From Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang - Book Transport Tickets from THB 1,850

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang Destination Reviews

Maayan B

The service was fine until we crossed the border to Laos , the sleeper bus was late to departure, and instead of 24 hours trip it became almost 30 hours because the kept going of track and picking on and of random people who didn’t even have a seat in the bus and just set on the floor.

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Sleeper Bus, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Feb 26, 2026

Megan H

1st day fine, room for everyone on board 2nd day 2 boats combined, very cramped, overcrowded

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Minivan + Slow Boat, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Jan 31, 2026

Malena

The driver was so lovely. Went from chiang mai to the Laos border, took 6 hours in total with 3 stops along the way. I can’t fault the driver, I felt very safe. I was the only person going to Huay Xai, everyone else was going to chiang rai, so spent the remaining 2 hours on my own. Amazing service! Got picked up at 7:15am the next day with a tuktuk and I was guided on what to do. Everything went smoothly! The slow boat was amazing and I HIGHLY recommend, the scenes are incredible. Definitely get yourself outside on the front of the boat to really take everything in. 10/10

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Minivan + Slow Boat, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Jan 12, 2026

Sofia L

Everything was on time and worked seamlessly - HOWEVER, they overly packed the van so it was VERY cramped and people were sitting on the floor. The AC was blasting making it ice cold, and the driver was flying through the curves. We made it safe and sound and an hour early even, but it was a very taxing journey.

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Sleeper Bus, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Dec 25, 2025

Sam J

The hotel was not very good

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Train, Aya Service (Aya Service), Dec 15, 2025

Dirk B

we didn‘t get any informations about the trip: only the date, time and place of departure.. and arriving. It worked out- somehow.. but that is no organisation! We always stood around, waiting for Godot.. At the end somebody took us with.. but not from LaoLuang Travel. I guess a bit chaos is part of Laos.. and also that they help each other. It has a charme.. sometimes.. because it usually works somehow. But too less is too less,

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Slow Boat, LaoLuang Travel (ບໍລິສັດທ່ອງທ່ຽວລາວຫຼວງ), Nov 12, 2025

Charis C

This trip was a very expensive (for what you get) and uncomfortable experience I wish 12Go would warn people about! The part from Chiang Mai (Thailand) to the border with Laos was fine and comfy, on a minibus. But it took 17 hours to cover just 505km (from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang) on a very noisy "sleeper" bus, shaking on Laos' insufficient road infrastructure, where you might share a wooden bunk bed with someone you don't know.

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Sleeper Bus, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Sep 7, 2025

Leah P

only downside is no proper instruction of what to do next etc and difficulty in communication due to language barrier with the driver but overall the service was smooth

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Bus Taxi + Bus + Song Taew + Sleeping Bus, Yortdoy Travel (ยอดดอย ทราเวล), Aug 23, 2025

Lewis A

Plane tickets are rather expensive for this route,but it’s quicker to get there than a 10+hour bus or a 2 day boat ride. Lao Airlines is a small airline with few aircraft, maybe it could get bigger in the future

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, flight Economy, Lao Airlines, Jul 22, 2025

Anya M

The driver on route to the Thai border was lovely! Made a lot of stops and was very friendly. After crossing the border the experience was not as pleasant. Our sleeper bus was stuck in a ditch for around 2.5 hours at 2am. We also arrived 4 hours later than expected. We understand that the bus being stuck was no one’s fault but there were no instructions or information given from the drivers who were also not very friendly.

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, Van Van + Sleeper Bus, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), May 20, 2025

4.4

67 customer reviews

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Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang Schedule

Type	Operator	Class	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price	Rating
Taxi	Firstplan Transport Services	Van 10pax	Any time	+14h	$853.80
Van	LaoLuang Travel	Van + Shuttle + Sleeping Bus	06:00	06:00	$57.77
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:20	15:35	$144.21	5.0
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:50	14:05	$220.69	5.0
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	07:10	14:05	$202.21	5.0
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	07:40	14:05	$183.97
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	08:00	20:20	$442.94
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	08:20	14:05	$183.97
Bus	Yortdoy Travel	Taxi + Bus + Song Taew + Sleeping Bus	09:00	08:00	$46.02	2.0
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	09:35	12:20	$264.74
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:05	15:35	$158.39	5.0
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:25	15:15	$139.76	5.0
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	10:45	12:20	$421.74
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	11:05	14:05	$140.31
Flight	China Southern Airlines	Economy	11:30	11:50	$2,468.75
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	11:50	12:20	$264.74
Flight	Bangkok Airways	Economy	12:10	11:35	$255.72
Flight	Thai Lion Air	Economy	12:40	14:05	$121.10
Flight	Thai Lion Air	Economy	13:05	15:35	$152.53
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	13:25	15:35	$130.41

How to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang

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

The most expensive ticket will cost you USD 723.38 if you go by taxi; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a bus+van which will set you back mere USD 58.72.

How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?

It can take you anywhere between 1 and 57 hours to travel between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang depending on the means of transport you choose.

Flight is the fastest way to travel between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang. Flight will bring you to your destination in 50m. Van does a much slower job and take about 2d 9h to reach Luang Prabang.

How much does it cost to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?

Travelling between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang can be as cheap as USD 58.72 if you opt for a K Buddy (เค บัดดี้) bus+van and as expensive as USD 723.38 if you buy a Than Car Service (ธาน คาร์ เซอร์วิส) 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 Luang Prabang ?

26 from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:10 Chiang Mai Airport
7 by Ferry+Van from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 09:00 Chiang Mai Town Hotel Transfer until 14:30 At Ratchadamnoen Chaing Mai
6 by Bus+Van from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 09:00 Chiang Mai Town Hotel Transfer until 09:30 CoolMuang Coffee
5 from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 09:00 Chiang Mai Town Hotel Transfer until 14:30 At Ratchadamnoen Chaing Mai
1 by Bus+taxi+Ferry+Van from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
1 by Train+Van from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 09:00 Accha Indian Dhaba until 09:00 Accha Indian Dhaba
1 from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang starting from 00:00 Chiang Mai Town Transfer until 00:00 Chiang Mai Town Transfer

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

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 Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, but with a bit of luck you can score very good deals for as little as USD 200.53.

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 Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang

China Eastern Airlines, Lao Airlines, Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย)

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 Luang Prabang

Than Car Service (ธาน คาร์ เซอร์วิส)

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 Luang Prabang, 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 Luang Prabang

Mekong Transfer, Terminal Green Pai, Yortdoy Travel (ยอดดอย ทราเวล)

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

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

Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route

26% took a van
23% chosen Bus+Van
15% chosen Ferry+Van
13% chosen Bus+taxi+Ferry+Van
13% chosen Train+Van
4% chosen Bus+taxi
4% chosen Bus+Ferry+Van
2% decided to fly

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang

Cheapest Transport	$59
Fastest Transport	50m
Earliest Departure	6:30 AM
Latest Departure	10:10 PM
Departures per day	47
Distance	2849 kilometers
Transport Companies	Aya Service, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, K Buddy, Lao Airlines, LaoLuang Travel, Mekong Transfer, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Than Car Service, Transport Co, Yortdoy Travel, Zhanzhao Tour

Popular Routes

Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang