I know minibuses are available with air-conditioning etc. A red Songthaew (shared minibus), tuk-tuk or taxi from the airport will take you the city. Sometimes you may be short-changed by accident and occasionally on purpose. You can also find van from Chiang Mai to Pai in this bus station. The Songthaews for journeys like this only run when they are full so you may have a considerable wait at non-peak times or in low season. Create. In Chiang Mai you can use Grab to book Songthaews, simply select ‘Grab Rod Daeng’ when choosing your ride and enter your route details to get picked up. Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station is the place where long distance buses to Central Thailand and Bangkok depart, as well as to North-Eastern Thailand (Isaan) and to Eastern Thailand (for Pattaya). There is no need to discuss price at this point as you’ll end up with an inflated tourist price. His adventures have included Interrailing through Europe, road tripping the US and backpacking SE Asia. Songthaew literally means ‘two rows’ which is reference to the two rows of seats in the back of the trucks. fwiw, and maybe not much, in 2010 I was naive and paid 2,400 baht for a car for half a day. How Much Does a Songthaew Cost in Chiang Mai? Travel times from Chiang Mai to Pai. CHIANG MAI – A songthaew (baht bus) has rolled down a steep slope near a parking lot in Chiang Mai city, killing two tourists and seriously injured two others.. Although predominantly red, the trucks also come in other colours such as blue, white, or yellow. The journey to Pai is beautiful. It is part of the Mae Hong Son Loop, which is Rte 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Expect to pay around 100 THB to get there. Route 1095 which connects Pai with Mae Hong Son (110km) and Chiang Mai (135 km) is a very scenic route through the mountains which takes several hours. Here, you can find affordable shopping, bars full of laid-back adventure seekers and unbeatable natural scenery. What helps is carrying around a specific address or a picture on the map depicting where you want to go. . Once you arrive, go to the front window and pay the amount he asks for. ... Day 3: Chiang Mai to Pai. I can read Thai anyway, but luckily for people that cannot read it the numbers were same as in English. In this guide I’ll teach you how to use a Songthaew in Chiang Mai and give you some tips to make the journey as seamless as possible. It's a shared passenger vehicle used to get around town, known among locals simply as rot si daeng. If you’re staying in the old city, then this is the best way to get around. Location of Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2: About the Journey to Pai. You can choose red trucks (red songthaews) or a tuk tuk.When you want to go fast to your place take a tuk tuk. Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 & 3 – for long distance express buses going from and to Chiang Mai; Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1 is known locally as Chang Phueak Bus Station. If you are struggling to fill a Songthaew at Chang Phuek Gate, try heading to the Chiang Mai Zoo stop as this is sometimes more popular. How Far is Chiang Mai to Pai. Flagging one down is easy; all you need to do is wait on the side of the road, then signal the driver by raising your hand. Make social videos in an instant: use custom templates to tell the right story for your business. Pai River. The trucks should hold about 10 people (5 on each side) but I’ve seen them crammed with adults and kids on the floor and additional passengers hanging off the back. Chiang Mai Travel Hub will cover everything there is to do and see in Chiang Mai. But these trucks are only used to get to areas outside of Chiang Mai, while the red trucks only service locations within the city limits. You can hire a bike from Chiang Mai and drive it up to Pai, and the rental service will bring your bags along for you, no worries. Hi, I’m Kieren, the 20-something year old backpacker behind this blog. While getting around on foot is perfectly fine, it can be uncomfortable walking around – especially during the warmer months. There is no need to discuss price at this point as you’ll end up with an inflated tourist price. This is a ride-hailing app similar to Uber for Southeast Asia and allows you to arrange a taxi from your current location using your smartphone. I booked three nights in D-Well Hostel. diinaus. Attractions, temples, zoos, museums, shopping, accommodation, food and events – everything can be found here! Unlike the previous example, this Songthaew doesn’t wait to take you back as it’s a scheduled route. Last year in Chiang Mai I noticed the red songtaews had the price 30 baht per person written on the outside, but the writing was in Thai script not English. The distance from Chiang Mai to Pai is 135km not a great distance but one made longer by the 762 curves. There are several motorbike rental options available in Chiang Dao but be warned it will be a bit more expensive than in Chiang Mai or Pai. In Thai, the word “songthaew” literally means “two rows” ( Pronounce: Song-Tail ). Its particularly good as it shows you the fare up front before booking which is always cheaper than the price you’ll get from hailing down a taxi or tuk on the road. Open daily during daylight hours. Songthaews may also be referred to as ‘Rod Daeng’ by locals which translates as red car. To use a Chiang Mai Songthaew, simply hail one down and tell the driver where you’re going. The route distance from Chiang Mai to Pai is about 130 km. Chiang Mai: ... From most of the popular areas in Chiang Mai you need to get a tuk-tuk or songthaew (converted pick up truck) to get there. Otherwise, just take a day trip to Pai from Chiang Mai. The Songthaews have no fixed route and don’t operate on a first come first serve basis so you never know how long it will take. In Chiang Mai and its surroundings, locals may call them rot si daeng (literally "car red" – a reference to their most common colour in the area, Thai รถสีแดง), rot daeng, or sometimes si rot. Ke Chiang Mai, Thailand, asyiknya berkeliling kota dengan transportasi khas daerah. Chiang Mai. (AYA Service, from 100-150 Baht / USD $3-4.60 per day) Only hire a moped, scooter or motorbike if you have an international or Thai license. To use a Chiang Mai Songthaew, simply hail one down and tell the driver where you’re going. Therefore, the publisher does not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Yellow Songthaew to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs – There is a yellow Songthaew pick up at Warorot Market that goes to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, it should be clearly marked, or you can ask for help. As one of the most popular tourist destination of Northern Thailand, most tourists visiting Chiang Mai will also go to Pai, the small town with its cool climate, relaxed atmosphere and picture-perfect views of jungle-green mountains and epic sunsets.. Pai is hidden in a secluded mountain valley of Mae Hong Son province, about 130 km northwest of Chiang Mai. Also, Will it be easy to get transport back from there? it will be great if you can stay here overnight. NancyL 9,273 Posted October 19, 2014. This runs every hour or so from 8.30am-6pm, costing around 60 baht per person to the springs and taking about 1.5 hours. This was my first hostel that I had ever stayed in. Finally after we swerved to avoid a head on collision, one of the Swedish tourists banged on the window until the driver finally stopped. While getting around on foot is perfectly fine, it can be uncomfortable walking around – especially during the warmer months. The moral of the story is this, if you’re in a rush – don’t use a songthaew. Chiang Mai to Pai by Bus and Back. Can we catch a songthaew to get there, visit it on our own, and then catch a songthaew back into town? How to Get to Popular Tourist Attractions by Songthaew, How to get to the hot springs by Songthaew (San Kamphaeng Hot Springs), How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train, 9 BEST Hostels in Chiang Mai for Solo Travellers (Party, Chilled and Chic), Slow Boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, Laos – How to Save Money + Other Tips. Traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai by Scooter has become increasingly popular with backpackers in Thailand over the years. How to Use a Chiang Mai Songthaew. I recommend having small change to hand and try to pay in the exact change. Again, it will be a long day but it will be totally worth it. Songthaew in Chiang Mai in the rain, travel. The Isuzu Faster and Toyota Hilux are example models of songthaew found in Thailand. The songthaews in Chiang Mai are the cheapest and most popular mode of transport in the city. According to Thai PBS, Mr. Yongyuth Boonlert, 45, the baht-bus driver, told police that he took a number of tourists from Chiang Mai town to Phu Phing Ratchaniwet Palace. Chiang Mai to Pai by Car. These are converted red trucks that travel around the city picking up and dropping off passengers wherever they should like. You’ll have to catch a return journey in the opposite direction once you’re done. Grab top tip: sometimes I check the fare on Grab and show a nearby tuk to get a similar price. This is a very local experience, so you’ll likely be packed tightly in the truck. Scooters And Motorbikes For Rent In Chiang Mai Walk. Traveltip: Let me help your with the taxi’s in Chiang Mai. Or do we need taxis to go back and forth. A Chiang Mai to Pai road trip by hire car is another option. Each colour has a different purpose, here are some of the main Chiang Mai Songthaew routes: This isn’t an exhaustive list and there are also Songthaews used privately by tour agencies and hotels to transport guests so there are no hard and fast rules. This multi-tier waterfall consists of 10 levels that you can even climb up carefully. The songthaew was mostly full of tourists, all of them shitting their pants and looking at each other, wondering who was going to say or do something. Renting a motorbike for a day should cost you anywhere from ฿150-300 (about $4.70-9.40) a day, depending on the quality of both the bike and shop. If you’re wondering what those red trucks are driving around Chiang Mai that pick up and drop off locals and visitors, they are they city’s answer to public transport, a Chiang Mai Songthaew. The most common form of Chiang Mai public transport is called Songthaew, which is a converted pick-up truck with two rows of back benches. In my experience Grab still doesn’t allow automatic payments in Thailand so you’ll pay for the journey in cash at the end as usual, only you’ll know in advance how much the fare will be which is helpful for finding the right change. Songthaews don’t follow specific routes like buses, they simply take you to your desired destination, and unlike taxis, passengers share the ride with others, so it may not go to your destination directly. Thankfully, these transportation options are efficient and easy to come by. Booking.com Black Friday Deals ️ Don’t Miss Out On The Sale of the Year! Busses leave from Chiang Mai to Pai at various times throughout the day, departing from the Arcade Bus Station. We walked nearly everywhere, and only got a songthaew when we had to go somewhere a few kilometers away. If you’re not leaving Chiang Mai, the price should never be above 100 baht. (they often ask 200 baht like 5 euro / 5.5 dollar) Do you have time save 90% and take a shared red truck. If you need to get off urgently for any reason, just knock on the cabin window and signal the driver to stop. While riding a songthaew in Chiang Mai can be an adventure, the drivers are used to the many tourists that visit the city every day and mostly drive slowly and carefully. Everybody Loves Pai. Sometimes, drivers will honk at people on the sidewalk which is their way of asking: “Do you need a ride?” Once you do manage to flag a red truck down, you’ll need to let the driver know where to go. Bus Operator for Chiang Mai to Pai. Songthaews are the most popular public transport in Chiang Mai There is no bus in this bus station, only van and songthaew. but prefer idea of songthaew. There are a couple of destinations further afield that can be accessed using public Songthaews: To get to Doi Suthep by Songthaew, catch one of the Red Songthaews that pick up from outside Chang Phuek Gate (the north gate) or Chiang Mai Zoo. If he says yes, hop in the back or if he says no wait for the next one as he’s probably not going in your direction. The songthaews in Chiang Mai are the cheapest and most popular mode of transport in the city. Hi - Have some friends visiting and planning to hire songthaew for the day tomorrow in Chiang Mai. Inilah Songthaew, dijamin seru! Chiang Mai Tourism Chiang Mai Hotels Chiang Mai Bed and Breakfast Chiang Mai Vacation Rentals Chiang Mai Vacation Packages Flights to Chiang Mai The best way to get there is by hiring a Songthaew (1200-1500 THB). Link to post Share on other sites. Answer 1 of 21: Hi, I'd like to know how much does it cost to hire a songthaew to Doi Suthep, Bhu ping palace, Tiger Kingdom for 4 pax and how to hire a songthaew? Chiang Mai has over 700 years of history and if you are interested in learning more about the history, customs and culture of the region a visit to these museums is essential during your Chiang Mai itinerary planning. Mae Sa Waterfall; Arguably one of the most photogenic waterfalls around Chiang Mai. While we have made an effort to ensure that all information was correct at the time of publication, details can change over time. Thankfully, these transportation options are efficient and easy to come by. Chiang Mai Destination Experts. A simple 5 minute journey could easily take 20 minutes or more by the time you’ve made all the stops. The city is named after the Pai River. Most attractions in the city can be accessed using the standard red Songthaew. (literally 'car red') Introducing Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai. 3,000) in Mae Hong Son Province, Northern Thailand. ... Catch a blue songthaew from Mae Sai or Chiang Saen to The Golden Triangle, or a minibus from the Chiang Rai Bus Terminal. Sometimes, this can be challenging because not all drivers can understand English but getting to popular spots like the Night Bazaar, Nimmanhaemin Road, and Thapae Gate is fairly easy. Chiang Mai Historical Centre, Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre, Lanna Folklife Museum These three museums can be found at the Three Kings Monument in the Old City. You’ll mainly come across red Songthaews on your visit to Chiang Mai but occasionally you’ll spot others roaming around. If you want to keep both feet firmly on the ground and are looking for a budget-friendly option, then catching the bus is a popular choice. You’ll pay for the journey on the return trip. And let’s not forget walking. It is an adventurous road trip, including incredibly steep hills, breathtaking scenery, and a record amount of twists and turns. From Interrailing through Europe to backpacking in Southeast Asia, I’m slowly working through my bucket list and I set up this blog to help you do the same. Use Songthaew/taxi station Opposite the Model Farm Restaurant, outside Chiang Dao School, on the main Chiang Mai—Fang road. Take highway 1001 up north, past Mae Jo for about 1.5 hours. The bus ride would take around 4 hours as the roads are quite steep and winding. To go from and to the airport, you can hail a taxi or travel like a local on a songthaew or tuk-tuk.There is also a shuttle bus, but we don't recommend this option as it stops outside the city center and runs infrequently. Pai is the famous hippie mountain town of Chiang Mai. The driver will remember where you asked to get off but in some cases the language barriers can be an issue or they may forget so I recommend using a GPS app such as google maps to keep an eye on where you are. Chiang Mai. Return trip is 80 baht and the driver will allow you 1-2 hours at the temple before returning (ask the exact return time to make sure you don’t miss it). Show less . Pai (pronounced bpaai) (ปาย) is a small town (pop. The red songthaew of Chiang Mai is an iconic sight in this charming and increasingly popular northern Thai City. Prem Pracha is the bus operator offers bus service from Chiang Mai to Pai. 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