Essential Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Chiang Mai (2026)

Renting a motorbike is the best way to see Chiang Mai: the Old City temples in the morning, Doi Suthep before lunch and a mountain café at sunset, all on your own schedule. This guide covers everything in one place: what you need, how to choose a bike, what it costs, how to check it before you ride, and where to go first.

1. What you need to rent

• A motorcycle license from your home country and an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle category, or a Thai motorcycle license. A car license is not enough. Read the details in our guide to riding legally in Thailand.
• A copy or photo of your passport and visa stamp.
• A deposit. At Fleet CNX it is refundable: 2,000 THB for 110–160 cc bikes, 5,000 THB for the Honda CB300 and 20,000 THB for the Honda ADV350, so your passport stays with you.
• Riding experience. Chiang Mai traffic is busy. If you have never ridden a motorbike, a crowded city is not the place to learn.

2. Choose the right bike

• City and short trips: a light 125 cc automatic such as the Yamaha Fino, Fazzio or Grand Filano. Easy to park and cheap to run.
• Mountains or two people: a 155–160 cc scooter like the Honda Click 160, Yamaha NMax 155 or Aerox 155, with more power for climbs and better brakes for descents.
• Long trips and comfort: the Honda ADV350 for two people and luggage, or the Kawasaki KLX 150 if you want dirt roads.

3. What it costs

Expect about 200–350 THB per day for a small scooter and 450–700 THB for a 155–160 cc model in Chiang Mai. Renting for a week or a month brings the daily price down a lot. Fuel is cheap: a full tank of a small scooter usually costs under 200 THB. See all prices, deposits and the costs people forget in our scooter rental price guide.

4. How renting works with Fleet CNX

1. Pick your dates and bike online. Reserving is free, and you can pay later.
2. Pick up at our garage in Nimman (29 Nimmanhaemin Soi 17, open daily 10:00–19:00) or get the bike delivered: 200 THB within 3 km of the city center.
3. Ride. Two helmets and a phone holder are included. If anything goes wrong, message us on WhatsApp, Line or Telegram.
4. Return the bike with a full tank, or pay for the missing fuel at the shop. Cleaning is free, even after dirt trails on the KLX 150 (our scooters are for paved roads only).

5. Check the bike before you ride

• Walk around the bike and take a video of existing scratches, including the rental staff in the frame.
• Test both brakes, the horn, lights and indicators.
• Look at the tires: no bald spots, no cracks.
• Check the fuel level and how the helmet fits: it should not move when you shake your head.
• Save the shop's phone number and ask what to do if the bike breaks down.

6. Riding safely in Chiang Mai

• Ride on the left, and look twice at every junction: scooters come from everywhere.
• Helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger, with fines of up to 2,000 THB.
• Expect police checkpoints, especially around the Old City moat. Carry your license and IDP.
• Get travel insurance that covers motorbikes. The compulsory government insurance on every bike covers only basic medical costs.
• Don't drink and ride, and avoid mountain roads at night or in heavy rain.

7. Where to ride first

• Old City and Nimman: temples, cafés and markets, all within a few kilometers.
• Doi Suthep: the golden temple on the mountain, 15 km from the city. See our Doi Suthep route.
• Mae Rim and the Mae Sa Valley: quiet roads, waterfalls and gardens, perfect for building confidence. See our Mae Rim route.
• Pai: the famous 762-curve ride on Route 1095, for experienced riders. See our Chiang Mai to Pai guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai without a license?

Some shops will, but you would be riding illegally, risking fines and losing your insurance cover. Fleet CNX requires a valid motorcycle license with an IDP, or a Thai license.

Do I have to leave my passport as a deposit?

Not with us: we take a refundable cash deposit instead. Be careful with shops that insist on keeping your passport.

Can I extend my rental?

Yes. You can extend online at any time, as long as the bike is available for your new dates.

Is it safe to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai?

It is as safe as your riding. With experience, a helmet, a well-maintained bike and calm riding, it is the easiest way to explore the city and the mountains around it.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Roads, opening hours and fees change; check before you go. Cover photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.