Facts about the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
| Cheapest Bus | $12 |
| Fastest Bus | 3h 20m |
| Earliest Bus | 7:00 AM |
| Latest Bus | 9:30 AM |
| Daily Bus Routes | 0 |
| Distance | 125 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | GreenBus, Naluangs, Yortdoy Travel |
Buses from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews
SR
Simon RService was good. Comfortable coach. Left 5 mins early. Arrived on time. Lots of construction on route. Will be faster when twinning project completed. Wasn’t clear from the voucher that we should go straight to the gate. Thought we had to exchange voucher for paper ticket. Instructions could be a little clearer.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 2, 2026
SH
Sonja HSuper comfortable bus, on time, everything fine
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 1, 2026
MB
Matthew BNice electric bus with comfortable enough seats for the 3-4hr journey, although they were slightly narrow. Driving was fairly safe by Thai standards, but driving standards in Thailand are low.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Mar 1, 2026
LB
Lauren BThe bus was modern, had plenty of leg room, and did not have too many people. I really enjoyed it. Honestly the nicest bus I’ve been on so far!
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 27, 2026
SM
Subramaniam MHighly recommended. Cheap cost, comfort and accessibility.
Arrive at destination with ease ❤️.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 26, 2026
ZA
Zakie AThe bus left and arrived on time, but it was completely old, which made me doubt about its security conditions.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 20, 2026
RC
Richard CVery comfortable seats with water and a snack
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 19, 2026
JK
Julie KLarge CLEAN windows for viewing. Bus made a stop for a break midway through trip. Clean bus.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 19, 2026
AC
Andre CThe bus was considerably late. The seats were not very comfortable and there were no charging ports on the bus. I paid for a VIP bus and had to accept the express bus or forfeit my payment.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 18, 2026
R
Rafik On time and hassle free... Smooth operation
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express Combo, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Feb 18, 2026
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GreenBus | VIP | 06:00 | 09:20 | $13.86 | |
GreenBus | Express | 07:00 | 10:45 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 07:30 | 10:50 | $13.86 | |
GreenBus | Express | 08:15 | 12:00 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | Express | 08:45 | 12:30 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 09:30 | 12:50 | $13.22 | |
GreenBus | Express | 10:00 | 13:45 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | Express | 10:30 | 14:15 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | Express | 11:00 | 14:45 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | Express | 11:30 | 15:15 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | Express | 12:00 | 15:45 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | Express | 12:45 | 16:25 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | Express | 13:15 | 17:00 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 13:45 | 17:05 | $13.22 | |
GreenBus | Express | 14:15 | 18:00 | $8.50 | |
GreenBus | Express | 15:15 | 19:05 | $6.64 | |
GreenBus | Express | 16:30 | 20:20 | $6.64 | |
GreenBus | Express | 17:00 | 20:45 | $9.15 | |
GreenBus | Express | 17:30 | 21:20 | $6.64 | |
GreenBus | VIP | 18:00 | 21:20 | $13.86 |
How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bus
Taking a bus to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. To less traveled destinations, there may be only 1 scheduled trip a day. The most common bus types are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, and premium buses.
It is best to reserve your tickets at least a few days ahead of your travel date. Check our list of bus companies available for online booking offering Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai tickets. When traveling on weekends and holidays it is recommended to reserve tickets much earlier due to higher numbers of travelers, both vacation-makers and urban workers returning home to their provincial home.
How far is it from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Traveling by bus, the distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depends on the route taken. Most bus companies travel via expressways or tollways. This may not necessarily be the shortest route but it is the fastest one as normally there is less traffic and no traffic lights.
To get to certain island destinations which are not connected to the mainland by a bridge, buses board large car ferries. Passengers are usually asked to get off the bus, but there is no need to take your luggage from the bus. The travel distance from port to port is added to the total distance.
How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bus?
The estimate travel time from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is about 3h 20m. Note that traveling by bus is slower compared to driving your own car or getting a taxi. Depending on the departure time congestion between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai may differ greatly There is usually more traffic between morning until afternoon during weekdays than during weekends.
Another important factor that may affect travel time is the type of bus. Premium or VIP buses are usually faster as they use motorways and call to fewer bus stations (if any) en route. Buses normally make short 10-30-minute breaks after a few hours of continuous travel to allow passengers use bathrooms, stock up on munchies and let bus attendants and the driver have rest.
Some premium buses have onboard toilets and the second driver. Nevertheless, usually they still make en route stops for a quick lunch or fuel refill.
How much does it cost to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bus?
The ticket price from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai can vary depending on the type of buses you choose. For a less expensive ticket consider non-air-conditioned or ordinary buses. Premium or luxury buses are more expensive but you can expect more comfort and some additional services like phone charging ports, personal entertainment system screens and toilets.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai timetable
To help you plan your trip, here is the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai timetable of bus departure and arrival times.
Best Rated Companies for this Route
Bus companies differ a lot in quality and service they provide. When choosing a bus company for you travels, do some basic research before you buy your tickets.
Safety is one of the most important aspects to consider. We also recommend you checking reviews on overall service quality of the bus companies serving this route.
Our service only partners with reliable and trustworthy bus companies. We do our best to provide your a choice of the best operators available on each route.
Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
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Buses$ 11.55
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Flights$ 159.24
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Taxis$ 30.81
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Vans$ 17.65
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available