Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Sat, Jun 20
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

MB
Micthell B
Air conditioned seats go back quite far and got a decent sleep. Would recommend for the money
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Mar 23, 2026
AM
Alicia M
Excellent driving. Very kind assistant
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Mar 20, 2026
F
Franck
Parfait. Repas offert.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Mar 19, 2026
GM
Graciela M
Everything was great except there was so instructions or information given out. Like when we stopped I had no idea how long we had and apparently you could also use your ticket at the gas station for a meal? Also didn’t know that until after it was too late. This information definitely needs to be better communicated otherwise everything else was great!
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Mar 17, 2026
GA
Grant A
Not set up for people visiting this Amazing Country ! No communication on the trip, other than with Thais ( due to language barriers ) Tourists asking one and other, What are we stopping for and how long ? ? Toilet break - meal break ? ? or just picking up passengers ? A COUPLE OF SIGNS THAT COULD BE DISPLAYED WHEN STOPPING ( would be nice ) and how much further and how much longer to the destination from major stops would also be appreciated.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Mar 16, 2026
SM
Sadia M
The bus left 30 minutes late. It was well after midnight when we arrived. The reason behind my low scores are because…. 1. They stopped for food and let no one else off. 2. I went to the bathroom, flushed the toilet, and ALL of the toilet water came out of the bowl and on to the floor and my shoes. 3. Instead of fixing the broken AC unit above my seat, someone thought it best to zip tie it together. I couldn’t adjust the direction of the air blowing on me. And because I am a woman of a certain age, I experienced a HOT FLASH, and could not cool myself off. I had to lean over my daughter to try to get any air I could. So I had to sit on the bus smelling like toilet water and hot as all literal hell as the flames of hades radiated out of my body.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Sritawong Tour, Mar 16, 2026
NB
Nikkie B
Bus was very old, chargers were not good. Lights weren’t working. Not what we expected for a ‘Super VIP Bus’
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour, Mar 16, 2026
DS
Daniel S
The food not great at all
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Sritawong Tour, Mar 14, 2026
BM
Briana M
The trip was great, bus was cozy. We received drinks and snacks on the bus. There was also a meal ticket included with bus ticket. You use this ticket when you stop at this food/restaurant place, the food was not that great, it was cold. Other than that the bus ride was fine, we arrived an hour early.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus VIP 20, Sombat Tour (สมบัติ ทัวร์), Mar 13, 2026
JR
Johnny R
Everything Ok.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour, Mar 6, 2026
4.4
7541 customer reviews
5
53%
4
30%
3
12%
2
5%
1
0%

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
06:00
16:30
$18.17
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
07:00
17:55
$16.55
  3.9
Transport Co
Standard
07:25
00:46
$18.17
  4.5
Sombat Tour
Express 44
08:00
18:30
$18.17
  4.3
Nakhonchai Air
Gold Class
08:30
18:38
$21.19
  4.4
Sombat Tour
Express 44
09:00
19:30
$21.19
  4.3
Viriya Tour
Intercity
09:50
20:00
$18.17
  3.8
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
10:15
20:26
$28.26
  4.7
Sritawong Tour
Express
12:00
22:55
$16.55
  3.9
Sombat Tour
Express 44
13:00
23:30
$21.19
  4.3
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
14:00
00:30
$18.17
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
15:00
01:55
$21.19
  3.9
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
16:00
02:30
$18.17
  4.5
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
17:30
03:15
$28.26
  4.6
Sritawong Tour
Express
18:00
04:55
$21.19
  3.9
Budsarakham Tour
Express
18:30
06:45
$21.19
  4.1
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
18:50
05:20
$18.17
  4.5
Sombat Tour
VIP 24
19:15
08:15
$34.93
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
19:35
06:05
$18.17
  4.5
Bangkok Busline
VIP 24
19:55
05:55
$28.26
  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 9h 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 Sritawong Tour and costs USD 19.88. A Tour with Thai (ที ดับบลิว ที ทัวร์วิทไทย)'s ticket will set you back USD 19.88 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$20
Fastest Bus9h
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus10:45 PM
Daily Bus Routes63
Distance868 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Cherdchai Tour North, Kittikarn Tour, Nakhonchai Air, Next Step Journey, Sombat Tour, Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, The Nine Travel, The Tiger 2022, Tour with Thai, Transport Co, Viriya Tour