Thailand by Motorcycle
Motorcycle routes through Thailand's mountains and back country, with distances, bike size, the best months to go and video from creators who have filmed the roads.
Thailand is a good country for a motorcycle trip. The roads are sealed, and fuel and food are never far away. A guesthouse bed costs little. An hour out of any city you're on quiet tarmac, winding through rice fields and villages most visitors never see. Each ride below gives you the route stop by stop, so you can plan real days in the saddle.
Rides
- Northern Thailand · from Chiang Mai Mae Hong Son Loop The mountain circuit every rider in Thailand talks about
- Distance
- About 600 km
- Time
- 4 to 6 days
- Bike
- 150cc or more
- Road
- Paved all the way
- Northern Thailand · from Nan town Nan and Highway 1081 Quiet mountain roads and the bend shaped like a 3
- Distance
- About 200 km
- Time
- 1 to 2 days
- Bike
- 150cc or more
- Road
- Paved, steep in places
Before you rent a motorcycle in Thailand
Renting is easy, and a shop will have you on the road in minutes. Four things are worth sorting out before you get that far.
- Licence. A motorcycle licence from home, plus an International Driving Permit you get before you fly.
- Insurance. Travel cover that names motorcycles and the engine size you'll ride.
- Helmet. On your head and done up, rider and passenger. It's the law, and the fine is up to 2,000 baht.
- Passport. It stays with you. Leave a copy and a cash deposit with the rental shop.
Touring Thailand by motorcycle
Where to ride
Most motorcycle touring in Thailand starts in the north. Chiang Mai is the main base, with the widest choice of rental bikes and the Mae Hong Son Loop right on its doorstep. Further east, Nan has the same kind of mountain road with a fraction of the traffic. Isan, the west and the south each ride differently. The country is flatter there, with river roads and coast.
Which bike
A 110 or 125cc scooter is fine for towns, islands and short day trips. For mountain routes with long climbs, most riders choose 150cc or more, and you'll be glad of it with a passenger or luggage. Bigger touring and adventure bikes are easy to rent in Chiang Mai and Bangkok if that's what you ride at home.
When to go
The best months for a motorcycle trip in northern Thailand are November to February, when it's cool and dry. Late February to April brings smoke and heat, and June to October is the rainy season. The southern coasts keep their own calendar. See when to go, month by month.
How long you need
A day is enough for a loop out of Chiang Mai or Nan. The classic motorcycle routes take four to six days. With two weeks you can link the north together at an easy pace and take rest days in the towns you like.
Featured creator
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Mae Hong Son Loop · 18 min
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Nan and Highway 1081 · 18 min
Common questions
Can you travel Thailand by motorcycle?
Yes. The roads are sealed, and fuel and places to stay are easy to find. You can rent anything from a small scooter to a large touring bike. You need a motorcycle licence from home, an International Driving Permit and travel insurance that covers riding.
What is the best motorcycle route in Thailand?
The Mae Hong Son Loop from Chiang Mai is the best known, about 600 km of mountain road through Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang. Riders who want quieter roads often choose Nan province and Highway 1081 to Bo Kluea.
Where is the best place to rent a motorcycle in Thailand?
Chiang Mai has the widest choice for touring, from scooters to large adventure bikes, and it is the start of the main northern routes. Bangkok also has big bike rental, and most towns and islands rent scooters.
What size motorcycle do you need for Thailand?
A 110 or 125cc scooter is enough for towns and short trips. For mountain routes such as the Mae Hong Son Loop, most riders choose 150cc or more, especially with a passenger or luggage.
When is the best time for a motorcycle trip in Thailand?
November to February for the north, when it is cool and dry. Late February to April is smoky and hot in the north, and June to October is the rainy season across most of the country.
Not riding?
Most of these roads work just as well by car or with a driver. See our travel routes, or go the slow way with Thailand by Train.