I nonetheless bear in mind the our first time renting a automotive in Chiang Mai. We had a free plan to drive as much as Pai for just a few days after which preserve going across the Mae Hong Son Loop. Within an hour of leaving town we had been weaving previous rice fields, rolling by small mountain villages and stopping each time one thing caught our eye.
It was the form of journey that made us realise how a lot simpler Northern Thailand is when you will have your individual wheels.
When we hire a automotive in Chiang Mai we ebook by Discover Cars as a result of the costs are clear and you may examine all the main suppliers in a single place.
Lots of people fear about driving in Thailand, particularly whether it is their first go to. We felt the identical means initially. What stunned us is that when you’re out of the Old City, the roads are comfy and nicely signed, and most drivers are affected person. We additionally by no means really feel assured on scooters, so having a automotive provides us extra freedom and much more peace of thoughts.
If you’re planning day journeys or longer adventures like Pai, Chiang Rai or the Mae Hong Son Loop, renting a automotive in Chiang Mai could make every thing smoother. This information covers every thing you want together with one of the best firms to make use of and ideas from our personal experiences driving across the north of Thailand.
Renting a Car in Chiang Mai: An Overview
If you will have by no means pushed in Thailand earlier than, Chiang Mai is without doubt one of the best locations to start. The metropolis itself can really feel a bit hectic at first, particularly across the Old City and the markets, however when you roll previous the moat and head in direction of the mountains, the roads really feel calm and manageable. To get a really feel for the structure, our full Chiang Mai information is a useful place to start out.
For most travellers, renting a automotive in Chiang Mai comes all the way down to comfort. You can go to temples, espresso farms and nationwide parks at your individual tempo with out ready for excursions or negotiating taxi costs.
There are nonetheless just a few instances when a automotive won’t be perfect, reminiscent of throughout main festivals or if you’re staying solely contained in the Old City. In that case, strolling or utilizing Grab could also be simpler.
If it is advisable to hire a automotive for a Chiang Mai street journey we suggest Discover Cars. This is our favorite automotive rental comparability web site. What we love about them is that they work with native companies and often discover the most cost effective charges. We additionally like that they let you examine company evaluations simply.
👉 Check rental automotive costs.
Renting a Car in Chiang Mai with Discover Cars
Renting a automotive provides you freedom to discover at your individual tempo. Northern Thailand has unimaginable surroundings, with huge open stretches of street and loads of small detours which can be simple to see when you will have your individual automobile.
Safety and luxury are large benefits. We have by no means felt assured driving scooters in Thailand, and a automotive provides extra safety and stability on mountain roads.
If you’re planning your days round sightseeing, this Chiang Mai tour itinerary has nice concepts for locations which can be simple to succeed in by automotive.
For {couples} or teams, a rental automotive could also be higher worth than reserving a number of day excursions.
How to Rent a Car in Chiang Mai
Booking Online
Booking on-line earlier than you arrive often provides you higher costs and a wider selection of autos for one of the best automotive rental firms in Chiang Mai. It can be the simplest approach to verify provider rankings, and rental situations.
Head over to the Discover Cars web site and enter your journey dates and most popular pick-up location. Chiang Mai has each worldwide and native firms.
⭐ ONLY RENT FROM WELL-RATED PLACES
Our recommendation is to filter by rankings as a result of whereas everybody needs to get these candy Chiang Mai automotive rental offers, the most cost effective place is hardly ever one of the best. These additionally are usually the locations with extra charges and additional prices.
Personally, we don’t trouble renting from native companies with lower than a 7.5 out of 10 Stars score in order that we’ve got an incredible expertise like these different reviewers did.
👉 Check charges and availability with Discover Cars
Car Rental at Chiang Mai Airport
Most travellers decide up their automotive at Chiang Mai International Airport. After displaying your passport, licence and voucher, you’ll be taken to the pick-up space.
Driving out of the airport is straight ahead, and if you’re staying close by, our information to the greatest areas to remain in Chiang Mai may also help you select a handy base.
Unlimited mileage is good for journeys to Pai, Chiang Rai or the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Requirements for Renting a Car in Chiang Mai
Documents You Need
- Driver’s licence
- Passport
- Credit or debit card
- Booking voucher
Do You Need an International Driving Permit
An IDP is really useful particularly in case your licence shouldn’t be in English or if you’re stopped at police checkpoints. Rental desks could settle for a typical licence from your house nation but in addition having the IDP could make the method simpler.
Age Requirements
Most firms settle for drivers aged 21 and above, with some requiring 23 or 25 for bigger autos.
Choosing the Right Rental Car
Best Car Types for Northern Thailand
Automatic vehicles are the simplest possibility for mountain roads. If you will have extra baggage or planning longer journeys, a barely bigger automobile will definitely add consolation.
Insurance and Full Coverage
Full Coverage is an non-compulsory additional that protects you from prices associated to break or theft. It covers towing charges, key loss, administrative fees and extra. It shouldn’t be insurance coverage however a safety product that reduces your monetary danger. For piece of thoughts it may be a good selection particularly if you’re not aware of driving abroad.
We all the time select Full Coverage when driving in Thailand for additional peace of thoughts.
You can examine automotive sorts and Full Coverage choices on Discover Cars:
👉 Check the choices on Discover Cars.
Chiang Mai Road Conditions
The primary highways are easy and nicely maintained. The street to Pai has a whole lot of curves however is fairly comfy in a automotive. If you undergo from movement illness it could pay to seize some movement illness tablets from an area pharmacy earlier than your journey. For a full breakdown of stops and viewpoints, see our Chiang Mai to Pai information.
The Mae Hong Son Loop mixes open stretches with tight hill sections. A automotive makes this route simpler and extra gratifying. During wet or smoky seasons, give your self extra time and drive cautiously.
Driving in Chiang Mai Tips
Local Driving Style
Calm and affected person, with gradual predictable site visitors stream.
Lane Etiquette
Vehicles drive within the left lane in Thailand. Right lane for overtaking.
Google Maps
Accurate throughout the area. Download offline maps areas with out good receiption and mountain areas.
Police Checkpoints
Common however easy. Passport and licence checks.
Parking
Tight contained in the Old City. Easier close to larget markets and buying centres.
Fuel Stops
Frequent on main highways. Fill up earlier than lengthy rural drives.
Chiang Mai Car Rental Tips to Avoid Extra Charges
- Photograph the automotive at decide up
- Check the gasoline coverage
- Understand mileage limits
- Return the automotive throughout enterprise hours
- Allow additional time for metropolis site visitors
We all the time select suppliers rated 7.5 or increased and use Discover Cars for clear rental situations:
👉 Check Discover Cars for contemporary pricing and particular offers.
Renting a Car in Chiang Mai for Multi Day Trips
Chiang Mai to Pai street journey
This is without doubt one of the north’s most scenic drives. We have visited Pai from Chiang Mai on many events and it’s one in every of our favorite locations in Northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
A easy freeway drive. If you need to know whether or not it’s definitely worth the journey, learn our information to visiting Chiang Rai.
Mae Hong Son Loop by Car
A rewarding multi day journey with mountain views and quiet villages. A automotive is extra comfy than a scooter given the the lengthy distances.
Is Renting a Car in Chiang Mai Worth It
For travellers who need to discover the native areas exterior town, renting a automotive is value it. The roads are manageable, and also you get the liberty to discover at your individual tempo.
To plan your sightseeing days, use our final Chiang Mai itinerary for concepts. If you’re staying longer, see our information on lengthy keep journey in Thailand.
Ready to ebook your automotive? Check dwell availability at Chiang Mai Airport right here:
👉 Discover Cars Booking
Last phrases on Renting a Car in Chiang Mai
Renting a automotive in Chiang Mai is without doubt one of the greatest methods to discover Northern Thailand with consolation and suppleness. From our personal drives to Pai, Chiang Rai and the Mae Hong Son Loop, we discover the area simple to navigate and really gratifying by automotive.
Just a little preparation goes a great distance, and as soon as you’re on the street, the liberty to cease anyplace makes the entire expertise value it.
TL;DR: Renting a Car in Chiang Mai
- Roads are easy as soon as you permit the Old City
- A automotive is safer and extra enjoyable than a scooter
- Perfect for journeys to Pai, Chiang Rai and the Mae Hong Son Loop
- Book on-line earlier than you arrive
- Choose suppliers rated 8.0 and above
- Bring your passport, licence and reserving voucher
- Automatic vehicles are perfect
- Full Coverage supplies peace of thoughts
- Take photographs at decide up
- Return throughout enterprise hours
Find one of the best Chiang Mai automotive rent offers right here:
👉 Check pricing and evaluations.
