Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Songkhla

Picture swapping tuk-tuks and slow songthaews for your own two wheels, cruising past the bronze mermaid on the rocks at Samila Beach as the sun drops over the Gulf of Thailand. A motorbike lets you catch that view at golden hour, then double back the next morning for a quiet coffee in Songkhla Old Town before the heat sets in. This is a city built for exploring at your own pace, not on someone else's schedule. Songkhla town itself is small, flat and easy to read, with far less traffic than Bangkok or Phuket, so getting around by scooter feels relaxed rather than stressful. In a single day you can string together the old town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses, the seafront promenade, and a ride across the causeway to Ko Yo in the middle of Songkhla Lake — a route that songthaews simply don't cover. And once you're comfortable on two wheels, the coastal roads and countryside lanes toward Hat Yai open up for a proper day trip that a car would only slow down.

Top 10 things to see in Songkhla by motorbike

1. Samila Beach & the Mermaid Statue — Songkhla's signature seafront ride, with a palm-lined promenade and the bronze mermaid on the rocks, best at sunset.
2. Cat and Mouse Islands (Ko Nu and Ko Maeo) viewpoint — the twin islets visible from Samila Beach, a short ride along the coast road for the classic photo stop.
3. Khao Tang Kuan (Tang Kuan Hill) — a short, winding climb to a hilltop chedi with panoramic views over town, the lake and the sea.
4. Songkhla Old Town — narrow lanes of Sino-Portuguese shophouses, murals, cafés and temples, best explored slowly rather than by car.
5. Ko Yo (Koh Yo) and the Thaksin Folklore Museum — cross the causeway bridges onto the lake island for the folk museum, weaving shops and water views.
6. Songkhla Lake bridges (Tinsulanonda Bridges) — a long, scenic causeway crossing Thailand's largest lake to reach Ko Yo.
7. Wat Machimawas (Wat Klang) — a historic old-town temple with notable murals, an easy addition to a walking-turned-riding loop.
8. Samila – Ko Yo coastal loop toward Hat Yai — a popular half-day route mixing coast, lake causeway and countryside roads.
9. Songkhla Zoo — a hillside zoo with lake and city views, a favourite family ride outside town.
10. Hat Yai day trip — about 30 km away, worth the ride for its markets, temples including Wat Hat Yai Nai's giant reclining Buddha, and evening life.

What do you need to rent a motorbike in Songkhla?

To legally ride, you'll 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 rent without checking, but police checkpoints do, and insurance is generally void without the right paperwork. Most rentals set a minimum age of 18, and you should expect to leave a deposit — it's better to offer cash or a photocopy of your passport than hand over the original.

How much does it cost to rent a motorbike in Songkhla?

A small automatic scooter, such as a Honda Click or Scoopy, runs around 250-300 THB per day in low season, rising to roughly 350-450 THB per day in high season. Bigger bikes like a Honda PCX, Forza, or a small manual motorcycle typically cost 400-700+ THB per day depending on the model and rental length.

• Prices climb around December-January and again near Songkran in April, when demand peaks.
• May to October, through the wetter monsoon months, tends to bring the best rates as tourist numbers drop.

When to book a rental motorbike in Songkhla?

High season runs November through February, when dry, cooler weather draws the most visitors and prices sit at their highest. Low season stretches May to October during the southwest monsoon, with quieter roads, fewer tourists and noticeably cheaper daily rates. Booking a few days ahead in the December-January peak is a good idea; outside that window, you can usually arrange a scooter on short notice.

Local traffic rules in Songkhla

Thailand drives on the left, so overtake on the right and keep left otherwise. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and this is enforced with on-the-spot fines. Speed limits sit around 60 km/h in built-up areas and up to 90 km/h on rural highways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, dropping to 0.02% for riders under 20, with roadside checks common around holidays — keep your licence, IDP and rental documents on you at all times.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike 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, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!