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

Select your Chiang Mai pick-up location

There are 10 car hire locations in Chiang Mai. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Chiang Mai

Choose from the best car hire 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 companyChic Car Rent
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 884
Best time to book3 weeks 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

  • Whether you need a compact for scooting around town or an SUV for a road trip, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Chiang Mai. Choose from options averaging R 884 a day and get going for less.

  • Lock in your ride in August and watch the savings roll in. It's the cheapest month to rent a car in Chiang Mai, with average daily rates of R 434.

  • Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding a cheap rental car in Chiang Mai. Book around two weeks before your trip to land the best price.

  • Check out car hire deals in Chiang Mai from some of the top providers like Chic Car Rent, asap car hire and Hertz.

  • Whether you go with Chic Car Rent or a different supplier, double-check the coverage on your Chiang Mai car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others treat it as an add-on.

  • Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your car hire. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be relocated. Just click 'Return car to a different location' when looking for a car for rent in Chiang Mai.

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by booking a car hire in Chiang Mai with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Pack more into your journey by searching for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you like without paying more.

  • If you're flying into Chiang Mai, you might like to skip the city pickup and grab one of the car rentals in Chiang Mai International Airport instead. Toss your gear in the back seat and cruise straight to where you want to go.

Compare car hire types in Chiang Mai

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Chiang Mai gets you moving without breaking the bank. These nimble, fuel-efficient rides are good for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the just-right ride you need in your life. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are good for small families and couples.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the luggage, the snacks, the everything. Large vehicles have got the capacity to pack it all in without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance journeys, this Chiang Mai car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a wide-angle view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged country lanes or cruising along uninterrupted highways, many come with all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: If you're after a car for rent in Chiang Mai big enough for a small crowd (and all their gear), a van will do the job. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group travel, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Chiang Mai car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can seriously level up your drive. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Chiang Mai.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check the exact rules for each supplier before booking your rental in Thailand.

  • Add a car seat to your Chiang Mai car hire booking if you're bringing the kids. Requirements change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest way to travel.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Chiang Mai

  • Don't leave town without ticking off some of the city's best attractions, like Songkran Festival Chiang Mai and Doi Suthep. Lock in a car hire deal in Chiang Mai and then start putting together your sightseeing hit list.

  • If you're looking for a place to stay in Chiang Mai while touring around, consider Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa Chiang Mai -SHA Extra Plus or Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel.

  • Around 80 kilometres south-east of central Chiang Mai, Lampang should feature on your itinerary. Head to must-see sights like Wat Chiang Rai and Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao.

  • Comfortable accommodation options in Lampang include Hotel Siri and Khelang Nakorn Hotel.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Chiang Mai and drive about 23 kilometres south to Lamphun. Featuring Wat Phra That Haripunchai Woramahawihan. And UPPER in the Air - Paramotor, it's every bit as good as advertised.

  • Relax after a big day out in Lamphun at Dnk Baan Suan. Or trade the open road for a quiet stay at Grand PA Hotel&Resort Lamphun Chiang Mai.

  • Take things a bit further and road-trip it to Kamphaeng Phet, roughly 257 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. First, swing past Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, then spend some time at Wat Phra That.

  • Find a room at Navarat Heritage Hotel or Chakungrao Riverview Hotel. They make it a breeze to discover everything Kamphaeng Phet has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Chiang Mai will set you back around R 884 per day or R 3,597 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 Dollar and Thrifty.
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 R 3,597. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Chiang Mai is R 1,995.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Chiang Mai for a whole month is R 13,642. 

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 R 360 per day. The average price per day is around R 884.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Chic Car Rent, asap car rental 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.