Home Practice Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane

by Pierre To
8 minutes to read
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane?

All the information you need to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus, train or plane with links to book your tickets at the best price.

The city of Chiang Mai, known as the Rose of the North, offers a completely different atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

See our articles :
Chiang Mai: the complete guide to the Rose of the North
and
What to do in Chiang Mai: 8 activities not to be missed!

It may be the fifth largest city in Thailand, but it is smaller than Bangkok, which is a provincial city, and has a more relaxed lifestyle.

With a long history, surrounded by mountains and hill tribes, Chiang Mai is a multicultural city, where people are more welcoming, smiling and life is cheaper than in the capital.

Bangkok is a beautiful city with many things to see and do (see : What to do in Bangkok: the top 10 must-sees!) but personally, I never stay there for very long, preferring quieter places in terms of traffic.

Chiang Mai is one of the most popular cities for expatriates from all over the world and has a large French-speaking community.

See prices for Bangkok Chiang Mai by bus, train, plane on 12go.asia.

Powered by 12GB system

See also :
Transport in Thailand

Distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

As the crow flies, or by plane, the distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is 580 km.

If you take the road, it will be about 700 km with a mountainous part to pass.

Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Plane Thailand

A direct flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes between 60 and 70 minutes, and unless you like to watch the scenery go by during the long hours of your train or bus journey, or are on a very tight budget, this is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get there.

The downside, of course, is the cost of flying, but there are often promotions on low-cost airlines.

Prices are around 40 euros, but depending on the time of year and the special offers, you can find much lower prices, and there are often special offers for 30 euros.

Prices also vary considerably depending on public holidays such as the Songkran (Thai New Year)Chinese New Year or the high tourist season from November to February.

See : When to go to Thailand: by region, city and island

Book your ticket as far in advance as possible to get the best deals.

Ads

The two main airports in Bangkok

Most airlines flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are low cost airlines operating from Don Muang airport.

But there are also many flights, often more expensive, that depart from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

So be careful and check your tickets to make sure you arrive at the right airport.

Transport from Chiang Mai Airport

In Chiang Mai, you will arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport, which is a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre.

You can enter the city by taxi (prefer the Meter taxi, with a meter) or the public bus (bus number 4) which is much cheaper.

Some hotels and guesthouses can also pick you up from the airport free of charge, or for a small fee.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train

Train Thailand

The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is very popular, despite the time it takes to get from one city to the other.

What makes it so popular are the low prices and the possibility to discover the Thai landscape in a friendly atmosphere, a good opportunity to meet, discover and exchange with the local population.

Travel times are considerable, but if you think the journey is really part of the tourist experience, then you should take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Depending on the number of stops your train makes, it can take between 12 and 15 hours.

There are usually about 6 trains a day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and vice versa, so there will be a number of options to choose from.

However, even with this high number of trains, they are very popular and can be full, so booking is strongly recommended.

You can get very cheap tickets on a Bangkok to Chiang Mai train, depending on the class of travel you choose.

Chiang Mai Railway Station is just a few kilometres from the city centre and the taxi or car ride is only 10 minutes away.

You can also reach the centre by Tuk-tuk and songthaew (collective taxi), the songthaew being the cheapest means of transport.

he red collective taxi, also called Songthaew

The red collective taxi called Songthaew

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus

Bus Thailand

Like the train, buses have the advantage of being an affordable option, but the disadvantage is that they take a long time.

It's a 9-12 hour journey to Chiang Mai, and exact times and prices vary depending on the type of bus you choose.

The best option for such a trip is a VIP or super VIP bus.

Public buses range from second class to VIP.

The second class buses will take about 10-11 hours (with many stops) and you can buy a ticket for about 450 baht.

First class buses provide more comfort, including air conditioning.

There is a toilet and the seats recline a little.

These will cost you about 100 baht more than the second class.

VIP buses offer the best comfort and more reclining seats.

You can take government buses to Chiang Mai from the northern and north-eastern bus terminal in Bangkok, called Moh Chit or Chatuchak Bus Terminal.

There are also a number of private travel companies that operate regular services between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

These can be more convenient than going to Moh Chit to get off at one of the government-run buses, as these private buses leave from various points around Bangkok.

There are two bus terminals in Chiang Mai so make sure you get to the right place for your return journey.

The Arcade Bus Station, also known as the New Terminal, handles buses to and from outside Chiang Mai province.


Conclusion

Now it's up to you to choose between the three public transport options between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Depending on the time you have, your budget, your preferences...

Source: bangkokattractions.com ; photos : plane : tjdarmstadt

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!


If our news, tourist or cultural information has been useful to you and you would like to support us :



You may also like