Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and has become a popular destination in its own right, known for its old walled city, night markets, and proximity to mountain scenery. The airport is Thailand’s third busiest and has excellent connections both domestically and internationally. While many visitors use songthaews (shared trucks) or motorbikes to get around, having a car opens up the wider region in a way that’s hard to match.
Chiang Mai is a good base for exploring northern Thailand, and many of the best attractions are difficult or impossible to reach by public transport. Doi Inthanon (Thailand’s highest mountain), the hill tribe villages, the temples of Chiang Rai, and the national parks all benefit from having your own wheels. The city itself is busy enough that a car is useful for getting around, though traffic can be heavy. The advantage of a car over a motorbike is the ability to cover longer distances comfortably in the heat.
The old city of Chiang Mai is contained within a square of ancient walls and a moat. You can easily explore it on foot, visiting the dozens of temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. The night markets are famous for handicrafts and street food.
Doi Inthanon is a must for nature lovers. At 2,565 metres, it’s Thailand’s highest point. The drive takes you through mountain scenery with viewpoints and waterfalls. There are twin pagodas at the summit and walking trails through cloud forest. The area is part of a national park with more than 300 species of birds.
Chiang Rai makes an excellent day trip. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is unlike anything else in Thailand – a gleaming white contemporary Buddhist temple. The Blue Temple and Black House are also worth visiting. The drive takes about 3 hours each way but the mountain scenery is spectacular.
Driving in Chiang Mai is less chaotic than Bangkok but still takes getting used to. Traffic moves fast and lane discipline is loose. Motorcycles weave everywhere. At intersections, give way to traffic from your right. Speed limits are 50km/h in towns and 90km/h on highways. Mountain roads can be steep and winding – use lower gears on downhill sections. In wet season, roads can be slippery and landslides possible.
International driving permits are required by law in Thailand. You’ll need one to rent a car legally. Book ahead during peak season (November-February) and Thai holidays (Songkran in April, Loy Krathong in November). Consider insurance carefully – basic coverage often has high excess. A compact car is fine for the city and most attractions, but a larger vehicle is more comfortable for mountain drives.