Since 2003 Thailand has been going through a period of air route deregulation which has resulted in several low-fare, no-frills airline start-ups. Fares range from as low as 899B one way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with Air Asia to as high as 4740B for the same sector on THAI (more in business class). Prices constantly vary depending on factors like season and various promotions. The following have counters at Chiang Mai International Airport; tickets can be booked online.
Chiang Mai Flights
• Thai Airways International (☎0 5321 1044/7; www.thaiair.com) Operates around eight one-hour flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai daily, plus four flights a day between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
• Air Asia (☎0 2515 9999; www.airasia.com) Has four flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai daily.
• Bangkok Airways (☎0 5321 0043/4; www.bangkokair.com) Has two flights a day to Bangkok, one of which goes via Sukhothai.
• Nok Air (☎1318; www.nokair.com) A subsidiary of THAI; has the most frequent daily departures to Bangkok. It also flies to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai twice a day for 900B.
• One-Two-Go (☎0 5392 2159; www.fly12go.com) Has five flights a day between Chiang Mai and Bangkok at a fixed price of 1700B.
• Siam GA (☎0 2664 6099, 0 2641 4190; www.sga.aero) 35-minute flights to and from Chiang Mai and Pai. At the time of writing the fare was one way/return 1450/2900B.
Land
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 kilometers or 9 – 10 hours. This way is quite difficult for you because I think you have to rent a car and drive to Chiang Mai. Actually, it may be not difficult to find the rental shop around airport.
By Train
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station at 06:40, 15:00, 18:00, 19:40 and 22:00 and the trip takes about 12 - 15 hours depending on the class. Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and air-condition) is 121 Baht for 3rd class, 281 Baht for 2nd class and 593 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 751km and the trip takes about 12 - 15 hours depending on the class. It is recommended to reserve seats in advance, especially for sleepers.
NOTE:
• The sleeper trains, 2nd class is very nice, with a clean berth. You have a choice between, Upper berth (smaller and cheaper), Lower berth (slightly larger, and with the window, also slightly more expensive.)
• A second choice is also offered: Fan compartment, noisy since window is open, but with thief-shutter protection.
• Air-conditioned, very cold, but silent. Advisable in the warm or raining season.
• Trains runs everyday, prices vary on each train and category that you take.
• Best to take the Sleeper trains.
• Avoid the Sprinter train. - Sprinter train is a Diesel car with no sleeping berth. One runs during the day and one during the night.
• Sleeper trains and Diesel trains, both have seat 2nd class air-condition.
Bangkok Hua Lampong main Railway Station: (02) 223-3762, 224-7788 or 225-0300, extension 5100-01 www.railway.co.th
By Bus
veral ordinary and air-conditioned buses leave daily from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) and it takes about 10 hours. For more information ☎ 0 2936 2852-66, 0 2936 3670 www.transport.co.th
Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station (Buses to and from destinations outside Chiang Mai province) ☎ 0 5324 2664, 0 5324 3669 Chang Phueak Bus Station (Buses to and from destinations outside/inside Chiang Mai province) ☎ 0 5321 1586
The Transport Co., Ltd. ☎ 0 2793 8133 www.transport.co.th
Chiang Mai Office ☎. 0 5324 1449 Nakhon Chai Air☎ 0 2936 0800, 0 2936 3900Good Services
Chiang Mai Office ☎ 0 5326 2799 www.nca.co.th New Wiriya Tour ☎ 0 2936 2205
Chiang Mai Office ☎ 0 5324 7007 Sombut Tour Tel. 0 2936 2495-8
Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5324 6531, 0 5330 4153 Sahachan Tour Tel. 0 2936 2762
Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5324 6881, 0 5327 4721 Siam First Tour☎ 0 2954 3601-7Good Services
Chiang Mai Office ☎ 0 5324 7233, 0 5323 3448-9
Getting around
Getting from the airport to your hotel
An often asked question ‘how to get from the airport to the hotel?
When you arrive at the airport and exit immigration you will enter an arrival hall. This is immediately before you exit the terminal building. For those with pre-arranged transfers this is where you will find your pick up person. (You will also see lots of touts who will approach you).
To get a cab from the airport you need to go to the taxi coupon booth. At the taxi coupon booth you will be required to give the name of your hotel/B&B and to pay 50B. This 50B is an airport tax/charge. A driver will tell you to wait outside while they go and get their cab to pick you up. This takes about 3 or 4 minutes. The driver will then charge you the price on the meter. This is usually around 70B. So, the total airport transfer is approx 120B.
It is only a short distance (15 mins max) to most hotels in and around Chiang Mai.
One tip is to make sure you get the card from your cab driver with the driver’s phone number. Cabs generally do not cruise the streets in Chiang Mai. Most transport around town is by Tuk Tuk and Songthaew (the long red ute/trucks) with bench seats. If you need an air conditioned cab you can then just call your driver by phone and organize a pick up. You might also like to ask their half day and full day rates to drive you in and around Chiang Mai.
To get back to the airport either call your cab driver or get a songthaew to take you.
This is easy to organize.
You have two kind of taxi's at the airport.
Chiang Mai Airport Taxi
Taxi Meter For both taxi's there is a booth in the arrival hall at CNX Airport.
Taxi Meter
There also is the service of taxi in Chiang Mai. I can say that going anywhere by taxi is very comfortable way to do. In early 2005 there were only 15 plying the streets (versus 2700 Song-Thaews), but one year later there were over 45, with the number growing monthly. About the cost, it’s very reasonable at 40 baht and 4 baht/ km. after that. It’s very easy if you come to the airport and write the telephone number of taxi which you might decide to use the service later.
Bus or Song-Thaew
The most common mode of public transportation is communal taxis called a Song-Thaew (two-row of seats in the back).The Song-Thaews which run on only the city, are painted RED. You'll be able to find a red one pretty much in Chiang Mai.
Riding a Song-Thaew is very easy; you simply flag one down and tell the driver where you want to go. If the driver is on the way to your destination, you simply hop in the back, and enjoy the ride. Quick tip: The base fare for Thais is 20 baht and 30 baht for foreigners, although drivers may try to charge foreigners more, especially if they're the only passengers. It's appropriate to pay more for distances more than a few kilometers or out of the way destinations, but on the whole, most places around Chiang Mai shouldn't cost more than 50 baht. You will pay the driver when you get out. So for relatively short distances, just pay and go and the driver may oppose, but won't chase after you over a few baht. Note: It's a good way to meet Thai people on traveling by Song-Thaew.
Car and Van
Cars and vans can be rented in Chiang Mai. The rental costs for cars are from around 2,000 to 3,000 baht per day and vans from 2,500 to 3,500 baht. There are a number of car rental agencies around town, including some of the international chains such as Budget, Avis and National. Regularly, international rental companies charge a bit more than local companies, and surely they offer a larger choice. A car can also be rented at travel agencies, which have many branches and offices in large- and medium-sized hotels. It is advisable to check whether a car is insured for liability before signing a rental contract. Driving in Chiang Mai is not as difficult as Bangkok, but you'd still be well advised to rent a care with driver.
Motorcycle
Motorcycles can also be rented in Chiang Mai and it’s a great way to get around town, if you’re able to ride. Actually, it has recently become a popular way to travel around Thailand by motorcycle, especially in the North. Rentals vary considerably from city to city. In Chiang Mai, there is an abundance of motorcycle rental shops; the costs are certainly much lower. Anyway, whether you rent a motorcycle from a big rental company or a small shop, it is advisable to check the machine over thoroughly before you take it out. Before renting, make sure that insurance is provided, though with an extra charge. And please note that both rider and passenger on a motor bike must wear a helmet.
Bicycle
One way I enjoy going around Chiang Mai is bicycle. As you see Chiang Mai is the old city walls’ and not big city, so biking is an easy option to get around. You will get in everywhere you want within 10 minutes. Bikes rentals are offered at every other street corner and for a simple bike start from 30 baht/day. And here it’s very difficult to find the stands to lock with. Don’t be worried about your bikes. I think Chiang Mai is going to have more stands for bicycle.
Important!
1. Thai drives on the left-hand side of the road.
2. Foreigners who wish to drive motor vehicles in Thailand need a valid International Driving License.
3. Driving license and passport must be carried at all times when driving.
Mini-Van
If you want to travel by car without driving by yourselves, it’s a great way to take a mini-van with the driver who takes joy in showing you around Chiang Mai and its environs. Maybe after hotel sent the driver to you to meet at the airport and later you can arrange to have the driver as your primary mode of transport in and around Chiang Mai. Meanwhile you are able to hire driver through the rental company and then arrange a deal on the side. It’s a private day trip for the travelers and getting sightseeing as described with transportation. The easy way is you can hire the English driver to be your guide or separately English-speaking guide (pay more extra money) or even Thai driver to consider you are in Thailand. . Normally, the driver picks you up at hotel or resort. For $20 a day (divided between 5 passengers), you get an air conditioned mini van and a driver that happily take you anywhere.
Tuk - Tuk
There are many tricycle motors called Tuk-Tuk to have a lot of fun taking all over town (and out of it) in Chiang Mai. Although the main town of Chiang Mai is relatively small and you can certainly get around on foot easily, it can get boring, if you are staying in the same area for a few days. This is where the LPG powered Tuk- Tuk comes in. The prices start from 50 baht (just over US$1), which takes you from one part of the town to any other part in it. For the traffic conditions, Tuk-Tuk rides do not usually take more than 5 minutes. Of course, if you have awesome negotiation, you may get a lower rate. But 50 baht is a standard quoted by most drivers and it’s reasonable. For further areas like the airport, the rate goes up to 80 baht (about US$2) and more. However, the limit of Tuk- Tuk is probably about 70km.
Sam-Lor (Pedicab or Tricycle)
Sam-Lor taxis are available in front of “Pratu-Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai Gate” market. It’s a good option, if you want to have a fascination for traveling with open-air transportation and get a gentle view of the Chiang Mai moats and its surrounding. Besides, you will visit Chiang Mai’s most important temples (Wat) and monuments with the Sam-Lor tour. It’s just a different way to see the city. This is a good chance to try your bargaining skill too and you must negotiate before beginning the journey. The service fees are 100 baht per hour and 150 baht per time for circling around Chiang Mai’s Moats. This type of transportation seems to appear right when you need it. You are going to have a small old guy with a bid smile and black teeth greeting you.
Things to Do & See
4 wheel red car or Rod Dang in Chiang Mai
Motorcycles can also be rented in Chiang Mai and it’s a great way to get around town, if you’re able to ride. Actually, it has recently become a popular way to travel around Thailand by motorcycle, especially in the North. Rentals vary considerably from city to city. In Chiang Mai, there is an abundance of motorcycle rental shops; the costs are certainly much lower. Anyway, whether you rent a motorcycle from a big rental company or a small shop, it is advisable to check the machine over thoroughly before you take it out. Before renting, make sure that insurance is provided, though with an extra charge. And please note that both rider and passenger on a motor bike must wear a helmet. 
One way I enjoy going around Chiang Mai is bicycle. As you see Chiang Mai is the old city walls’ and not big city, so biking is an easy option to get around. You will get in everywhere you want within 10 minutes. Bikes rentals are offered at every other street corner and for a simple bike start from 30 baht/day. And here it’s very difficult to find the stands to lock with. Don’t be worried about your bikes. I think Chiang Mai is going to have more stands for bicycle.
