10 Must-Know Tips for Bike Rental Bangkok in 2024

bike rental Bangkok

1. Find a Good Rental Location

Finding a good rental location is essential for renting a reliable scooter. At Motorcycle Rental Bangkok, we ensure our scooters are well-maintained and ready for your adventures. Our bike rental Bangkok locations are strategically placed near popular tourist destinations, and our staff is always ready to assist you. Reading reviews online before choosing a rental location ensures you get a reliable scooter. Upon arrival, inspect the scooter thoroughly, checking the brakes, lights, and tires. It’s better to discover any issues at the shop rather than during your ride, especially at sunset.

Our favorite rental spot in Thailand: Rent a Scooter

Our favorite rental spot in Bangkok: Motorcycle Rental Bangkok

Our favorite rental spot in Sukhumvit: Motorbike Rental

2. Know Thailand’s Requirements for Driving a Scooter

Legally, you’re supposed to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) with a motorcycle designation or a Thai motorcycle license to ride a scooter here. Most travelers don’t.

I learned the hard way that not having one can lead to fines (500 baht a pop).

More importantly, your travel insurance likely won’t cover you in case of an accident without the correct license.

3. Choose a Reliable Motorbike Rental Shop

Don’t just walk into the first shop you see.

At Motorcycle Rental Bangkok, we pride ourselves on our reputation for reliability and excellent customer service. Do some digging online for recent reviews on Google and Facebook to avoid potential headaches.

4. Choose Your Bike

A good bike rental Bangkok shop will ask about your riding plans to recommend the right scooter.

Always opt for a newer model if possible, but if you’re like me and want to avoid fuss over scratches, ask for a bike that already has some.

Don’t forget to check the essentials like tires and mirrors. A cell phone holder can be a game-changer for navigation – I always ask to borrow one from the shop if they have any.

5. Negotiate the Price

Everything’s negotiable in Thailand, but your price may vary based on the season and demand.

Depending on where you’re renting the scooter and what the current demand is, you’ll probably pay about 150-350 baht per day for a bike rental Bangkok. The longer your rental period, the more haggling you can do.

I’ve managed to get my bike rental Bangkok down to less than 100 baht per day for long-term rentals by negotiating.

Remember, a few dollars less for you can mean a lot for local businesses, so keep it fair. And don’t be a jerk – you can haggle while being polite.

6. Finalize the Rental

You’ll likely need to fill out a form, pay upfront in cash, and leave a cash deposit.

At Motorcycle Rental Bangkok, we always opt for the cash deposit over leaving your passport – nobody holds onto your passport besides you!

The cash deposit is usually between 1,000-5,000 baht, depending on how long you’re renting.

Clarify the insurance coverage for the bike with the shop to avoid surprises—many shops insure the bikes in case of damage, but not the rider.

7. Save the Shop’s Contact Info on Your Phone

This is crucial. If anything goes wrong, you need to be able to reach your rental shop quickly.

I had to do this when a friend’s bike broke down many miles from Chiang Mai, and having the shop’s contact saved us a lot of trouble.

They were able to speak directly to the local mechanic and coordinate the repair. We were back on the road an hour later.

8. Inspect the Scooter and Document Its Condition

Always, always take photos and videos of the scooter before leaving the shop.

This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage. Also, note the gas level to return it as received.

I’ve heard countless stories from travelers who rent a scooter in Thailand about how they had to pay for damage that was already on the bike (another reason to research the best shops).

9. Wear a Full Face Helmet

Wearing a helmet when riding a scooter in Thailand is legally required and just plain smart. It can be a literal lifesaver.

But I recommend you go a step further and wear a full-face helmet.

I met a traveler with a huge leg scar from a motorbike accident in Thailand. He credited his full-face helmet with saving all his teeth in an accident. Now, I’ll never ride a scooter without one.

If the rental shop doesn’t offer full-face helmets, consider buying one.

10. Get Around Thailand Without a Scooter

Finally, it’s totally okay to explore Thailand without ever touching a scooter.

As your travel godmother, I strongly recommend thinking twice about it – the number of accidents involving travelers riding motorbikes in Thailand is HUGE.

Plenty of other transportation options like Grab, buses, and Songthaews are safer, especially in busy areas like Bangkok.

So don’t feel pressured to rent a scooter just because it’s popular – your safety should always come first.