Buses from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai

Buses from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai

Luang Prabang
Chiang Rai
Thu, Mar 19
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Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

TS
Taichi S
Scheduled arrival in Chiang Rai: 09:30. Actual arrival: 15:01. That’s a 5.5-hour delay. I strongly advise travelers to avoid booking through this operator unless you have significant buffer time.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai, Bus Sleeper, Luang Prabang Holiday Travel, Mar 14, 2026
DR
Dimitri R
There were not much information from 12GO, luckily I traveled with 2 other person who booked through the bus station and received phone numbers and more details through WhatsApp. The bus left 2h later than schedule and the trip took longer as well. The van waiting for us at the border left as we were Kate and we had to wait an additional 1h30, the trip took about 24h in total, instead of 17h. The bus isn't confortable and the bed have to be shared. There were not enough bed available because some luggage had to be stored on beds since the boot was full of eggs and chickens... Worth ride I had in a bus.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai, Bus Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Dec 27, 2025
EG
Elana G
It wasn't the trip itself as much as it was a shock to the system. The trip ran smoothly and there were no issues with connections etc. so I have no complaints. However, if you are not used to being in a confined area for hours, this trip is not for you.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai, Bus Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Jul 4, 2024
SK
Sarah K
Starting at the Lao bus terminal was a bit tough, you have to exchange the voucher and find the bus - not many speak English, in our case there was luckily only one possible option. The whole route took longer than suggested, but we figured that from all other travel offers. The local sleeping bus takes about 15h to get to a station 15 minutes away from the border. After the bus ride we had a K buddy affiliate waiting to show us the vehicle we would take to ravel to the Lao Border Town Huay Xai (ca. 15 min away) There they awaited us and explained the next steps , bought the bus ticket and handed them to us since you need to take an mandatory bus line across the friendship bridge to Thai border. On the other side, after immigration at the Thai border there was a Thai driver from K buddy waiting to take us to Chang Rai. The whole travel was very seamless and easy. Biggest pain point was the Lao Sleeping Bus as is was quite rudimentary, also some people that got in at later bus stops had to sleep on the floor between the bed stations as all beds were full. We expected that though so all was fine and K Buddy really guided us through - their service was great :)
Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai, Bus Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Nov 21, 2023
4.4
17 customer reviews
5
29%
4
24%
3
12%
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29%
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Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Yortdoy Travel
Bus + Van + Bus + Van
15:30
10:30
₱2,304
Yortdoy Travel
Bus + Van + Bus + Van
15:30
06:30
₱2,857
Laos Group Tour
Sleeper
15:30
11:30
₱2,443
Naluangs
Van + Sleeper Bus
16:00
12:00
₱2,157
Laos Group Tour
Sleeper
16:00
11:30
₱2,443
K Buddy
Sleeping Bus + Van + Bus + Van
17:00
10:30
₱2,673
  4.5
Mekong Transfer
Bus + Van
17:00
11:00
₱2,949

How to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang from Chiang Rai?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 575 km between Luang Prabang and Chiang Rai.

How long does it take to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai by bus?

Buses normally need between 17h 45m and 18h hours to get to Chiang Rai from Luang Prabang. 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, LaoLuang Travel (ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວຫຼວງ) offers the fastest service. Luang Prabang Holiday Travel 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 Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang and Chiang Rai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Luang Prabang Holiday Travel and costs PHP 3,130. A LaoLuang Travel (ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວຫຼວງ)'s ticket will set you back PHP 3,130 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 Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai

Facts about the bus from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Bus₱2,679
Fastest Bus17h 30m
Earliest Bus9:35 AM
Latest Bus5:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes6
Distance575 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, K Buddy, LaoLuang Travel, Luang Prabang Holiday Travel, Naluangs, Thai AirAsia, Yortdoy Travel