GreenBus

Green Bus Thailand is a bus company that operates a range of routes around Thailand from the company’s central hub located in Chiang Mai.

GreenBus Company rightfully enjoys high reputation. Its routes cover all the regions of Thailand – from South to North and from Northeast to Centre.

As a rule, the company’s buses use the main bus station or terminal of towns and cities around Thailand, called Bo-Ko-So. These are often located out of the centre.

In Chiang Mai, GreenBus uses the largest and newest Bus Terminal 3, aka Arcade Bus Terminal in the north-eastern part of the city, off Super Hwy 11.

GreenBus travels across much of Thailand with routes to the north, south, and northeast as well as around the centre of the country. Some of the most popular routes are listed below.

By far the most popular route of the Thai North, Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai stretch is served by three different types of buses providing travellers with a good choice of level of comfort and ticket price.

There are buses all throughout the day from 6 am till 7 pm with the trip taking just under 4 hours.

GreenBus offers an easy way to get to the border with Laos at Chiang Khong, from where you can cross over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 4 to Huay Xai in the Lao province of Bokeo.

From Chiang Mai, Green Bus operates trips to the destinations at the border with Myanmar including:

• Mae Sot in Tak province that is linked to the Myanmar’s town of Myawaddy.

• Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province of Thailand that connects to the border town of Tachilek on the Myanmar side and is the gateway to the famous Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

Popular Northern Thai destinations served by Green Bus from Chiang Mai also include:

1. Nan
2. Phrae
3. Phayao
4. Lampang

The longest routes of Green Bus connect Thai North with the southern resort island of Phuket.

There are trips to Phuket both from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai taking the epic 24 and 26 hours respectively.

Green Bus is also the best choice for the overland travel from the North to Donsak pier in Surat Thani for onward transfer to the islands of the Gulf including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Note that GreenBus DOES NOT currently operate the route to Bangkok – for bus trips between Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Bangkok choose another bus operator.

The company operates three different classes of buses:

• Bus Express L
• Bus Intercity Express XL
• Bus VIP 24/32.

Greenbus VIPs are the most comfortable way to travel. VIP Green buses feature 24-32 seats organised three per row instead of the usual four what provides additional elbow and leg space enhancing the overall travel experience.

Such buses are the best choice for longer routes e.g. between Phitsanulok and Surat Thani though the price for such seats is between 30 and 50 per cent higher than for seats in ordinary express buses.

Bus Intercity Express XL is a sensible compromise between more expensive VIPs and ordinary buses.

Bus Express L is a good choice for shorter trips up to 4–5 hours, e.g. between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or Lampang.

All GreenBus coaches are air-conditioned and are equipped with soft reclining seats meaning that even the cheapest L class is a decent choice.

Green Bus tickets can be booked both online and at the bus stations covered by the company’s network of routes.

There is an option of online booking at the official website of the company though the process is not as straightforward as it could have been due to language barrier – not all parts of the website are translated into English what creates certain difficulties.

We recommend to buy Green Bus tickets online and well in advance for the longer, most popular routes and the routes which have a limited number of departures per day, especially to Phuket.

1. Buses operated by GreenBus service much of the northern, southern, north-eastern, and central parts of Thailand which means that there is a number of routes to choose from including some off-the-beaten-track destinations for overseas travellers.

2. Buses of all classes are air-conditioned and spacious with ample legroom.

3. This company has a refund policy meaning that you can cancel or change your tickets – though both changes and cancellations are subject to terms and conditions.

4. Green Bus booking can be made online.

5. Travelling overland with GreenBus on longer routes is cheaper than flying.

6. Food, drinks, snacks, and cold towels are provided on buses.

1. Some older buses – very few actually – are not equipped with toilets. These are used on shorter routes and generally should not be a problem.

2. Cheaper Express buses make a number of stops along the way, which can result in a longer journey.

3. Buses vary in terms of condition and some are newer models than others. As such some may also be cleaner and more roadworthy than others.

4. Drop off points are usually at the main bus stations in each town or city and you will need to plan your own onward transportation to your hotel accordingly.

5. Buses are not equipped with Wi-Fi or USB ports and entertainment options are often limited to one TV screen in the front part of the bus so you may wish to bring your own for long journeys.