Facts about the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
| Cheapest Bus | $12 |
| Fastest Bus | 3h 20m |
| Earliest Bus | 7:00 AM |
| Latest Bus | 9:30 AM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 14 |
| Distance | 125 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | GreenBus, Naluangs, Yortdoy Travel |
Buses from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews
M
Martine The Green bus service was good. Driver and Assistant were excellent. The journey was on time. Thank you.
I want to express a complaint about the agency who sold me the ticket CHIANGMAI to CHIANG RAI (one way)
12Go is a SCAM who takes advantage of foreigners who do not understand Thai.
First, I tried to buy a one way ticket directly on line from Green Bus. It was totally impossible. After awhile 12Go showed up on the screen. And that where the SCAM is.
I paid more than 700 Bahts for one way with 12Go.
For the Return I bought a ticket directly from Green Bus which cost me 300 Bahts !!!!!
The difference is way way too much. P
I asked 12Go to refund me at least for COVID insurance., I did not ask for.I am not afraid of COVID. It happens 5 years ago .
12Go sent me an automatic email to say NO Refund.
12GO is dishonest, is taking advantage of Foreigners.
It does not look like Honest Thai service.
I will write a BAD REVIEW and will inform the TOURISM POLICE .
M. Young
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 2, 2026
SR
Simon RService was good. Comfortable coach. Left 5 mins early. Arrived on time. Lots of construction on route. Will be faster when twinning project completed. Wasn’t clear from the voucher that we should go straight to the gate. Thought we had to exchange voucher for paper ticket. Instructions could be a little clearer.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 2, 2026
SH
Sonja HSuper comfortable bus, on time, everything fine
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 1, 2026
MB
Matthew BNice electric bus with comfortable enough seats for the 3-4hr journey, although they were slightly narrow. Driving was fairly safe by Thai standards, but driving standards in Thailand are low.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 1, 2026
LB
Lauren BThe bus was modern, had plenty of leg room, and did not have too many people. I really enjoyed it. Honestly the nicest bus I’ve been on so far!
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 27, 2026
SM
Subramaniam MHighly recommended. Cheap cost, comfort and accessibility.
Arrive at destination with ease ❤️.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 26, 2026
ZA
Zakie AThe bus left and arrived on time, but it was completely old, which made me doubt about its security conditions.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 20, 2026
RC
Richard CVery comfortable seats with water and a snack
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 19, 2026
JK
Julie KLarge CLEAN windows for viewing. Bus made a stop for a break midway through trip. Clean bus.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 19, 2026
AC
Andre CThe bus was considerably late. The seats were not very comfortable and there were no charging ports on the bus. I paid for a VIP bus and had to accept the express bus or forfeit my payment.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 18, 2026
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GreenBus | VIP | 06:00 | 09:20 | $13.71 | |
GreenBus | Express | 07:00 | 10:45 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 07:30 | 10:50 | $13.71 | |
GreenBus | Express | 08:15 | 12:00 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | Express | 08:45 | 12:30 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 09:30 | 12:50 | $13.08 | |
GreenBus | Express | 10:00 | 13:45 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | Express | 10:30 | 14:15 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | Express | 11:00 | 14:45 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | Express | 11:30 | 15:15 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | Express | 12:00 | 15:45 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | Express | 12:45 | 16:25 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | Express | 13:15 | 17:00 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 13:45 | 17:05 | $13.08 | |
GreenBus | Express | 14:15 | 18:00 | $8.41 | |
GreenBus | Express | 15:15 | 19:05 | $6.57 | |
GreenBus | Express | 16:30 | 20:20 | $6.57 | |
GreenBus | Express | 17:00 | 20:45 | $9.05 | |
GreenBus | Express | 17:30 | 21:20 | $6.57 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 18:00 | 21:20 | $13.71 |
How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 125 km between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus?
Buses normally need between 3h 20m and 6h 35m hours to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai. 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, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)) offers the fastest service. GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)) 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 Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)) and costs USD 11.43. A GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว))'s ticket will set you back USD 11.43 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 Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
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Buses$ 11.43
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Flights$ 194.94
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Taxis$ 30.47
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Vans$ 17.46
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available