Cheapest way get to Old City from Bus Station (Chiangmai)

Friday, December 13, 2013 Chiangmai , Countries , How-Tos , Thailand , Travel 0 Comments

Cách rẻ nhất đi từ bến xe bus tới phố cổ Chiangmai (Thái Lan)

Chiang Mai has two official bus stations, consisting of 3 terminals:

Chiangmai songthaew - Self Travel Tips

• Arcade Bus Station (Bus Terminals 2 and 3, Tel. +66 53 242664) — At the far end of Kaeo Narawat Rd just before it meets the superhighway. Buses from and to destinations outside Chiang Mai Province use this station. It effectively has two terminals, separated by a tuk-tuk stand and a road.

Terminal 3 is the larger of the two. It has an Internet cafe, small food vendors, ATMs, the booking window for Green Bus (Window 20), and numerous other ticket sellers. Buses for Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Ubon, Korat, Nan, Luang Prabang, Mae Sot depart from here.

Terminal 2 has a tourist police office, ATMs, food vendors, and many ticket sellers, including the booking office for government buses. Buses depart from here for Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Udon. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what buses go to which destination from which terminal. There is a good deal of overlap.

• Chang Phuak Bus Station (Bus Terminal 1, Tel. +66 53 211586) — Off Chang Phuak Rd, on the north side of the moat, about 1 km north of Chang Phuak Gate. This station handles buses within Chiang Mai Province including Mae Rim, Chiang Dao, Fang, Tha Ton, Phrao, Hot, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, and Samoeng.

• Up to date information on bus timetables and prices can be checked on http://www.sawadee.com/transfer/bus-north.htm

In lieu of a local bus service, locals get around the city on songthaew (สองแถว). These covered pick-up trucks have two long bench seats in the back (songthaew means "two rows" in Thai), and travel fixed routes picking up passengers en route who are going the same way. Some can also be hired outright.

The colour of the songthaew indicates its general route or usage. Most common by far are red songthaews (called rod daeng, red truck), which don't follow a specific route and roam the main streets around markets, temples, or the bus/train stations. These are the most convenient to take if you are going somewhere specific. Prices must be negotiated. but expect 20 baht anywhere within the city walls and 40-60 baht outside.

How to get to Chiangmai old City from Arcade Bus Station: Take a walk out of the Terminals, look for a series of songthaews waiting in lines, normally you can get to Old City at Tha Phae Gate for 20 BTH, but you have to wait until they get full load of passengers.