The main airport servicing the city of Chiang Rai is the Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport located 5 miles away from the city center. The transportation methods available at the airport include taxis, buses, and rental cars.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options to connect from the airport to the city center. Taxis are available and found outside the arrivals terminal on the left-hand side, taxis are metered and cost around 200 baht to the city.

A new public pubs service is available at the airport and connects to the Chiang Rai Bus Station 2. The bus service is modern and comfortable, the bus stops are found outside the arrivals terminal just follow the signs. A bus trip costs around 20 baht and stops at the two main bus stations in the city. The buses operate from 6 am until 11:20 pm and depart every 20-40 minutes.

Car rental booths can be found inside the domestic and international arrivals hall on the 1st floor, there are several companies offer services including Hertz, Avis, SIXT, and National.

There are two main bus stations in the city of Chiang Ria, the old bus station and the new bus station. The Old Bus Station is also known as Bus Terminal 1 located in the city center and connects to Phayao and Lampang. The New Bus Station also known as Bus Terminal 2 is located 4 ½ miles south of the city center. There are taxis, tuk-tuks, and songthaews available outside the stations to connect to your hotel and songthaews also connect between the two stations.

Taxis are mainly found outside the airport and the bus stations, they are mostly used to get to and from the airport. There are taxis services offered through Chiang Rai taxi service in the city which offers an inexpensive option to get around town.

There are several types of transportation options found in the city of Chiang Rai to get around the city including traditional tuk-tuks, samlors, buses, and motorcycles.

Traditional Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled motorized vehicles that perform taxi services throughout the town, you can flag one down from the street or find them outside stations and popular attractions which include the Night Bazaar at night. Samlor`s are three-wheeled carts that provide a quick way to get around town.

Songtaews are motorized with small passenger cabins attached that can fit up to four passengers, they run on fixed routes from popular tourist attractions, through town and to outlying neighborhoods.

Green Bus Company runs local buses around the city as well as long-distance journeys to places such as Phayao and Lampang.

Renting a car while visiting Chiang Rai is a great idea for visitors who wish to travel to outlying areas of Thailand such as Chiang Mai and Laos exploring the beautiful lush green surrounding environments. The airport and city offer several different car rental agencies including international companies such as Avis, Budget and National. It is a three-hour drive from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. The city is a base for exploring the Golden Triangle now filled with quaint villages and coffee and tea plantations.

Chiang Rai is a wonderful city to walk around and explore while absorbing the charming streets and local atmosphere. The city is small and easy to walk around and navigate with most sights situated close to the city center. The clock tower in town can be used as a reference point and a central point for exploring the shops, markets, restaurants, and nightlife in the area. There are hiking treks and excursions offered in the hills and through the sprawling national parks filled with rivers and waterfalls.

Riding a bike in the city of Chiang Rai gives visitors the chance to explore the authentic streets and see the surrounding countryside. Singha Park is filled with verdant tea plantations, vibrant gardens, giant lion statues and a small zoo with zebras and giraffes, riding a bicycle around the park is a fantastic experience.

Chiang Rai is not a dangerous city; there are very few incidents of violence, theft or harassment and tourist police do well maintaining the safety of the city. Travelers should still be cautious just as in any other city in the world, be aware of pickpockets in tourist areas and certain scam artists. Keep your bags and belongings close to you especially at night.

Tap water should not be consumed, always drink from sealed bottles. Ice is ok in restaurants as they use professional ice-making machines and is considered safe.

The weather in Chiang Rai features two seasons; November through March can be cool and dry with daytime temperatures in the high 70s, the hotter temperatures start in April through October when daily rain showers are also prominent which makes the countryside very green.

Chaing Rai offers some great markets to shop at with many local handmade arts and crafts for sale along with delicious street food. The Night Bazaar is a bustling night market held 7 days a week, it is a large market covering four blocks situated southeast of the clock tower. Street food is found throughout the market and a beer garden with live music and cultural performances. The Weekend Walking Street market covers a mile-long stretch along Thanalai Road filled with vendors selling everything from jewelry to fresh fish, there is also live music and Lanna handicrafts sold by various hilltop tribes.

The Night Bazaar and many other markets in the city are a popular place to try some of the delicious cuisine offered in Chiang Rai offering a variety of local dishes. The Night Bazaar features two food courts, `Centerpoint`, which offers authentic local cuisine served by a local restaurant with Western Thai specialties, and the `Food Court`, which offers Indian, Italian and German fare. Some local specialties to try when visiting the city are `Khao Soi` a steaming bowl of curried noodles with a distinct flavor.

Chiang Rai is not a dangerous city; there are very few incidents of violence, theft or harassment and tourist police do well maintaining the safety of the city. Travelers should still be cautious just as in any other city in the world, be aware of pickpockets in tourist areas and certain scam artists. Keep your bags and belongings close to you especially at night.

One of the most popular things to see and do at night in Chiang Rai is the central Clock Tower, which puts on a colorful light show every evening at 7, 8, and 9 pm with music. There are many busy restaurants and cafes that line the streets around the tower some offer outdoor seating which provides a nice ambiance at night.

Jet Yod Street is the city`s drinking strip and center for nightlife, brimming with bars and massage parlors with live music. There are a few go-go bars found on Punyodyana Road. The night markets are one of the busiest places to be at night offering you shopping, food, and an open-air beer garden. Cat Bar is a fun place to go in the evenings with a good vibe and Coconut`s Bar boast a cozy, laid back evening atmosphere with great drinks and some pool tables.

In case of an emergency dial 191 and 199 for a fire.1155 will connect you with tourist police where you can report any type of emergency.

Hospitals:

Overbrook Hospital tel. 66-53-711-366

Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital tel. 66-53-910-600

Kasemrad Sriburin Hospital tel. 66-53-910-999