Chiang Mai
Getting There/Around

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Getting There

Air

Chiang Mai International Airport ( +66 53 270222 23 / http://www.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/chmai/html/ ) serves as the gateway to Northern Thailand. Airlines include:
Thai Airway International ( +66 53 92 2150 / http://www.thaiairways.com/ )
Bangkok Airway Company Ltd. ( +66 53 92 2204 / http:// www.bangkokair.com/ )
Air Asia ( +603 8660 4343 / http://www.airasia.com/ )
Orient Thai Airline ( +66 53 92 2159 / http://www.orient-thai.com/ )
Nok Air ( +66 53 92 2183 / http://www.nokair.co.th/ )
Phuket Airlines ( +66 53 92 2118 9 / http://www.phuketairlines.com/ )
Lao Aviation ( +66 53 22 3401 / http://www.lao-aviation.com/ )
Silk Air ( +66 53 27 6459 / http://www.silkair.com/ )
Air Mandalay ( +66 53 20 5185 7 / http://www.air-mandalay.com/ )
Mandarin Airlines ( +66 53 92 2237 / http://www.mandarin-airlines.com/ )

For international travelers and those who prefer to fly through Bangkok, the Bangkok International Airport ( BKK ) ( +66 02 535 1111 / http://www.airportthai.co.th/ ), serves as the gateway to Thailand. Transfer to a flight to the Chaing Mai International Airport. Major airlines include:
Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca/ )
Air China ( +1 800 227 5118 / http://www.china-airlines.com/ )
Air France ( +1 800 871 1366 / http://www.airfrance.com/ )
Air New Zealand ( +1 800 663 5494 / http://www.airnz.com/ )
American Airline ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com/ )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/ )
Continental ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com/ )
El Al ( +1 800 223 6700 / http://www.elal.co.il/ )
Japan Airlines ( +1 800 525 3663 / http://www.japanair.com/ )
Korean Air ( +1 800 438 5000 / http://www.koreanair.com/ )
Lufthansa ( +1 800 645 3880 / http://www.lufthansa.com/ )
Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com/ )
Nippon ( +1 888 422 7533 / http://www.ana.co.jp/ )
Qantas ( +1 604 279 6611 / http://www.qantas.com/ )
United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/ )

From the Airport

Taxi:
Taxis from the airport charge a flat rate of THB100 to the heart of the city, but the fee is a bit more for places outside of the immediate vicinity. Purchase a ticket at the taxi booth in the arrival hall, then go to the taxi stand.

Rental Cars:
Available car rental companies include:
Avis ( +1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com/ )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com/ )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com/ )

Train

State Railways of Thailand ( +66 53 02 225 0300 )
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Hua Lampong Railway Station ( +66 53 2223 7010/1690 )

Bus

The North/Northeastern Bus Terminal ( +66 02 272 0296 ) caters to buses departing to the north from Bangkok, including Chiang Mai, the Laos border and Lampang.
Arcade Bus Station ( Chiang Mai ) ( +66 53 24 2664 )

Car

Driving in Thailand offers obvious convenience, but also an obvious risk. Road congestion is constant and locals exhibit the same cautionary driving skills as all-night revelers crazed on cheap well whiskey. Regardless of fault foreigners are always blamed in accidents. Keep in mind that seat belts are mandatory and driving is on the left. National Highways 32 and 117 access Chiang Mai.


Getting Around

Taxi

In Chiang Mai taxi services are provided by Taxi Meter Chiang Mai and Taxi Lanna Company Limited.

Songtao & Tuk-Tuk

Songtaos ( covered pickup trucks ) are the primary mode of public transportation in the city. These red pickups have two long bench seats and are called seelors ( four wheels ) by the locals. They cover all routes in Chiang Mai 24 hours daily. Since they have no fixed stopping points, you should hail one going in your general direction and tell the driver your destination. Since most of the drivers do not speak English, it is recommended that you ask your hotel concierge write your destination in Thai for you before departure. If the driver asks for a huge fee, they are trying to rip you off. They will do this especially if the songtao is empty. Do not board these pickups.

Three-wheeled, motorized, open sided vehicles called tuk-tuks dominate the streets of Chiang Mai. They are ideally suited for short trips around the city ( they possess the capacity for long, across town hauls but the constant exposure to truck exhaust fumes while endlessly idling in traffic tends to limit their appeal to three or four blocks ). The drivers consider haggling as a lofty human virtue so agree to a set price before entering. Be sure to decline any "Shopping tours", they are attempting to rip you off.

Motorcycles & Bicycles

You can rent motorcycles from guesthouses along the Ping River and shops around Chaiyapoom Road. It is important to verify that you have the necessary insurance because the locals drive like maniacs. Make sure to wear a helmet to ensure your safety! You will probably have to leave your passport as security, but do not leave your credit card.

Renting a bicycle is one of the best ways to see Chiang Mai, especially the Old City. It is recommended that you avoid traveling during rush hour and make sure to use caution when traveling on busy streets. You can rent a bicycle from guesthouses or shops around the Old City.

Bus

After all bus services were cancelled in 1997, a new network of buses has been operating since early 2007. The buses are efficient, routes, however, change frequently. Unfortunately, the website is only available in the native language: http://www.chiangmaibus.com/index.php/