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Riding a scooter around Chiang Mai’s Old City, Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) area, and even up to Doi Suthep is hands down one of the easiest, most laid-back ways to explore the city at your own pace. It’s the kind of freedom that makes a trip feel a little more like a story you’ll want to tell later.
There are plenty of scooter rental shops in Chiang Mai, but not all are created equal. I’d suggest checking Google reviews before picking one — everyone’s experience can vary depending on which staff member you deal with.
To save you some time (and maybe a headache or two), I’ve put together a list of scooter shops that you can consider renting from when you’re in Chiang Mai.
⭐⭐⭐ If it’s your first time riding a scooter in Thailand, here’s something important to know:
Thailand is a right-hand drive country, which means vehicles drive on the left side of the road — opposite from Taiwan.
And I really want to add this: if you don’t usually ride scooters, or if you’re not even comfortable riding a bicycle, I’d suggest skipping the scooter altogether. Just use Grab instead — it’s way safer and still convenient.
As for me, I’ve been riding scooters for years in Taiwan. But since Taiwan drives on the right side, I made a point to take it slow on my first day in Chiang Mai. For a few days before the trip, I kept mentally repeating to myself: “Keep left, keep left.” By day two, it felt totally natural.
Can I rent a scooter without an international license?
Technically, yes.
But I wouldn’t recommend riding without one. Most rental shops won’t ask for it, though some might warn you that if you get pulled over without a license, you’ll get fined — and they won’t be responsible for that.
Also, there are quite a few traffic checkpoints in Chiang Mai where police check for international licenses and helmets. And if you’re involved in an accident, your travel insurance may not cover you if you’re riding without a valid license.
Before traveling, I always double-check that my international driver’s permit hasn’t expired.
I was actually pretty lucky during my time in Chiang Mai—almost never got pulled over. But still, I’d strongly recommend always bringing your international driver’s permit with you when riding a scooter, just in case.
In fact, I only got stopped once, and that was after riding around Chiang Mai for nearly six months. I’d taken so many scooter trips, and it finally happened one morning around 8 or 9 AM.
Luckily, I had my permit with me. I said a few simple phrases in Thai, and the officer happily chatted back with me in Thai too. It was a surprisingly pleasant interaction.
If you forget and only have a photo of it on your phone, the police will most likely still fine you.
In Chiang Mai, the fine is 500 baht. In Phuket, it can go up to 1,000 baht ( though I’ve heard of some travelers only being charged 500 baht ).
To be honest, it depends on whether the officer is willing to accept a photo of your license—but don’t count on it.
Do I need to wear a helmet?
For your safety—absolutely, yes. And if not for that, then at least do it for your wallet.
There are two main things the police usually check for: whether you’re carrying your license, and whether you’re wearing a helmet.
(騎機車出門駕照記得要帶出門，影本以及存在手機的照片警察不承認。)
Is riding a scooter in Chiang Mai safe?
As long as you’re sticking to the speed limits, riding a scooter in Chiang Mai is generally very safe.
I specifically mentioned “Chiang Mai, Thailand” in the title because, compared to Bangkok, it feels like a whole different world.
Chiang Mai drivers are more relaxed, traffic moves slowly, and people usually give way when changing lanes — there’s little honking, if any. Bangkok, on the other hand, is… intense.
Think fast-moving traffic, constant honking (like horns are basically free there), and a kind of chaotic rhythm that makes walking through the streets feel like being in an action movie.
So if it’s your first time riding a scooter in Thailand, I’d definitely recommend Chiang Mai over Bangkok. The pace is slower, the roads are calmer, and everything feels a bit more forgiving.
Bangkok is better suited for those already used to zipping through big cities, like Taipei or other busy urban cities. But even then, Bangkok can be a beast. If you do choose to ride there, please make sure your insurance is solid and covers everything.
How do I get gas for a scooter in Thailand?
Just stop by a regular gas station. Most scooters use Gasohol 95 ( in Thai, it sounds like “gao4 sip ha4”—yes, I practiced saying it ), though some might run on 91.
Before you take off, be sure to ask the rental shop what kind of scooter you need.
If you’re riding out to the countryside or up into the mountains, you might not come across many gas stations.
In those cases, look for small mom-and-pop shops — some of them actually sell fuel!
One time, I forgot to fill up before heading up Doi Suthep, and on the way back down, I was worried I wouldn’t make it back to the Old City.
Luckily, I found a little roadside shop selling fuel up in the mountains. Life saver.
🔎 Recommended reading：
What should I know about street parking?
If you see red-and-white, yellow-and-white, or black-and-white curb markings — or diagonal white lines painted on the road — don’t park there.
When in doubt, check if other scooters are parked nearby or ask a shop owner. Better safe than fined.
( 照片內的紅白相間的區域不能路邊停車。大家騎車要小心，某天在路上看到的車禍。 )
Can I ride all the way to Pai or Chiang Rai?
Some rental shops allow certain scooter models to be taken into the mountains or on longer trips, but not all.
Smaller scooters might not be able to handle mountain roads — it’s usually a power issue.
When renting, ask which bikes are allowed for long-distance or uphill travel.
What about riding up mountains?
For popular mountain spots like Doi Suthep, older or smaller scooters like the Fino might not make it up the hill, but a Scoopy/Fino new one usually can.
The first time I was in Chiang Mai, I rented an older Fino that didn’t have quite enough power. The rental shop told me I could just come back and swap it for a stronger bike (with a small price difference) if I planned to head up the mountain.
Other models may vary, but in general, scooters with higher cc (engine displacement) are more suited for mountain roads. When in doubt, tell the staff about your travel plans—they’re usually happy to recommend the right model for your trip.
And as a side note for fellow women travelers (or anyone who’s petite like me): smaller scooters are much easier to handle. After I came back down the mountain, I immediately went back to the shop and switched to a smaller bike. It was just more comfortable.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai?
It depends on the model, but prices typically range from 150 to 400 baht per day. If you’re renting long-term, you’ll usually get a better deal — around 2,500 to 3,500 baht per month. ( Prices vary by shop and scooter type, so always check directly. )
Bamboo Bike 的價位表 ( 2023 ) ，僅供參考，以現場價錢為準。
Can I pay with a credit card?
Most shops only accept cash, but it doesn’t hurt to ask — some newer places might offer card payments now.
What if your scooter breaks down during the rental period?
If anything goes wrong, contact the rental shop immediately.
Don’t try to fix it yourself — it could cause more problems later on.
If the scooter won’t start, double-check the basics: do you still have gas?
Did you forget to kick up the stand? Try restarting it. If it still doesn’t work, that’s when you call the shop.
4 Scooter Rental Shops I Tried in Chiang Mai
Bamboo Bike
[ View on Google Maps ]
[ Bamboo Bike Official Website – See prices ]
Located just outside the Old City near Tha Phae Gate, Bamboo Bike is one of the more popular rental shops. If you want to have more scooter options to choose from, I recommend coming early in the day.
I personally recommend Bamboo Bike — the staff was super friendly.
I actually had a little mishap during my rental, and they didn’t complain at all; instead, they even gave me a ride to pick up my scooter.
Here’s what happened: I didn’t know that the scooter wouldn’t start if the kickstand was down.
One morning, I planned to grab a quick breakfast at the 7-11 near my place before heading to get a manicure.
I tried starting the bike with the kickstand down, and of course, it wouldn’t start.
Thinking it was broken, I panicked and tried calling Bamboo Bike. It was still pretty early, so no one picked up the phone — I figured the shop had just opened.
So, I booked a Bolt ride and messaged the manicure salon saying I’d be late because my scooter had broken down.
When I got to Bamboo Bike and explained the issue, the staff smiled and said, “There’s a safety feature — if the kickstand is down, the scooter won’t start. Did you try kicking it up first?”
I was completely embarrassed — I hadn’t thought to try that 😅🤦♀️. My place was a bit far from the Old City, but the staff kindly offered to drive me back to the 7-11 to get my scooter.
Of course, once the kickstand was up, it started right away. I apologized and thanked them repeatedly 😅😂.
Luckily, it all happened early in the day, so I didn’t take them away from other customers.
All in all, the daytime staff at Bamboo Bike were funny, warm, and helpful. When my friend arrived in Chiang Mai, I brought her to rent from them too. The staff even had a little friendly chat with us — it felt very welcoming.
SKOOPY比 FINO 好騎太多，小車的話比較推薦租 SKOOPY。
When I returned the bike, a different staff member I hadn’t seen before did the inspection and noticed some wear on the floorboard.
I quickly pulled up a video I had taken when I first rented the bike, and luckily, the damage had already been there. The staff just said, “OK, no problem,” and returned my deposit.
Tip: No matter where you rent from, always take a slow video walk-around of the scooter, capturing all angles — top and bottom. It’ll save you from disputes later.
Mango Scooter Rental Chiang Mai
[ View on Google Maps ]
[ Mango Scooter Rental Official Website – See prices ]
Located between the Nimman area and the Old City, closer to Nimman.
If you’re staying in Nimman, this place is super convenient for pickup and return.
The scooters are pretty new, and the staff is friendly. If your scooter doesn’t come with a phone mount, just ask — they can install one for you. The deposit is 1,000 baht. You don’t need to leave your passport — just a copy is fine.
This is a popular rental shop, so if you have plans that day, come early to make sure you can get a bike.
Cat Motors Motorbike & Scooter Rental
[View on Google Maps]
[Cat Motors Official Website – See prices]
Located inside the Old City, Cat Motors has reasonable prices and a wide selection of scooters. If you plan to ride into the mountains — like to Mae Hong Son — this shop has a lot of bikes suitable for mountain roads. They also offer full-face helmets.
The deposit here is higher: 3,000 baht.
Happy Days Shop
[ View on Google Maps ]
[ Happy Days Shop Official Website – See prices ]
This highly-rated rental shop on Tripadvisor is located just outside the Old City near Tha Phae Gate.
They offer great service, fair prices, and well-maintained scooters and helmets.
You’ll need a passport copy to rent, and the deposit is quite high — between 3,000 to 5,000 baht. ( Rental prices vary, so it’s best to confirm with the shop in advance. ) The staff also checks the bike and helmet with you before you ride off, making sure everything’s in order.
This shop stands out for its excellent customer service.
