Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Sun, Nov 30
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

JS
It was a very enjoyable ride up into the mountains. The bus was clean abd comfortable. The seats reclined, and everyone got fresh water and cookies!
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 24, 2025
JL
Everything ok. Just 30 minutes delay
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 23, 2025
KS
After half an hour, we made a short stop. There we met up with other vans, and I suddenly had to transfer to another van. No one explained to me why this was happening. My luggage was simply stowed in another van, and I had to practically run after it. After that, the journey became simply awful. The rear shock absorbers on this van were defective. As a result, I felt every little pothole and every single bump. It felt like someone was hitting me in the back with a sledgehammer every time. And that went on for over three hours. I was glad when we finally arrived. I wouldn't recommend such a journey to anyone.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, Terminal Green Pai (Terminal Green Pai), Nov 23, 2025
SA
9.00 start time, but no vehicle anywhere. At 10.00 I called hot line (2 different numbers), they did not reply. Only after 10 am did I receive a text message that clarified the situation. It was 10.25 when transportation finally arrived. On the positive side: we had booked a trip to Chiang Rai, but we were able to negociate Chiang Khong destination (for an additional fee, of course).
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Van, Mekong Transfer, Nov 23, 2025
VM
Everythings was perfect
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 23, 2025
DD
Amazing driver? Best in town, cleanest vehicle I have ever seen and very polite and warm
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Nov 21, 2025
JM
Good bus, even if it was an old one.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 21, 2025
RT
The ride was safe although the time it took was 45 minutes longer due to the delay in departure and road condition.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 20, 2025
RM
It left with a bit of delay (around 30 min). Bus is very regular, no much of comfort, no chargers, no bathroom even for a 4h trip. We stopped for 10 min at a random place on the road. 10 baht to use bathroom and few local / craft food to buy.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 18, 2025
MM
On time, comfortable
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Nov 18, 2025
4.4
5233 customer reviews
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Freedom Tour Taxi Service
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
$94.17
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$13.34
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
$102.57
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$194.77
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$88.90
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
$13.34
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
$108.33
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
$8.18
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$8.80
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
$65.69
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
$118.32
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
$200.26
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
$96.62
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
$194.77
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
$6.39
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
$85.28
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
$8.18
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
11:50
19:25
$143.64
Flight
Bangkok Airways
Economy
12:10
18:20
$558.84
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
12:35
19:25
$48.98

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$12
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure7:00 AM
Latest Departure6:30 PM
Departures per day89
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 Bus+taxi 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 USD 299.22. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 11.11.

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 8 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 USD 11.11 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 USD 299.22.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 11.11 to USD 15.65;
  • Van price : USD 16.98 - USD 21.61;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 29.64. 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: USD 36.68. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
  • flight price: USD 141.87 - USD 299.23. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 08:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 16:40 Chiang Mai Airport

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 78.48 to USD 209.48.

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.

  • 19 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 08:30 Chiang Mai Airport until 16:40 Chiang Mai Airport
  • Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:30. There are 15 available bus trips every day.
  • Vans from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart during the day - there are approximately 5 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 USD 78.48.

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:

  • 81% decided to go for a bus.
  • 10% opted for a van.
  • 4% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
  • 4% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 1% Other