This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Chiang Mai with a pick-up date of 5/19 and drop-off date of 5/29. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Booking Insights
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Chiang Mai car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Chiang Mai with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Chiang Mai?
You should book your rental car in Chiang Mai around 82 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Chiang Mai?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Drive Car Rental ($14.36/day), THAIRENTACAR ($14.69/day) and ASAP Car Rentals ($16.22/day). The cheapest rental car price was found at Drive Car Rental, Chiangmai International Airport Arrival hall (Level 1), Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai (2.1 mi from city center).
What is the most popular rental car in Chiang Mai?
Rentals in the Small category (Nissan Almera or similar) are the most popular option in Chiang Mai, costing $27/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $16/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Chiang Mai?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Chiang Mai is September at an average cost of $20/day. December is the most expensive month to rent a car in Chiang Mai when prices are $40/day on average, which tends to be 48% above the yearly average rental price for Chiang Mai.
What rental car company in Chiang Mai has the most locations?
ASAP Car Rentals operates 4 locations in Chiang Mai, more than any other rental company.
Don’t accept a car if the windows are not perfectly clean and clear. Because it’s cold at night, the windows fog up easily.
Verified travelerFeb 2025
research the roads you are taking before you get in the car.
Verified travelerNov 2023
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 renting a car in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai includes multiple areas within the town that you can visit, like the City Arts and Cultural Center that shows the Thai city's history. You can get a vehicle from car rentals in Chiang Mai and visit various elephant sanctuaries, such as the De'Kashor Elephant Home & Hilltribe Village, located about four miles from the city center. If you want to learn about the history of several groups that settled in the Thai mountains, you can drive approximately 17 miles to the scenic Hmong Village in Doi Pui. Using Chiang Mai car rentals ensures that you can appreciate the country's natural wonders, including a ride to Doi Inthanon. This national park sits around 58 miles from the town center and features waterfalls and hiking pathways along the mountain.
Chiang Mai International Airport is about 3.4 miles from the central city. It contains a Rental Car Center on the arrival hall floor, featuring several companies, such as Sixt, Avis, Budget, Yesaway, Drive Car Rental, and THAIRENTACAR. To get their services, you can reach them in the Terminal area, such as the Sixt and Budget, found downstairs at a walking distance in the arrival hall. You can also access the other Chiang Mai car rentals between the gates within the same floor in the International Terminal, for instance, finding Drive Car Rental between Gates 10-11.
The city has several Superhighways like the Chiang Mai-Lampang Road that link it to other major towns within the region and nation, allowing you to extend your trip to areas outside Chiang Mai with ease. With the different intersecting roads, alleys, and streets, you can install a GPS to facilitate confident driving within the town. During your visit to Chiang Mai, it's essential to note that Thailand uses the UK transport system by driving on the road's left side. This city also has numerous cyclists, and you want to keep a keen eye on all the bicycles as you drive.
Chiang Mai usually has morning-hour traffic from about 7am to 9am and evening rush hour from approximately 5pm to 7pm. You also want to organize your schedule in the afternoon while minding the mini-peak congestion at around 3:30pm to 4pm caused by schools' closing. The winter season offers pleasantly cool weather in this town, making it an ideal time to visit the region. Nonetheless, carry a sweatshirt or jacket for evening and nighttime use when the conditions rapidly change.
Chiang Mai has several important roads for getting around the city. Huay Kaew Road runs from the northwest to the southeast of the city and is an important thoroughfare that connects many of the major areas in Chiang Mai. Chang Klan Road runs from the Tha Phae Gate in the east to the Night Bazaar in the west and is a major shopping and entertainment area in the city. Tha Phae Road runs from the east gate of the old city to the Ping River and is another popular area for shopping and dining. Highway 11 runs north to south through the city and is the main route for traffic heading to and from Chiang Mai.
Although it is safe to drive cheap car rentals in Chiang Mai, there are some roads whose characteristics make them more challenging for drivers unfamiliar with the area. Doi Suthep-Pui Road is a popular scenic route that leads up to the famous Doi Suthep temple, but it can be dangerous due to its narrow, winding nature and steep drop-offs. Chiang Mai – Fang Road is a winding mountainous route that can be particularly challenging for drivers during the rainy season. Chiang Mai – Mae Hong Son Road can be treacherous due to its steep inclines, narrow passages, and tight turns.
Remember to have enough gas in cheap car rentals in Chiang Mai when driving on desolate rural roads with fewer gas stations. Highway 108 runs to the town of Hod in the north. Some stretches of this road are quite rural, with fewer gas stations. Highway 1095 runs to the town of Mae Hong Son in the northwest, passing through the mountains and several small villages. Fill up your cheap car rental in Chiang Mai City before getting on this road, as gas stations are very few.
25% of our users found rental cars in Chiang Mai for $23 or less
Small rental cars in Chiang Mai are around 46% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Chiang Mai
What type of car is recommended for driving in Chiang Mai?
Like other major cities in Thailand, Chiang Mai has many car users, limiting the parking spaces. Getting a small-sized model from car rentals in Chiang Mai will allow you to maneuver tight areas, including parking garages, with ease. For family trips filled with adventurous activities like visiting the elephant homes, renting a 4×4 can add excitement to your journey.
What’s the speed limit in Chiang Mai?
When driving along the open roads, you should stay within the speed limits of about 55mph. Chiang Mai implements a restriction of approximately 37mph on all the avenues within the city center and neighborhood areas. You can speed up to around 75mph when cruising along the expressways.
Where are the best places to park in Chiang Mai?
You can find certain hotels within the city offering free parking spaces for clients, such as the Raming Lodge Carpark on Tha Phae Road Soi 6 surrounding the Raming Lodge Hotel & Spa. On your shopping day, you can freely park at the Central Fest Parking lot and walk around the Central Festival Chiang Mai, the city's lifestyle shopping mall.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Chiang Mai?
On average a rental car in Chiang Mai costs $31 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Chiang Mai found in the last 2 weeks is $21.
Can I rent an automatic car in Chiang Mai?
Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Chiang Mai. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.
Which car rental companies are at Chiang Mai airport (CNX)?
How much does a Small car rental cost in Chiang Mai?
A Small car rental in Chiang Mai costs $24 per day, on average.
How much does a Medium car rental cost in Chiang Mai?
A Medium car rental in Chiang Mai costs $36 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car rental cost in Chiang Mai?
A Large car rental in Chiang Mai costs $68 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Chiang Mai?
Most car rental providers in Chiang Mai offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Chiang Mai, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Chiang Mai?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 28 car rental agencies in Chiang Mai.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Chiang Mai?
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Chiang Mai?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Chiang Mai so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
What road trips can I take from Chiang Mai?
Pai is a small town in Mae Hong Son province, northwest of Chiang Mai. The road to Pai takes around 3 to 4 hours. Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand, southwest of Chiang Mai. The drive to Doi Inthanon takes around 2 to 3 hours. Chiang Rai sits north of Chiang Mai, and the drive takes around 3 to 4 hours and passes through beautiful mountain scenery and rural villages.
What are some restricted access roads in Chiang Mai?
There are several restricted access roads in the city center, known as the "Old City" or "Inner City." These roads are marked with signs indicating that only certain vehicles can enter. The restrictions vary depending on the time and day of the week (usually Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight).
- Very very very old car, dents and scratches everywhere (could not even write them on paper). - After 15 km front tire was loosing air, Kept pumping it up. - Car not clean outside and inside (old, thus....) - 3 Weeks after returning the car (all fine) still waiting for deposit to be released, although they state that they have ordered the bank to do so. It does NOT have to take that long! Ridiculous! - Never Europecar again!
THAIRENTACAR , Alamo, Dollar, Drive Car Rental, Yesaway
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