1. Train to Chiang Mai
2. Bus to Chiang Mai
3. Flight to Chiang Mai
4. Taxi to Chiang Mai
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🎫 Book Ticket Online
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai you can travel by train, bus, taxi or plane.
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- Spanning approximately 700 kilometers by land, the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in Thailand presents travelers with four distinct transportation options, each offering its unique experience. Adventurous souls can embark on a scenic train ride or opt for a comfortable sleeper bus, while those seeking speed may prefer a quick and convenient direct flight to Chiang Mai Airport or the convenience of a private taxi or car. Travelers can choose from modern buses and trains operated by Thai Railways, with sleeper trains taking about 10-14 hours and tourist buses completing the journey in approximately 8-12 hours.
- Bus tickets typically range from $19 to $31 per person, while train tickets start at $8-10 for seats and $22 for sleeper trains (2nd class). For those prioritizing speed, direct flights offer a travel time of just 1-1.5 hours, making it the fastest option. And sometimes there are also very cheap low-cost direct flights to Chiang Mai. The last way is to book a private taxi/car with a driver for transfer to Chiang Mai, it is the most expensive option of traveling from Bangkok.
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- Located approximately 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai stands as one of northern Thailand’s most sought-after destinations, boasting a mountainous landscape dotted with Buddhist temples, pagodas, and captivating attractions. Travelers can choose from four transportation options to reach this enchanting city: Thai Railways trains, tourist buses or vans, direct flights, or private taxis or cars. Opting for a direct flight offers the quickest and most comfortable journey, with various low-cost airlines providing affordable options.
- Alternatively, train travel offers a unique opportunity to witness the country’s scenic beauty, despite the longer travel time. Chiang Mai serves as an excellent starting point for exploring northern Thailand’s wonders, making it a must-visit destination. Before embarking on your journey, familiarize yourself with Chiang Mai’s weather conditions by reading our informative article. Plan your trip to Chiang Mai today and immerse yourself in the beauty of northern Thailand.
| Transfer Mode – Bangkok to Chiang Mai: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plane (direct flight) | 1-1.5 hours | $30-150/pp |
| Train by Thai Railways | 10-14.5 hours | $9-50/pp (seats, sleeper berths) |
| Tourist Bus | 8-12 hours | $19-31/pp |
| Private Car / Taxi | 8-10 hours | $240-550/car |
How do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
1. TRAIN from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
A popular and cheap ground transfer option from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a train transfer. Thai trains run on this route with 1st to 3rd class seats and sleepers, 1st Class Sleeper, 2nd Class AC seats only, 2nd Class Sleeper AC or FAN, Class II Ladies Only, 3rd class aircon + nonaircon.
Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station or Don Mueang and arrive at Chiang Mai Railway Station, see Thailand railway map. Both railways are located in city centers, so you will have everything immediately within easy reach. The journey by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes between 10-14.5 hours, depending on the type of train, usually the given times are respected, at most there may be a shorter delay.
A train transfer can be very cheap, but it depends on which comfort class you choose and whether you choose a seat or a sleeper. Most travelers prefer a sleeper bed, as it is a longer rail route. Beds are always the more expensive option on the train. Train transportation to Chiang Mai from Bangkok costs in the range of $8-50/pp, seats in the 3rd class of the train are the cheapest, but offer the least comfort, a sleeper bed is a more comfortable option.
You can easily search and buy train tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai online. You don’t need to print these tickets, you just have to save them on your phone and when you get on the train you can prove yourself with their QR code.
However, when booking a train ticket to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, always read the current information and instructions for the transfer and follow all the instructions given. Train transfer in Thailand is the best option for low-cost travelers who have a more limited budget for their travel.
2. BUS from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Another land transport option to Chiang Mai from Bangkok can be a bus transfer. Very modern and comfortable buses run on this route by various companies such as Bangkok Busline, Sombat Tour, Lignite Tour (PK), New Viriya, Siam First, Sritawong Tour, Transport Co, Nakhonchai Air, Budsarakham Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Cherdchai Tour and others.
The bus timetable for buses to Chiang Mai is relatively extensive and there are plenty of buses between these cities every day as well as on the return journey. The bus transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 8-12 hours, but the indicated travel times may vary slightly and the buses may also be delayed during the journey.
Buses can depart from various places or stations in Bangkok such as Mochit, Khao San and others, and in Chiang Mai they usually arrive at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 or Chiang Mai NCA Bus Terminal or other places. Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 is approximately 3 km from the city center.
A bus trip to Chiang Mai from Bangkok costs between $19-31/pp, depending on the type of bus, these prices are roughly the same throughout the year. Bus tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are again easy to find and buy online in advance. When reserving a ticket, read all the instructions and information about the bus transfer again and observe the current and valid conditions of transport.
It is also advisable to arrive at the bus station in Bangkok at least 30-60 minutes before the bus departure. The bus transfer to Chiang Mai is not a bad option, in some cases it is even faster than the train journey, but the fare can be a bit more expensive than the train journey.
3. DIRECT FLIGHT from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
If you prefer the fastest and most comfortable transfer option to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, you also have a direct flight connection available. There are plenty of direct flights on this route from airlines such as Nok Air, Air Asia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Air, Thai Smile, VietJet Air and others.
Sometimes these direct flights can be a relatively cheap way to get to Chiang Mai, and as a result, you can save a few hours of time compared to land transport options. However, it is also advisable to include the transfer to the airport in Bangkok and the wait before departure.
Air transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1-1.5 hours, depending on the company, in total, including the transfer to the airport and waiting before departure, it is about 5 hours. Flights are operated from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok to Chiang Mai International Airport, which is approximately 5 km from the city center.
A direct flight to Chiang Mai from Bangkok will cost you between $30-150/pp, depending on the airline, the cheapest flights are usually offered by Thai AirAsia, which operates several flights every day. You can easily find and book flights to Chiang Mai online in advance, the earlier you search for a ticket, the cheaper the flight can be.
Again, read all flight information and instructions and follow airline guidelines when booking your flight. A direct flight is probably the best transport option from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and is suitable for those who want to skip other places to visit and prefer the fastest option.
4. PRIVATE TAXI / CAR from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
If you are looking for a private transfer as a transportation option to Chiang Mai from Bangkok in Thailand, you can also use this option. This is, of course, the most expensive transport option between these cities, but it is comfortable and guarantees privacy and comfort during the journey.
Companies such as Bangkok Taxi 24, MCC Van, Team Holiday, Glassflower, Thailand Limo by Datum, N and T Travel, Go2Trip, SmartEn Plus, Kanokwan and others will offer you a private transfer in modern cars to Chiang Mai. All these companies offer modern and comfortable smaller classic cars, SUVs and even minivans for those traveling in a group of several people at once.
These minivans can be suitable for group travel and you can budget the fare per passenger. Transportation by private car with a driver from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 8-10 hours, but this time may vary slightly, depending on your route. You can choose your departure point in Bangkok and your arrival point in Chiang Mai.
BOOK TAXI / CAR to Chiang Mai ➜
Transfer by private car / taxi with driver to Chiang Mai costs between $240-550/vehicle, but it depends on the type of car you choose. The general rule is that smaller classic cars for 1-3 passengers are a cheaper transport option than larger SUVs or modern luxury minivans and minibuses for more people.
You can easily search and book your private chauffeured car to Chiang Mai from Bangkok online ahead of time. Transport by private car/taxi will not be a suitable option for low-cost travelers due to the higher price for the transfer.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
1. How to book tickets + flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- Book tickets + flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai online on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- you can also book another tickets or flights for another popular tourist places in Thailand
2. What is the travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- Travel by plane (direct flight) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1-1.5 hour.
- Travel by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 10-14.5 hours.
- Travel by tourist bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 8-12 hours.
- Travel by van/private car from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 8-10 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- Travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about 700 km.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- Transfer by plane (direct flight) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs about $30-150/pp.
- Transfer by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs about $9-50/pp (depends on the class).
- Transfer by tourist bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs about $19-31/pp.
- Transfer by private car/van from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs about $240-550/car.
5. What type of trains you can use for transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- You can book 1st, 2nd and 3rd class of Thai Railways trains to Chiang Mai. The most cheapest class is the 3rd class train – seats, but it is recommended for tourists to book 1st or 2nd class air-conditioned trains. There are also sleeper berths in these trains of Thai Railways.
6. What is the most cheapest way of transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- The most cheapest way of transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to travel by train – 3rd class – seat, train ticket for this class costs about $8-10/pp. But if you are looking for comfortable way of transport, you should choose and book definitely 1st or 2nd class train (seat or berth).
7. What is the best way of transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- The best way of transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to travel by plane. There are various direct flights every day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and these flights are sometimes very cheap. Low-cost flights to Chiang Mai start already at $30 and are operated by various airlines from Thailand.
8. How to go back from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
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- From Chiang Mai to Bangkok you can travel by train, bus or plane. The same way how you arrived to Chiang Mai. There are tourist buses and trains + direct flights to Bangkok every day. From Chiang Mai you can also travel by plane to another popular tourist places in Thailand.
9. Where to go from Chiang Mai?
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- From Chiang Mai you can travel to Chiang Rai or Nan. Chiang Rai is another popular tourist site in northern Thailand and it is about 190 km by land. There are some local tourist buses on this route and you can book bus tickets on 12go.asia. There is no railway between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and Nan. You can also visit beautiful mountain province of Mae Hong Son. Teoretically you can go to Laos and visit Luang Prabang.
10. What is the quality of the buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
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- From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you can use various modern to almost luxurious large buses that have various amenities, a charger, an LCD TV and or even a toilet in the vehicle. You will see all this information when searching for tickets.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Chiang Mai ➜
🚆 Train Schedule / Timetable – Bangkok to Chiang Mai + Train Tickets:
Train Schedule - Bangkok to Chiang Mai | Departs in Bangkok | Arrival in Chiang Mai | Book train ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Thai Railway SP7 | 09:05 | 19:30 | From $17.00 |
Thai Railway SP13 | 20:05 | 08:40 | From $9.00 |
Thai Railway EX51 | 22:30 | 12:10 | From $8.00 |
Thai Railway RP109 | 14:15 | 04:05 | From $7.00 |
Thai Railway SP9 | 18:40 | 07:15 | From $32.00 |
🚍 Bus Schedule / Timetable – Bangkok to Chiang Mai + Bus Tickets:
Bus Schedule - Bangkok to Chiang Mai | Departure in Bangkok | Arrival in Chiang Mai | Bus Ticket - Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Bangkok Busline | 06:00 | 16:30 | From $20.00 |
Bangkok Busline | 14:00 | 23:30 | From $20.00 |
Bangkok Busline | 16:00 | 01:30 | From $23.00 |
Bangkok Busline | 18:50 | 04:20 | From $20.00 |
Bangkok Busline | 20:00 | 06:00 | From $30.00 |
Bangkok Busline | 20:35 | 06:05 | From $20.00 |
Sritawong Tour | 07:00 | 17:55 | From $19.00 |
Sritawong Tour | 08:00 | 17:45 | From $27.00 |
Sritawong Tour | 12:00 | 22:55 | From $19.00 |
Sritawong Tour | 19:00 | 06:00 | From $27.00 |
Sritawong Tour | 20:30 | 06:15 | From $27.00 |
Sombat Tour | 07:00 | 17:30 | From $31.00 |
Sombat Tour | 08:00 | 18:30 | From $27.00 |
Sombat Tour | 13:00 | 23:30 | From $23.00 |
Sombat Tour | 18:00 | 04:30 | From $23.00 |
Sombat Tour | 19:25 | 05:55 | From $31.00 |
Sombat Tour | 20:10 | 06:40 | From $23.00 |
Sombat Tour | 21:00 | 07:30 | From $31.00 |
Transport Co | 07:25 | 00:46 | From $20.00 |
Transport Co | 18:10 | 11:31 | From $20.00 |
Transport Co | 19:50 | 13:11 | From $20.00 |
Nakhonchai | 08:30 | 18:43 | From $22.00 |
Nakhonchai | 10:00 | 20:16 | From $22.00 |
Nakhonchai | 18:30 | 04:43 | From $22.00 |
Nakhonchai | 20:01 | 05:46 | From $30.00 |
Nakhonchai | 21:15 | 07:00 | From $30.00 |
Nakhonchai | 21:45 | 06:40 | From $30.00 |
🚕 Taxi Schedule / Timetable – Bangkok to Chiang Mai + Prices:
Taxi Schedule - Bangkok to Chiang Mai | Travel time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
N and T Travel | 09:00 | From $290.00 |
Go2Trip | 10:00 | From $319.00 |
SmartEn Plus | 11:00 | From $429.00 |
Kanokwan | 10:00 | From $283.00 |
Bangkok Taxi 24 | 09:55 | From $269.00 |
Bangkok Taxi 24 | 09:40 | From $249.00 |
12Go Transfer | 08:30 | From $325.00 |
Glassflower | 09:00 | From $252.00 |
Glassflower | 09:00 | From $337.00 |
Thailand Limo | 08:00 | From $431.00 |
Thailand Limo | 09:00 | From $441.00 |
Thailand Limo | 10:00 | From $428.00 |
Jed Yord | 10:00 | From $499.00 |
MCC VAN | 08:00 | From $335.00 |
BOOK Your HOTEL in Chiang Mai ➜