Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai: Everything to Know

My first time renting a scooter in Chiang Mai completely changed the way I experienced the city. I had been to Chiang Mai several times before, but without the confidence to drive, I was limited to red trucks (songthaews) and the occasional taxi. This was before Grab became popular, so getting around was a mix of waiting forever, negotiating fares, and sticking to familiar areas.

That all changed after a weekend trip to Chiang Rai in 2019, where I finally learned the basics of riding in a quieter setting from a few local friends. When I got back to Chiang Mai, I decided to give it a go and the rest is history.

Renting a scooter in Chiang Mai gives you an incredible sense of freedom. Beyond the Old City walls, there’s so much to explore, like lush rice paddies just 30 minutes north, winding riverside roads to the east, and mountain drives to the west. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly ways to get around. Compared to taxis or ride apps, scooter rentals in Chiang Mai are significantly cheaper, especially if you’re planning to venture outside the city.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renting a scooter in Chiang Mai with basic tips, laws, and license requirements, my favorite scooter rental shops, and what to expect when renting a motorbike.

Keep reading for the full insider scoop on renting a scooter in Chiang Mai.

Important note: If you’ve never driven a scooter before, Chiang Mai is not the place to learn. Traffic may seem relaxed, but it can still be chaotic. Riding without experience puts both you and others at risk. Please only rent a scooter in Chiang Mai if you already know how to ride.

renting a scooter in chiang mai on a rainy day, driving a scooter in chiang mai

Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai: A Few Basics

There are a few basics to know about renting a scooter in Chiang Mai:

First: drive on the left! If you don’t have experience driving on the left hand side of the road, Chiang Mai city traffic is not the place to learn.

On the note of traffic, Chiang Mai is a pretty relaxed place to drive, especially compared to Thailand’s bigger, busier cities. While you’ll see more cars and scooters on the road during rush hour, people tend to be courteous and drive slowly, particularly around the Old City, where roads get narrow and bumpy.

Keep to the left as much as possible, rather than riding in the middle of the lane to leave room for cars and faster traffic. You can also make a left hand turn at a red light, unless otherwise indicated, so make sure not to block the left lane when stopping at a traffic signal.

Chiang Mai has plenty of small streets perfect for exploring by scooter, but once you leave the Old City, you’ll quickly run into a web of major highways. If you’re heading out to explore the surrounding areas, expect your GPS to route you onto some big, fast-moving roads.

It’s my strongest recommendation that you only drive if you are 100% confident on a scooter and have experience driving one.

Okay, now that the basics are covered and you’ve heard my safety spiel, onto the logistics of renting a scooter in Chiang Mai.

renting a scooter in chiang mai, driving a scooter in chiang mai old city at night on the left

Do You Need a License to Rent a Scooter in Chiang Mai?

Scooter rental shops in Chiang Mai won’t ask to see your license (at least in my experience, they never have), but you’re still legally required to have an International Driver’s Permit to drive in the city. Your regular license from home isn’t enough and won’t be accepted if you’re stopped.

In Chiang Mai, there are police stops specifically to catch those driving without a proper license. The stops are around the Old City Gates, by Maya Mall, and around Nawarat Bridge from morning until the afternoon.

If you’re stopped, the fine is 500 baht, and you’ll either pay at a table on site or visit the police station to settle the payment. Keep your receipt because if you’re stopped again and show it, you won’t have to pay the fine again for a few days.

Insider Tip: If you’d prefer not to worry about police stops or navigating scooter traffic on your own, consider renting a bicycle or taking a guided bike tour of Chiang Mai’s Old City instead.

Where to Rent a Scooter in Chiang Mai

You can rent a scooter in Chiang Mai at tons of rental shops throughout the city and through many hostels.

After trying a few options, my top picks for scooter rentals in Chiang Mai are:

Mai Phare – Family run scooter rentals in the Old City. I went randomly when looking for a place close to my hostel a few months ago and have been back several times since. They look after their motorbikes, have honest prices, and are flexible if you want to add days to the same contract. I highly recommend them! And if you’re not comfortable on a scooter, they have bicycles, too.
D2 Bikes – These guys have two locations, one on Changklan Road and one in Nimman close to Maya Mall. They’re probably the best in Chiang Mai if you need a bike for more than a day or two, with competitive rates for monthly and weekly scooter rentals. While they have the best prices I’ve seen in the city, they’re very strict with contracts and won’t let you extend to keep the same price for your bike. You’ll need to start a new contract and likely pay a day rate, which is annoying.
BudgetCatcher – This store has great prices for scooter rentals in Chiang Mai with car rentals, too. They have three locations throughout the city, and the staff are super nice and accommodating.
Lita Guesthouse – If you’re near the North Gate of the Old City, Nakara, the owner of Lita Guesthouse has a couple of motorbikes he rents for a good price. The scooters are easy to drive and the arrangement is slightly less formal than renting a scooter in Chiang Mai from a proper shop.

Here’s a map of where to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai:

When you rent a scooter, you’ll need your passport to fill out the contract. Most shops also require a deposit—usually between 2,000 and 4,000 baht—which you’ll get back when you return the bike. You’ll normally pay the full rental fee upfront for the entire period.

This is pretty standard for scooter rentals across Thailand, not just in Chiang Mai. At least in my experience, every place operates the same way. If a shop does things differently, especially like asking to keep your passport or for an insanely high deposit, I’d rent elsewhere.

If you don’t want to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai solo, but still want to experience the thrill, you can take a day trip that includes a scooter, which you get to drive yourself. This guided scooter tour in the jungle is a bucket list experience to see Chiang Mai’s nature and elephants! You won’t have to worry about the logistics of renting a motorbike and can just enjoy your day.

mai phare, one of the best places to rent a scooter in chiang mai

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Scooter in Chiang Mai?

Scooter rentals in Chiang Mai cost between 150 and 500+ baht per day, depending on the type of motorbike you choose and the duration you have it for.

The bigger the bike, the greater the spend, but basic 110 and 125cc scooters average around 200 baht per day. If you’ll have it for a few days, most rental shops will lower the price. You can get some really decent deals for weekly and especially monthly scooter rentals in Chiang Mai.

Tips for Renting a Motorbike in Chiang Mai

Here are some final tips for renting a scooter in Chiang Mai to

Take a video of your scooter before leaving with it: Before driving away on any scooter, take a video showing every single part of it. Walk around and do a 360° tour with your phone, getting even hard to see spots on camera. Documenting beforehand will make sure you don’t get slapped with damage accusations when you return your scooter. That said, I’ve never had any issues in Chiang Mai, they’ve never even looked at my scooters when I’ve brought them back (and most are a bit dinged up anyway).
Never leave your passport, always pay a deposit: Your passport (especially if you’re American or from the EU) is more valuable than any deposit amount. Always opt to pay a deposit and NEVER leave your passport when renting a scooter in Chiang Mai.
Know what you’re liable for: Most scooter rental places don’t cover popped tires or dead batteries, so be sure to know what you’re liable for because you will be responsible for the scooter once you leave with it. This will be outlined in the contract, which I highly recommend you read in full and understand. You can always ask questions about what the shop does and doesn’t cover when you rent, and it’s way better to know ahead of time so there aren’t any surprises if something does come up later.
Most importantly, wear a helmet! I bought one in 2019 after learning to drive a scooter in Thailand, and I travel with it whenever I know I’ll be driving (or riding). Sooo worth the investment (I think it was around $30) and way better than the rental ones. I even use it when I take Grab motorbikes.

walking with my scooter helmet clipped to my backpack after dropping off my chiang mai scooter rental — I travel with my helmet clipped to my backpack!

FAQs About Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai

What is the fine for driving a scooter without a license in Chiang Mai?

The fine for driving a scooter without a license in Chiang Mai is 500 baht, which must be paid in cash either on site at the police booth or at the police station. When you pay, you’ll be issued a receipt which you should hold on to and show if you’re stopped again.

Is it worth renting a scooter in Chiang Mai?

It’s 100% worth renting a scooter in Chiang Mai if you’re confident driving one. While there’s a lot to see inside the city, Chiang Mai’s surroundings are incredible, with lush mountains, sprawling rice padies, waterfalls, hot springs, and plenty to visit in the areas around, and having the freedom to explore on a scooter is unmatched.

What type of scooter should I rent in Chiang Mai?

For driving a scooter in Chiang Mai, I really like Scoopys. They’re 110ccs, easy to drive, and often more affordable than other options. They’re also pretty small scooters, which are great for smaller humans like me! I think they’re the most popular in Thailand behind the Honda Wave. If you want to go to the mountains, I recommend renting a 125cc scooter (or something even more powerful), especially if you’ll have a passenger. Most scooter shops will tell you the limits of certain scooters, so let them know what your plans are and they’ll help choose the right bike for you.

The Bottom Line About Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai

Renting a scooter in Chiang Mai will bring considerable freedom to your trip, allowing you to travel beyond the city walls with ease and explore the area like a local. But despite its chilled out reputation, Chiang Mai is still the second largest city in Thailand, and you should only rent a scooter if you have experience driving one in urban environments. My biggest pieces of advice are to keep left and wear a helmet! Happy riding 🙂

Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai: Everything to Know

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