Chiang Mai Songthaew Guide: Fares & How to Ride
How to use a Chiang Mai songthaew: flag one down, what shared and private rides cost, which routes work, and when to take a tuk-tuk or Grab instead.
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Last updated November 2026. A Chiang Mai songthaew is a red pickup truck with two benches in the back that works as a shared taxi, with Old City hops reported at ฿20–30 per person. One rule matters most: say your destination and agree the price before you climb in. Our guide covers shared and private rides, routes, payment and when another option beats the red truck.
Featured image: Patiparn.Nice2002bkk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What a Chiang Mai songthaew is (and its other names)
"Songthaew" (sometimes spelled songtaew) means "two rows" in Thai. Each truck is a modified pickup with two parallel benches under a roof and an open back. Visitors also call them red trucks, red taxis or rod Daeng. Chiang Mai's red trucks work as shared taxis rather than buses. They have no published timetable, no numbered lines and no official stops. Other colours exist, and some guides say they signal service type. No firm colour mapping is confirmed, so ask the driver rather than trusting paint. For a wider comparison of transport modes, see our guide to all the ways to get around Chiang Mai.
How to flag one down and say where you're going
Stand at the roadside facing the direction you want to travel. Raise a hand, palm down, as a red truck approaches. If the driver slows, call out your destination, such as Tha Phae Gate, Nimman or the airport. Drivers on a shared ride choose whether your destination fits their current loop. A nod or a quoted price means yes. A driver who pulls away is not being rude, since your stop may sit off their path. Wait for the next truck. Trucks pass often on busy roads such as Ratchadamnoen Road and Huay Kaew Road, and the next one is usually a minute or two behind.
- Say the place name slowly and clearly.
- Ask the price before you board.
- Pay when you get off, not before, unless it is a private hire.
Shared vs. private songthaew rides
A shared ride means you sit with strangers while the driver picks up and drops off others. Expect extra stops and a slightly longer trip. A private ride, often called a charter, gives your group the whole truck for a negotiated price. Private hire suits groups, temple hopping and destinations off the usual loops. One October 2025 guide put shared rides at ฿20–40 per person and private hires at ฿100 or more, depending on distance. For a group, a private truck can cost less per head than several shared seats, so compare before you commit.
Chiang Mai songthaew prices: fare table
Fares are not posted anywhere. The ranges below come from a single competitor guide dated October 2025, so treat them as a snapshot and confirm locally. Doi Suthep is the one to check hardest, because long-haul fares there may be set by a queue of drivers rather than by haggling.
| Trip | Shared or private | Reported fare range | Who sets the price | Negotiate? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the Old City | Shared | ฿20–30 per person | Driver, by custom | Rarely |
| Old City to Nimman | Shared | ฿30–40 per person | Driver, by custom | Confirm first |
| Airport to Old City | Shared | ฿50–60 per person | Driver | Confirm first |
| Old City to Doi Suthep | Shared when the truck is full | About ฿60 per person | Driver queue | Often fixed |
| Old City to Doi Suthep | Private | ฿200–400 one way | Driver queue | Limited |
| Other long or off-loop trips | Private | ฿100 and up | Driver | Yes |
Common routes and where trucks usually go
Routes are loose patterns, not published lines. Drivers circulate along popular corridors, and you ride only if your stop sits near their path. Common corridors reported by one guide connect the Old City with the places below. Treat each as a pattern and confirm with the driver.
- Nimman, for cafes and the Maya Mall area
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang
- Warorot Market
- Chiang Mai University
- Doi Suthep, usually by private hire or a full shared truck
Paying and getting off
Payment is cash only, and there is no app or receipt. Carry small notes in ฿20, ฿50 and ฿100 because many drivers lack change for large bills. To stop, press the stop button if your truck has one, or knock on the metal bar. Trucks vary, so confirm locally. Climb out the back, walk to the driver's window and hand over the agreed amount. Handing over exact change keeps the exchange quick and avoids any dispute.
Carry ฿20, ฿50 and ฿100 notes, because a shared Old City hop at ฿20–30 is easier with exact change.
Songthaew vs. tuk-tuk vs. Grab vs. scooter
Songthaews win on price for short central hops. Tuk-tuks and Grab win on privacy, directness and late-night reliability. Ranges below are from the same October 2025 snapshot, so confirm locally. Our Chiang Mai tuk-tuk guide covers private short hops in more detail.
| Option | Reported price | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songthaew | ฿20–40 shared, ฿100+ private | Short central hops, budget | No timetable, crowded at peak |
| Tuk-tuk | ฿80–200+, negotiated | Short private rides | Can be overpriced for tourists |
| Grab or taxi | ฿100–300+ | Direct routes, air-conditioning | Costs more |
| Scooter rental | ฿150–300 per day | Independent travel | Needs driving confidence and a licence |
When not to take a songthaew
Skip the red truck in the situations below. One guide reports that availability drops after 10 PM.
Busy roads usually bring the next truck within a minute or two, but after 10 PM availability drops.
- Late at night: use a tuk-tuk or Grab, which may be more reliable near bars and night markets.
- Heavy luggage: seating space is limited, so book a private car or taxi. Our Chiang Mai airport guide covers transfer options.
- Tight timing: shared trucks make extra stops, so a direct taxi is faster.
- Far destinations: private taxi or organised transport beats a shared truck.
- Arriving by train from Bangkok: check schedules on the State Railway of Thailand site, then see Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Train, Bus, Flight Compared for routes.
Safety, comfort and etiquette
Songthaews are open-air with no air-conditioning, and they can be bumpy and crowded at peak. They suit budget travellers and short central hops. They suit heavy bags, mobility limits and late nights poorly. Sit facing inward and hold the rail while the truck moves. Keep bags on your lap and wait for a full stop before stepping out. In rainy season, pack a light jacket because rain can blow in through the open back. Keep the rear entrance clear for other passengers. Disagree on a price? Say "Mai ao" (no, thank you) politely and wait for the next truck. Other phrases help too: "Pai" plus a place name means go to, "Tao rai?" asks how much, and "khop Khun krub" (men) or "khop Khun ka" (women) says thank you. For the full picture, return to our guide to Getting Around Chiang Mai: Best Transport by Trip Type. Airport operator information is on the Chiang Mai International Airport site.
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