the end. Large Toyota Hi-Ace, Nissan Urvan and newer Toyota Commuter minivans go for around 2,000 to 2,800 baht per day plus fuel. Most hotels and some travel agency in Chiang Mai can prepare it for you.

Motorcycle

Renting a scooter or big bike transport when in Chiangmai to ride in, the bikes are low-cost to hire (price from 150-250 baht a day) and more. They give you the freedom to get about as you please. With a motorbike, you possibly can discover the fantastic environs outside the town, including the many national parks, and it avoids the hassle of haggling with taxi drivers.
When renting a motorbike, scooter or automotive in Chiang Mai, check the insurance small print carefully. Some firms rent out automobiles with only probably the most fundamental compulsory insurance, which gives limited cowl when you hurt anyone else in an accident, but provides no medical cowl for you and no cowl for harm to the car you are hiring or to another automobile you might collide with. In case your automobile is stolen, you possibly can be totally liable. Play it sensible and use an organization that provides full insurance and breakdown cover, with the extent of cover clearly spelt out within the contract.

Bicycles

Bicycles are additionally a good suggestion for pottering across the central space of Chiangmai, that is compact and comparatively easy among the many traffic. The lanes of the Old City are quiet and it is probably the most sensible technique of doing a day tour of the varied temples.

Important! 
1. Thai drives on the left-hand side of the road.
2. Foreigners who wish to drive motor vehicles in Thailand need a valid International Driving License.
3. Driving license and passport must be carried at all times when driving.

Getting to/from out of Town or other Provinces

Chang Phuak Bus Station

Chang Phuak Bus Station is the centre of buses heading to other routes in Chiang Mai. Uncomfortable and comfortable, trucks and vans are available here.

Additionally, Chiang Mai provides multi-colour painted trucks which pick you up in the city and drop you to other district. Here are the trucks:

Arcade Bus Station

Arcade Bus Station on Kaeo Nawarat Road, there are ordinary and air-con buses going to other northern provinces, e.g. Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phrae and some major provinces in the northeastern, e.g. Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.
For detailed information, call Arcade Bus Station, 0 5324 2664

Chiang Mai train station

Chiang Mai Train Station is across the Ping River (East bank) (two kilometers east of the city center), at the intersection of Charoen Muang Road and Rat Uthit Road (27 Charoenmuang Road). Chiang Mai Station is near the main Post Office. Chiang Mai Station is clean and well-organized and there are several services available inside the Station. There are two Advance Booking offices. One is at the Regular Ticket Windows, and the other is in an Air-conditioned office. There is also a ‘Left-Luggage Counter’ if you need to store your baggage for a few hours or even a few days. There are several travel agencies (use only the agencies inside stations) and an ATM. Chiang Mai Rail Station is a First-Class Service Station. There is No Train Service to destinations North of Chiang Mai.