If you're planning to visit Chiang Mai and want the freedom to explore on your own terms, consider renting a car with HAUP – a Thai car sharing app that will make your trip smoother and more special than ever.
Start Your Journey at Chiang Mai Airport 🚙
After landing, we picked up our rental car directly at Chiang Mai Airport via the HAUP app. It was quick, convenient, and hassle-free. HAUP is simple to use — whether you book in advance or make a last-minute reservation, everything can be done from your smartphone.
✨ HAUP is more than just car rental – it’s true Car Sharing
All vehicles on the platform belong to individual Thai car owners, not large companies.
With HAUP, Thai people get to use cars without owning them, while car owners earn extra income — building a real sharing community.
How to Rent with HAUP:
📱Via www.haupcar.com and the HAUP app
📄 Submit documents online – only a passport and an international driving permit are required
📍 Pick up and return at Chiang Mai Airport with ease
🚙 Choose from a variety of cars that match your travel style
Chiang Mai Highlights:
Discovering Chang Moi Road – Where Old Meets Cool
Our journey began on Chang Moi Road, a district that blends local Lanna charm with modern, creative vibes. The street is lined with indie cafes, craft shops, and cultural gems — perfect for a leisurely stroll and hidden discoveries. 📍 Google Map
Brewginning Café – A Must-Stop for Vintage Coffee Vibes in Chang Moi
If you're exploring the vibrant Chang Moi area and skip Brewginning Café, you're seriously missing out! This café stands out with its unique blend of vintage and industrial design — exposed concrete walls, warm wood accents, and a bold red backdrop that strikes the perfect balance between cool and cozy.
The atmosphere inside is a dream for photography lovers — every corner tells a story. Whether you’re lounging at the indoor bar or enjoying the soft morning sunlight by the window, you’ll be serenaded by mellow old-school tunes that elevate the nostalgic mood.
☕ The coffee menu is equally impressive — from their signature lattes to creative house specials, every cup is worth a try. Whether you're taking a break after exploring the old town or starting your day with a warm brew, Brewginning is the place to be for coffee lovers seeking charm, taste, and a touch of Chiang Mai’s soulful character.
📍 Google Map | Facebook | Instagram
Taitoon Baan (带福办) – A Cozy Morning Meal Like Home
After strolling through the charming streets of Chang Moi in Chiang Mai, don’t miss a chance to recharge with breakfast at Taitoon Baan (带福办) — a small and charming eatery nestled under a traditional Thai wooden house. The high undercroft design and vintage details create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere — just like having breakfast at your grandma’s house.
The interior is simple and thoughtfully designed, blending classic Thai-Chinese heritage with modern rustic touches. The menu focuses on familiar, comforting breakfast staples — nothing fancy, but everything delicious.
🥣 Must-Try Dishes:
Steamed Bread with Thai Custard – delicately sweet, fragrant, and silky smooth
Pan Eggs – generously topped, perfectly seasoned, and served piping hot with crispy toast
Pork Congee – creamy rice porridge with flavorful, handmade pork meatballs
What makes Taitoon Baan truly special isn’t just the food — it’s the feeling. This is the kind of place where a simple breakfast becomes a memorable part of your journey. Sit back, soak up the morning sun, and enjoy easy conversations before the rest of your Chiang Mai adventure unfolds.
📍 Google Map | Facebook | Instagram
Wat Pha Lat – Forest Serenity on the Slopes of Doi Suthep
If you’re looking to experience a quieter, more spiritual side of Chiang Mai, don’t miss Wat Pha Lat — often called the “Hidden Temple” tucked peacefully in the forest along the road to Doi Suthep.
Getting there is easy, especially if you're renting a car in Chiang Mai. The drive from the city is short but scenic, and once you arrive, the atmosphere changes instantly — from urban buzz to pure tranquility.
You'll be welcomed by the gentle sounds of nature — flowing water, rustling leaves, and birdsong. Wat Pha Lat is nestled among large trees, moss-covered stones, and a small stream. Within the grounds, you’ll find a rustic wooden pavilion, ancient-looking chedis, stone paths, and open meditation spaces shaded by the forest canopy.
What makes this temple so special is its unrefined natural beauty. Nothing is overly polished. It retains a raw, peaceful charm that reflects traditional Lanna aesthetics. It's the kind of place where you can walk mindfully, sit in quiet contemplation, or simply breathe in the stillness and reconnect with yourself. 📍 Google Map | Facebook
Baan Kang Wat – Experience Chiang Mai’s True Slow Life
Next on our journey is Baan Kang Wat, a charming little creative community tucked away in Soi Wat Umong, where time seems to slow down and your heart beats in sync with the peaceful rhythm of Chiang Mai.
This cozy, nature-blended village is a haven of creativity, craftsmanship, and calm. It’s a place where local artists, makers, and dreamers come together — and where visitors can wander slowly, soak in the atmosphere, and feel truly connected to the spirit of the city.
Inside the community, you’ll find small wooden houses converted into beautiful little shops and spaces, such as:
🛍 Handcrafted goods and local artisan products
🍛 Authentic Thai eats, both savory and sweet
🧺 Workshops for pottery, painting, and film photography
There’s no rush here. In fact, that’s the charm. You’ll find yourself drawn to the simplicity, the soft sounds of nature, and the heartfelt smiles of the people around. For anyone who appreciates the beauty of slow living, Baan Kang Wat will feel like a home away from home. 📍 Google Map | Facebook | Instagram
Yook Samai 🍛 – Flavors of Thai Classics in a Modern Twist
Don’t miss this warm and welcoming eatery within Baan Kang Wat. Their signature Khao Soi Gai and Shrimp Paste Fried Rice with Mackerel are packed with flavor and love. 📍 Facebook
Obchoei Original Homemade 🍰 – Sweet Thai-Inspired Bakes
A homey bakery offering creative desserts with local Thai ingredients. It’s warm, inviting, and deliciously fragrant inside — just like Chiang Mai hospitality. 📍 Facebook | Instagram
Mae Taeng – Retreat into the Mountains & Green Tea Hills 🌿🍵
About an hour north of Chiang Mai, Mae Taeng is a peaceful getaway with beautiful mountain views, tea farms, and fresh air. The drive itself is scenic and relaxing, especially when you’re in full control with your rental car.
Tea Farms in the Hills
Several farms open their doors to visitors for tea tasting and views over terraced hills. Try your hand at tea making, walk through the plantations, or sit and sip in the mountain breeze.
Driving through Mae Taeng with a rental car from HAUP gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. No rush. No rigid schedules. Just the open road and the freedom to stop anywhere that caught our eye — whether it was a roadside café, a local craft shop, or a scenic mountain viewpoint.
✨ Mae Taeng is the perfect destination for those who want to take a deep breath, leave the chaos behind, and return home recharged — body and soul.
Dhammada Homestay 🏡 – Nature in Its Simplest, Warmest Form
This charming homestay offers a down-to-earth retreat surrounded by rice fields and hills. Wake up to mountain mist and a hot Thai breakfast, lovingly made by your host. 📍 Google Map | Facebook | Tiktok
🍩 Biguri Homemade Soft Donut – A Sweet Finale to Your Chiang Mai Trip
After spending the day surrounded by nature in Mae Taeng, we headed back into Chiang Mai city — but not without making one last stop at the beloved Biguri Homemade Soft Donut.
This cozy little donut shop bakes everything fresh daily. You can smell the sweet, buttery aroma wafting from the door even before you step in. The donuts are soft, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet — never overwhelming. They’re the perfect treat after a hearty meal, or a great gift to bring home.
Recommended Menu:
Classic Sugar-Glazed Donut – simple but incredibly satisfying
Custard-Filled or Thai Tea Donut – creamy and smooth in every bite
Homemade Drinks – from coffee to non-coffee options like green tea and fresh milk
The shop itself is charmingly small with a warm, minimal aesthetic, like stepping into a storybook bakery. There’s limited seating, but just enough space to relax, take photos, and sip something sweet before saying goodbye to Chiang Mai. 📍 Google Map | Facebook | Instagram
Why Choose HAUP for Self-Driving in Chiang Mai?
✅ Support Local – Thai People Renting from Thai People
HAUP is a car-sharing app where 100% of the revenue stays within Thailand, directly supporting local car owners.
✅ Real Cars, Real Variety
Choose from a wide range of vehicles — from everyday rides to premium models and electric cars. There’s something to match every travel style.
✅ Easy, Safe, and Convenient via App
No credit card required. Book, unlock, and return your car all from the HAUP app. Hassle-free pickup and drop-off points, including Chiang Mai Airport.
More Than a Trip — A Shared Journey
This Chiang Mai journey wasn’t just another trip. By choosing HAUP, we supported fellow Thais, enjoyed full freedom, and became part of a true sharing economy. Next time you plan to rent a car in Chiang Mai or anywhere in Thailand, remember:
Enjoy Freedom, Flexibility & Fun
Explore Northern Thailand your way—freely and in your own style. Rent a HAUP car at Chiang Mai Airport today. Choose from various models that match your travel plans anywhere in Thailand.