Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Wed, Dec 24
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

DP
I’m not exaggerating when I say that we feared for our lifes during the trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The driver showed more than reckless behavior on the roads, always speeding and overtaking multiple vehicles despite traffic from the other side. The estimated arrival was 18:00 - we arrived at 17:15 - 45 mins earlier, due to the constant speeding, overtaking and ignoring all traffic rules that one could imagine. Never again.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 20, 2025
SM
Because we stopped at the White temple for half an hour while a passenger (who had paid to see it) went to look around it. Not the paying passengers fault but everyone else had to wait 30mins, while we were only 20 mins max away from the final destination. No food break or toilet break needed (alreafy had one) , no mention of this stop on tickets etc. We took our bags off the bus and got a cab. Be aware when you book with this operator that they do this , so the trip will be in excess of 4hrs easily
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 20, 2025
MH
Perfect ride and service. Very comfortable bus
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Dec 20, 2025
D
At First the driver showed up late which resulted in us departing 20-30 minutes late. Second, he took a 15 minute rest stop after an hour of driving at 10:30. Then when we arrived to Chiang Rai he stopped at the White Temple for 30 minutes. The description of the ride on 12go said a 3:30 minute travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. We arrived at 1:40, 1 hour and 10 minutes late, and the drop off was not at Terminal 2 as mentioned in the booking description, it was at the mall in Chiang Rai. The Ride itself was a little rocky and you could feel that the driver tried to make up for lost time.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 19, 2025
AS
They took 400 TBH extra from me. Even when I showed them about the policy of the bags which shows 20 kg an 1 cabin bag. But they said it's not about weight but about dimension. Which was never mentioned in the condition while booking the tickets. This is just a loot and misguiding to the innocent people.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 19, 2025
SW
Drivers meet somewhere to reorganice minivans and we were dangerously overloaded with lugage stuffed over peoples head. He drove like a lunatic with overloaded van and the suspension almost gave up. Speeding like a formula 1 pilot and almost hit 3 cars. Will never book a ride again with 12 go asia.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 18, 2025
SA
The bus was on time and as expected. The only reason for the four stars and not five Is because we are 6 foot tall Canadians and the seats felt a little cramped for us. Overall, it was a good experience and would recommend the green bus service.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Dec 18, 2025
UF
Ther driver drove into the parking lot at the White Temple, got out, and said there would be a half-hour break. Then he disappeared. That's completely unacceptable. We and others then ordered a taxi. I can't say when the driver finally left. I become no answere of my complaint
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 16, 2025
MP
The 12Go service was excellent, and the drive was fine. But with ten minutes remaining in our journey, our driver suddenly stopped at a rest spot near the white temple for “about thirty minutes” so we could “take a little break.” I’m all for breaks, but that makes more sense in the middle of the journey than at the end. It was very clearly motivated by something else, and it added unnecessary time to our trip which had us arriving 45 minutes past the stated arrival time.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Dec 16, 2025
HP
Comfortable and easy
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Dec 14, 2025
4.4
5455 customer reviews
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56%
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29%
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11%
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Freedom Tour Taxi Service
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
€82.87
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
€11.74
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
€89.00
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
€171.40
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
€78.23
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
€11.74
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
€94.00
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
€7.20
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
€7.74
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
€57.00
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
€102.67
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
€176.24
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
€85.03
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
€171.40
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
€5.62
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
€74.00
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
€7.20
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
11:50
19:25
€122.64
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
12:10
18:20
€477.14
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
12:35
19:25
€42.50

Is the art scene in Chiang Rai more vibrant than Chiang Mai?

Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai both have rich art scenes, but they differ in scope and influence. Chiang Mai, as a larger city, offers a broader range of galleries, street art, and cultural events, making it a hub for contemporary and traditional Thai art. However, Chiang Rai has a unique artistic identity centered around visionary works like the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), which blend modern and traditional styles. Chiang Rai is also home to renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and his legacy, which attracts art enthusiasts seeking a more focused experience. In summary, Chiang Mai is diverse and dynamic, while Chiang Rai offers a concentrated and distinctive artistic appeal for those seeking something more niche.

Does Chiang Rai use Grab or Uber?

  • Chiang Rai supports Grab, which is widely used for transportation and food delivery services, offering convenience for both locals and tourists.
  • Uber no longer operates in Thailand, as Grab acquired Uber's Southeast Asian operations in 2018.
  • Aside from Grab, traditional transportation options like songthaews (shared trucks) and tuk-tuks remain common, especially for short trips.
  • Travelers should ensure internet connectivity or a local SIM card for using Grab effectively.
In summary, Grab is the go-to app for rides in Chiang Rai, complemented by traditional local transport methods.

Is Chiang Rai a good place to live?

Chiang Rai is considered a peaceful and affordable place to live, ideal for those seeking a slower pace of life. The city features cooler weather compared to other parts of Thailand, especially in winter, and offers easy access to nature, including mountains and rivers. While it has modern amenities such as hospitals, schools, and supermarkets, it lacks the urban hustle and nightlife of cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. For expatriates, Chiang Rai offers a welcoming community, a low cost of living, and cultural charm, making it suitable for retirees or remote workers. However, those seeking bustling city life or a wide range of job opportunities may find it less ideal.

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport€10
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure6:30 AM
Latest Departure10:10 PM
Departures per day111
Distance125 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAndaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, GreenBus, K Buddy, Khamkhun Tour And Travel, Kim Transfers Thailand, Mekong Transfer, Naluangs, North Ride Go, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thailand Travel Taxi, Torch, Yortdoy Travel

How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

When you want to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Flight
  • Bus
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Flight ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A flight ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about EUR 285.73. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as EUR 9.78.

How far is Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Your trip will be a total of 78 miles (125 km). The flying distance is 78 miles (125 km).

How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?

The travel time from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 3 to 26 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?

The cost of the trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as EUR 9.78 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a flight - a one-way flight ticket can cost as much as EUR 285.73.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai:

  • Bus tickets - EUR 9.78 to EUR 13.77;
  • Van price : EUR 14.94 - EUR 19.02;
  • Bus+taxi price: EUR 26.08. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:30 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 until 09:30 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3
  • Bus+taxi+Van price: EUR 32.28. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
  • flight price: EUR 171.87 - EUR 285.74. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:10 Chiang Mai Airport

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from EUR 63.88 to EUR 184.35.

How many trips per day are there between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • 39 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:10 Chiang Mai Airport
  • Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 09:30. There are 12 available bus trips every day.
  • Vans from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart during the day - there are approximately 7 departures a day.
  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as EUR 63.88.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 79% decided to go for a bus.
  • 12% opted for a van.
  • 5% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 3% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
  • 1% Other