Top 5 best scooter rentals in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai rewards anyone willing to go a little further than the moat. Rent a scooter here and the city opens up fast — you can be winding up the mountain road to Doi Suthep before breakfast crowds even arrive, then spend the afternoon chasing waterfalls or sipping coffee above the clouds at Mon Cham. It's the kind of place where the best moments happen between destinations, on roads that don't show up in any guidebook.

The Old City itself is small enough to circle in minutes, but Chiang Mai's real highlights — the mountain temples, the hill loops, the waterfalls tucked into the forest — sit 15 to 60 kilometres out, along winding roads that songthaews and buses simply don't reach. A scooter rental in Chiang Mai lets you cover both worlds: quick temple-hopping in town in the morning, a full countryside loop by afternoon, all without waiting on a driver.

Top 10 things to see in Chiang Mai by scooter

1. Doi Suthep (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep) — the iconic hilltop temple, reached by a winding mountain road with sweeping views over the city, and the classic first ride out of town.
2. Doi Inthanon National Park — Thailand's highest peak, worth a full-day loop for its waterfalls, cool air and twisty forest roads.
3. Old City moat and gates — an easy orientation loop around the square moat, with temples on nearly every block.
4. Mae Rim – Samoeng loop (via Mon Cham) — a classic scenic loop through hills, viewpoints and flower farms, and one of the most popular half-day rides.
5. Mon Cham — a ridge-top viewpoint and cafe above the clouds, right on the Mae Rim–Samoeng loop.
6. Huay Tung Tao Lake — bamboo-hut lakeside lunch spots with a mountain backdrop, just a short ride from the city.
7. Wat Umong — a forest temple with old brick tunnels, reached along a quiet, shaded road in from town.
8. Bua Tong Waterfalls (Sticky Waterfalls) — limestone falls you can climb barefoot, a fun countryside destination ride.
9. Mae Kampong Village — a mountain village ride past waterfalls, coffee farms and forested switchbacks.
10. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar / Ping River riverside — the perfect evening ride, for food, markets and a river-front cruise through town.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai?

To legally ride, you need a motorcycle-category licence — either a Thai licence, or your home licence paired with an International Driving Permit that carries the motorcycle entitlement. Some shops will hand over the keys without checking, but police checkpoints around Chiang Mai do check, and insurance is generally void without one. Most rental shops set a minimum age around 18. A deposit is standard; where possible, offer cash or a photocopy of your passport rather than handing over the original.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai?

A basic automatic scooter runs 150–200 THB per day in low season and 250–350 THB per day in high season, while larger models such as a Click 160 or PCX go for 400 THB and up.

• Prices climb from November to February, the cool, peak tourist months, and again around Songkran in mid-April.
• Prices drop from May to October, during the rainy low season, aside from the Songkran spike.

When to book a rental scooter in Chiang Mai?

November through February is both the best riding weather and the busiest season, so book a few days ahead if you want your pick of bikes. From May to October you'll find quieter roads and lower prices, though afternoon downpours are common. Songkran, in mid-April, is best avoided on two wheels altogether — it's the highest-casualty stretch on Thai roads all year.

Local traffic rules in Chiang Mai

Thailand drives on the left, so overtake on the right and keep this in mind at every junction. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and police do issue on-the-spot fines for riding without one. Speed limits sit around 60 km/h in town and up to 90 km/h on rural highways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, and roadside breath tests are routine, especially around holidays. Keep your licence, IDP and rental papers on you at all times — checkpoints are frequent around Chiang Mai.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!