This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in Chiang Mai with a pick-up date of 5/5 and drop-off date of 8/6. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Cheap car hire in Chiang Mai
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Hertz also provides the best deal of car insurance and medical insurance.
Verified travelerAug 2023
I brought my own with me, but it might be a good sales option to sell phone holders for people to use for navigating their trip.
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and home to hundreds of Buddhist temples, both in and around the city. Chiang Mai is the gateway to the northern villages of the country, which you can visit by car while using Chiang Mai as a base. When travelling around Chiang Mai, you can easily access the temples and the nearby mountains more conveniently with a Chiang Mai car hire. Car hire in Chiang Mai will give you flexibility for travelling on day trips around the area. Although there is a great bus system, buses can be limiting if you wish to visit different spots in the surrounding areas. Close to Chiang Mai is the highest mountain peak in ancient Thailand, Doi Inthanon, and around the area are national parks and ancient temples. The 13th- and 14th-century temples that are far easier to reach by car include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham, Wat Pha Lat and more.
You can find a car hire in Chiang Mai at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX). There are many companies, both local and global, in the main terminal building. The companies include Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Chic Car Rental, Bizcar Rental, Thai Rent A Car, Drive and Yesaway. Some of the companies will have on-site car parks, while others must be accessed by an airport shuttle.
Chiang Mai has a lot of traffic both early in the morning and in the evening, and a lot of the streets in the city are one-way streets. A good way to get around is with a GPS navigation system; these can easily be added to your car hire in Chiang Mai. Outside of the city, the local streets are wide and paved and easy to get around.
Jaywalking is very frequent in Chiang Mai, and you’ll need to be wary, as pedestrians can cross the road without giving any indication or warning. When driving outside of the city on highways, you’ll need to be careful with U-turns. Areas allowing U-turns are placed every kilometre or so and are always in the fast lane, with high-speed oncoming traffic. In general, it is good to be careful in chaotic traffic.
In 2022, Thailand introduced new child car seat laws that apply to all drivers, including those using hire vehicles. Under the new laws, children under the age of six or shorter than 135 cm must use an approved child seat. If you’re travelling with kids but don’t wish to add bulky car seats to your luggage, you can easily add the required seats to your Chiang Mai car hire booking. There’s generally a fee for each car seat, and they are subject to availability. So, a wise approach is to compare prices and availability through KAYAK. Doing so should also help you secure cheap car hire in Chiang Mai.
To hire a car in Thailand, you generally need to be at least 21 years old. However, some Chiang Mai car hire companies have their own policies, with some accepting drivers as young as 20 and others refusing drivers under 23. It’s always worth comparing prices and policies before making a booking, as some hire agencies charge a fee for drivers who are under the age of 26 or over the age of 65. It’s also crucial to know that you’ll need both your home-country licence and an international driving permit (IDP). You must get your IDP in your home country before you head to Thailand.
While Thailand is known for being somewhat lax with enforcing drunk driving laws, those laws do exist, and if you break them, you could face fines and possibly even jail time. When operating a vehicle in Thailand, it is illegal to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) greater than 0.05%. So, if you plan to enjoy Chiang Mai’s nightlife or treat yourself to sunset cocktails at one of the city’s rooftop bars, it may be best to walk or take a taxi rather than using your hire vehicle.
25% of our users found a car hire in Chiang Mai for $33 or less
Book your car hire in Chiang Mai at least 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Economy hire cars in Chiang Mai are around 31% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips
FAQs about hiring a car in Chiang Mai
What type of car is recommended for driving in Chiang Mai?
When driving in Chiang Mai, we recommend a compact car, such as a Nissan Almera, Honda Fit or something similar, for ease of accessibility, parking and driving through narrow and busy streets.
What’s the speed limit in Chiang Mai?
In Chiang Mai, the speed limit is determined by which area you are driving in or the type of road. In the city and towns, the default speed limit is 60 km/h; this increases to 90 km/h when you’re in the country; and on the motorways, you can reach up to 120 km/h.
Where are the best places to park in Chiang Mai?
Street parking in Chiang Mai is difficult to come by, as the spaces fill up quickly in such a busy city, especially around the Old City. However, there are several car parks aside from your hotel parking. In general, parking in Thailand is either free or you will pay a very small fee. There are several small areas around Chiang Mai city, such as Paiboon Car Park, Warorot Market, Banthai Village Parking Lot, Raming Lodge Carpark, Malarat Car Park as well as many small, unnamed car parking areas.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Chiang Mai?
On average a car hire in Chiang Mai costs $35 per day.
How much is the price of fuel in Chiang Mai?
The average price of fuel in Chiang Mai is $7.99 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between $96 and $128, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Chiang Mai?
Full-size (Toyota Fortuner or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Chiang Mai.
Which car hire agencies are at Chiang Mai airport (CNX)?
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Chiang Mai airport (CNX)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Chiang Mai airport to off-airport locations is THAIRENTACAR.
How can I find car hires near me in Chiang Mai?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Chiang Mai?
A Full Size car hire in Chiang Mai costs $78 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Chiang Mai?
A Compact car hire in Chiang Mai costs $31 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Chiang Mai?
An Intermediate car hire in Chiang Mai costs $49 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Chiang Mai?
In Chiang Mai, cars are most frequently hired at Drive Car Rental Chiangmai International Airport Arrival hall (Level 1), Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai (3 km from city centre ).
What toll roads are there around Chiang Mai?
There are no toll roads in the Chiang Mai city limits, and if you take road trips to nearby areas like Pai, Chiang Rai or even the Golden Triangle region of Thailand’s northern border, you won’t have tolls to worry about. However, if you head south to Bangkok or Pattaya, you will likely encounter tolls on some motorways.
Which electric vehicles are available to hire in Chiang Mai?
You’ll find plenty of eco-friendly car hire options in Thailand, including electric SUVs. If you want to book cheap car hire in Chiang Mai, note that electric vehicles are sometimes a little more expensive. However, charging fees should be cheaper than petrol prices.
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