Living like a local
Accommodations
Nomad approved accommodation
Each accommodation has:
a dedicated workspace
good Wifi speed guaranteed by the hosts
high rating
good location
great vibes & style
For long-term stay (>1 month) Any accommodation you book online will be more expensive by default. If you want to get the best price, get a hotel for a week and search for a long-term option when you get there. There is usually a significant discount offered for rental agreements longer than 6 months.
Practical info
Do I need to carry cash with me?
Yes, cash is still the most commonly used form of payment in Chiang Mai. ATMs are located all over the city, but can be hard to find when you head to rural areas. ATM charges are high at 220THB per withdrawal, so travelers try to avoid making smaller withdrawals.
Best SIM card
Best internet provider
3BB (fast speeds & English-speaking helpline)
Transportation
Getting to and from the airport
By bus (30THB | 20 mins to the city) There are 2 types of buses departing every 30mins just outside the arrivals hall. R3 bus with a red stripe heads to central Chiang Mai through Nimman Road and Tha Pae Gate. The R3 bus with a yellow stripe also goes to the center but takes the opposite route.
Shuttle (60THB | 20 mins to the city) Keep in mind that the shuttles go from 5PM onward, and only stop outside the Old City.
Taxi (60THB | 20 mins to the city) There is a range of taxi stands as you come out of departures. You can approach any of them, tell them exactly where you’re going, and they’ll draw you up a receipt which you give to the driver. The pricing is usually fair if a little over what you’ll pay through an application. You can pay the driver directly. Grab drivers are not allowed to come near the airport, if you do use a Taxi App expect to have to meet them discreetly in the car park opposite the airport.
Taxi apps
Grab Bolt InDriver
Motorbike, bicycle & scooter rental
It’s not unusual for scooter rental shops to ask for your passport as a deposit. While this is common, it's understandable you feel weary of leaving your passport - they accept cash sometimes as a deposit too. There are many rental shops around Chiang Mai, but here are a few that take reservations:
Mango Scooter Rental Bamboo Bikes Cat Motors Motobike Rentals Zippy Motorbike Rentals
Traveling outside the city
By Train Chiang Mai offers a slow, overnight train journey down to Bangkok. For a comprehensive list of train times and routes throughout Thailand and South East Asia, check out seat61.
