# Chiang Mai Travel Guide | The Chiang Mai Brief > Getting around Chiang Mai and getting out of it — songthaew fares, ride-hailing apps, scooter rental, Thai driving licences, day trips and the airport. URL: https://chiangmaibrief.com/travel/ ![A mountain road curving through forested hills outside Chiang Mai](/images/misc/mountain-road-curving-through-forested-hills-outsi.webp) Travel # Travel In & Around Chiang Mai Red trucks, ride-hailing, scooters and licences — plus the day trips and flight connections that take you out of the valley. Browse this section [#categories →](#categories) All guides [/guide/ →](/guide/) Chiang Mai has no metro and a thin bus network, which sounds worse than it is. The city is compact, the red trucks go everywhere, three ride-hailing apps compete on price, and a scooter costs less per month than a single taxi ride in most Western cities. This section covers both halves of travel here. Getting around [/getting-around/ →](/getting-around/) handles the day-to-day: songthaew fares and etiquette, Grab versus Bolt versus Maxim, renting a scooter without getting caught out, and the Thai driving licence process at DLT Mae Hia. Day trips and nature [/day-trips-and-nature/ →](/day-trips-and-nature/) covers the trips worth taking out of the valley, how to choose an elephant sanctuary that deserves the name, and the practicalities of Chiang Mai International Airport. One planning note that affects everything in this section: between February and April, haze limits mountain views considerably. Check our air quality guide [/air-quality-and-burning-season/ →](/air-quality-and-burning-season/) before booking a viewpoint trip in March. ![The departures area at Chiang Mai International Airport](/images/misc/departures-board-and-check-in-queue-inside-chiang-.webp) In this section ## Travel: the categories Each of these is a hub page collecting our guides, background and recommendations on that topic. ![A red songthaew picking up passengers on a Chiang Mai street](/images/misc/red-songthaew-truck-picking-up-passengers-on-a-chi.webp) Popular ### Getting Around Local transport options and how to use them in Chiang Mai. [Getting Around →](/getting-around/) ![Forested mountain ridges and mist in the valleys near Chiang Mai](/images/misc/forested-mountain-ridges-north-of-chiang-mai-with-.webp) Travel ### Day Trips & Nature Day trips beyond the city, nature and travel connections. [Day Trips & Nature →](/day-trips-and-nature/) Guides ## Start with these Fares, apps, rentals, licences, day trips and airport connections. All guides [/guide/ →](/guide/) Step by step ### Chiang Mai International Airport & Flight Connections A reference for using Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) — the layout, direct flights and airlines, getting to town, and practical tips. 5 min read [Chiang Mai International Airport & Flight Connections →](/guide/chiang-mai-airport-flight-connections/) What to expect ### Doi Inthanon Day Trip Guide Plan a day trip to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak — getting there, highlights, fees, timing and what to pack. 6 min read [Doi Inthanon Day Trip Guide →](/guide/doi-inthanon-day-trip-guide/) Common concern ### Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries Near Chiang Mai How to choose a genuinely ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai — saddle-free / no-riding criteria, what to look for, red flags and examples. 6 min read [Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries Near Chiang Mai →](/guide/ethical-elephant-sanctuaries-chiang-mai/) Step by step ### Getting a Thai Driving Licence at DLT Mae Hia The step-by-step Thai driving licence process at Mae Hia DLT — Certificate of Residency, medical check, the written and practical tests, and documents. 6 min read [Getting a Thai Driving Licence at DLT Mae Hia →](/guide/thai-driving-licence-dlt-mae-hia/) Comparison ### Grab, Bolt & Maxim Ride-Hailing Compared Compare the Grab, Bolt and Maxim ride-hailing apps in Chiang Mai — coverage, pricing, wait times, car vs bike, and when to use each. 5 min read [Grab, Bolt & Maxim Ride-Hailing Compared →](/guide/grab-bolt-maxim-compared/) Step by step ### Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai How to rent and ride a scooter safely and legally in Chiang Mai — where to rent, prices, insurance (Por Ror Bor), licence/IDP needs and safety tips. 6 min read [Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai →](/guide/renting-a-scooter-chiang-mai/) Newsletter ## Get the Brief in your inbox Twice a month: new openings, events, changes worth knowing about, and our latest guides. No filler. You're on the list Check your inbox: the next Brief goes out within a fortnight. ![Evening view across Chiang Mai rooftops toward Doi Suthep](/images/misc/evening-view-over-chiang-mai-rooftops-with-doi-sut.webp) The Chiang Mai Brief ## Keep up with Chiang Mai Twice a month we send the openings, changes and guides worth knowing about. It takes two minutes to read. Subscribe to the Brief [/newsletter/ →](/newsletter/) Explore the Guides [/guide/ →](/guide/)