Getting Around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is relatively easy to get around, since it's a very tourist oriented town. While there are now licensed taxis, they seem very hard to find on the street. They seem to all hang out at the airport. You will find a few men with cars hanging around outside many hotels offering to take you on tours, etc. Use them at your own risk. Here are your other options for getting around:
- Tuk-tuk
- These three wheeled carts, properly called a samlor but universally referred to as tuk-tuks, are generally the quickest way to get somewhere. Chiang Mai is small enough that the tuk-tuk appropriate for getting around town. Note that despite their noise samlors don't have a lot of power so you won't find them climing the hills outside of town. Be sure to negotiate the fare before starting your trip.
- Songtaew
- These are small pickups fitted with benches along the side of the bed. They operate like buses, picking up and dropping off passengers as they go along, except that they have no fixed route. You need to flag one down and find out if where you want to go is on his way before boarding in the back. Songtaews are also the common form of transportation up to Doi Suthep and Doi Pui mountains. You'll find Sontaews going up the mountains around the night bazaar area as well as just outside of Chang Puek gate.
- Motorcycle
- You can rent morotcylces from several places around town, and they make a great way to get around, if you're able to ride. Note that helmets are required.
- Car
- There are a number of car rental agencies around town, including some of the international chains such as Budget, Avis and National. Driving in Chiang Mai is not as difficult as Bangkok, but you'd still be well advised to rent a car with driver.
Airport Transfers
The airport is extremely close to town, and it's generally no more than a 15 minute drive to most city hotels from the airport. Many, if not all, hotels offer a pick up service, but check the charges before you order hotel transportation. We've seen hotels charge $10 to $20 or more for an airport pickup, but a taxi from the airport is less than $5.
The Chiang Mai airport has a licensed taxi service to get you from the airport to your hotel. The fixed price to take you to any city hotel is 150 Baht (4.59 USD). Turn left as you exit (domestic) baggage claim and you'll see the taxi counter. There is no need to book in advance. However, if you're traveling in a small group that may need a van or mini-bus, you may want to consider booking one in advance through one of the services below:
1 | 2 
 |
Chiang Mai Airport Shared Arrival Transfer  Duration: Varies | $ 11.89 |
Travel from Chiang Mai Airport to your Chiang Mai City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your shared transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
| ||
 |
Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel Duration: Varies | $ 14.57 |
Travel from Chiang Mai Airport to your Chiang Mai City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your private transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
| ||
 |
Chiang Mai Airport Shared Departure Transfer  Duration: Varies | $ 11.89 |
Travel from your Chiang Mai City hotel to Chiang Mai Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your shared transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
| ||
 |
Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport to Four Seasons Hotel Arrival Transfer Duration: Varies | $ 18.79 |
Travel from Chiang Mai Airport to the Four Seasons Hotel by private vehicle. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your private transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Hotel to Airport transfer! | ||
 |
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport Duration: Varies | $ 13.42 |
Travel from your Chiang Mai City hotel to Chiang Mai Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your private transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your Hotel to Airport transfer, you will be required to reconfirm exact pick up time and place.
| ||
1 | 2