Is it worth renting a scooter in Chiang Mai?

Absolutely! 

After 16 years of riding and driving in Chiang Mai and decades of experience across everything from bicycles,  to tuk-tuks and songtaews, we have tried it all. Bicycles are too dangerous on Chiang Mai roads, tuk-tuks cost an arm and a leg, cars are too slow and impossible to park, especially around Nimman and the Old City, taxis and things like grab (uber) become expensive fast and by the time you have waited for them to turn up, you could have been at your destination already.  Songtaews, the pick-up truck buses, are also incredibly difficult to use without speaking Thai.  So, as you can see, Chiang Mai suffers from a lack of public transport and only has private taxis, tuktuks and songtaews. A unique situation for a major city. This is why a scooter is so important.

We can honestly say a scooter is the easiest way to get around. The city just works better on two wheels. There is a reason most of the locals choose their scooter instead of their car for day to day use. It is not uncommon to see guys with multiple expensive luxury cars potting about on an old scooter! The traffic around the Old City and Nimmanhaemin is horrendously slow. There is nothing I hate more than sitting in a taxi staring at the time and watching the meter keep going up! A scooter can effortlessly glide by, skipping all the traffic annoyances. 

Parking is simple and you will reach places cars and taxis cannot. Try parking a car around the Thapae Gate on a Sunday! It's impossible. A scooter however can squeeze in to any little space, easy.

That said, it is not something to take lightly. Every day we see first-time riders struggle with balance and awareness in real traffic. If you are confident on a scooter, you will surely love it. If you are not, Chiang Mai is not the place to learn.

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A popular time of year to travel to Chiang Mai is for the Son Kran water festival. Riding during this time requires even more caution. Below is a video of us riding a scooter through the chaotic traffic during Son Kran on the big tree road in Saraphi, Chiang Mai.

Why scooters are better than taxis

After years of using both daily, the difference is very clear. Taxis and ride apps are easy at first but they add up quickly, especially if you are moving around multiple times a day. You are also relying on availability, traffic and waiting times. With a scooter, you are in control. You move with the flow of traffic instead of sitting in it. You can stop whenever something catches your attention and parking is rarely an issue. In a city like Chiang Mai, that flexibility makes a real difference in everyday travel. 

Riding a scooter in Chiang Mai is exciting!

Riding here is genuinely enjoyable. It is not just transport, it becomes part of the experience. I absolutely love jumping on my scooter and just riding around the sois (streets), picking up some Moo Ping (grilled pork) and just enjoying the ride. A short ride across town or a trip toward the mountains feels more engaging when you are on a scooter. Small things like riding around the Huay Tung Tao Lake is so much more interesting on a bike than sitting in a car. When you see something you want to check out, you can just stop and explore. This freedom is what most of our customers appreciate the most. No waiting, no planning around someone else’s schedule. You go when you want, stop when you want and change plans whenever you feel like it. 

Final Thoughts on Why you should Rent a Scooter in Chiang Mai

We have seen thousands of people come through Chiang Mai over the years and the pattern is always the same. Those who are confident on a scooter love the freedom, and those who are not often feel overwhelmed and scared. If you know you are comfortable on a bike, you will definitely get a lot more out of your time here riding one. 

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