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Getting Around
Local transport options and how to use them in Chiang Mai.
Travel
Travel In & Around Chiang Mai
Red trucks, ride-hailing, scooters and licences — plus the day trips and flight connections that take you out of the valley.
Chiang Mai has no metro and a thin bus network, which sounds worse than it is. The city is compact, the red trucks go everywhere, three ride-hailing apps compete on price, and a scooter costs less per month than a single taxi ride in most Western cities.
This section covers both halves of travel here. Getting around handles the day-to-day: songthaew fares and etiquette, Grab versus Bolt versus Maxim, renting a scooter without getting caught out, and the Thai driving licence process at DLT Mae Hia. Day trips and nature covers the trips worth taking out of the valley, how to choose an elephant sanctuary that deserves the name, and the practicalities of Chiang Mai International Airport.
One planning note that affects everything in this section: between February and April, haze limits mountain views considerably. Check our air quality guide before booking a viewpoint trip in March.
In this section
Travel: the categories
Each of these is a hub page collecting our guides, background and recommendations on that topic.
Guides
Start with these
Fares, apps, rentals, licences, day trips and airport connections.
Step by step
Chiang Mai International Airport & Flight Connections
A reference for using Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) — the layout, direct flights and airlines, getting to town, and practical tips.
5 min read
What to expect
Doi Inthanon Day Trip Guide
Plan a day trip to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak — getting there, highlights, fees, timing and what to pack.
6 min read
Common concern
Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries Near Chiang Mai
How to choose a genuinely ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai — saddle-free / no-riding criteria, what to look for, red flags and examples.
6 min read
Step by step
Getting a Thai Driving Licence at DLT Mae Hia
The step-by-step Thai driving licence process at Mae Hia DLT — Certificate of Residency, medical check, the written and practical tests, and documents.
6 min read
Comparison
Grab, Bolt & Maxim Ride-Hailing Compared
Compare the Grab, Bolt and Maxim ride-hailing apps in Chiang Mai — coverage, pricing, wait times, car vs bike, and when to use each.
5 min read
Step by step
Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai
How to rent and ride a scooter safely and legally in Chiang Mai — where to rent, prices, insurance (Por Ror Bor), licence/IDP needs and safety tips.
6 min read
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