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Getting around Chiang Mai

Public transport: 

The town centre is relatively compact and it is easy to walk between the sights inside the old city walls. Another pleasant way to explore the old town is by bicycle.

Chiang Mai has an inexpensive public bus service, with air-conditioned buses charging a fixed fare, but the network seems to be a permanent state of flux and routes change regularly. Most visitors prefer to charter a taxi or tuk-tuk.

Taxis: 

Metered taxis can be flagged down in the street or pre-booked (tel: (053) 279 291). However, many people prefer the three-wheeled tuk-tuks that zip around the centre - be sure to bargain and fix the fare before you set off on your journey. Pick-up trucks known as songthaews act as share-taxis, collecting people heading in roughly the same direction and dropping them off where required. A handful of samlors (tricycle rickshaws) also operate in the city centre.

Driving: 

Driving around Chiang Mai is not for the faint-hearted. Cars, taxis, motorbikes, cycles, trucks, rickshaws, pedestrians, vendors and stray dogs all jostle for space on the road. Traffic signals and road lines are generally ignored and random overtaking occurs frequently.

Car hire: 

Cars can be hired at the airport, or from agencies in the Tha Phae Gate area. Reliable local outfits include Journey, 283 Thanon Tha Phae (tel: (053) 208 787; www.journeycnx.com), and North Wheels, 70/4-8 Thanon Chaiyaphum (tel: (053) 874 478; www.northwheels.com). Other recommended car hire firms include Avis, at Chiang Mai Airport (tel: (053) 201 789; www.avis.com) and Budget, 201/2 Thanon Mahidol (tel: (053) 202 871; www.budget.co.th).

Foreigners need an international driver's licence, although most companies will accept national licences. International agencies will accept credit card details as security whilst small agencies may want a cash deposit and to hold on to your passport.

Bicycle hire: 

Pedal cycles can be hired from several agencies on the road running alongside the eastern moat. Chiang Mai Mountain Biking at 1 Thanon Samlan (tel: 0810 247 046; www.mountainbikingchiangmai.com) rents out superior mountain bikes and runs cycling adventures across northern Thailand.

Several agencies along Thanon Moon Muang rent out motorcycles. Reliable companies include Queen Bee, 5 Thanon Moon Muang, (tel: (053) 275 525; www.queen-bee.com) and Mr Mechanic, 4 Soi 5, Thanon Moon Muang (tel: (053) 214 708).

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