Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits on a forested mountainside above Chiang Mai, and getting there means climbing a winding, switchback road that no train or ordinary city bus reaches. Most visitors go up by shared songthaew — the red pickup trucks that double as Chiang Mai's informal public transport — though a scooter, a tour, or (increasingly) a newer public bus route can all get you there too.

Songthaews from the zoo road

The classic way up is a red songthaew (rot daeng), one of the shared pickup trucks that fill in for buses across the city. They gather at a stand on the northern edge of the old city, near Chiang Mai Zoo and Huay Kaew Road, at the foot of the mountain road. Drivers typically wait until the truck has enough passengers before setting off, so there can be a short wait at quiet times of day; you can also pay a higher charter rate to leave immediately with just your own group. The climb takes around 30–45 minutes on a genuinely winding road with several hairpin bends, and songthaews wait at the temple car park for a return trip, or you can flag down another one heading back down.

Fares are agreed informally rather than metered, and it's worth confirming the price — shared or chartered — before you climb in, since this is one of the few parts of getting around Chiang Mai where haggling still matters. If you've just landed, our Chiang Mai airport to the city guide covers getting from the airport into town first.

The newer city bus (RTC)

In recent years Chiang Mai has added electric city bus routes, branded RTC or Chiang Mai City Bus, and one of them now runs up to Doi Suthep from stops in the city. This is worth knowing about as a cheaper, fixed-price alternative to a songthaew, but the network is newer and less established than the songthaew system that's operated for decades — frequency, exact stops and reliability can vary, so check current timetables locally (your hotel or a tourist information point will know the latest) rather than assuming a bus will be waiting.

Driving yourself

Renting a scooter or a car is a popular option, and the road itself is sealed and well-signed, if steep and full of bends. It suits confident riders and drivers only: the combination of switchbacks, occasional fog near the top and other traffic (including songthaews making the same climb) catches out inexperienced scooter riders most years, and this route sees more than its share of accidents involving rented bikes. Parking near the temple is straightforward. Anyone planning to drive more widely in Thailand should also read our driving in Thailand guide before renting.

Organised tours

Half- and full-day tours from Chiang Mai are widely available and typically bundle Doi Suthep with a couple of nearby stops that are awkward to reach independently — a Hmong hill-tribe village at Doi Pui, and sometimes the gardens of Bhubing Palace, the royal family's winter residence, which is open to visitors on days the family isn't in residence. This is the simplest option if you'd rather not deal with songthaew fares or drive the road yourself, and it removes the guesswork around whether the palace gardens happen to be open that day.

Getting up to the temple itself

From the car park, most visitors climb the naga staircase — a steep flight of a few hundred steps flanked by two long serpent balustrades — up to the temple terrace. There's also a funicular tram for anyone who'd rather not climb, running on a separate fare. Either way, it's worth pausing at the top: before you reach the main chedi there are usually good views back over Chiang Mai and the valley below, weather permitting.

The temple and what to see

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of northern Thailand's most important temples, built around a golden chedi said to house a relic of the Buddha, and it draws both pilgrims and sightseers in roughly equal measure. Modest dress is expected — shoulders and knees covered — and there's a small entry fee for non-Thai visitors, separate from any transport cost. The terrace gets busy around midday with tour groups; if you can, aim for earlier or later in the day for a calmer visit and better light for photos.

Which should you choose?

For most visitors, a shared songthaew from the zoo road is the simplest, most flexible option and needs no advance planning. The RTC city bus is worth checking if you want the cheapest fixed-price fare and don't mind a bit of uncertainty over timing. Renting a scooter or car gives you the most freedom, but only if you're a confident rider on winding mountain roads. An organised tour is the easiest choice if you want Doi Suthep combined with the hill-tribe village and palace gardens without arranging transport yourself. Whichever you pick, there's no train and no ordinary city bus route that reaches the temple directly, so budget the transport into your day rather than treating it as an afterthought. Travellers continuing north might also find our guides to Chiang Mai to Pai or Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai useful for planning beyond the city, and our Thailand entry requirements guide is worth checking before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a train to Doi Suthep from Chiang Mai?

No. There's no rail line up the mountain, and no direct express bus service either — the practical options are a shared songthaew, the newer RTC city bus, self-drive, or an organised tour.

How long does the songthaew ride take?

Around 30 to 45 minutes from the stand near Chiang Mai Zoo, depending on how winding a route the driver takes and how many other passengers are being dropped off along the way.

Can I combine Doi Suthep with other sights in one trip?

Yes — most half-day tours pair it with a Hmong village at Doi Pui and, when open, the gardens at Bhubing Palace, both a short distance further up the mountain from the temple.

Is it safe to ride a rented scooter up to Doi Suthep?

Only for confident, experienced riders. The road is sealed but steep and winding, with hairpin bends and mixed traffic, and it's a route where inexperienced riders regularly come unstuck — consider a songthaew or tour instead if you're not confident.