Chiang Mai is Thailand's cultural capital in the north, a city of ancient temples, night markets, and misty mountains. Once the heart of the Lanna Kingdom, it blends centuries of history with a thriving modern scene of cafes, art galleries, and wellness retreats.
- Public
- Red songthaews are the city's informal bus network; share with other passengers for 20-30 THB. RTC Smart Buses cover 5 air-conditioned routes.
- Taxi
- Grab app is the best option for reliable, metered rides. Tuk-tuks are good for short distances but require fare negotiation.
- Rental
- Scooters are the best way to explore outside the city and reach national parks. Bicycles are ideal within the Old City.
- Walking
- The Old City within the moat (1.8km x 1.8km) is extremely walkable. Temple cluster near Nimman is also pedestrian-friendly.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $4.30 (150 THB), 10-15 min to Old City
- Taxi Info
- Fixed rate metered taxis from the official taxi counter inside Arrivals. No negotiation needed - present the ticket to the driver.
- Shuttle
- $1.50 (50 THB) shared songthaew
- Shuttle Info
- Shared songthaews wait outside Arrivals. Negotiate destination and join others going the same way.
- Bus
- $0.85 (30 THB) public bus
- Bus Info
- Route R3 (Red) serves the Night Bazaar and Nimman; Route R3 (Yellow) serves Tha Phae Gate. Bus stops on the road outside the airport. Runs 6:30 AM - 10:30 PM.
- Private
- $3.50-6 (Grab app)
- Private Info
- Book via the Grab app from inside the airport terminal after clearing customs. Much cheaper than hotel-arranged transfers.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
RTC Smart Bus: 5 air-conditioned routes covering major areas. 30-50 THB per ride. Limited network.
Alternatives
Songthaews (shared red trucks) cover all areas at 20-30 THB; Grab for convenient point-to-point; bicycle rental for Old City exploration
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis available but rare; most use Grab or negotiate with tuk-tuks
- Apps
- Grab, InDrive
- App Names
- Grab, InDrive
- Typical Fare
- $1.50-3 (50-100 THB) for average city ride via Grab
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses to Bangkok from 250-800 THB depending on class; Arcade Bus Terminal in northern Chiang Mai serves all routes
Shared
Shared minivans (rot tu) to Pai (150 THB), Chiang Rai (200 THB), Mae Hong Son from Chang Puak Bus Terminal
Flights
Bangkok Don Mueang flights from 800-1,500 THB; Bangkok Suvarnabhumi from 1,200-2,500 THB; book via AirAsia or Nok Air
Private
Private car hire from 1,500 THB/day for exploring northern Thailand
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Chiang Mai is served by an international airport (CNX) with connections to Bangkok, regional Asian cities, and some international hubs. Within the city, red songthaews (shared pickup trucks) are the main public transport network. Grab (ride-hailing app), tuk-tuks, and scooter rentals supplement local mobility. The Old City and Nimman area are walkable.
Airports
Chiang Mai International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Grab
Best for reliable, metered car and motorcycle rides throughout Chiang Mai. Most drivers speak basic English.
InDrive
Bid-based ride hailing app with competitive prices, good alternative to Grab
Google Maps
Works well in Chiang Mai for navigation; songthaew routes not always shown but walking and driving directions are accurate
Maps.me
Offline maps work excellently in Chiang Mai for walking navigation without data
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Grab app before arrival for easy, metered, trustworthy transport throughout your stay
Agree on prices with tuk-tuks BEFORE getting in - always say 'meter?' first even though most won't use one
Songthaews going your direction will slow down and honk - jump in and pay at destination
The red route R3 airport bus is the cheapest airport transfer but stops running at 10:30 PM
Always wear a helmet when renting a scooter - police checkpoints are common and head injuries are the leading cause of tourist deaths
Avoid driving on mountain roads at night or in rain without experience
Chiang Mai Gate and Tha Phae Gate are the two best starting points for exploring the Old City on foot
Long-tail boat tours on the Ping River are available near Narawat Bridge for ~200 THB/hour