Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Mon, Feb 16
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

SC
Simon C
Driver was going to fast all the time
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Feb 13, 2026
J
Jennifer
Great I can’t fault it! And I also left my charger and power bank on the bus. I went to the ticket office the next morning in Chiang Rai and they called the bus driver who had kept it for me and brought it back that day! I was so happy and really appreciate the honesty and care
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 12, 2026
BJ
Balint J
The communication it was not satisfying. We waited the transfer station 2h
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Feb 12, 2026
JM
Joanna M
We made it safely to our destination. The driver was fast but kept us safe. The van was not very clean but comfortable enough. We were allowed 4 luggage and had 3 luggage and 1 wheelchair. So we thought that would all be covered for the 4 as paid and listed when booked. I was unhappy to have to pay an extra 200 baht for an assistive device.overall ok experience.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Feb 12, 2026
CV
Charlton V
Safe drive, good driver (sorry , forgot his name), good stop for drink and snack.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Feb 12, 2026
E
Ellen
Really really dangerous driver who was driving at almost twice the speed limit.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Feb 11, 2026
B
Bradley
Very comfortable ride
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 11, 2026
CW
Colin W
The app forced me to pay in Euro when I opted to pay with a credit card, even though I have selected the currency to be in Thai Baht.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 11, 2026
JK
Jakob K
The bus was on time. Everything worked as planned. BUT, when boarding, we witnessed an incident: in front of the bus, a Greenbus staff member was directing passengers to the correct buses. In doing so, he made a mistake with one passenger, which resulted in her being seated on our bus—the wrong one. Wrong in this context means that her correct bus was departing fifteen minutes earlier and had already departed. Our bus still had available seats. The second attendant inside the bus then instructed the woman, in a very rude manner, to leave the bus. He did not acknowledge the mistake made by his colleague at all. The level of customer service we observed was extremely poor.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 11, 2026
S
Sebastian
I had a truly terrible experience on the minibus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The driver’s behavior was extremely dangerous and completely irresponsible. It honestly felt like being in Fast & Furious — except none of us signed up for that kind of experience. He was driving far too fast the entire trip, including through small towns where slowing down should have been obvious and mandatory. The driver made multiple unnecessary and life-threatening overtakes just to reach a car slightly ahead in traffic. Several times he pulled out to overtake with poor visibility, and we ended up driving directly toward oncoming traffic. It was pure luck — not skill — that we avoided a serious accident. The atmosphere inside the minibus was tense and uncomfortable. You could clearly feel that passengers were nervous. Instead of a safe and smooth journey, it felt like we were just hoping to arrive alive. I absolutely cannot recommend this company and strongly advise others to choose a different transport provider if they value their safety.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Feb 11, 2026
4.4
5984 customer reviews
5
58%
4
28%
3
10%
2
4%
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Freedom Tour Taxi Service
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
$98.20
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$13.91
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
$105.63
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$203.10
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$92.71
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
$13.91
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
$111.57
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
$8.53
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$9.18
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
$67.65
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
$121.86
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
$208.83
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
$100.75
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
$203.10
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
$6.66
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
$87.83
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
$8.53
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
11:50
19:25
$143.64
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
12:10
18:20
$558.84
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
12:35
19:25
$50.44

Is the art scene in Chiang Rai more vibrant than Chiang Mai?

Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai both have rich art scenes, but they differ in scope and influence. Chiang Mai, as a larger city, offers a broader range of galleries, street art, and cultural events, making it a hub for contemporary and traditional Thai art. However, Chiang Rai has a unique artistic identity centered around visionary works like the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), which blend modern and traditional styles. Chiang Rai is also home to renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and his legacy, which attracts art enthusiasts seeking a more focused experience. In summary, Chiang Mai is diverse and dynamic, while Chiang Rai offers a concentrated and distinctive artistic appeal for those seeking something more niche.

Does Chiang Rai use Grab or Uber?

  • Chiang Rai supports Grab, which is widely used for transportation and food delivery services, offering convenience for both locals and tourists.
  • Uber no longer operates in Thailand, as Grab acquired Uber's Southeast Asian operations in 2018.
  • Aside from Grab, traditional transportation options like songthaews (shared trucks) and tuk-tuks remain common, especially for short trips.
  • Travelers should ensure internet connectivity or a local SIM card for using Grab effectively.
In summary, Grab is the go-to app for rides in Chiang Rai, complemented by traditional local transport methods.

Is Chiang Rai a good place to live?

Chiang Rai is considered a peaceful and affordable place to live, ideal for those seeking a slower pace of life. The city features cooler weather compared to other parts of Thailand, especially in winter, and offers easy access to nature, including mountains and rivers. While it has modern amenities such as hospitals, schools, and supermarkets, it lacks the urban hustle and nightlife of cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. For expatriates, Chiang Rai offers a welcoming community, a low cost of living, and cultural charm, making it suitable for retirees or remote workers. However, those seeking bustling city life or a wide range of job opportunities may find it less ideal.

How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

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

The most expensive ticket will cost you USD 240.66 if you go by taxi; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a van which will set you back mere USD 17.71.

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

It can take you anywhere between 3 and 11 hours to travel between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai depending on the means of transport you choose.

Taxi is the fastest way to travel between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Taxi will bring you to your destination in 2h 30m. Flight does a much slower job and take about 10h 5m to reach Chiang Rai.

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

Travelling between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai can be as cheap as USD 17.71 if you opt for a Terminal Green Pai van and as expensive as USD 240.66 if you buy a Kim Transfers Thailand (Thailand Taxi Airport and Travel) 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 Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai ?

  • 43 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:10 Chiang Mai Airport
  • 4 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Accha Indian Dhaba until 14:30 At Ratchadamnoen Chaing Mai
  • 61 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 00:00 Chiang Mai Airport until 00:00 Chiang Mai Airport

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

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

Bus

Travelling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว))

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 Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

Andaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service (Freedom Tour and Taxi Service), Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport (โกเซฟ ทรานสปอร์ต), Jed Yord (บริษัท เจ็ดยอดบราเตอร์ จำกัด), Khamkhun Tour And Travel (ค้ำคูณ ทัวร์ แอนด์ ทราเวล), Kim Transfers Thailand (Thailand Taxi Airport and Travel), Mekong Transfer, NNS Luxury Limousine, North Ride Go, Smart En Plus (สมาร์ท เอ็น พลัส), Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Thailand Travel Taxi (ไทยแลนด์ ทราเวล แท็กซี่), Torch

Van

Vans are a great alternative - or, in many cases - your only option - if you need to travel overland within one and the same province or neighbouring provinces or states. Vans ply the roads between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, too.

Things to remember: When travelling by van with huge luggage buying a separate seat for your suitcase or backpack is a good idea. Do not expect there is a roomy luggage compartment in a van - there is actually none and your fellow passengers are unlikely to appreciate your luggage stuck under their feet, alas.

Companies operating vans between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Terminal Green Pai, Yortdoy Travel (ยอดดอย ทราเวล)

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

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

  • 82% opted for a bus
  • 10% took a van
  • 5% bought a taxi ride
  • 2% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport$12
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure6:30 早上
Latest Departure10:10 晚上
Departures per day108
Distance125 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAndaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, GreenBus, Jed Yord, K Buddy, Khamkhun Tour And Travel, Kim Transfers Thailand, Mekong Transfer, Naluangs, NNS Luxury Limousine, North Ride Go, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thailand Travel Taxi, Torch, Yortdoy Travel