Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Fri, Mar 13
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

SC
Sue C
Collected on time from hotel & arrived only approx 1 hour late. Driver was under pressure at final pick up as he had full contingent of passengers & had to juggle us & our luggage. He did a good job, kept his cool & we arrived safely
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Mar 9, 2026
SM
Sonia M
Just hot in the bus beacause the driver put the air conditionneer very slow And the WC not clean
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 8, 2026
AC
Ajnas C
The man at check in counter is not behaving properly. He is rude. Can't communicate properly with tourist. Please keep someone who can communicate well and politely to tourist
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 8, 2026
ND
Nigel D
The bus left on time and arrived on schedule. The seats were very comfortable and the drive was very smooth. Water and a snack provided too.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 6, 2026
JS
James S
I got from point a two point B without incident. Van was old dirty, and a rough ride.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 5, 2026
JM
Jakub M
Amazing, quiet bus because it was EV. Working AC, it was intense, but it was clearly stated beforehand so we took some more clothes on board. Very clean, free water, super comfortable ride. 10/10. No need to book the VIP version, the standard version has plenty of space (I am 190cm). They also stop around 1 hour in the trip to go on the toilet and buy some food.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 5, 2026
JD
James D
Really rude and unpleasant contact person
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Mar 3, 2026
SR
Simon R
Service 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 H
Super comfortable bus, on time, everything fine
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 1, 2026
MB
Matthew B
Nice 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
4.4
6158 customer reviews
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58%
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28%
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Freedom Tour Taxi Service
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
$95.43
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$13.52
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
$103.22
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$197.38
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$90.09
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
$13.52
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
$109.02
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
$8.29
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$8.92
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
$66.11
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
$119.08
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
$202.94
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
$97.91
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
$197.38
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
$6.48
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
$85.83
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
$8.29
  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
$49.29

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 233.87 if you go by taxi; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a bus which will set you back mere USD 11.26.

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 11.26 if you opt for a GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)) bus and as expensive as USD 233.87 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 ?

  • 16 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:10 Chiang Mai Airport
  • 14 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 07:00 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 until 09:30 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3
  • 8 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Chiang Mai Transfer until 14:30 At Ratchadamnoen Chaing Mai
  • 67 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

Aya Service, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), So Good Airline Service and Travel, 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

  • 79% opted for a bus
  • 13% 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 AM
Latest Departure10:10 PM
Departures per day105
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, So Good Airline Service and Travel, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thailand Travel Taxi, Torch, Yortdoy Travel