Despite its noisy sound, Tuk Tuk is the quickest and most convenient way to travel around Chiang Mai. The fare is more expensive than songthaew since it goes directly to the target place, sort of private. The riding on Tuk Tuk costs approximately 30-40 baht for a short hop and 50-100B for longer distances. Expect to pay 40 baht from the old city to the riverside and Night Bazaar, 40-50 to railway station and 80-100 to the bus station or airport. Remember that the extra cost is charged by tuk tuk parking near the bus and train stations. They will offer the price up to 120-150 baht, so the best way is to try to walk away to the nearest road and stop passing-by tuk-tuk or songthaew there.
There are also a few three-wheeled bicycles (commonly known as Samlor in Thai). The cycler will take you to a temple and sight-seeing around Chiang Mai city. Samlor is considered quieter and slower to move on, but it is good for a chill out trip.
A Songthaew is sort of both bus and taxi. It is the most common transportation for traveling around Chiang Mai used by local people due to its cheap price. Songthaew, a covered pick-up trucks, is built in with two long bench seats in the back where travelers can comfortably sit and look around Chiang Mai city. The routes for Songthaew to go around Chiang Mai aren’t fixed. Travelers can ask where to go or just point the target destination on the map, the drivers will take you wherever around Chiang Mai. Usually, Songthaew will take the passengers whom are go the same way in order to save time. Songthaew are of various colors. Each color signifies its general route or usage. The most common color for Songthaew is red which can be seen all around the center of Chiang Mai city and doesn’t run along the specific route. It is roaming the main street around the markets, temples and bus or train stations. Red color Songthaew is the most suitable if traveler would prefer to go somewhere specific. Travelers might expect the price of 20 baht anywhere within the city and approximately 40-60 outside. However the price is negotiable if the driver charge to much. Sometimes the divers may forced to go around in circle along the route to get to a nearby destination due to irrational road design. This will cause no difference to the fare.
In order to get songthaew, travelers can easily just call out the driver by waving hand, or they can take the one that still park on the street. Then the travelers need to state their destination, and if the driver is going to that particular direction, he will nod in agreement. Travelers are better ask for the price and negotiate before step in. The price is in per person. When reaching the destination, ring the buzzer on the roof to tell the driver to stop, or most likely the driver will pull over, wait for you to get out and pay.