Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Tue, Jul 14
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2 Passengers
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

J
Joshua
It was amazing ! Super efficient bus leaves on time ! Would recommend to arrive at bus terminal 30 mins before intended time . Boarding 15 mins before . Bus is super clean , there is a toilet in the bus (clean) Have to use bidet to flush . If you are particular about your toilet , they have 1 pit stop 4 hrs into the ride Overall super happy with this trip
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Jul 7, 2026
GR
Gregor R
Rude host/ess. Most uncomfortable bus seats for sleeping 💤 ever. Ergonomically extreme bad design. I sleep easy everywhere but this ride gave me massive back, neck and headaches.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus VIP 20, Sombat Tour (สมบัติ ทัวร์), Jul 6, 2026
K
Katharina
totally fine just the ac is crazy and you can’t turn it off. there is 2 hole ac things over your head and you can simply close them but hvere is another one that’s always putting tornados on your head so we were freezing like crazy and we got sick. i don’t know who survives that.. pack socks, long sleeves and a sweater and if you have something for your head. ac‘s are the most under-feared things when it comes to getting sick
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Cherdchai Tour North, Jul 5, 2026
R
Richard
Very frustrating service - incredibly rude staff member. Very bumpy journey, impossible to sleep. Bus stopped unnecessarily multiple times on the journey for no purpose other than the drivers - very disappointed overall
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Jul 2, 2026
AR
Amy R
A sleeper bus would be more comfortable for this journey but otherwise okay and stopped half way through for 20 minutes which was good.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Jun 23, 2026
AW
Angus W
Safely got us to our destination and enjoyed the buffet
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Jun 21, 2026
RL
Ralph L
Bus seats were very comfortable and reclined enough to sleep. Gave us water and snacks which I didn’t eat but still nice. Smooth ride
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Gold Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Jun 21, 2026
EN
Edilyn N
It was great service. Departure and arrival on time. They serve snacks and water and a blanket too!
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Jun 20, 2026
OA
Oscar A
Comfortable space, enough legspace for a tall person, very kind crew, nice snacks and arrival on time.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Jun 19, 2026
C
Charlotte
This bus service was the best that I have used so far in Thailand. From the driver to the assistance inside the bus, the service was spectacular. The seats were comfortable, the bus was clean, the toilet was clean, the driver was cautious and drove with care of his cargo. I've taken this trip many times in the past year with other services where the drivers sped through the mountains, and at one point almost crashed. This driver made me feel safe and relaxed, and I truly appreciate that. He was on time and professional. One thing that would help is if the assistance spoke English when making announcements, and if they could use a speaker system. The lady spoke so softly and I have a hard time hearing. Otherwise, everything was perfect and I would use this service again.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Standard, Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด), Jun 16, 2026
4.4
7770 customer reviews
5
53%
4
30%
3
12%
2
5%
1
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
06:00
16:30
€15.61
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
07:00
17:55
€14.22
  3.9
Transport Co
Standard
07:25
00:46
€15.61
  4.5
Sombat Tour
Express 44
08:00
18:30
€15.61
  4.3
Nakhonchai Air
Gold Class
08:30
18:38
€18.21
  4.4
Sombat Tour
Express 44
09:00
19:30
€18.21
  4.3
Viriya Tour
Intercity
09:50
20:00
€15.61
  3.8
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
10:15
20:26
€24.28
  4.7
Sritawong Tour
Express
12:00
22:55
€14.22
  3.9
Sombat Tour
Express 44
13:00
23:30
€18.21
  4.3
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
14:00
00:30
€15.61
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
15:00
01:55
€18.21
  3.9
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
16:00
02:30
€15.61
  4.5
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
17:30
03:15
€24.28
  4.6
Sritawong Tour
Express
18:00
04:55
€18.21
  3.9
Budsarakham Tour
Express
18:30
06:45
€18.21
  4.1
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
18:50
05:20
€15.61
  4.5
Sombat Tour
VIP 24
19:15
08:15
€30.01
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
19:35
06:05
€15.61
  4.5
Bangkok Busline
VIP 24
19:55
05:55
€24.28
  4.5

How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Bangkok from Chiang Mai?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 868 km between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus?

Buses normally need between 8h 40m and 17h 21m hours to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Budsarakham Tour (บุษราคัมทัวร์) offers the fastest service. Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Bangkok and Chiang Mai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) and costs EUR 18.00. A Tour with Thai (ที ดับบลิว ที ทัวร์วิทไทย)'s ticket will set you back EUR 18.00 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Facts about the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Cheapest Bus€19
Fastest Bus8h 40m
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus9:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes64
Distance868 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Cherdchai Tour North, Kittikarn Tour, Montanatip, Nakhonchai Air, Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Tour with Thai, Transport Co, Van2Travel Train, Viriya Tour