Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Sun, Jun 14
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2 Passengers
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

AK
Aristea K
To be honest I didn’t have high expectations of a 10 hour bus journey however I was blown away by the service and quality of the journey. I was travelling by myself so I was a little nervous but I felt so safe the entire time. We were provided with water and snack and at the lunch spot we could exchange our ticket for free lunch which was delicious. The seats fully reclined back and I slept majority of the journey. I enjoyed it so much would definitely do again.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Jun 12, 2026
P
Phoo
Wide leg room is so comfy
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Jun 5, 2026
KT
Kiet T
Everything was good wxcept the toilet, the floor wasfull of water and toilet was full with water and poop.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Jun 4, 2026
M
Michela
Overpriced (not sure if it's 12Go upcharge) for the service and quality of the bus/ride. Upper deck very bumpy, hard to sleep. Usb charging not working. Bus was clean, blanket water and snack provided.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Jun 1, 2026
K
Katharina
well organized, comfortable, affordable and safe
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), May 31, 2026
AC
Apoorva C
(1) my leg rest adjustment wasn’t working (2) the AC was making the space too cold (3) the blanket was too small to cover me fully (4) they took the blanket away too soon, much before the arrival
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), May 28, 2026
SB
Sandra B
The seat was confirmation but tight. Hallway was tight too making it difficult to walk. The bathroom in the bus was absolutely not usable by women. There was a bucket with water on the side of the toilet. You could not when try to sit. If you cannot wait it would be terrible.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), May 21, 2026
HS
Helis S
It is probably one of the best bus rides you could get on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route. Quite a bit of leg room and reclining seats. The bus felt a bit outdated, but it is still quite comfortable. There are a few simple things that would make this journey better. Like wifi in the bus, or at least one quick stop in the middle. Because the toilet gets quite stinky over the almost 11h bus ride, also the entertainment system/ screen was very old, there are movies but for watching you need your own earphones. Another thing what bother us was that the girl working as a server in the bus was racist against my partner.. Polite customer service would be something to think about..
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Gold Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), May 20, 2026
CR
Cara R
It was a smooth and mostly comfortable journey, however our second bus driver was quite rude and drove quite recklessly.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), May 17, 2026
BO
Bastien O
The journey was generally fine, and the staff were friendly, but we had booked comfortable buses and that wasn't the case at all; the seats were hard, with no legroom.But let's look on the bright side... It's the land of massage, so it's a great opportunity to discover the local culture.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), May 15, 2026
4.4
7714 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
$18.00
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
07:00
17:55
$16.40
  3.9
Transport Co
Standard
07:25
00:46
$18.00
  4.5
Sombat Tour
Express 44
08:00
18:30
$18.00
  4.3
Nakhonchai Air
Gold Class
08:30
18:38
$21.01
  4.4
Sombat Tour
Express 44
09:00
19:30
$21.01
  4.3
Viriya Tour
Intercity
09:50
20:00
$18.00
  3.8
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
10:15
20:26
$28.01
  4.7
Sritawong Tour
Express
12:00
22:55
$16.40
  3.9
Sombat Tour
Express 44
13:00
23:30
$21.01
  4.3
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
14:00
00:30
$18.00
  4.5
Sritawong Tour
Express
15:00
01:55
$21.01
  3.9
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
16:00
02:30
$18.00
  4.5
Nakhonchai Air
First Class
17:30
03:15
$28.01
  4.6
Sritawong Tour
Express
18:00
04:55
$21.01
  3.9
Budsarakham Tour
Express
18:30
06:45
$21.01
  4.1
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
18:50
05:20
$18.00
  4.5
Sombat Tour
VIP 24
19:15
08:15
$34.61
Bangkok Busline
Intercity
19:35
06:05
$18.00
  4.5
Bangkok Busline
VIP 24
19:55
05:55
$28.01
  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 USD 22.13. A Tour with Thai (ที ดับบลิว ที ทัวร์วิทไทย)'s ticket will set you back USD 22.13 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$23
Fastest Bus8h 40m
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus9:30 PM
Daily Bus Routes62
Distance868 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Cherdchai Tour North, Kittikarn Tour, Nakhonchai Air, Next Step Journey, Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Tour with Thai, Transport Co, Van2Travel Train, Viriya Tour