Chiang
Mai Transport - Getting Around
By Air : Chiang Mai Airport sees many
international flights daily. Below are listed
the local national flight arrangements to/from
Bangkok which should help you with you holiday
plans.
TRAINS
 From
Bangkok bound for Chiang Mai depart from Bangkok’s
Hua Lamphong Station at 6:40 (arr 19:15), 15:00
(arr 5:15), 18:00 (arr 7:25), 19:40 (arr 8:05)
and 22:00 (arr 11:55). Fare (excluding surcharges
for rapid or express trains and air-con) is
121 Baht for 3rd class, 255 Baht for 2nd class
and 537 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance
is about 750km. Chiang Mai Railway Station 27
Charoen Muang Rd, Tel 24 2094
Trains for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station
leave Chiang Mai at 6:35 (arr 20:05), 15:30
(arr 5:30), 17:15 (arr 6:25), 19:30 (arr 8:25),
20:45 (arr 10:25). For fares
 By
Bus : Run from Bangkok’s Northern Bus
Terminal on Phahonyothin Road the fare being
133 Baht per person for no air-con buses, 242
Baht for air-con. and 310 Baht for VIP Buses.
Departure times are as follows; no air-con.
5:25, 5:30, 6:00, 7:25, 9:10, 10:30, 12:30,
13:35, 16:30, 19:15, 20:45, 21:20, 21:40, 22:00;
air-con; 9:10, 9:35, 9:45, 10:00, 20:00, 20:30,
21:00, 21:10, 21:13, 21:30, 21:45. VIP 20:00,
21:00 Arcade Bus Station Chotana Rd, Tel 242664
A large number of private bus companies connect
Bangkok with Chiang Mai. Among them are:
Ambassador Tour, Tel 252-0402
Chiang Mai Gold Tour, Tel 247-1051 to 5
Chaisit Tour, Tel 278-4880
Chan Tour, Tel 252-0349, 278-5576
Indra Tour, Tel 251-6197
Phumin Tour, Tel 233-1025, 271-2991
Pat Tour, Tel 251-5447
Poy Luang Tour, Tel 252-0200
Siam First Tour, Tel 245-2677
Siam Express Tour, Tel 513-3811
Setthi Tour, Tel 278-5660 to 2
Thanchit Tour, Tel 279-6768
Thavorn Farm, Tel 279-5850, 271-3011
Top North, Tel 252-2967
GETTING AROUND THE CITY
There are several modes of both public and private
transportation available to ensure your convenience
when it comes to getting around Chiang Mai.
They are as follows :
VEHICLES FOR RENT
Currently, there are about 30 rental businesses
operating in the city of Chiang Mai. cars, vans,
motorcycles, and bicycles are available for
hire at most of these rentals.
Insurance for cars is available at the majority
of rental businesses. Before renting it is wise
to obtain the infotmation regarding costs and
claims, should any damage be done to the vehicle
while it is in your care. This is especially
true if you are planning to take the vehicle
on a long trip.
Vehicles are rented for a time period, with
no limit put on the mileage. The only conditions
are that you pay for the gas the vehicle uses
and return it safely and on time. Most businesses
will also require that you deposit your passport
as a guarantee of the punctual and safe return
of the vehicle.
Needless to say, you should have a driver's
license, international or from your home country,
and a clear understanding of the rules of the
road before renting a vehicle. Because of the
variety of vehicles that use the roads, Chiang
Mai traffic is quit unlike that of anywhere
else. It may take a lot of getting used to,
and it may be a good idea to firsr observe the
traffic from the passenger's point of view before
taking over at the wheel.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Besides rentals, another way of getting around
the city is through the use of public transportation.
Silors (Songtaews), or pickups that have been
converted into mini-buses; tuk tuks, or motorized
three - wheel taxis samlors, or pedal trishaws
and buses (at last a familiar name!) are all
available public transportation. These are numerous
and can be found everywhere in the city. |
