There are several ways of getting to Chiang Mai, including bus, train and airplane. Bus is the cheapest but least comfortable. Many opt for the overnight sleeper train which takes longer, however, the introduction of cheap flights for as little as 1,000 baht one-way has diverted popularity.

Chiang Mai International Airport has connections to and from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Luang Prabang, Taipei, Kunming, Rangoon, Mandalay and Chittakong, as well as domestic flights to Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai. There are at least 30 flights a day between Chiang Mai and Bangkok on a variety of airlines, with the recent introduction of budget fares from AirAsia, Nok Air and Orient Thai. These should be booked online at least three weeks in advance. Singapore Airlines flies to and from Chiang Mai on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Getting to Chiang Mai by train is another popular option with budget travellers. There are eight trains a day, of differing classes and speeds, and they leave at 06:55, 08:30, 16:00, 16:45, 17:50, 20:30, 21:00. The journey can be painfully slow (11 hours) and the overnight sleeper is recommended. All trains departing from 16:00 onwards have comfortable bunks (some without air-conditioning), except the 20:30 departure. We suggest a second class (741 baht) bottom bunk on the 17:50, as the best option. Trains depart from the Hua Lampong Station and have full food services onboard at reasonable prices.

Buses depart at least every hour between 05:30 and 22:00 from Mo Chit Station and take roughly 10 hours, with a similar schedule in reverse from Chiang Mai's Eastern (Main) Bus Terminal. We recommend VIP buses (fare 400 - 600 baht), offered by either the government or private companies. These can also be arranged from travel agents on Khao San Road and at other points around the city, but be wary of agents who promise services that aren't delivered, such as reclining seats and aircon. Dress warmly as the Thais love freezing air conditioning and prefer to sit up all night watching noisy videos onboard.

You can also hire a car in Bangkok or elsewhere for getting to Chiang Mai, and drive up at your own leisure, stopping off in Ayutthaya and Sukothai. The countryside is quite pretty and you enter the mountains from Tak or Pitsanalok onwards.

Once in Chiang Mai, getting around is easily done by flagging down a tuk tuk or songtaew. Negotiate your fare beforehand with the tuk tuk driver (50 baht for a 10 minute journey - most places within the centre) or hop aboard one of the red songteaw trucks which act as an informal transport system and will take you along a popular route for 10 baht, but may deliver you to your hotel for a little more. There is a very limited bus service in Chiang Mai. Hiring bicycles or motorbikes/scooters is also popular and practical.