Visitors Useful Info. Getting Around

 Other types of vehicle available for self-drive include Volvo's, Toyota's motorcycles and mountain bikes. Chauffeured 12 seat mini-vans and larger buses can be rented, along with a guide if you arrive with your own party. Rates start from around US$20 per day. All forms of vehicles can be pre-booked through Gem Travel's car rental section link.

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Bicycle The area is ideal for the energetic cyclist. There are paths and routes to suit people of any fitness standard. Mountain climbs to tire a tour-de-France winner or simple pathways for the leisure cyclist abound in this area. The locals, still unused with foreign cyclists, are very welcoming and will often wave and call as you pass by. A great way to see the countryside. There is also two Chiang Mai bicycle clubs, one for mountain bikes and the other specialises in roadsters. Mountain bikes are available from Gem Travel but advance booking is recommended in the busy season.

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Samlor

Samlor The samlor (three wheels) is still one of the favourite local forms of transport in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Although a little slower than their motorised cousins the samlor is capable of negotiating the narrow lanes and soi's of these cities. Rides start at 10 baht and increase according to distance. Other uses include carrying shopping, courier and delivery of goods. Local school children often have their favourite "private" driver.

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Seelor / Songtaew Converted Pick up trucks with twin rows of seats in the back ply the main routes looking for passengers. These are the main form of transportation in the cities and countryside. City rates start at an incredible 10 Baht (20c) for a local trip and increase to around 20 Baht for longer trips. Before boarding ensure that you are not getting a private vehicle and negotiate the price beforehand. A knowledge of Thai is helpful. Seelor means four wheels whilst songtaew means two rows of seats.

Seelor

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Tuk-Tuk

Tuk-Tuk A noisy version of the samlor the tuk-tuk (called after the high pitched scream that it makes) can be found all over the main cities. Tuk Tuk's should only be used for trips around the city and visitors should be warned about the many scams operated by some of the drivers. Under no circumstances should you arrange a trip to the craft factories with a tuk tuk driver as they will often take you to the shops that proffer the highest commissions, and guess who will be paying extra for the goods. Strong negotiations are crucial before boarding a tuk tuk. Rates start at 20 Baht for a very short trip but you will be lucky to get such a low price.

Taxi's

If you see any real taxi cabs in the North you can rest assured that they we hired from Bangkok by wealthy visitors. Metered taxi's are not yet available in any city in Northern Thailand. The touts outside hotel lobbies and guest house's are unlicensed and should be avoided at all costs. The taxi's at the airport are, however licensed, and the reasonable 80 Baht into Chiang Mai town is a good deal.

The local bus service is unlikely to be of use to most visitors for getting around town. An extensive inter town bus network does exist and long range buses to the North East, Bangkok and the South are in place. The latest information can be found at main bus stations.

Trains The State Railway of Thailand's track system ends at Chiang Mai but can be used for a number of interesting excursions. A short ride to a national park, accessible only via train makes for a nice trip to the unspoiled countryside. The timetables, however, do not allow for the use of train as a convenient way to travel around the area. Train timetable and on-line booking.