Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Tue, Dec 31
+ Add return
NaN Passengers
 
 
 
 
 

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Jed Yord SUV 4pax Any time฿ 22,451
Thai AirAsia Economy #FD341605:10 - 06:20฿ 1,111
Thai AirAsia Economy #FD344507:30 - 08:40฿ 2,968
Thai AirAsia Economy #FD343509:15 - 10:30฿ 1,331
Cebu Pacific Economy 11:15 - 00:35฿ 11,166
Nok Air Economy #DD13413:45 - 15:05฿ 2,879
Thai AirAsia Economy #FD343115:45 - 17:00฿ 2,490
Nok Air Economy #DD13416:40 - 17:50฿ 1,929
Thai Railways Class II Sleeper AC 18:40 - 07:15฿ 1,338
Thai AirAsia Economy #FD843920:00 - 21:15฿ 1,276
Nakhonchai Air Gold Class 22:20 - 07:40฿ 743

Transportation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Facts about the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Cheapest Bus$20
Fastest Bus9h 33m
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus9:15 PM
Daily Bus Routes31
Distance692 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Cherdchai Tour North, Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour, Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Transport Co, Viriya Tour

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

AO
Nice way to move between city in Thailand. They give you food, water, blanket. Cozy seats. Way better than sleep on a plane.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 26, 2024
C
After much hesitation and letdowns from my inability to book the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I chose an overnight bus. I want to take a moment to review- This bus in particular was organized, on time for pick up, punctual with the arrival, had reclining seats, AC, lights off for better sleep, provided a blanket, and had a abundance of leg and bag storage/space. What more can you ask for?! There was a faint smell of bathroom odor is the only flaw I can relay.. but what can you expect if your on a bus with a toilet attached?! I’d rather that than have no toilet and suffer from not being able to stop when needed. Anyone who wants to complain about this bus should get a clue! These are highly efficient and cost friendly busses that provided comfort and great execution for a 10+ hour journey. All the negative reviews are likely entitled and unappreciative westerners or inexperienced and spoiled travelers who will complain about anything just to try make a point. If you can count the blessings and see through the imperfections you will likely enjoy your trip as much as I did- It was a breeze of a journey. ** This is a budget friendly option in a 3rd world country! It’s not perfect, but that’s part of the experience. This is a far more seamless option than navigating through airports, security, and all of the other taxis and transfers to and from airports. I will surely use this mode of transportation again for trips through Thailand.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Dec 26, 2024
OB
The old man who drive the VIP bus of Sritawong Tour, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, used to open lound Chinese-Thai music during 10 hours and speak very loud also with staff during all the trip. This Christmas night was a nightmare, can not sleep at all even the VIP bus was very comfortable.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Dec 26, 2024
MS
On time, Worn seats, but okay. Too loud announcements… felt like sitting next to a loudspeaker at a rock concert, came through good ear plugs …
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus VIP 33, Sombat Tour (บริษัท เทพสมบัติ จำกัด), Dec 21, 2024
LE
Very good quality for the price paid. Plenty of space for the feet and chairs will incline. Bathroom was available and few stop for eating.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Intercity, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Dec 15, 2024
CE
The Ride was really great. The Seats are wide and Comfortable that you will have not trouble to sleep in it. They offered snacks in the beginning together with some water and a juice. At some point there was a small decent meal (dont expect anything fancy) and towards the end there was a small snack with a soymilk. The Toilet worked fine and was clean. The Entertainment System however was not what I expected. The GPS function did not work, the same was true for the front camera. Under Music I could not find anything and I think the Films just did not work. So, better be prepared, bring something to read, or a batterypack for your mobile device so you have some entertainment over this 10hour journey. If you‘re lucky and have a window seat, you can also enjoy to look out.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 13, 2024
EL
The whole bus ride went really smooth and the seat are very nice! I
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Dec 11, 2024
EZ
Free snacks but very uncomfortable
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Gold Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 10, 2024
FL
good food, but the hard seats make long trips uncomfortable, causing waist pain. Additionally, the toilets have an unpleasant smell.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Intercity, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Dec 10, 2024
H
Wonderful experience Would book again and travel with this company
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 8, 2024
4.4
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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 692 km between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

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

Buses normally need between 9h 33m 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, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์) 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 USD 19.08. A Sritawong Tour's ticket will set you back USD 19.08 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.