By Car
Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) and turn to Highway No. 32 (Asia Highway) passing Ayutthaya, Angthong, Nakhon Sawan, then by Highway No. 11, from Tak, Lampang, Lamphun to Chiang Mai: a distance of 696 kilometres or 9 - 10 hours.
By Rail
Express and rapid trains leave for Chiang Mai from Hualamphong Station several times daily and the trip takes about 12 - 15 hours depending on the class. It is recommended to reserve seats in advance, especially for sleepers. For further information please contact Tel. 0 2220 4334 or call 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th Chiang Mai Railway Station Tel. 0 5324 2094
By Air
Domestic airlines. Thai Airways International Tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or call 1566 or visit www.thaiairways.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5392 0999 and 0 5392 0920 Bangkok Airways Tel. 0 265 5555 or call 1771 or visit www.bangkokair.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5327 6176, 0 5328 1519 Air Asia Tel. 0 2515 9999 www.airasia.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5390 4800-3, 0 5392 2170 Orient Thai Airlines Tel. 0 2267 3210-5 or call 1126 or visit www.fly12go.com or email to reservationcenter@orient-thai.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5390 4606-9 Nok Air Tel. 0 2900 9955 or call 1318 or visit www.nokair.co.th Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5392 2183). All operate several daily flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A one-way flight takes about one hour. There are also regular domestic flights between Chiang Mai and other major cities in Thailand and international flights to and from some major Asian destinations, e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, run by Thai Airways International and other foreign airlines.
By songthaew or seelor
The most common way to get around Chiang Mai is by songthaew (สองแถว), also known as rod-daeng. These are covered pick-up trucks with two rows for sitting in the back, and indeed songthaew means "two rows" in Thai. Rod Daeng means red truck, though not all trucks are red. The colors of the trucks indicate which routes they travel. Red ones center inside the old city.
Seen everywhere, to board one just put your arm out and look at the driver, who will stop. Then tell the driver which street you want to go to, and if he is going that way, he will nod his head "yes"; if not, he will say "no" and go on. Don't worry - there will be another one right behind him. When the driver turns down the street you want, start looking for where you want to get off and press the switch located on the roof of the cab. The driver will pull over, let you out, and then you pay him. The fare should be 20 baht for regular trips around town. If you specify a hotel or establishment, the driver will think you want to hire him for a private trip, and the price will be much higher. Negotiate any price beforehand if you want to go to a specific address. The best way to avoid this "charter" situation is to discuss your destination and not the price; asking for a price is interpreted as asking for a charter. Then, when you arrive, hand the driver the correct change. If the driver demands more, then it is up to you to work out a fair payment, but armed with this information, you should have a reasonable idea of the proper fare, and that will aid you in your bargaining.
The colour of the songthaew indicates its general route or usage. Most common by far are red songthaews (hence the alternative rod daeng, "red car" name), which roam the main streets in the city itself. Warorot Market (by the Ping River) is the most common terminus for songthaews that travel along fixed routes. From Warorot Market, white songthaews travel to the eastern suburban city of Sankampaeng, yellow songthaews travel to Mae Rim in the north, blue songthaews travel to Sarapee and Lamphun in the south, and green songthaews travel to Mae Jo in the north-east. The flat rate cost along these fixed routes is 20 baht.
From Pratu Chiang Mai market, songthaews also travel to Hang Dong (20 baht) and San Patong, south-west of Chiang Mai.
You may see songthaews out on the highways in the countryside, travelling to and from small towns and villages. It is probably not proper for them to do this (as such travel is supposed to be done by bus companies), but in Thailand people will find a way to make some extra money.
By Bus
Several ordinary and air-conditioned buses leave daily from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Jatujak) and it takes about 10 hours Tel. 0 2936 2841 -48 and 0 2936 2852- 66 ext. 442 or 311 There are also private buses which can be booked at the Bangkok Bus Terminal, the Bus Company or any licensed travel agent. For a reservation please contact Transport Co. Ltd. Tel. 0 2936 2852-66 www.transport.co.th Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5324 1449 Tanjit Tour Tel. 0 2936 3210 Nakornchai Air Tel. 0 2936 3355 www.nca.co.th New Wiriyayanyontra Tour Tel. 0 2936 2207 Sombat Tour Tel. 0 2936 2495-99 Sahacharn Tour Tel. 0 2936 2762 Siam First Tel. 0 2954 3601-7 Chiang Mai Arcade Bus station Tel. 0 5324 2664.
Chiang Mai Airport Transportation
Transportation to and from the airport is available via the Super-Highway and Chiang Mai-Hod Road with public taxi service.
There are several kinds of transportation services provided for passengers, including limousine and car rental services. Transportation service counters are located on the 1st floor opposite domestic and international arrival lounge.
Chiang Mai Airport is located a short distance from the city center and songteaw and tuk-tuks are readily available to provide taxi services outside the terminal building. Expect to pay 120 baht for a taxi to most destinations in the city, while the return trip to the airport costs about 50 baht. Many hotels will arrange free transfer to and from the airport. Check with your hotel to see if they provide this a service.
Once Here
Once you are in Chiang Mai you have three options for transportation: do it yourself, public transportation or taxi services.
Do it yourself is great if you are a confident driver. An international drivers' license should see you on the road either on a bicycle, motorbike or rented car, all of which are easily found throughout the city. Hiring a car and going on a road trip up country is the best way to go - good sign posting, great scenery, resorts and hotels dotted throughout the north.
Public transportation is sketchy at this point, but CLICK HERE to see the bus route, which is constantly being improved upon, but still leaves a lot to be desired as there are limited routes and numbers of buses. Still, this is a cheap, cheerful, air-conditioned and safe way of getting around the city.
Chiang Mai has metered taxis which are probably the most expensive (but safe, and air-conditioned) form of transportation, though there are limited numbers and are easier to find in the city centre. The famous Thai tuk tuk are everywhere and you must bargain hard and get your fare settled before hopping in. Then there are the ubiquitous songtaew - converted pickup-trucks with seatings and a roof - which should cost a flat fee of 12 baht per inner-city trip, though once again, make sure that you and the driver are in agreement before jumping in.
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