Chiang Mai Travel Forum

I'm arriving by train on Sunday at 6am into Chiang Mai. Can anyone tell me if there's a bus that goes past the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel on Huay Kaew Road? How much would it cost and how regularly does it run?

If not, how much should I pay for a Songtaew and which one to get?

If anyone is available Sunday to show me around Chiang Mai that would be great. I'd be happy to trade the opportunity to practice English for a free tour guide!

Leave me a number and I'll call you when (if) I get to my hotel!

I think your best bet is a songtaew. You have to tell the driver your destination (better to have the address or hotel written in Thai). It's hard to say how much the price is. I spent a couple of weeks in CM, and I really hate to take the songtaew, as there doesn't seem to have a particular route, you always have to flag one down and tell the driver where you are going. Sometimes they'll take you, sometimes they say no, or sometimes they try to overcharge you. It was very frustrating at times. Of course, if you can afford it, you can charter one and it can take you around anywhere.

I personally think it is very convenient to travel by songthews, just get your address ready written or printed and show the driver and they will tell you how much, last year I travel within the town around and huay kaew road, i remember i paid baht 15 to 30 per person, it depends on the distance, if it is more than
baht 30 meaning they overcharge you. If you try to bargain and they say no never mind forget it, there are plenty of songthew for us to choose on the road.
You can always check with your hotel from the train station to their hotel how far is the distance and roughly how much for songthews, you don't have to charter a songthews to go round. hope it helps.

Your hotel is right behind the Kaed Suen Kaew Shopping Center.

Every RED Songtaew driver knows how to get to Kaed Suen Kaew.

If there appears to be a problem with him understanding your Thai pronunciation of Kaed Suen Kaew, you can ask him to take you the main department store at Kaed Suen Kaew, which is Central.

Note: It's my understanding Thai words can't end in 'L', so it's pronounced: Centran.

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The going rate for the Red-Taxis (songtaews) anywhere in Chiang Mai is: 15-baht for Thai people, 20-baht for falangs (foreigners).

If he holds up three fingers, tell him bye-bye, and wait 30-seconds for the NEXT songtaew.

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There might be red taxis waiting for the train that would possibly/probably charge more.

I would suggest walking the short distance to the main road, and catching one there.