Transport Chiang Mai, how to travel around the city

Until recently in Chiang Mai there was a weakly developed public transport system, presented in the form of city buses. Due to unprofitability in 2011, the bus was stopped, but great difficulty to move on a city it has created. Now you can easily get to any place in the city or outside the city by taxi, tuk-tuk, taxi or rented transport. To explore the city centre you can do without transport and explore everything on foot. Rent a Bicycle or motorbike is also a great and economical solution. And now a little more about all the options:

Taxi

The Mai runs continuously countless taxis called Songthaew here or Se-Lor. This is the main form of transport in the city. They are converted to carry passengers small truck with a box for passengers instead of the body. Exactly the same Songthaew ply the Pattaya and the use of them in Chiang Mai the same. They say that taxi is controlled by the "taxi mafia" of Chiang Mai, but that you should not disturb.

To sit in the taxi, raise your hand road passing by Songthaew. Can ask the driver whether he rides on the street and check the price before boarding. If you try to call the driver a specific destination, such as hotel or shopping center, for example, he enthusiastically will take it as what you're trying to hire as a taxi and will gladly take you to the place at an inflated price. If you really want to hire him as a taxi, agree a price before the ride and bargain. What is good price for a trip on a Songthaew, employed as a taxi, will be lower than by car, taxi or tuk-tuk. Stop in the desired location by pressing the call button.

The cost of the trip is fixed and is 20 baht. Outside the city you can go for 60 baht.

The Songthaew routes are not numbered, and vary in color machines. Red cars ply the main streets of the city with no set routes and pick up passengers as a taxi. Songthaew other colors start and end your route at the main Terminus Waroros Market (Waroros Market end on the map) and go on routes in the suburbs of Chiang Mai:

• Yellow. Go North to Mae Rim and Doi Saket
• Green. Go to the northeast to Mae Jo San Sai
• Blue. Go South to Sarapee and Lamphun
• White. Travel East in Mae Taeng and San Kamphaeng
• Orange. Go to the northeast in Fang

Tuk-tuk

On Mai ride a three-wheeled tuk-tuks in Bangkok type. They work as taxis on arbitrary routes. The price per trip is higher than taxis, but you pay not for each person and for the whole trip, so when traveling with a group it is quite economical method of transportation. The fare must be agreed in advance. For tourists the prices cited are always too high, so you need to bargain. On duty at stations and stations tuk-tuks are traditionally called high price to bring down which is very difficult, and sometimes easier to pass a hundred meters to the nearest road and catch a tuk-tuk there.

The average cost of short trips around town is 40 baht (per trip, not per person). Sometimes tuk-tuks refuse to drive even a few meters below the cost of 40 baht. A trip out of town will cost 150 baht. In the airport, or bus station, the journey should cost no more than 100 baht, at the railway station no more than 50 baht. At night the prices increase.

If you have a burning desire to ride on a tuk-tuk advise: if the price does not suit you, the driver wants to bargain, don't waste your time and just look for the next, more accommodating "the cage".

Bicycle taxi

Called Saam Lor three-wheeled Bicycle taxi costs about the same as a tuk-tuk. The price per trip is negotiated, is negotiated before travelling. Should be used for short trips or slow sightseeing walks around the city (you can negotiate payment over time), because over long distances you will get a very long time.

Taxi

Regular car taxis in Chiang Mai are not very common. To meet the car on the street is not always possible, and should be ordered by phone or through the hotel reception. Given the cost and the availability of more and cheap tuk tuks and taxis, makes little sense to use a car taxi to navigate the city, except that to get to the airport or railway/bus stations with Luggage.

Taxis are equipped with meters, but drivers are reluctant to use them, often insisting on travelling at a bargain price. Trip meter is more profitable.

Airport taxis operate at a fixed price of 120 baht per trip to/from the airport.

Rent a motorcycle or car

Traffic on the roads in Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai are pretty relaxed, and you can easily rent a transport. This is probably the best way to see as many attractions in the city and province.

Rent a motorbike (scooter) is available from 150 baht per day. When driving you must wear a helmet, otherwise will be fined 200 baht.

To control the transport in Thailand is compulsory IDP. Is such a law, made in the form of booklets in several languages that are issued in addition to the regular national rights of the bodies of the traffic police. They act only when presented together with your national (domestic) rights, so don't forget to take with you on a trip. To get an IDP is not required to write any exams, you only need to pay a fee. Order them easiest website public services.of the Russian Federation, the value of discount will be 1120 rubles. You can contact the traffic police or the MFC personally, but then the IDP will cost 1600 rubles (price 2018). To pick up right after their manufacture in the traffic police or in the MFC. Read more about car rent in Thailand and what are the rights, read here.

The cost of renting a car in Thailand starts from 1000 baht when booking for a short period, and comes to 500 baht if booking for a long time. It is best to search and book a car rental through the Internet using the search form and compare prices from different distributors:

Bicycle rental

The bike can be a great option for exploring not only the city but also its surrounding neighbourhoods. Rent a bike in Chiang Mai can be everywhere. For a simple single speed bike and you need to pay 30 baht per day for a mountain bike with gear shifting (perfect to explore the area) will have to pay up to 250 baht.