Quick answer: Travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Rai offers several reliable options: flight, bus, train + bus (via Chiang Mai), or private car/taxi. The flight is the fastest; the tourist bus is the most budget-friendly; train + bus gives you a scenic overland route; and private car/taxi offers maximum flexibility. You can book tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Rai easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 800 km by road.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight ~1.5 hours | Bus ~11–14 hours | Train + Bus ~14–17 hours | Car/Taxi ~11–12 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Flight US$ 60–200 pp | Bus US$ 20–35 pp | Train + Bus US$ 25–55 pp | Taxi US$ 270–500.
- ✈️ Flight: Direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Rai Airport in around 1.5 hours.
- 🚍 Bus: Several daily tourist bus services connect Bangkok and Chiang Rai—best for budget travellers.
- 🚆 Train + Bus: Take a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, then continue by bus or minivan to Chiang Rai.
- 🚕 Private Car/Taxi: Private transfer to Chiang Rai, ideal for groups or travellers seeking comfort.
Last updated in November 2025
From Bangkok to Chiang Rai you can get by plane, bus+train, bus, taxi.
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- Travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in Thailand is about 800 km by road. There are 4 ways how you can reach Chiang Rai from Bangkok – take a direct flight, travel by bus, train + bus via Chiang Mai or you can book your private car/taxi. The best and fastest option how to get to Chiang Rai from Bangkok is to take a direct flight. Travel by plane from Bangkok to Chiang Rai Airport takes about 1.5 hour and it costs about $60-200/pp. There are flights from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Another cheap option how to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is to take a tourist bus. Transport by bus to Chiang Rai takes about 11-14 hours and bus tickets cost about $20-35/pp. You can use these bus companies: Sombat Tour, Bangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour or Nakhonchai Air.
- There is no direct train from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, but there is a train to Chiang Mai (about 200 km from Chiang Rai). From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai you can travel by bus or private car, so this is a combination of train of Thai Railways + bus via Chiang Mai. Transfer by train + bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai (via Chiang Mai) takes about 14-17 hours and it costs about $25-55/pp. You can search and book tickets or flights to Chiang Rai from Bangkok online.
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- Chiang Rai – is a remoted province in northern Thailand. It is easily accessible by direct flight from Bangkok or by bus or taxi from Chiang Mai. You can also travel by private car/taxi from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Transport by private car from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes about 11-12 hours and it costs about $270-500/pp. There are some private taxi companies like Jed Yord, Glassflower or Bangkok Taxi 24 between these cities. Chiang Rai is also acccesible from Pai. From Chiang Rai in northern Thailand you can also travel by plane to Krabi in southern Thailand.
| Transfer modes from Bangkok to Chiang Rai: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plane – Direct Flight | 1.5 hours | $60–200 per person |
| Tourist Bus | 11–13 hours | $20–35 per person |
| Train + Bus (via Chiang Mai) | 14–17 hours | $25–55 per person |
| Private Taxi/Car | 11–12 hours | $270–500 per car |
How to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
1. FLIGHT from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
The fastest and most convenient transfer option from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is a direct flight transfer. With this transport option, you can save several hours of your time compared to ground transfer options. Flights are operated from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Rai Airport.
A direct flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand takes about 1.5 hours, so if you include the transfer to the airport in Bangkok and waiting before departure, the total time can be up to about 5 hours. Even so, it is still the fastest transport option between these cities.
Air connections from Bangkok to Chiang Rai will be offered by the airlines Thai Smile, Bangkok Air, Thai VietJet, Thai Air Asia, Nok Air, Hanh Air Systems, Thai Lion Air. Every day, these companies offer you a relatively large number of direct flights to Chiang Rai, and you will definitely choose your suitable connection at the given time.
A direct flight to Chiang Rai from Bangkok costs between $60-200/pp, most of the flights offered on this route are Economy class flights. These flight prices may also vary during the year or seasons and are not fixed.
You can easily search and buy tickets to Chiang Rai from Bangkok online well in advance. When booking a ticket, read all flight information and follow the airlines’ terms and conditions.
2. BUS from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
One option for ground transfer to Chiang Rai from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a bus transfer. On this longer route, you can use modern long-distance and comfortable buses from Sombat Tour, Bangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Nakhonchai Air, Kasemthara Tour, Transport Co, Tara Tour and Travel or Cherdchai Tour North.
Buses of these companies usually depart from Mochit or Prachathipat Budsarakam Tour Station in Bangkok and arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, Mae Sai, Huai Kai, Mae Chan, or other places and stations. You will see this information about departure places in Bangkok and arrival points in Chiang Rai when searching and booking bus tickets, so read everything carefully and see where the station is located.
Transportation by bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes about 11-14 hours, but the stated travel time may vary and may not be strictly observed. Buses also make other stops during the journey, but the time for these stops is usually included in the total journey time. Bus transfers may also be delayed upon departure and during the journey to Chiang Rai.
A bus transfer to Chiang Rai from Bangkok costs in the range of $20-35/pp, so this is a cheaper transportation option that is suitable for most solo and low-cost travelers.
You can easily search and buy tickets to Chiang Rai from Bangkok online in advance. It is advisable to arrive at the departure point in Bangkok well in advance, at least 30-60 minutes before the departure of the bus.
| Bus Operator | Departs in Bangkok | Arrival in Chiang Rai |
|---|---|---|
| Transport Co | 17:30 | 05:30 |
| Transport Co | 19:30 | 07:30 |
| Cherdchai Tour | 17:30 | 05:30 |
| Cherdchai Tour | 19:30 | 07:30 |
| Sombat Tour | 07:00 | 19:20 |
| Sombat Tour | 20:15 | 09:45 |
| Sombat Tour | 17:00 | 04:00 |
| Sombat Tour | 18:30 | 05:30 |
| Budsarakham Tour | 17:00 | 06:35 |
| Budsarakham Tour | 19:50 | 08:10 |
| Bangkok Busline | 09:30 | 22:10 |
| Bangkok Busline | 20:30 | 07:30 |
| Kasemthara Tour | 19:00 | 07:30 |
3. TRAIN + BUS from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
It is not possible to travel directly to Chiang Rai by train, but you can travel by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. And from Chiang Mai you can travel by bus or private car to Chiang Rai. This transport option therefore has 2 steps and the total travel time by train and bus to Chiang Rai can be approx. 14-17 hours.
However, this time may vary and depends on the connecting connection in Chiang Mai. The advantage is also the possibility to stay for a while in Chiang Mai and only then travel to Chiang Rai, e.g. for a trip. Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station or Don Mueang and arrive at Chiang Mai Railway Station, see Thailand Railway Map.
The trains to Chiang Mai will offer you cheaper seats or even more expensive sleeping beds on this long route. Train tickets to Chiang Mai range from $8-50/pp and can be purchased easily online. In the second step, you can use the Greenbus company bus or various private cars/taxi with a driver, a cheaper option is of course a bus transfer.
Bus transportation to Chiang Rai from Bangkok takes about 3-4 hours and tickets cost between $7-12/pp. Again, you can easily buy these tickets to Chiang Rai online. You can also book your private car with a driver, but this is a more expensive but more comfortable transfer option.
Traveling by train and bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai via Chiang Mai is suitable for low-cost and solo travelers who want to visit the very popular city of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. In terms of price, this may be the cheapest option for transportation to Chiang Rai.
4. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
The most expensive transfer option to Chiang Rai from Bangkok is private car/taxi with a driver. On this route, you will be offered modern air-conditioned cars by companies such as Jed Yord, Glassflower, Bangkok Taxi 24, Andaman Taxis, Firstplan Transport Services, Kanokwan Travel, Than Car Service, Torch Taxi, AEC 168 Transport and Travel, Gosafe Transport, Easyride Services and others .
Most of these companies operate smaller classic cars for 1-passenger or even larger SUVs and minivans for more people to Chiang Rai. Smaller minivans in particular can be advantageous for groups of travelers traveling at once.
The advantage of a private taxi transfer is also the choice of your departure point and time in Bangkok and arrival point in Chiang Rai, so you can also save your time.
Transportation by private car/taxi with a driver to Chiang Rai from Bangkok takes about 11-14 hours, but the indicated travel time may vary depending on your travel route. A car/taxi transfer to Chiang Rai from Bangkok will then cost you between $270-700/car, these prices vary depending on the type of car you choose.
Smaller classic cars are usually a cheaper option than larger SUVs or multi-passenger minivans. Once again, you can easily find and book your private chauffeured car to Chiang Rai online ahead of time. When booking, read all transfer information and follow the taxi company’s instructions to avoid any misunderstandings.
| Taxi Service: | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Glassflower | 11:00 | From $400.00 |
| Bangkok Taxi24 | 11:25 | From $370.00 |
| Firstplan Transport | 10:30 | From $280.00 |
| Kanokwan Travel | 11:00 | From $330.00 |
| Than Car Service | 11:35 | From $330.00 |
| Torch Taxi | 10:25 | From $290.00 |
| AEC 168 Transport | 10:25 | From $290.00 |
| Gosafe Transport | 10:25 | From $250.00 |
| Andaman Taxis | 11:30 | From $330.00 |
| Easyride Services | 11:00 | From $260.00 |
❓ FAQ — Travel route from Bangkok to Chiang Rai:
1. How to book tickets, flights, taxi from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- Book tickets, flights or private car/taxi from Bangkok to Chiang Rai on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- You can choose and book another route, e.g. Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai to Bangkok…
2. What is the travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- Travel by plane from Bangkok to Chiang Rai (direct flights) takes about 1.5 hour.
- Travel by tourist bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes about 11-14 hours.
- Travel by train + bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai (via Chiang Mai) takes about 14-17 hours.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes about 11-14 hours.
3. How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- Transfer by plane from Bangkok to Chiang Rai (direct flight) costs about $60-200/pp.
- Transfer by tourist bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai costs about $20-35/pp.
- Transfer by train + bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai costs about $25-55/pp.
- Transfer by private taxi/car from Bangkok to Chiang Rai costs about $270-700/car.
4. What is the travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- Travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in Thailand is about 800 km by road and about 720 km by plane.
5. What is the most cheapest way of transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- The most cheapest way of transfer to Chiang Rai from Bangkok is to travel by tourist bus. Bus tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Rai start at $20/pp. But there are also very cheap low-cost flights, check the current flight schedule before you will choose to travel by bus. You will save some travel time.
6. What is the best and fastest option of transport from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- The best and fastest option how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is to travel by plane. There are direct flights to Chiang Rai Airport from Bangkok every day. This way is also very cheap, direct flight to Chiang Rai from Bangkok start already at $24-40/pp, low-cost travelers can use these flights.
7. Where do you keep your luggage in Bangkok?
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- If you want to keep your luggage in Bangkok city you can try Radical Storage service. This service offers a few places in the city center of Bangkok, it is a cheap and your luggage will be safe.
8. Are there also some private cars or taxi for a group of people?
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- Yes, there are a few private taxi companies between Bangkok and Chiang Rai and they offer modern cars, vehicles, fast luxury minivans or other cars for a group of people. You can also take a private taxi or car from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
9. Is there a direct train from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
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- No, there is no direct train from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. But you can travel by train of Thai Railways to Chiang Mai and from Chiang Mai you can travel by bus or private taxi to Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai city is about 200 km by road from Chiang Mai, teoretically you can also travel on motorbike.
10. How to go back from Chiang Rai to Bangkok?
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- If you want to travel from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, you can use the same way of transport how you arrived to Chiang Rai. So, there are direct flights, tourist buses, bus + train via Chiang Mai or you can also book your private car/taxi.
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💡 Practical Travel Tips for Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes you from Thailand’s bustling capital to the scenic northern landscapes near the borders with Laos and Myanmar. With a range of transport options available, these tips will help you plan a smooth and enjoyable trip.
1. Choose Flights for the Fastest and Most Convenient Journey
Direct flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport take about 1.5 hours. Booking early can secure better fares and preferred flight times.
2. Consider Long-Distance Buses for Budget Travel
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Chiang Rai take around 10-12 hours. VIP buses with reclining seats and onboard amenities offer a comfortable overnight travel option.
3. Plan Your Arrival Time for Easy Transfers
Arriving during daytime hours allows easier access to local transport and attractions. If arriving late, pre-arrange hotel pickups or transport to avoid delays.
4. Use Private Transfers or Car Rentals for Flexibility
Renting a car or booking a private transfer can be convenient if you plan to explore areas outside Chiang Rai city, such as the Golden Triangle or hill tribe villages.
5. Be Prepared for Weather Variations
Northern Thailand can be cooler than Bangkok, especially in the early mornings and evenings. Pack accordingly to stay comfortable throughout your trip.
6. Book Tickets Online in Advance for Peak Seasons
Whether flying or taking the bus, booking in advance is advisable during holidays and festivals to secure your preferred departure times.
7. Explore Scenic Stops Along the Way if Driving
If driving or taking a private transfer, consider stopping at notable sites such as Lampang, Phayao Lake, or Chiang Saen for a richer travel experience.
Tip: Flight, bus, or private transfer tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Rai can be searched and booked online in advance, helping you secure your preferred departure time and comfortable travel — especially during busy seasons.