Beginner’s Guide to Riding a Chiang Mai Songthaew 2024

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You’ll see the red Chiang Mai songthaews all over town, and these are the cheapest way to get around – but how do they work? I’ll tell you everything you need to know!

One of the best ways to get around Chiang Mai is on a Songthaew, which is a red truck that serves more or less as public transportation. Think of it as a shared taxi that picks up and drops off passengers along an unset route.

Having lived in Chiang Mai for 3 months and traveling all around Thailand, I know firsthand the affordability (only 30 baht!), convenience, and reliability of the red trucks – not to mention how fun the experience is!

A Chiang Mai Songthaew costs only 30 baht (about $0.80 USD) per person to anywhere within the Old City. They take longer than a Grab taxi since they stop frequently to let passengers on and off.

No matter where you’re headed in Chiang Mai, taking a Songthaew is an amazing way to experience life like a local while still keeping your budget under control. 

Let’s explore the red cars of Chiang Mai, how to use them, and how they compare to other means of transportation in Chiang Mai.

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Red Trucks Chiang Mai: What Are They?

You’ll see red trucks all over Chiang Mai – these are songthaews, the most popular way for locals and backpackers to get around Chiang Mai.

Fun fact: Locals don’t call them songthaews in Chiang Mai! 

In Chiang Mai, locals call them “rod daeng” which translates to “red car” in Thai. 

Songthaew is also correct, just not used by Chiang Mai locals. You’ll also hear them called “red trucks” and the “baht bus.”

No matter what you call them, these red cars in Chiang Mai are the perfect way for travelers to explore Chiang Mai the “local way.” 

A Chiang Mai songthaew minibus is a converted pick-up truck with two benches in the back that fit 8-10 Thai-sized people. 

The word “songthaew” translates to “two benches” in Thai, referring to the benches in the back! 

The back door stays open for the duration of the ride (although some newer trucks have upgraded doors). 

During peak times, some adventurous riders will even hang off the back platform (although standing in a songthaew in Thailand is now illegal)! And if you’re lucky, there may even be a fan to keep you cool.

Red songthaews in Chiang Mai drive flexible routes determined by the drivers all over Chiang Mai city (not just the Old Town). You’ll see songthaew in other colors besides red – these go outside of town along fixed routes.

Pros: Fun, local experience, cheap, meet other travelers

Cons: Slow (pick-up and drop-off of other passengers along the way), no seatbelts, no A/C

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How Much Do Songthaews in Chiang Mai Cost?

Songtaews in Chiang Mai cost 30 baht (about $0.83) flat rate for any ride within the Old City. This is usually noted on the outside of the truck.

Pro Tip: If you’re just going a short distance and staying within the Old City, it’s best NOT to ask the driver for the price because they’ll likely overcharge you (this happens all the time to tourists who don’t know any better).

After you flag a Chiang Mai red car down, tell them your destination and hop in. You’ll hand them the 30 baht fare when you arrive at your destination.

However, if you’re going further distances then it’s best to negotiate the price in advance as drivers may charge a bit more. 50 baht ($1.40 USD) should be the maximum for most nearby neighborhoods like Nimman and 100 baht ($2.77 USD) for further distances. 

I recommend you check the Grab app to see what a Grab taxi costs so that you have an idea of a fair price (if the songthaew costs more, take a Grab instead).

My expat friends in Chiang Mai told me they sometimes round up to 40 baht ($1.11 USD) if the driver agrees to take them right away even when they’re not full. 

Hire a Rod Daeng for a Private Ride

If you’re traveling in a group, it’s often cheaper to hire a songthaew than a taxi! Plus. it’s fun.

You can hire a songthaew for a private ride by negotiating with the driver directly or by ordering one via the Grab app using the Grab RodDaeng option.

👉 Check out this full-day Chiang Dao Kayaking, Caving, and Jungle Tour from Chiang Mai. You’ll get to kayak along the Mae Ping River, surrounded by a tranquil forest and a bamboo jungle, greeted by water buffalo and birds. After a local lunch, you’ll explore the Chiang Dao Cave System with headlamps and flashlights.

How to Ride a Chiang Mai Songthaew (Step-by-Step Instructions)

1. Hail a Chiang Mai Songthaew

Flag down a Chiang Mai red truck that’s going in the same direction you’re heading. The Thai gesture for hailing a taxi/songthaew is different than in the US – you stick out your arm, palm down, and imitate bouncing a basketball. 

It’s super easy to hail a Thailand songthaew because there are so many of them. Whenever I’m walking, I hear honk after honk of songthaews as they pass, trying to pick me up. So you won’t have any trouble!

If a songthaew doesn’t stop, it means they’re already full or privately hired. Just wait for the next one – there are plenty!

If you board a songthaew that is parked, like at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, it won’t depart until it’s full (unless you want to negotiate a rate to leave right away).

2. Tell the Driver Your Destination

A lot of drivers speak only Thai, so have your destination pulled up on Google Maps to show them. Sometimes I tell them the name of a nearby tourist destination that they are familiar with like “Ton Lamyai Market” or “Wat Sri Suphan,” and then I can walk from there.

If the driver declines to take you, that means they’re headed a different way. Don’t worry, another red car will be along shortly!

3. Signal When You’re Ready to Depart

Songthaews in Chiang Mai drive slowly and make frequent stops so that passengers can jump on and off.

Keep an eye on Google Maps (download offline maps if you don’t have a local SIM card) and ring the buzzer if there is one (check the ceiling or side panel) or just knock on the window when you’re ready to jump out.

Be mindful of traffic when you’re leaving, and walk to the driver’s side window to pay your fare. 

4. Pay Your Fare

The fare is 30 baht per person for all rides within the Old City. 

Do not ask about the fare if you’re riding within the Old Town – Chiang Mai Songthaew drivers are well-known for overcharging tourists who don’t know any better. 

But if you’re going further distances, it’s best to negotiate the fare before getting in. I always check the Grab app to get an idea of how much it should cost – if it’s the same cost or more expensive than Grab, then I may as well use Grab!

👉 My pick for the best bike tour of Chiang Mai is this Bike Historic Old City Chiang Mai, with a near-perfect 5-star rating! 

Chiang Mai Songthaew Routes (Other Colors)

You may notice that there are songthaews in Chiang Mai of all different colors – each color corresponds with a songthaew heading towards a different destination outside of town. I asked my hostel for more information and they hooked me up!

Red Trucks: Unfixed routes around the city, available 24 hours.

Yellow Trucks:

• Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Jom Thong, available 8AM-4PM
• Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Vieng Ka long – Vieng Pa Pow, available 6:30AM-4PM 
• Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Samoeng – Ban Bo Kaeo, available 9AM-4PM
• Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Mae Rim – Mae Sa, available 6AM-6PM
• Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Gate Market) to Mae Wang, available 9AM-7PM
• Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Gate Market) to San Pa Tong, available 9AM-7PM

Orange Trucks: Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Chiang Dao – Chai Pra Karn – Fang, available 6:15AM-6PM

Green Trucks: Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to San Sai – Mae Jo, available 9AM-4PM

White Trucks:

• Chiang Mai (Warorot Market) to Bo Sang – Doi Sa Ket, available 7AM-6:30PM 
• Chiang Mai (Chang Phuak Bus Station) to Mae Tang, available 5AM-8PM 
• Chiang Mai (Warorot Market) to San Kam Paeng – Mae Ta Krai, available 7AM-9PM 

Blue Trucks: 

• Chiang Mai (Warorot Market, Naowarat Market, Nakornping Market) to Lampoon, available 5AM-8PM 
• Chiang Mai (Iron Bridge) to Doi Tao, available 5AM-8PM 

Dark Red Trucks: Chiang Mai (Warorot Market) to Phrao, available 8AM-4:15PM 

Pro Tip: Always show the driver where you’re trying to go before you get in, just to be safe.

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Chiang Mai Airport Songthaew

You’ll see the red trucks lined up outside of the airport, and they’ll take you into the Old Town for just 40 baht (about $1.10 USD). 

Keep in mind that they won’t leave until they’re full and will make stops to pick up/drop off passengers along the way. 

If you’re a group, you can negotiate a price for a private ride.

Taxis from the airport to the city have a flat rate of 150 baht and Grab taxis are similarly priced.

🤩 My pick for the best tour of Doi Suthep is this Sunrise Tour led by a former monk. With a near-perfect 5-star review, it’s one of the only tours that lets you participate in the sacred alms-giving ceremony with the monks at Doi Suthep. Plus, it includes a stop at a hidden jungle temple and a delicious Thai breakfast!

Songthaew Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep

If it’s your first time visiting Chiang Mai, you have to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

The temple is one of the most beautiful sights in Chiang Mai!

Wondering how to get to Doi Suthep from Chiang Mai? 

If you’re on a tight budget and you’re not interested in the strenuous Monk’s Trail hike to Doi Suthep, you can take a Doi Suthep songthaew from Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep-Pui.

Songthaews from Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep-Pui leave from two places in town:

• On the main road, next to the Chiang Mai Zoo entrance, near the large tourist police building. To get here from the Old City, take any red songthaew minibus to the zoo, then transfer (and pay again) for the red car to Doi Suthep. The cost to get to Doi Suthep from here is 40 baht per person, one-way (70 baht to get to Phuping Palace and 90 baht to get to Hmong Village).

• Across the street from Chang Phuak Gate Market, just outside of the North Gate of the Old Town, in front of the 7-Eleven. This option is slightly more expensive, but more convenient, since you don’t have to change to a second songthaew. The cost to get to Doi Suthep from here is 60 baht per person, one way (90 baht to get to Phuping Palace and 120 baht to get  to Hmong Village). 

Songthaews will be parked outside Doi Suthep temple to take tourists back to town. Keep in mind that trucks don’t leave until they’re full.

👉 I took this 5-Star Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project day tour from Chiang Mai. See stunning views, visit the highest point in Thailand, and visit a local market. Sometimes, it’s nice to sit back in an air-conditioned vehicle and let a tour guide do all the work.

Songthaew From Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park

One of the most popular day trips from Chiang Mai is a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park.

The best way to get to Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai is to take a tour (that’s what I did!) or to rent a scooter or a car. 

It is tricky to get to Doi Inthanon via songthaew (there is no direct Doi Inthanon Songthaew from Chiang Mai), but it’s not impossible. 

Keep in mind that some attractions in the park are too far to walk between, so it’s best to have a ride. Expect the trip to take 2-3 hours one-way, including the time you’ll need to wait for the songthaew to depart. Only a couple of waterfalls are accessible along the songthaew route, and you’ll need to hire a ride to get to the trails and the two chedis.

Still want to take a songthaew to Doi Inthanon? Here’s how:

• Take a yellow songthaew going towards Chom Thong from the front of Pratu Gate in the Old City. 

• Get out at the final stop in Chom Thong, located at the southeast end of the park. Transfer to a second songthaew going towards Doi Inthanon National Park headquarters. 

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Other Ways to Get Around in Chiang Mai

If you’re not on a super tight budget and you want to know more convenient means of transportation, here are your best options:

• Tours: I love taking tours because I get decision fatigue and want someone else to do all the planning and navigating. They’re a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Plus. I often meet other travelers this way!

• Taxis: You can also take a taxi in Chiang Mai for cheap – I recommend using the Grab app to get the best-priced taxis in Chiang Mai. If you’re feeling really adventurous, order a moto-taxi.

• Rent a Scooter: There are tons of scooter rental places in Chiang Mai that will give you a reasonable rate. Just be sure to wear your helmet at all times and drive carefully! I don’t recommend this option if you’ve never ridden a scooter before.

Must Read: Getting Around Chiang Mai

👉 My pick for the best hostel in Chiang Mai is Hostel Lullaby. I stayed here multiple times when I was backpacking Thailand. It’s a quiet hostel that attracts more mature backpackers and is in a great location with super comfortable beds with curtains and rooms with A/C. I made so many friends who I traveled with all over Northern Thailand at the complimentary breakfast.

Thailand Songthaew FAQs

Wrap Up: Red Car Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai songthaews are a great way to get around the city for budget travelers, as well as travelers who want a local experience. 

Travelers who are after transportation options that are affordable and convenient may opt for a songthaew, while travelers who are willing to pay a little more to get where they’re going faster may prefer taking a Grab or joining a tour.

Remember, if you’re taking a songthaew within the Old City, your ride should cost 30 baht – there’s no need to confirm this rate with the driver (since they have a bad habit of overcharging tourists who ask how much). 

One thing is certain – no visit to Chiang Mai would be complete without taking a ride in a red songthaew truck (or eating at one of my favorite khao soi restaurants)! 

If you’re short on time and love food as much as me, check out this food tour in a red songthaew truck!