Good to Know
Good news: from our homes, your own two feet will take you most places. For everything else, the city is cheap and easy to get around once you know your options. Here’s how locals do it.
Where you’ll be staying, walking is genuinely the nicest way to get around. The Old City is compact and flat, and most temples, cafés and markets are only a few minutes apart. Bring comfortable shoes and you may barely need transport at all.
The easiest option for anything beyond walking distance. Grab and Bolt work just like Uber — you see the fare upfront, pay by card or cash, and there’s nothing to negotiate. Both offer cars and cheaper motorbike rides. Download them before you arrive.
The red shared pickup trucks are a Chiang Mai institution. Flag one down, tell the driver where you’re headed, and hop in the back — they run a loose shared route and you pay a small flat fare. Cheap, local and part of the fun.
Fun for a quick, breezy ride, though usually pricier than a songthaew or Grab. There’s no meter, so always agree the fare before you set off — a short trip across town is typically 80–150 baht.
Renting a scooter is popular and gives you real freedom, but ride only if you’re confident and experienced. Always wear a helmet, check you’re covered by insurance, and carry the correct licence — police do check, and Thai traffic takes getting used to. If in doubt, a Grab is safer.
For Doi Suthep, an elephant sanctuary or the waterfalls, a private car with a driver is comfortable and stress-free — and easily split between four. Just ask us and we’ll arrange a trusted driver at a fair price.
A note on cash: songthaews and tuk-tuks are cash-only, so keep a few small notes handy. Grab and Bolt let you pay by card in the app. And wherever you’re heading across the city, our neighbourhood guide shows how it all fits together.
Your home base in Chiang Mai
Two warm, beautifully designed homes a short stroll from the Old City — with free airport pickup and hosts who treat you like family.
