All transportation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

There are several transportation options to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Below, you’ll find a set of alternatives to do so along with costs, timetables, and trip durations so you can decide which works best for you.

 

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bus trips to Chiang Mai take 10 to 12 hours.
You can book your trip online on www.bookaway.com (use the code “gravy5″ at checkout to get 5% off the ticket price), at one of the many travel agencies in town (preferably near your hotel), or at Mo Chit Bus Terminal.

 

Bangkok Skytrain BTS

 

How to get from Chiang Mai Bus Station to the city center

In case you decide to go by bus, you should know that Chiang Mai has two bus stations: Arcade Bus Station and Chang Puak Bus Station.
The Arcade Bus Station is located at Kaeo Narawat Road. Terminals 2 and 3 are where all the long-distance buses coming from outside the Chiang Mai province arrive and depart (Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Ubon, Korat, Nan, Luang Prabang, Mae Sot).

From the Arcade Bus Station, you can quickly arrange a songthaew to take you to the city (Tha Phae Gate). The songthaews fare is 100 THB, but if you’re willing to wait for the songthaew to fill up, you can lower the price to THB 20 per person (expect to pay more if you want them to take you to the hotel). The trip takes around 15 minutes.

 

 

Choosing the Airplane

Chiang Mai International Airport receives domestic and international flights. Daily flights are coming in from Bangkok at almost every hour.

 

 

The low-cost airlines operating at this airport are:

• Air Asia
• Nokair
• Thai Smile
• Vietjet

Plane tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai start at 1000 up to 3400 THB, and flights take an average of 1h20m.
You can book your flight over on bookaway.com (and use the code “gravy5″ at checkout to get 5% off the ticket price).

 

From the Airport to Chiang Mai:

Taxis are waiting at the northern end of the airport, and trips to the city center should cost around 160 THB.

In the southern end, you’ll find the Airport shuttle buses (not very frequent) charging 60 THB, and songthaews charging 40 THB. Both only tend to leave when they’re full.

Tip: If you’re willing to walk a few hundred meters on the main road outside the airport, you’ll be able to get a songthaew for 20-25 THB.

 

Choosing the Train

You can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train during the day or at night. Check the timetables here: www.railway.co.th

Trips can take 14 to 16 hours, therefore, to optimize your time, you can travel at night on a sleeping train. As this is a very sought after option, buy your tickets in advance, and to avoid commissions, avoid travel agencies and buy the ticket at the Station counter yourself. Now, if you prefer buying your train tickets online, we recommend www.bookaway.com (you can use the code “gravy5″ at checkout to get 5% off the ticket price).

 

 

 

Have in mind that Chiang Mai train station is located 3 km from the city center, but there will be songthaews at hand on the train station.

 

If you have any questions or some extra info to add, let us know in the comments.