Transport in Chiang Mai
Public transport in Chiang Mai consists mainly of the “red taxis,” also known as songthaews, which you’ll see driving around here and there. You can flag one down, but they only stop if they have space and feel like picking you up. The fare is 30 THB per person, and they only go to places in and around the city center. For the airport, bus station, and train station, they always charge 150 THB.
Another reliable transport option is Bolt and Grab. Make sure you have the app on your phone. You can pay cash, but have small change handy because taxi drivers rarely have change. Expect to pay around 100 THB for a ride of a few kilometers. Bolt is usually cheaper than Grab due to the commission system. Sometimes there are price disputes for rides to the airport, with drivers mentioning extra "airport charges" or similar. That might cost you about a euro extra — but here’s the good news: if you get ripped off by a taxi driver in Thailand, it’s usually just a few euros, not dozens.
Last but not least: the TukTuk. You pay for the experience — wind in your hair, the feeling of being far away on a trip. The asking price often starts around 200 THB, but for a 10-minute ride you can often get it down to about 100 THB. You’ll learn to negotiate.
