I have booked my flight to pay a visit to Chiang Mai next month. I know Wat Doi Suthep is a scenic spot that I cannot miss. Can anyone tell me how can I get there from my hotel (Pornping Tower Hotel)? Or how much does it cost me if I take a taxi or other kind of transport?

Thanks in advance for any input!

most expensive is private taxi or tour, cheapest and maybe most fun , take a songteaw, red truck to wat prahsing , (20baht) at wat prahsing there will be a line of red trucks waiting for you, something like 40-60 baht to get to the temple on doi suthep. same cost to return. do not use a rental scooter unless you are highly skilled, the road is "challenging".

As said - have not done in a decade but believe same route (they will understand Doi Suthep) - you take normal city truck to base of mountain (Wat) and then change to another for the trip up. Same route in reverse. Easy as very popular route.

I think the road is fine for scooters or motorbikes, it's just the other idiots who are also driving/riding on the road that make it a bit challenging. Expect most vehicles to cut corners and change lanes whenever they feel like it, They will also overtake on blind corners either while going up or coming down the hill.

At least on a bike you have some resembalance of control as to where you are going and how. Tuktuks and Songteaws drive where and how they want quite often with little thought of passengers comfort or safety.

But hey thousands of people use them and survive. All part of the adventure and yes it's a great spot to look over Chiang Mai, especially now as it's not the burning season.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your stay

I didn't know there were Doi Suthep transports (baht busses) hanging around Wat Phrasing but, presuming that's true, that'd be the way to go. Or alternatively, there usually are multiple baht busses sitting near the zoo entrance (which is at the base of the mountain) which will haul you up there (but, last I knew, they were charging 100 baht per person each way).

Most comfortable way is by car so at least ask the tour desk at the Porn Ping how much they'd charge for a driver and "x" number of hours (I would think 2-3 hours up there is enough). If you do the private car/taxi route, you might want to consider adding a stop at Phuping Palace too.

I think the road is fine for scooters or motorbikes, it's just the other idiots who are also driving/riding on the road that make it a bit challenging. Expect most vehicles to cut corners and change lanes whenever they feel like it, They will also overtake on blind corners either while going up or coming down the hill.

At least on a bike you have some resembalance of control as to where you are going and how. Tuktuks and Songteaws drive where and how they want quite often with little thought of passengers comfort or safety.

But hey thousands of people use them and survive. All part of the adventure and yes it's a great spot to look over Chiang Mai, especially now as it's not the burning season.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your stay

Have heard the most common mishap is decending too quickly then panic braking just as they hit a wet, oil or gravel patch.... ouch.

You can walk up or down on the pilgrims trail.http://www.adventuretravelseasia.com/2014/11/doi-suthep/

Your hotel will have a tour centre and there are at least half dozen travel agents within a couple of hundred yards of your hotel

Why not combine the Doi Suthep trip with a few other attractions. This time of the year the packages are cheap and you will be picked up and returned to your hotel.

Thnx 4 the link, cnxbkkman. i'll be on it soon. i miss a good hike in the woods.

Why is the hotel that bad?

Hire a bicycle,

About 200 people cycle it every morning.

Have heard the most common mishap is decending too quickly then panic braking just as they hit a wet, oil or gravel patch.... ouch.

Most of the accidents I have seen are on the way up.

Hire a bicycle,

About 200 people cycle it every morning.

You beat me to it!

I think the road is fine for scooters or motorbikes, it's just the other idiots who are also driving/riding on the road that make it a bit challenging. Expect most vehicles to cut corners and change lanes whenever they feel like it, They will also overtake on blind corners either while going up or coming down the hill.

At least on a bike you have some resembalance of control as to where you are going and how. Tuktuks and Songteaws drive where and how they want quite often with little thought of passengers comfort or safety.

But hey thousands of people use them and survive. All part of the adventure and yes it's a great spot to look over Chiang Mai, especially now as it's not the burning season.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your stay

And check out this post which shows a video of the type of driver you may encounter along the way.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/847104-video-car-drives-into-moat-by-ram-hospital/?p=9717018

Yep certainly Chinese driver.....funny to watch but some serious outcomes for other people whom happen to be nearby. Gotta keep your wits about you.

Thank you for all the inputs posted!

You can go to the ZOO to see the Pandas, using a tuktuk, 80thb and from there getting another tuctuc or a songtel 60thb. The challenge is too get one for the return at normal price.....or wait for the chance to share the ride with others in the same situation.

Many people think that Wat Phra that Doi Kham is a better, less touristy visit than Doi Suthep. a few kilometres left as you face the same range, and great views of the city over the airport.

Check out tripadvisor to see if its for you.