Getting Around Chiang Mai

If your first taste of Thailand involved battling traffic in Bangkok, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Chiang Mai. This northern capital offers a more relaxed atmosphere, which you'll appreciate as you explore its charming stupas, monasteries, and vibrant markets.

The historic heart of Chiang Mai is surrounded by a moat and remnants of its medieval walls, providing a well-organized layout with light traffic, perfect for exploration. However, heading into the suburbs requires navigating busy main roads and expressways. Many travelers opt to rent motorcycles or mopeds, but hiring a chartered pickup truck can simplify your journey.

One significant challenge for navigation is the city’s bustling markets. The Saturday walking street market shuts down Thanon Wualai to traffic on Saturdays, while the Sunday walking street market does the same on Sundays for Thanon Ratchadamnoen. Evenings around the Night Bazaar on Thanon Chang Khlan can get quite hectic—most visitors prefer to be dropped off nearby and explore on foot.

Whether you aim to stay in the center or venture out to waterfalls, hot springs, botanical gardens, palaces, and wildlife reserves in the nearby hills, here are the top ways to navigate Chiang Mai.

Traveling to and from the airport is affordable, straightforward, and quick.

Chiang Mai is increasingly becoming a favored entry point to Thailand, with airport transfers being both convenient and cost-effective. At Exit 9 of the Arrivals hall at Chiang Mai International Airport, you’ll find a licensed taxi service heading to the old town. Shuttle and minibus options are a bit cheaper, while rideshare services like Uber or Grab offer a mid-range alternative. When departing from Chiang Mai, simply ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange a transfer, request a rideshare, or hail a pickup truck.

The rót daang serves as the backbone of urban transportation in Chiang Mai.

Spend a few minutes in Chiang Mai, and you'll notice the numerous red-covered pickup trucks zipping through the streets. These rót daang (literally “red trucks”) function as shared taxis in the city center, picking up passengers heading in the same direction. Routes are flexible, so simply wave one down and ask the driver if they’re headed your way. A handy tip: for journeys outside the historic core, catch a rót daang on one of the main roads leading out from the city walls.

But the rót daang can offer even more. Drivers also rent out their vehicles for chartered taxi-style trips within the city and for longer excursions to waterfalls, temples, elephant camps, and other attractions in the lush hills surrounding Chiang Mai. While it costs more than a shared ride, splitting the fare among a few people can make a day trip by rót daang quite budget-friendly.

For budget-friendly downtown transport, Chiang Mai's modern bus system is a great choice.

Introduced in 2018, the blue buses operated by RTC City Bus provide an economical and convenient way to navigate central Chiang Mai. These spacious, air-conditioned buses run along nine routes, and you can track services in real-time using the CM Transit mobile app. Each ride costs a flat fee of 20B, payable in cash or with the Rabbit stored-value card (available at the RTC stand at the airport, and can be recharged at convenience stores).

For longer journeys, head to the Chang Phueak Bus Terminal on Thanon Chotana (Thanon Chang Pheuak) for trips to northern Chiang Mai Province, or to the Arcade Bus Terminal near the intersection of Thanon Kaew Nawarat and Route 11 for other long-distance destinations. There are also blue songthaew (shared pickups) serving local towns.

Túk-túks and rickshaws are more about the experience than simply getting from one place to another.

Chiang Mai’s vibrant túk-túks (autorickshaws) provide chartered rides around the city. Though favored by travelers, they tend to be pricier than rót daang, and drivers might direct tourists to commission-based shops and less desirable nightlife spots. Nevertheless, navigating through traffic in a partly open cab adorned with flashing lights and the breeze in your hair is undeniably a fun way to travel. Remember to negotiate for a fair price.

Traditional cycle rickshaws known as samlor can still be found in certain areas of Chiang Mai, especially near the Talat Warorot market. These rides are both affordable and enjoyable, making them a great way to support local tradition.

Taxis are affordable, but they can be hard to come by.

While Chiang Mai does have metered taxis, they aren't often seen on the streets. When you need a ride, you can call for a cab from CnxTaxi Chiang Mai. Rideshares are generally easier to find, with both Uber and Grab operating in the area, though there have been occasional crackdowns on their services.

Renting a scooter makes for convenient day trips beyond the city limits.

Renting a scooter or motorcycle unlocks a wealth of exciting day trip options, from visiting the renowned hilltop temple at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to embarking on longer journeys like the scenic loop through Mae Sa Valley and Samoeng—one of Thailand's most thrilling road trips. You can also ride to the ancient ruins of the Lanna kingdom at Wiang Kum Kam and enjoy swimming in jungle waterfalls like the famous “Sticky Waterfall” in Si Lanna National Park.

Rental shops can be found throughout the southern part of the old town, most requiring you to leave your passport as collateral. To stay on the right side of the law, carry your driving license, an international driving permit, and a photo ID, and always wear a helmet. Be cautious of operators offering bikes without insurance—this is a risk you shouldn't take. At a minimum, ensure you have coverage for damage to other vehicles and medical expenses for injuries from accidents you might be involved in.

Bicycles are perfect for off-roading on Doi Suthep and leisurely rides around downtown.

You can easily rent bikes from various shops and guesthouses in Chiang Mai. They’re excellent for exploring the quieter streets of the old town, but exercise caution when navigating the fast-paced roads around the historic center, where you'll share space with speedy rót daang, buses, cars, and motorcycles.

For those seeking higher-quality bikes, consider specialized mountain biking and cycling tour companies like Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks, Trailhead, and Spice Roads. The nearest downhill mountain biking trails are located in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, just west of the city; rental shops can arrange transportation to the top of the trails so you can focus on the exhilarating ride down.

Walking is the ideal way to discover the monasteries in the old city.

Embarking on foot is arguably the best way to uncover the numerous wat (monasteries) in Chiang Mai's historic center, including renowned temples like Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Phra Singh, as well as the more secluded monasteries tucked away in the side streets. Just be cautious of fast-moving motorcycles and rót daang when crossing roads.

Chiang Mai’s markets are perfect for exploring on foot. On weekends, it feels as though the entire city is out enjoying the “walking street” markets on Thanon Wualai (Saturday) and Thanon Ratchadamnoen (Sunday); the bazaars surrounding Talat Warorot are also intriguing to wander through on foot.

Boat rides on the Mae Ping River are purely for enjoyment.

Although a significant amount of produce still travels to market via the Mae Ping River, there’s minimal passenger traffic these days, except for the popular tourist cruises that depart from Wat Chaimongkhon, located south of the city on Thanon Charoen Prathet. Daytime cruises navigate through the city and head south to the historical ruins at Wiang Kum Kam, while evening cruises offer a favored floating dining experience with picturesque views.

Accessible transport options in Chiang Mai.

In theory, downtown Chiang Mai should be quite accessible, being mostly flat and not overly congested, except for the bustling walking street markets. However, sidewalks are often narrow and cluttered with obstacles (including open drain covers), ramps can be unusable, and few road crossings cater to disabled individuals. Many budget hotels have steps and lack elevators, making top-tier accommodations your best bet for genuinely accessible rooms.

Chiang Mai’s buses can accommodate wheelchairs, but if you have a folding wheelchair, chartering a rót daang or minivan might be a more convenient option. Locals are usually willing to assist visitors with obstacles, but having an able-bodied companion can be beneficial. Be aware that many of Chiang Mai’s monasteries have steps and uneven paths that may pose challenges for those with mobility impairments. For additional information and guidance, check out Dinogo Planet’s Accessible Travel Resources.