Tuk-tuk prices in Chiang Mai vary, with short city trips costing roughly 60-100 Baht (฿), longer rides 100-200฿, and airport runs potentially 80-150฿, but always agree on the fare before starting, as drivers quote high, and use apps like Grab or Bolt for price checks to negotiate better, with electric tuk-tuks also available.
The cost of a tuk-tuk varies wildly, from a few dollars for a short ride in Asia (negotiable, around 60-200 baht for short trips in Thailand) to thousands of dollars to buy one (e.g., £6,000+ in the UK, or under $1,500 from Chinese manufacturers for basic models). For rental, expect fees like £250+ in the UK for events, while in tourist spots, hourly rates might be 100-170 units of local currency.
Songthaews are the standard means of travel for most residents of Chiang Mai. These cheap and readily available vehicles are great for traveling within the main city. Most songthaews drive along standard routes but are usually more than happy to take you to a specific destination.
Normally, the price of a tuk tuk ride is quite cheap, which makes it a favorite for budget travelers. It also feels more “real” than sitting in a closed taxi, because you see and hear everything on the street. Many visitors try it once and remember it as a signature part of their trip in Southeast Asia.
Tipping a moto or tuk tuk driver is unusual but if you feel they've done a good job feel free to give $ 1-2. If you wanted to talk to an expert about planning your Cambodia trip, do call 0203 993 0234 or contact us with your questions here.
Grab Taxi. Grab is a convenient and fast way of getting around in Thailand and also in Chiang Mai. Get the app on your smartphone and you can order a Grab from everywhere.
Although Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand, it's very walkable—especially the Old City, surrounded by the moat and remains of the defensive wall.
The 70/30 rule in negotiation is a guideline to listen 70% of the time and talk only 30%, focusing on understanding the other party's needs, motivations, and priorities through active listening and open-ended questions, which builds trust, reduces misunderstandings, and fosters collaborative solutions, making the other person feel heard and valued. This approach shifts the focus from simply stating your position to uncovering insights that lead to mutually beneficial agreements.
Tuk Tuk rates vary. They cost the same as a taxi, but have no meter. This means you can usually negotiate the fare (and you should do before any ride). For a brief journey (1 to 2 kilometers), you should pay around 50 baht (USD1.
These golden rules: Never Sell; Build Trust; Come from a Position of Strength; and Know When to Walk Away should allow you as a seller to avoid negotiating as much as possible and win.
Remember too that tuk-tuks are no cheaper than taxis, and if you're offered any trip for what seems suspiciously cheap (e.g. 10B, 20B or even free), they have to make money somehow. You can be 100% sure this fare will be subsidised by either visiting a few clothes shops or as part of the infamous gem scam.
The auto rickshaw, called tuk-tuk (Thai: ตุ๊ก ๆ, pronounced [túk túk]) in Thailand, is a widely used form of urban transport in Bangkok and other Thai cities. The name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of a small (often two-cycle) engine.
The Grab taxi Thailand app is the most widely used and reliable option for tourists. It offers upfront pricing, cashless payments, and good coverage in major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code currently reads as follows: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
A taxi minimum fare is the base charge for getting in a cab, often £3 to over £4 in the UK, covering the first short distance (like a few hundred yards) before per-mile rates kick in; these fares vary significantly by location, time of day (day/night tariffs), and local council regulations, so checking your specific city's transport authority is best for exact figures.
The Late-Night Effect on Taxi Fares. Many taxi companies, including CabCo, use a meter system that calculates fares based on distance and time. During late nights (typically between 23 and 7 AM), some companies implement a late-night surcharge, a small increase on the base meter rate.
