Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Sat, Jan 24
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

GB
If you value your life, stay away from this company. The driver was rude and drove like an absolute madman, overtaking cars in extremely dangerous places, cutting corners on every turn, and speeding well over the limit. Honestly, we are lucky to be alive. It was a three hour nightmare. He even made a 30 minute stop when we were only 10 minutes away from the destination, which didn’t make any sense.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Jan 21, 2026
MM
Very comfortable seat, clean, felt at ease/relaxed. I would highly recommend this service.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 20, 2026
LH
great seats with excellent leg room. Excellent driver. Would definitely travel this way again
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 20, 2026
C
What should have been an express trip of 3h 20m turned into almost 6 hours. It doesn't help when the bus breaks down.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 20, 2026
BC
There was a large wasp in the bus. Besides that it was a great experience.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 19, 2026
OJ
The description of the service did not list the toilet on the bus as one of the amenities
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 19, 2026
MP
I am not the one to complain but honestly we had a very poor experience. I booked the mini van from chiang mai to Chiang rai and not greenbus because it was much faster. But then, they informed me the arrival time would be an hour later than what we booked. Since it was because of work on the road it's ok, it's not their fault but it should have been indicated in the booking. Then our driver stopped 4 times! Once for gas, once for coffee, once she wanted to stop for lunch for 30 minutes but the whole group said no (thankfully). And then a final stop for toilets 25 minutes before arrival... in the end we arrived at 13.30 instead of 11.30. Terrible experience.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Van, Mekong Transfer, Jan 17, 2026
V
Very new and comfortable bus. Free water. A stop along the way. The only downside to my trip, I was travelling solo and the people sat in front of me reclined their seats fully backwards - this reduced my space and I felt squashed in. I could not recline - someone very tall sat behind me and I would never be so rude or selfish. 4 stars because the operators staff could check we are all okay, it was very clear to seeI was squashed in :-( . I did not want to make a fuss
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 17, 2026
AH
great thank you! just too cold in bus
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 15, 2026
MH
Comfortable seats. Bus was on time and made good time to Chiang Rai. Recommend booking early so you can get a window seat. We did not and the people in those seats closed the curtains so we missed a lot of the scenery. Also, as previously mentioned, it is quite cool in the bus. Also, no USB plugs.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 13, 2026
4.4
5715 customer reviews
5
56%
4
29%
3
11%
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
$97.86
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$13.86
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
$104.17
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$202.41
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$92.39
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
$13.86
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
$110.02
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
$8.50
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$9.14
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
$66.72
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
$120.17
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
$208.12
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
$100.41
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
$202.41
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
$6.64
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
$86.61
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
$8.50
  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
$49.74

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 424.13 if you go by flight; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a bus which will set you back mere USD 16.27.

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

It can take you anywhere between 3 and 10 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 9h 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 16.27 if you opt for a GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)) bus and as expensive as USD 424.13 if you buy a Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย) flight 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 ?

  • 6 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport
  • 3 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Accha Indian Dhaba until 09:00 Accha Indian Dhaba
  • 1 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 08:30 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 until 08:30 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3
  • 49 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 00:00 Chiang Mai train station until 00:00 Chiang Mai train station

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), Khamkhun Tour And Travel (ค้ำคูณ ทัวร์ แอนด์ ทราเวล), Kim Transfers Thailand (Thailand Taxi Airport and Travel), Mekong Transfer, 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 flight remaining the most popular option due to their reasonable pricing and comfort.

Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport$17
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure6:30 AM
Latest Departure9:30 AM
Departures per day59
Distance125 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAndaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, GreenBus, K Buddy, Khamkhun Tour And Travel, Kim Transfers Thailand, Mekong Transfer, Naluangs, 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