Renting A Car In Chiang Mai [2025 Exclusive Guide]

Last Updated: January 30th, 2025

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While there are several ways to get around the city, renting a car in Chiang Mai is the best way to explore Northern Thailand.

While roads in Chiang Mai itself can be hectic and difficult to get used to, things become much more relaxed once you leave the city behind. In fact, a road trip is a great way to visit nearby attractions, including Chiang Rai and the Golden Temple.

However, while there is definitely some stress that comes with driving within the city, I found things got a little simpler once I started to understand the local road rules, and renting a car can be a great way to experience the city at your own pace.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to rent a car in Chiang Mai, from how to find the best deals to local driving customs you should know for a comfortable driving experience.

Where to Book a Rental Car in Chiang Mai: Discover Cars

Green-Rental-Car-in-Chiang-Mai
Nissan rental car in Chiang Mai

The best way to make sure you are getting the best deal for your car rental in Belize is by booking through Discover Cars.

Discover Cars is a third-party car rental company that does all the hard work for you. It scours local brands and international rental companies for the best deals at your destination and lists them in an easy-to-navigate interface for you to compare.

What’s even better is that, unlike many other third-party booking sites, Discover Cars does not have any hidden fees. Their own service fees are included on the list price for each car rental, meaning there is no surprise surcharge when you get to check out.

Occasionally, during the rental process, the local brand you rent with may try to upcharge you upon pickup. In this case, you simply need to contact Discover Cars 24/7 customer service, and they will ensure the rental company honors the established rate or give your money back.

Here are a few steps you should take to ensure you get the best deals and car renting experience through Discover Cars.

Reserve Your Car Online with Discover Cars

The first step is to head over to the Discover Cars website. From the homepage, you simply insert your rental details, including dates, your country of residence, your age, and your preferred pickup location. When renting in Chiang Mai, this will typically be at Chiang Mai International Airport.

From there, Discover Cars conducts an instant search for all local brands and international companies offering rental services in the area, which they list in order of price or rating. All you have to do is scan through the various deals, pick the best car, and plan for your needs.

But don’t be too quick and just book the cheapest option. Take your time to read the reviews and check the specs to ensure you are getting the quality of the vehicle you are paying for.

Opt for Full Coverage with Discover Cars

Once you have found the car you’d like to rent, Discover Cars then give you the option of opting in for their full coverage insurance policy, and I personally suggest you take it. The plan varies between car types and rental companies but typically ranges between ฿265 and ฿360 ($7 USD and $10 USD) per day.

When it comes to the overall cost of your rental, the full coverage plan is a minimal addition but offers peace of mind for your road trip, with coverage up to ฿114,320 ( $3,170 USD).

Additionally, it is worth keeping in mind that third-party liability insurance is legally required to rent a car in Thailand, and Discover Cars’ full coverage plan is one of the best ways to satisfy this requirement, offering more comprehensive protection than most car rental companies will provide.

What’s Covered with Discover Cars? (And What’s Not Covered)

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A truck having to get towed in Chiang Mai

Discover Cars’ extensive full coverage plan covers most incidents or accidents you may encounter during your trip, including collision damage, theft protection, and lost keys.

As a third-party booking site, Discover Cars’ full-coverage plan is legally compliant, but this won’t stop the local car rental company from trying to upsell you their own insurance plan upon pick up, which you can simply decline.

The rental company will then require a security deposit, which will be refunded upon returning the vehicle with no damage. In the case where there is damage to the car, or another incident occurs, the rental company will keep the deposit, and you will place a claim directly with Discover Cars, who will refund you up to its ฿114,320 limits.

Now that we know how the coverage claim process works let’s take a look at the full list of everything the policy covers and what isn’t covered under the plan.

What’s Covered

  • Refundable theft deductible
  • Bodywork and roof
  • Windshield and windows
  • Mirrors
  • Wheels and tires
  • Undercarriage
  • Lost keys or lockout fees
  • Taxi expenses
  • Towing expenses
  • Administrative charges
  • Fees for supplier’s loss of use during repair.

What’s Not Covered

  • Damages that occurred while not complying with the terms of your rental agreement
  • Damages resulting from unforeseeable or uncontrollable events
  • Cleaning costs or damage to the car’s interior
  • Third-party damages

Requirements for Renting a Car in Chiang Mai

A-Traffic-Police-Officer-at-Chiang-Mai-Street.jpg
Chiang Mai police officer directing traffic
  • 21 years or older (Individual rental companies may have their own age requirements)
  • Passport
  • Driver’s License and International Driver’s Permit
  • Security Deposit (Varies between rental companies)
  • Third-Party Liability Insurance (Discover Cars’ full coverage covers this)

Do I Need Rental Car Insurance in Chiang Mai?

Third-Party Liability Insurance is required by law to rent a car in Thailand. As such, most rental companies include a basic coverage plan to accommodate this requirement, but it is often limited in its protection and typically doesn’t include collision or loss damage.

Alternatively, many credit cards or travel insurance offer protection to satisfy legal requirements. For those without these coverages, Discover Cars’ full coverage plan offers not only third-party liability insurance but also coverage for collision, damage, theft, and many other security risks and incidents.

Tips for Driving in Chiang Mai

Chiang-Mai-Night-Market
Chiang Mai night market

Practice Caution at Traffic Lights

Legally, traffic lights work the same way as they do around the world. Green means go, yellow means to practice caution, and red means stop.

In practice, traffic lights in Thailand are not so black and white, and many drivers approach them as simple suggestions. While green still means go, so does yellow, and red only means stop after a few seconds of it turning red.

To play it safe, it is best to do everything a little delayed. When stopping at a red light, avoid the main lane of traffic, as the person behind you may be more acquainted with the local way of driving.

Conversely, when a light turns green, give it a couple of seconds before proceeding into the intersection to allow for the standard three seconds of red light running.

Always Check Your Blindspots

One of the reasons Chiang Mai can be a difficult place to drive in is the amount of cars and motorcycles weaving their way through the streets. What’s worse is that undertaking is entirely legal in Thailand, meaning you have to be aware of other vehicles around you at all times.

Turning left from the left lane may seem pretty straightforward, and in other parts of the world, you may not even check over your shoulder, but in Chiang Mai, it’s entirely possible, and even likely, that a motorcycle is trying to undertake along your left.

As such, the best practice when driving in Chiang Mai is to check all blind spots before making any maneuvers.

Know What it Means When a Car Flashes You.

Drivers around the world use flashing their headlights to communicate a variety of things. In many parts of the world, it means the car flashing is giving you space to merge. In Thailand, it means the exact opposite.

If you see someone flash you in Chiang Mai, it means don’t move because they aren’t stopping if you get in their way.

It is critical to keep this in mind if you are renting a car in Chiang Mai, as this difference is a common factor leading to traffic accidents involving tourists.

Don’t Expect Other Drivers to Follow the Laws

A-Pizza-Delivery-Driver-in-Chiang-Mai
McDonald’s delivery driver in Chiang Mai

While as a visitor, you should familiarize yourself with and follow local traffic laws, don’t expect other drivers around you to have the same courtesy.

Not only do many locals view the traffic laws as suggestions, but Chiang Mai hosts over a million tourists every year, each bringing with them the unique road customs and laws of their home country.

You should always practice caution and try to give other vehicles a wide berth when possible. Distracted driving is very common, and you will see many drivers texting or on the phone behind the wheel. Meanwhile, you should also be wary of motorcycles stopping in the middle of the road, which has become a growing problem amongst Chinese tourists.

Important Chiang Mai Rental Car Tips

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Toyota Camry car rental in Chiang Mai

Take pictures of the outside of the car before driving

The first thing you should always do when renting a vehicle anywhere in the world is to take photos of both the exterior and interior. While this isn’t always the case, car rental companies are infamous for their underhanded practices of charging people for pre-existing damages.

The best way to avoid these undeserved fees is by having proof of the vehicle’s condition upon pick up. If you are booking with a reputable company, they will likely go over the car’s condition with you, but you always go back over yourself, photographing any dents, scratches, or any other signs of wear and tear.

Get a GPS or download maps on your phone.

Roads in Chiang Mai can be stressful to navigate and require constant attention. As such, it is important to have your directions set before leaving for your destination. The best way to do this is by having a GPS, which is offered by most rental companies for an additional ฿100 ($2.50 USD) per day.

Alternatively, you can avoid the added expense simply by downloading Google Maps on your phone and preloading it with your destination.

Get a local SIM or eSIM

The last thing you want after renting a car in Chiang Mai is to be caught in an accident and unable to phone for help. For this reason, I suggest buying a local SIM card or an eSIM before renting your vehicle.

Physical SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or several stores around Thailand. Alternatively, you can skip the need to hunt down these services by opting for an eSIM, such as Nomad or Airalo, which you can set up and connect to data before even arriving in Chiang Mai.

Check the fuel policy.

Car-Speedometer-with-Gas-Gauge
Check your rental cars’ gas gauge

While taking photos of the vehicle, you should also familiarize yourself with your rental car’s fuel policy. Most plans in Chiang Mai have a full-to-full policy. This means you are required to return the car with the same amount of gas as you received it, at risk of an additional fee if you don’t.

In this case, you should also take a photo of the gas gauge before driving the vehicle, especially if it is at anything other than full.

Book in advance

Another tip for getting the best deal for renting a car in Chiang Mai is to book in advance, especially when visiting during peak season. Chiang Mai is an extremely popular tourist destination, and car rentals can sell out fast.

Choose the right vehicle.

If you are simply staying in the city, then a compact car will more than suffice for your visit. However, if you’re planning excursions into the mountainous countryside, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is definitely the way to go.

It is important to reflect on your itinerary and what you want to see and ensure you book a vehicle that meets the demands of your trip.

FAQs About Renting a Car in Chiang Mai

Schoolgirls-Riding-a-Motorbike-at-Chiang-Mai-Road
Chiang Mai schoolgirls riding a motobike

Is it safe to drive in Chiang Mai, and should I rent a car?

Driving in Chiang Mai can be hectic, and I definitely suggest avoiding it if you don’t have any driving experience in Southeast Asia. In fact, Thailand has one of the highest road traffic death rates in the world, and Chiang Mai is one of the country’s worst regions for accidents.

With that said, most fatalities occur amongst motorcycle users, which are highly abundant on Chiang Mai’s roads. While cars are three times safer in Thailand, keeping track of surrounding motorcyclists can be a source of stress during your holiday you may prefer to avoid.

Many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance of most of Chiang Mai’s popular tourist hotels. Meanwhile, the public bus network is a perfect way to experience those slightly further landmarks.

Should I rent a car in Chiang Mai?

If you just plan on exploring the city, then there is no need to rent a car. There are other ways to get around town that don’t involve navigating the hectic roads. However, if you want to explore some of the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, then a car may just be the perfect transportation option, offering the level of flexibility and convenience you need.

What’s the cheapest car rental company in Chiang Mai?

The best way to find the cheapest car rentals in Chiang Mai is to use Discover Cars to search and compare the best deals of the local rental companies. Budget Rent-A-Car and Avis are international brands known for their economical rates, but some of the cheapest rentals are found at local rental companies, including Drive Car Rental and North Wheels.

Do I need an International Driver’s License to rent a car in Chiang Mai?

International Driving Permits are required by law to rent a car in Thailand. Now, this doesn’t mean a rental company won’t rent you a vehicle without one. But it can become a problem if you get pulled over by the police and will likely even be grounds for an insurance company to deny your claim if there is an accident.

It is by far the safer option to just get the International Driver’s Permit before leaving for your holiday in Thailand. While the process differs between countries, it is typically fairly easy to apply for the permit and requires no more than your regular driver’s license.

How much does renting a car in Chiang Mai cost?

Renting a car in Chiang Mai can be a very affordable way to explore the city. Economy cars range between ฿850 and ฿1,200 ($25 USD and $35 USD) per day. Meanwhile, you can expect to spend closer to ฿3,000 (About $80 USD) per day for a full-size SUV or van.

What side of the road do they drive on in Chiang Mai?

While never officially a British colony, several British influences can be found across Thailand and its infrastructure, including the fact that they drive on the left side of the road. While this isn’t a problem if you are coming from the UK or another country where this is the norm, it can be fairly difficult to adapt to for those of us used to driving on the right.

About The Author

A Canada-based freelance writer, Kurt acquired his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Windsor. Upon graduating, Kurt left the courtside media desk behind and began venturing the globe. Throughout his journeys, Kurt enjoys partaking in slow travel and loves to explore the histories and cultures of each destination, which he shares with others through his writing.

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Picture of Kurt Norris

Kurt Norris

A Canada-based freelance writer, Kurt acquired his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Windsor. Upon graduating, Kurt left the courtside media desk behind and began venturing the globe. Throughout his journeys, Kurt enjoys partaking in slow travel and loves to explore the histories and cultures of each destination, which he shares with others through his writing.

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