Detailed information on getting to Chiang Mai by bus, air and rail, with timetables

Transportation to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is about 800km north of Bangkok and a 90-minute journey by air. It is connected to Bangkok by rail as well as road, and has air connections to several international destinations.

getting to Chiang Mai is much easier these days!

There are several ways of getting to Chiang Mai, including bus, train and airplane. The bus is the cheapest option and has the most extensive national coverage but it’s not particularly comfortable. Many opt for the overnight sleeper train which takes a little longer but has much more character. Cheap domestic flights on budget carriers, however, have added a fast and flexible way to reach Chiang Mai from distant Thai destinations.

Chiang Mai International Airport is located right in the heart of the city, making it a very convenient and quick way to get here from around Thailand and abroad. A well-organised taxi stand offers set rates of around 150 baht to any destination in the heart of the city. The public bus also has the airport on its route if you’re travelling light and are on a budget.

By air to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a major hub for domestic flights, offering regular service from Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Pai, Udon Thani and a handful of smaller destinations. International flights arrive regularly from Singapore, Luang Prabang, Vientienne, Seoul, Taipei and Kunming.

There are at least 30 flights a day between Chiang Mai and Bangkok on a variety of airlines, particularly budget carriers like AirAsia, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways and One2Go, while the more comfortable Thai Airways has some competitive prices too. However, since the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, some flights depart from the old Don Mueng Airport and others from Suvarnabhumi. Airfares are a reasonable alternative to land travel, especially if you can find a deal on Air Asia or Nok Air. Even in the busy season there can be same day availability, but the best prices are usually offered a couple of weeks in advance. More on flights to Chiang Mai.

More on Chiang Mai International Airport.

By train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Getting to Chiang Mai by train is another popular option with budget travellers, though the service is becoming increasingly decrepid as a deadlock with the rail union, resulting in strikes in October 2009 and a series of accidents, has eroded confidence in the railways ability to modernise. There are six trains a day, of differing classes and speeds, departing Bangkok’s Hua Lampong Station at 08:30, 14:30, 18:00, 19:20, 19:35, 22:00. The journey can be painfully slow (12 hours) so the overnight sleeper ticket is recommended. All trains departing from 16:00 onwards have comfortable bunks (some without air-conditioning), except the 20:30 departure. We suggest a second class (741 baht) bottom bunk on the 17:50, as the best option. Trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lampong Station and have full food and drink services onboard at reasonable prices. More on catching the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

By bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses depart at least every hour between 05:30 and 22:00 from Mo Chit Station and take roughly 10 hours, with a similar schedule in reverse from Chiang Mai's Eastern (Main) Bus Terminal. We recommend VIP buses (fare 400 - 600 baht), offered by either the government or private companies. These can also be arranged from travel agents on Bangkok’s Khao San Road and at other points around the city, but be wary of agents who promise services that aren't delivered, such as reclining seats and air-con. Dress warmly and bring earplugs as the Thais love freezing air conditioning and prefer to sit up all night watching noisy videos onboard. More on catching the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

By car from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

You can also hire a car in Bangkok or elsewhere for getting to Chiang Mai, and drive up at your own leisure, stopping off in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. The countryside is quite pretty as you enter the mountains from Tak or Phitsanulok onwards. With dual-lane highways most the way, reaching Chiang Mai by car is a straight-forward journey of about seven hours. Driving in Thailand is on the left hand side, roads are in good condition but driving habits here are typically poor and accidents common, so drive defensively. We suggest booking online with a car hire comparator site that can find the best deals among the international car rental companies operating in Thailand.

Getting around in Chiang Mai

Once in Chiang Mai, getting around is easily done by flagging down a tuk tuk or songtaew (red pick up trucks). There are a few metered taxis but they are impossible to find as most operate the airport-to-city route. Negotiate your fare beforehand with the tuk tuk driver (50 baht for a 10 minute journey - most places within the centre) or hop aboard one of the red songtaew trucks which act as an informal transport system. Red trucks will take you along popular routes in the city for 20 baht, and may deliver you to outlying destinations for a little more. You should also negotiate the fare with red truck drivers before getting in. There is a very limited bus service in Chiang Mai, but it’s really not practical for tourists. Hiring bicycles or motorbikes/scooters is a popular and practical way to get around at your leisure. Read more on getting about in Chiang Mai.