Why go
A tuk-tuk can take you straight from the old city toward the riverside or Night Bazaar without waiting for a shared songthaew to head your way. The trade-off is that the ride is negotiated for your trip, so settle the fare before getting in.
The full story
Chiang Mai’s tuk-tuks work as point-to-point transport rather than as a shared route. That makes them useful for a direct hop between the old city and places such as the Night Bazaar or riverside, especially when you do not want to match a songthaew driver’s current direction. Give the driver a clear destination and agree on the price before departure; the fare depends on the trip and your agreement with the driver. A songthaew is worth comparing when you can share a ride along a compatible route. If you encounter a pedal-powered three-wheeler called a samlor near the inner city temples, it may be an option for a leisurely trip between Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Do not rely on finding one for a timed transfer. For any vehicle, confirm where the driver will drop you before setting off.
Useful to know
- Name the destination and settle the fare before boarding.
- Compare a shared songthaew when your destination lies along its direction of travel.
- Do not depend on finding a samlor for a scheduled transfer between old-city temples.