| Chiang Mai's roads get quite busy, and getting | | | | International Driver's License with you at all times. |
| caught up in the congestion can be a frustrating | | | | Take a photograph of your rental to ascertain |
| and exhausting experience. I have seen tourist | | | | that you are not charged for damage you are |
| literature about the city accentuating its peaceful | | | | not responsible for. You will also need to leave |
| quality, and although plenty of such places exist | | | | your passport as security. Please bear in mind |
| (mainly outside Chiang Mai), you will not find them | | | | that you will need to return the vehicle if you are |
| on its highways. This article attempts to describe | | | | due for a visa run (unless you have a second |
| the types of available transport in Chiang Mai, the | | | | passport, of course -- in which case ensure that |
| best ways of getting around and the pros and | | | | the ID you hand in to the rental company is NOT |
| cons of each mode of transport, with personal | | | | the one with your Thai visa!).a. Scooters and |
| anecdotes included. | | | | motorcycles |
| I. Public transporta. Metered Taxi | | | | Scooters and motorcycles are one of the best |
| A misnomer, as taxi drivers do not switch their | | | | ways to get around Chiang Mai, particularly as |
| meters on -- certainly not in the experience of | | | | traffic can get quite congested. However, you |
| my partner and I! As a non-Thai, you need to | | | | need to be at ease with the Thai way of driving, |
| come to an agreement with the driver before | | | | which is 'flexible', to say the least. Mandatory third |
| climbing in, as foreigners are routinely | | | | party injury is included in the rental price of a |
| overcharged. Every time we asked for the meter | | | | motorbike but there is no third party insurance |
| to be turned on, we were told that it was broken. | | | | available for vehicle damage. An extra 50 Baht |
| Do not hesitate to walk away in search of | | | | per day will limit costs associated with any |
| another taxi if you feel you are being had. There | | | | damage to your rental. There are special rates |
| are plenty around, and the taxi driver might even | | | | for daily/weekly and monthly rental, but do not |
| back down and give you a decent price. | | | | hesitate to negotiate an even better deal. You |
| Eventually we started cutting the asking price in | | | | can get a 110cc scooter for 150 Baht per day |
| two, and to negotiate from there. It did not | | | | (with extra insurance; 100 Bath without). A 125cc |
| always work, but at least we did not come | | | | is a better choice if there are two of you on the |
| across as completely green. | | | | bike, and some firms also rent larger bikes. I |
| The one and only time we successfully caught a | | | | would recommend an automatic to a manual, as it |
| metered taxi was at Chiang Mai airport, where | | | | handles easier in traffic. |
| we had flown in from Bangkok. Ensure you go to | | | | Once you have made your choice, check the |
| one of the two official taxi counters located in | | | | scooter/motorcycle out thoroughly before you go |
| Arrivals inside the airport, where you will be | | | | (particularly lights and brakes) and ask to take it |
| handed a ticket; indeed, the unmarked cars idling | | | | on a test run (to check out the steering). Always |
| outside for unwary travelers are not licensed. The | | | | wear a helmet (normally thrown in for free; check |
| 30-minute fare into town cost us 60 Baht, plus | | | | it fits and that it is good quality). Most accidents |
| the standard 50-Baht airport tax (payable at the | | | | here tend to involve motorcyclists, and I have |
| airport).b. Tuk-Tuk | | | | been told that horrific motorcycle accidents are |
| Tuk-tuks are fun and a one-time must for | | | | reported in the Thai-speaking press, but not in the |
| anybody new to Thailand. However, I would not | | | | English-speaking papers. I cannot imagine why, |
| recommend them on a regular basis as they are | | | | unless it is to avoid a slump in the motorbike |
| also noisy and passengers are at the mercy of | | | | rental business. Helmets are compulsory, despite |
| noxious car fumes, not to mention the occasional | | | | the fact that few Thais wear them. The fine for |
| heavy smoke in late spring and summer when | | | | driving without one is 200 Baht (the cost of a |
| farmers burn land and bush to foster new | | | | new helmet!), although it rarely seems to be |
| growth. Glorified motorcycles (three wheels + | | | | enforced. |
| handle bars), they are reasonably expensive when | | | | Hire places are plentiful along Moon Muang road |
| compared to Songthaews (see below). Suitable | | | | (east side of the moat).b. Cars |
| only for short trips, foreigners are charged more | | | | To hire a car, the best course is to go to a |
| as a matter of course. To get a lift, simply flag a | | | | recognized dealer (Avis/Budget, etc) as the |
| tuk-tuk down and give your destination. Bear in | | | | vehicle will, in theory, be better serviced. You will |
| mind that most tuk-tuk drivers speak limited | | | | also get full insurance (but check the fine print; |
| English.c. Pedicab | | | | note that Visa cards normally cover collision |
| Powered by very agile and older men, pedicabs | | | | damage) and they will more likely provide an |
| provide slow but scenic tours of the Old City, | | | | alternative if your car fails for some reason. |
| particularly within the moat area. Rates are | | | | Although less practical in heavy traffic, there is no |
| negotiable. The descendant of rickshaws, they are | | | | doubt that cars offer more protection, comfort |
| not as numerous as they once were, but they | | | | (especially on long journeys) and...air conditioning! |
| are none-the-less still around. Flag one down to | | | | Rental of a car or 4-wheel drive will set you back |
| get a lift.d. Truck (Songthaew) | | | | approximately between 700 and several thousand |
| Songthaews (literally 'two benches') operate like | | | | Baht per day, and mini-buses somewhat more. |
| buses in that they travel on selected routes. You | | | | Monthly rental offers a better deal (do not |
| flag them down, tell the driver your destination, | | | | hesitate to bargain hard) and on-line offers |
| and he will tell you to hop in if he is going that | | | | provide the best rates of all. |
| way. Quick, efficient and cheap, Songthaews pick | | | | You can also rent a car with a driver. The daily |
| up other passengers on the way. They are a | | | | cost is roughly 1,750 Baht for a car and 2,000 |
| good way to get around, and unlike tuk-tuks and | | | | Baht for a mini-bus (this does not include fuel). |
| taxis, do not tend to overcharge: it is a flat 20 | | | | After 5pm, the price per hour is approximately |
| Baht per adult if you are traveling within the city | | | | 100 Baht. You will also need to pay for the |
| (look out for the red-coloured Songthaews); if | | | | driver's food and accommodation in the event of |
| you are traveling outside the city, the trucks are | | | | overnight trips. It is worth mentioning, though, |
| yellow, and of course cost more.e. Buses and | | | | that we were wandering round Chiang Mai when |
| Trains | | | | we were approached by a taxi driver who |
| Public transport in Chiang Mai is unusual in that it | | | | offered us his car and his services as a driver at |
| does not include a bus service. Nor are there any | | | | a daily rate of 650 Baht.c. Bicycles |
| commuter trains, elevated trains or subways as in | | | | They are readily available everywhere, but |
| Bangkok. | | | | particularly in tourist areas of the Old Town |
| NB If you do not speak Thai, one way of | | | | (guesthouses, travel agents, serviced apartments, |
| ensuring you get to your destination is to present | | | | etc). They typically cost between 150-200 Baht a |
| the driver with a business card carrying the | | | | day. I personally would not rent one for getting |
| address and map of your destination. However, it | | | | around town (too dangerous), but they are |
| needs to be in Thai as not all drivers speak or | | | | convenient and quite magical in the quieter parts |
| read English. | | | | of Chiang Mai. Helmets do not appear to be |
| We have heard stories about drivers pretending | | | | compulsory, but it is a very good idea to wear |
| to be short of change in order to avoid paying | | | | one. |
| back the difference. This has never been our | | | | To conclude, transport in Chiang Mai takes many |
| experience, but it seems important to mention. So | | | | forms. What you are most comfortable with will |
| ensure that you have plenty of 20-Baht notes on | | | | depend on your age and your experience, but |
| you at all times. | | | | you should be able to find a way of getting |
| II. Rented transport | | | | around that suits you. Do not hesitate to |
| Chiang Mai has plenty of rental firms to choose | | | | approach other foreigners for their experiences. |
| from, whether for cars, motorcycles or scooters. | | | | To my mind, the most important things to |
| Whatever your vehicle, if you do decide to go for | | | | remember are safety, and, where appropriate, |
| it, ensure you have your driver's license and an | | | | hard bargaining for a better price. |