How to Get to Chiang Mai

How to Get to Chiang Mai by Air

With the increasing tourist traffic to Chiang Mai, transport connections to the city have also improved. The most convenient and quickest way of getting to Chiang Mai is by air.

The Chiang Mai International Airport is just 4km outside the main city centre. It is used by domestic and international flights.

Airport facilities include banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, several food outlets, merchandise shops and bars. It also provides left-luggage and car parking facilities.The airport is however not sufficiently equipped to cater to the needs of the disabled.

To get to your destination from the airport you can either hire a taxi from the taxi counter at the airport or take bus route 4 to get to the city. Tuk tuks and Songtheaws are also available from the front of the airport. There are limousine and car rental services on the airport. Many hotels and upscale guesthouses also provide free pick and drop services.

How to Get to Chiang Mai by Rail

The main train station is about 3km east of the main city centre. It is small but has a number of facilities like advanced booking counters, ATMs and luggage counters. The ticket counter is open from 5:30 am- 9 pm and the luggage counter from 6 am-6 pm. Trains leave from Bangkok from Chiang Mai every day at 3 pm.

There are special surcharges for different trains. Advanced booking is a good idea as getting tickets can become almost impossible during festivals.

How to Get to Chiang Mai by Bus

There is a frequent bus service from Bangkok Northern/North Eastern Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai. Both government and private buses are in use and take 9-12 hours to complete the journey. The roads are excellent and buses make stops at motels and gas station cafes for a bite or for a much-needed opportunity to stretch ones legs.

Hiring a car or a taxi is also a good option. The country roads and the surroundings make it a very pleasant experience. You may wish to break your journey half way to make it a more relaxed trip.

Getting Around Chiang Mai

It is easy to commute in this city because of its extensive public transport system. There are various modes of road transport in Chiang Mai.

Buses and trams run on 5 routes; 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. Both air-conditioned and regular buses run on these routes. Maps of these routes can be found in most free publications around Chiang Mai. Bus services run every 15 minutes from 6am to 9pm daily.

The seelors or the songtheaws, also known as Rod Daeng, are the most popular way getting around. The colours of the trucks indicate their route. Most common are the red ones which roam around the main streets of the old city, the white ones go towards the eastern suburban city of Sankampaeng, the blue ones travel to Sarapee and Lamphun and the green ones go to Mae Jo in the north-east.

The Tuk tuks are the used for both long and short distances. They are easily available and scout tourist locations and bus stops. They should approximately charge 30-40 bahts for short and 80-100 bahts for long distances. However what you end up paying depends on your bargaining skills.

Samlors or the three wheeled bicycles are also a way to travel around the city. They are few in number but are perfect for exploring ‘inside’ areas. They will take you to your destination at the same price as the tuk tuks.

Cars can easily be rented at the airport or the main city. A slight discount is given when renting weekly. Taxis are also available but they almost never go by meter. It is therefore better to pre book a taxi to avoid haggling over the price. Hiring a minivan/car with a chauffer is also a good way to travel.

Chiang Mai also has Motorbike Rental Services. It is a convenient means of transport if you are travelling alone. Remember to check the brakes and never ride without a helmet. Cycles are a hassle free and great way to get around the city as it doesn’t take more than 10 minutes to get any where. It’s a healthy way to travel inside the old city walls. Cycles can be rented from various street corners for 30 baht a day.

The city wall is spread over a area of only a mile square making walking pleasurable.