Getting to Chiang Mai and Around by Red Songthaew

Because Chiang Mai International Airport sits right on the south-western edge of the city, you can be checking into your Old City guesthouse or Nimman hotel less than twenty minutes after walking out of the arrivals hall. Once in town, getting around is a mix of shaded walking, app-hailed cars and Chiang Mai's famous red shared pick-up trucks.

From Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) and the Railway Station to the centre

• From Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX, 4 km south-west): official fixed-zone Airport Taxis operate from dispatch counters inside and just outside the terminal doors, or you can walk to the designated ride-hailing pick-up zone to call a Grab or Bolt car directly in the app. Either option reaches the Old City or Nimmanhaemin in 10 to 15 minutes.
• By overnight sleeper train from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal): the State Railway of Thailand's modern red-and-white CNR second-class and first-class air-conditioned sleeper trains (Trains 9 and 13 southbound/northbound) are a classic way to travel, waking up as the train winds through the green hills and white railway bridges of Lampang and Khun Tan tunnel before pulling into Chiang Mai Railway Station, three kilometres east of Tha Phae Gate. Book sleeper berths weeks ahead on the official D-Ticket portal.
• Direct flights to southern beaches: non-stop domestic flights link Chiang Mai directly to Phuket and Krabi without changing planes in Bangkok.

How red songthaew trucks, Grab and Doi Suthep queues work

Chiang Mai does not have a metro system; instead, its streets are plied by hundreds of ruby-red covered pick-up trucks known as rot daeng (red songthaews), which have two padded bench seats in the back:

• In-town shared hops: flag one down at the kerb, tell the driver your destination landmark through the passenger window, and hop in the back if it is heading roughly in your direction; press the ceiling buzzer when you reach your stop and pay the driver in small baht coins or notes.
• Mountain queue to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: dedicated red songthaews wait at two fixed departure points (outside the north gate at Chang Phueak and outside the front gate of Chiang Mai University / Chiang Mai Zoo) and depart once eight to ten passengers have gathered for the winding climb up the mountain.