Which option to choose in Chiang Mai

NOTRE_CHOIX: A guided ride for a first scooter experience in Thailand; a plain rental only if you already ride a motorbike at home and hold the matching licence.

Renting a scooter: licence, deposit, insurance

  • Licence: to ride legally you need, in principle, your national licence with the motorcycle category plus an international driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention) showing the motorcycle class. A car-only international permit does not cover a scooter. Rental shops do not always check; the police do, after a stop or an accident. We could not confirm fines on an official site: ask your embassy before you leave.
  • Helmet: compulsory for rider and passenger. Insist on one in good condition and fasten it.
  • Insurance: many travel policies exclude two-wheelers or refuse them without a valid licence. Read the contract before renting (see also health and emergencies).
  • Deposit: some shops keep your passport. Offer a cash deposit or a copy instead, and never leave the original.
  • Condition of the bike: photograph every scratch with the shop before leaving, to avoid a bill on return. Check brakes, tyres, lights, indicators and fuel.
  • Contract: keep a copy, and note the shop's number and the plate.

The Mae Hong Son Loop

The loop leaves Chiang Mai, passes through Pai and Mae Hong Son, and returns via Mae Sariang, Hot and Doi Inthanon. Depending on the source it is about 600 km (estimates range from 600 to 650 km) and 1,864 curves by the most quoted figure; one rider reports that the number holds in one direction only. Several guides say allow at least 4 days, and many recommend 5 to 7 to enjoy the stops.

  • Classic stages: Chiang Mai – Pai (about 130 km), Pai – Mae Hong Son (about 110 km), then Mae Chaem and back via Doi Inthanon.
  • Roads: paved but very twisty, with steep gradients and sometimes damaged sections; do not ride at night.
  • Season: the cool dry season (November to February) is the most pleasant; in the rainy season roads are slippery and landslides are possible; from February to April, crop burning degrades air quality in the north. Check road conditions and the weather before each stage (see the best time to visit).
  • Level: for experienced riders. If in doubt, 4-day guided tours with luggage transport exist.

Guided rides in Chiang Mai

  • Chiangmai Scooter Adventure: a 2-day, 1-night off-road ride on a Honda CT125, with hotel pickup, meals and drinks, in groups of 5 at most. About 125 km of riding each day; for those who already ride.
  • Mae Sa and Mon Cham: a day on a scooter in the mountains north of the city, offered on GetYourGuide (guided full-day ride on back roads); see the listing for duration and price.
  • A Vespa food tour (about 4.5 hours) also runs in Chiang Mai, by day or in the evening: handy if you prefer to be a passenger.

For a day without riding, see our guide Chiang Mai from Bangkok in 3 days; to get to Chiang Mai, see Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane.

Safety tips

  • Ride on the left, slowly, in closed shoes and trousers, with gloves if possible.
  • Do not ride after drinking, or at night.
  • Carry water and stop every two hours in the heat.
  • To rent on an island, see renting a scooter on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

FAQ

Do I need a motorcycle licence to rent a scooter in Chiang Mai? In principle yes: your licence with the motorcycle category and an international permit showing motorbikes. Many shops rent without checking, but insurers and the police may hold it against you.

How long is the Mae Hong Son Loop? About 600 km according to most sources (600 to 650 km), in 4 to 7 days.

Can I do the loop on an automatic scooter? Many travellers do, but a bigger-engined bike copes better on climbs; rent a machine in good condition.

What is the best season? The cool dry season, from November to February.

Is a guided ride suitable for beginners? The 2-day off-road ride requires experience; to start, pick a guided day or a Vespa tour as a passenger.

The Bangkok Authority editorial team