Car hire in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Chiang Mai

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Chiang Mai car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

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There are 12 car hire locations in Chiang Mai. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Chiang Mai

Hiring a car in Chiang Mai: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyasap car rental
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$484
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Chiang Mai

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Chiang Mai car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Chiang Mai

Finding cheap car hire deals in Chiang Mai is easy with Skyscanner. We have multiple pickup locations available across the city, offering flexibility and convenience. Our platform highlights options with free cancellation, ensuring you can adapt your plans without any hassle. Look out for 'full to full' policies to save money by only paying for the fuel you use. Additionally, we feature keyless pickup options so you can avoid queues and get on the road quicker. Use our search feature to find the best deals for your trip to Chiang Mai.

The best time to book a car in Chiang Mai

To get the best deal on car hire in Chiang Mai, aim to book about two weeks before your trip. June is generally the cheapest month. Be mindful of local events like Loy Krathong and Yi Peng, as these can affect availability. During these busy periods, book further in advance to ensure you get the car you need.

What you'll need when hiring a car in Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai, hiring a car through Skyscanner offers a range of options tailored to various needs and budgets. The minimum driving age in Thailand is 18, but different car hire providers may have their own minimum rental age requirements, typically starting at 21. Young driver surcharges might apply if you fall within certain age brackets, depending on the company. A valid driving licence is essential, and an international driving permit is sometimes necessary in Thailand. With Skyscanner, you can easily compare these requirements and pick the best deal, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free rental experience in this beautiful city.

Car hire in Chiang Mai: top tips for driving in Thailand

When driving in Chiang Mai, remember that traffic moves on the left side of the road. Speed limits are generally 120 km/h on highways, 90 km/h on expressways and country roads, and 50 km/h in urban areas. Google Maps offers comprehensive coverage here, so you can navigate with ease. To explore further, consider driving to Pai, which is about 130 kilometres away and takes roughly 3 hours by car. Chiang Rai is another option, at about 190 kilometres and takes around 3-4 hours. For a longer journey, Bangkok is approximately 700 kilometres away and takes 9-10 hours.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Chiang Mai will set you back around $484 per day or $243 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Chiang Mai is a compact estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Chiang Mai are currently yesaway car rental and Avis.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Chiang Mai is currently August.
On average, around $243. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Chiang Mai is $146.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Chiang Mai for a whole month is $821. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Chiang Mai, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Chiang Mai that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Chiang Mai.
Most places – Chiang Mai included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $483 per day. The average price per day is around $484.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like asap car rental, Budget and Drive Car Rental offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated CARIFY as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Chiang Mai.