Driving & transport
Songthaews, ride-hailing and airport travel
Getting around the city and airport while checking your destination and fare before travelling.
Start with these three things
- Red songthaews are shared vehicles used in the city. Tell the driver your destination and check that they can take you there before boarding.
- Grab's official information includes Chiang Mai in its service area. Check the pickup and drop-off points on screen when booking.
- The airport's official website lists fixed-fare Airport Taxi and metered Taxi Meter services separately.
Steps
"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.
- Tip Have the destination's official name and map ready, and consider your group size, luggage and any help needed to get in or out.
- Tip Before boarding, check whether the ride is shared or private and whether the fare is per person or for the vehicle.
- For ride-hailing, choose the correct pickup point and verify the driver's identity before boarding.
- Tip Work backwards from your airline's check-in requirements, allowing time for traffic or difficulty finding a vehicle.
- Tip Before leaving the vehicle, check your belongings and keep a trip record or receipt if needed.
What to prepare
"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.
- Tip Prepare the destination's Thai name, map location and a view showing the entrance to the hotel or other building.
- Tip Check mobile data, your payment method and your phone battery before leaving.
- Grab's user guide also advises choosing a vehicle suitable for your group and luggage.
Where to ask
Chiang Mai Airport transport information / individual transport operators
Reception hours are not yet confirmed. Check with the office before visiting.
Things to watch for
- Grab states that its upfront fare excludes tolls and surcharges. Check what the displayed price includes.
- Current songthaew fares, the latest RTC bus routes and timetables, and operating hours for each service remain unverified. Check with the operator before travelling.
Planning tips (not official rules)
- Check that the map destination matches the actual entrance before boarding. Give the area name where places have similar names.
Using a red songthaew
The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes songthaews as shared taxis made from converted pickup trucks. Red vehicles serve the city; its guidance says private hire fares are negotiated according to distance.
Planning tips (not official rules)
Briefly confirm the destination, drop-off point and total fare for your group before boarding. Show a map if needed, and avoid boarding while the arrangements remain unclear.
Matching the pickup location in an app
Grab's guide advises selecting the correct pickup location and not making separate arrangements with the driver outside the app.
Planning tips (not official rules)
At a large building, message the entrance name or a landmark. Compare the vehicle, number plate and driver details. If they do not match, stay out of the vehicle and check through the app's support service.
From the airport to the city
The airport's official website lists both fixed-fare and metered taxi counters on the first floor of the Main Terminal at Entrance 1. Check the signs on arrival and choose the fare system you want.
In 2023, Grab announced a dedicated airport pickup and drop-off area in cooperation with AOT. Check the app and airport signs for the current meeting point.
Planning tips (not official rules)
Make sure the app instructions refer to Chiang Mai Airport. Do not use Bangkok airport gate numbers as directions for Chiang Mai.
Travelling with someone who has mobility needs
Planning tips (not official rules)
Ask about step height, space for a walking stick or wheelchair, a companion's seat and the distance from the vehicle to the building. Confirm that the required help is understood, and discuss the return trip too.
Inclusion is not an endorsement.
Sources & dates checked
- OfficialTourism Authority of Thailand チェンマイ | タイ国政府観光庁
- OfficialAirport Taxi
- OfficialTaxi Meter
- OfficialGrab Thailand: Book Rides, Taxis & Mobility Services
- OfficialCommunity Guideline for Grab users
- OfficialGrab Opens Pickup and Drop-off Area at Chiang Mai Airport
- OfficialGrab Elevates Transport Experience at Suvarnabhumi Airport With 12-Lane Pick-Up Point Expansion and Two New Features