Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Mon, Dec 8
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

BH
Honestly you get what you pay for.. The journey is long, and slightly uncomfortable as you have to sit for 14 hours, but just stand and walk around if needed I will say that the benches and space in general is small - wouldn’t recommend for anybody 6ft+
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Train #51 Class 3 Fan, Thai Railway (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย), Dec 4, 2025
L
It was the best organised bus company we used in Thailand so far. We got a small snack and a bottle of water after we got on the bus and made a stop at midnight where we could get free, basic, Thai food. It is still a bus, so it wasn't extremely comfy, but it was definitely fine. We arrived about 1 hour earlier than expected.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Dec 3, 2025
SG
It was terrible. Lights on the entire time. AC wont stop blowing in my face. I got food poisoning from the street food on here. Toilets really dirty with a river on the floor. They gave me and my partner totally separate seats with no ability to switch. and the cart looked nothing like the images on the website. it was total hell.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Train #109 2nd Class Sleeper AC, Thai Railway (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย), Dec 3, 2025
SG
no english information, bus was running late, felt not safe on the road
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 3, 2025
LS
After the booking the waiting to confirm isn’t immediate. I had several msgs saying we had to wait for confirmation, when we got one with seats assigned, we then received another saying that they are still waiting don’t understand why 12GO doesn’t have immediate confirmation as they are the processors! Very confusing
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Dec 3, 2025
YV
The seats where a lot better than in other busses. A lot of room en we got a welcome treat and a blanket. That was very sweet. For this long trip this was the best you can get for this price I think. The only thing that was less comfortable was the VC. It was very cold and we couldn't regulate it much. Oh jeah and the buss driver was also very kind.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour, Dec 3, 2025
AR
Bus accident
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP, Sritawong Tour, Dec 2, 2025
UH
App indicated aborted payment. After the second booking I got the confirmation of the aborted booking Customer service rejected the request to cancel one ticket and refund No sense of customer orientation
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Train #13 2nd Class Fan seats only, Thai Railway (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย), Dec 2, 2025
EI
The seats were ok. Not that much leg room but otherwise fine. Made some stops along the way, wish they kept the lights of on the stops, so they don’t have to wake up everyone. Once at like 3 in the middle of the night the bus driver who seemed to be in a very bad mood woke me up for a random ticket check? Don’t see why that was necessary as they’d already checked the ticket when we boarded the bus.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bus Super VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour, Dec 2, 2025
PC
It was a good trip. You need to take in consideration that the seats are not very comfortable at all, but everything else was fine. I bought the 3 class so I wasn’t expecting much. We didn’t have any problem with the schedule and we arrived in time. If I could recommend something, I’d to pick better seats for a bit more money. At the end of day it’s a 10h trip so if you con choose a better category you’ll appreciate it.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Train #13 Class 3 Fan, Thai Railway (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย), Dec 2, 2025
4.4
22071 customer reviews
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51%
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33%
3
12%
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4%
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
00:00
01:25
$53.01
  4.5
Flight
Spring Airlines
Economy
02:35
20:20
$234.21
Flight
Spring Airlines
Economy
02:55
20:10
$168.81
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
03:25
00:20
$277.98
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
04:00
00:35
$205.77
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
05:15
10:40
$319.32
  4.7
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
05:45
10:40
$291.51
  4.7
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
06:05
10:40
$282.13
  4.7
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
06:30
10:40
$269.95
  4.7
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
06:50
10:15
$146.24
  5.0
Bus
Transport Co
Standard
07:25
00:46
$18.56
  4.5
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
07:45
10:40
$448.02
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
08:05
09:25
$46.24
  4.7
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
08:25
10:15
$177.74
Bus
Nakhonchai Air
Gold Class
08:45
18:53
$21.65
  4.4
Train
Thai Railways
2nd Class AC seats only
09:05
19:30
$17.43
  4.5
Bus
Viriya Tour
Intercity
09:50
20:00
$18.56
  3.8
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
10:10
10:40
$296.14
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
10:30
10:40
$452.17
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
10:50
12:15
$100.66

Is Chiang Mai worth it?

Chiang Mai offers a range of attractions and experiences that appeal to various travelers.

Cultural Sites: Notable temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang showcase historic architecture and are central to understanding local traditions.

Nature and Outdoor Activities: The surrounding mountains provide opportunities for hiking and visiting elephant sanctuaries, such as the Elephant Nature Park.

Dining: Explore local cuisine at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or try khao soi, a regional noodle dish.

Transportation: Songthaews (shared taxis) and tuk-tuks are common, with fares typically starting around 30 THB ($1).

Water Safety: It is advisable to drink bottled water, as tap water is not considered safe for consumption.

Cost of Living: Generally affordable, with budget accommodations starting at around 500 THB ($14) per night.

Chiang Mai's blend of culture, nature, and affordability makes it a worthwhile destination.

What are 5 facts about Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant local traditions. Here are five key facts:

  1. Temples: Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples, with Wat Phra That Doi Suthep being the most famous. It offers panoramic views of the city.
  2. Loi Krathong Festival: This annual event in November features floating lanterns and beautifully lit krathongs on the Ping River, attracting many visitors.
  3. Night Bazaar: The city's night bazaar offers a wide range of handicrafts, street food, and souvenirs, ideal for evening exploration.
  4. Transportation: Songthaews (red trucks) and tuk-tuks are popular local transport options. Fares typically range from 20 to 100 THB ($0.60 to $3).
  5. Water Safety: Tap water is not recommended for drinking. It is best to use bottled water, which is widely available throughout the city.

Transportation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Facts about the transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Cheapest Transport$9
Fastest Transport1h 20m
Earliest Departure6:00 AM
Latest Departure10:47 PM
Departures per day46
Distance868 kilometers
Transport CompaniesBangkok Airways, Bangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Cherdchai Tour North, EL AL, EVA Airways, Gosafe Transport, Hahn Air Systems, Nakhonchai Air, Next Step Journey, Sombat Tour, Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Vietjet, The Tiger 2022, Torch, Transport Co, Viriya Tour

How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Travelling between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is possible by Flight, bus, train, van and taxi. Flight guarantees the fastest travel on this route. Bus is the slowest option.

The most expensive ticket will cost you USD 483.32 if you go by taxi; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a bus which will set you back mere USD 20.40.

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

It can take you anywhere between 2 and 18 hours to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai depending on the means of transport you choose.

Flight is the fastest way to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Flight will bring you to your destination in 1h 20m. Bus does a much slower job and take about 17h 21m to reach Chiang Mai.

How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

Travelling between Bangkok and Chiang Mai can be as cheap as USD 20.40 if you opt for a Sritawong Tour bus and as expensive as USD 483.32 if you buy a Gosafe Transport (โกเซฟ ทรานสปอร์ต) taxi ticket.

Here is the list of how much you can expect to pay travelling by each means of transport available for this route.

How many trips per day are there between Bangkok and Chiang Mai ?

  • 42 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai starting from 06:00 Mochit until 21:39 Mochit
  • 4 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai starting from 00:00 Bangkok Town Transfer until 00:00 Bangkok Town Transfer

Check above for a bus, train, flight and ferry timetable from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

What mode of transportation is the best one for my route?

Flights

Flying is the fastest and often the most expensive way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but with a bit of luck you can score very good deals for as little as USD 155.65.

Things to remember: Note that some of the airlines may have restrictions on checked luggage weight or require paying extra for check-in, choosing seats or transportation of oversized luggage.

If opting for a flight, calculate the time you will spend getting to and from the airports as well as the waiting time before your flight, getting through immigration in case of an international flight and recovering your checked luggage.

In certain cases all these procedures can add no less than 5 hours to your total travel time.

Airlines flying between Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Bangkok Airways (บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส), EL AL, EVA Airways, Hahn Air Systems, Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Vietjet (ไทยเวียดเจ็ทแอร์)

Bus

Travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai overland will inevitably take longer but in many cases it is the cheapest option if you opt for a bus.

Things to remember: For a more comfortable ride opt for a higher-class bus wherever possible. These buses usually have soft reclining seats and are equipped with air-conditioning and on-board toilets.

They often include water, snacks or a light lunch into your ticket price and make bathroom stops en-route.

Companies operating bus routes between Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Budsarakham Tour (บุษราคัมทัวร์), Cherdchai Tour North, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Next Step Journey, Sombat Tour (สมบัติ ทัวร์), Sritawong Tour, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด), Viriya Tour (วิริยะทัวร์)

Taxi

Some travellers consider taxi to be the most convenient form of overland transport thanks to flexible departure times, a possibility to choose the size of the car you need, and a hassle-free door-to-door service.

Things to remember: If you are planning to make detours during your trip, discuss it with your driver or service provider in advance as it may affect the price.

Companies offering charters between Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Gosafe Transport (โกเซฟ ทรานสปอร์ต), Torch

Train

Train is a often a great choice for long-haul travel especially if you opt for a night sleeper train with berths which will allow you to sleep all your journey through. To make the most of your train journey, choose the class of your ticket wisely.

Note that there are air-conditioned and fan-only carriages; private compartments for 2 or 4; hard and soft seats.
Though the upper class you get the smoother is your journey, often second class air-conditioned or fan-only sleepers are a good money saving alternative.

What is the most popular transport to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

There is a choice of transportation means any time of the day with Bus remaining the most popular option due to their reasonable pricing and comfort.

Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route

  • 53% opted for a bus
  • 38% took a train
  • 7% decided to fly
  • 1% Other