Bangkok Busline

Bangkok Busline is a sub-company of Sombat Tour which in its turn, is one of the most popular transportation companies in Thailand. It started its business in 1942 as Tek Chiang and in 1978 changed it for Thep Sombat Co., Ltd. simply as Sombat Tour. During the decades the company grew and strove to develop its services and by now serves about 30 bus routes to the oddest corners all over the country.

Bangkok Busline (BB) has their headquarters in Bangkok and provides transportation services between the Thai capital and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan and Surat Thani with other minor destinations along the same routes.

The company has a fleet of Express, VIP and VIP24 buses.

Bangkok Busline VIP24 is the most comfortable and expensive option with

• wider aisles
• seats organised 3 per row
• A/C
• complimentary bottled water and snacks
• on-board rest room
• neck rest and blankets

It is highly recommended if you can invest some extra THB200 in your trip compared to an ordinary express ticket.

Bangkok Busline Chiang Mai route is the most popular route served by the company. It takes between 10 and 11 hours to travel in either direction.

Most departures heading to Chiang Mai are evening departures.

All leave from the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Morchit 2, and arrive to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (Arcade). The morning bus departs at 6.00 am.

Similarly, the majority of return trips are night buses, too.

Night departures are always first to sell out as they help you save precious daytime of your travel. Unlike in some of the neighbouring countries like Cambodia or Myanmar, roads in Thailand are in a much better condition and night travel remains a popular way to reach outlying destinations. Bangkok Busline has a great safety record, so we do recommend considering night bus whether you are heading north to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Nan or south to Surat Thani.

Trips to Chiang Rai and back schedule fewer departures, dropping and picking up passengers at Chiang Rai Bus Station 2.

It is a slightly longer route compared to Bangkok–Chiang Mai, taking about 13 hours.

There is also one departure a day to Nan and vice versa. Travel time is 10 hours.

Additionally to its main itineraries Bangkok Busline makes it to Surat Thani Southern province. There is only one evening departure to this direction at 8.00pm for an affordable price of THB600 for an 11-hour ride.

Note that this route originates from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal aka Sai Tai Mai, and ends up at Surat Thani Transport Station at Phun Phin. The return service uses the same locations.

Bangkok Busline makes the top choice for both local and foreign passengers due to its high-class on-board service, great safety record and courtesy all for a budget-friendly price of THB550-850 depending on the type of the bus.

Those who have used BB more than once strongly recommend to use VIP buses with red-colour seats as these ones normally have more inside space, better general condition and a cleaner toilet.

Do take your valuables with you at the bathroom stops. Not that there have been reports on thefts, but it is always a good idea to use common sense – just in case you happen to miss your bus!

Always check with the bus attendant if you are getting off the right stop as buses can stop at different locations close to your destination before getting to their terminus plus they do practise stops on requests (e.g. the bus passes along Don Mueang airport, which can be very convenient for connecting trips). To be able to get off at a ‘on request’ stop, tell your bus attendant where you are heading when boarding the bus. Note that if on a return trip to Bangkok, the bus calls to Viphavadee Rd. Bus Station (Soi Vibhavadi 130) as well. It is a little closer to the underground though.

1. Availability of online booking.

2. Accommodating staff welcomes passengers on board of the bus equipped with comfortable reclining seats with enough leg space, complete with neck-pillows, blankets, snacks and drinks offered.

3. A meal is normally included into your ticket price: you will be either served a boxed lunch or have time for lunch/dinner as the bus stops en route at a large gas station with convenience stores and a food court.

4. Toilets on board kept in good order.

1. There have been reports on late arrival times due to heavy traffic during holiday periods but it is common for all operators.

2. Freezing temperatures inside the bus (usual Asian-style air-conditioning, so probably an extra layer of clothes is a good idea).

3. Lights and TV on till midnight or even after; lights switching on at every stop – if it is an issue, bring a sleep eye mask.

4. Slow Wi-Fi if available at all.

5. No English-speaking staff/ announcements in English.