Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

Patrizia P

The bus broke and we had to wait for the new one for more than an hour. The buses were really old and not comfortable at all

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Sep 6, 2025

Betty-jean

Prompt service and very professional

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Sep 4, 2025

Toni N

Very good driver with a not very good road conditions

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Sep 3, 2025

Noam A

Bus was old. Not all the seats worked properly, the couple in front of us couldn’t make their seat sit straight so it was inclined towards us more than it should. The AC was leaking water on us. Bus was probably made in 1980 and last maintenance on it was in 1981.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Sep 2, 2025

Yoann H

Perfect transfer even stopped for one touristic attraction. On time, door to door. Confortable vehicle.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, taxi Van 9pax, Lanna Expert Driver (หจก.ลานนา เอ็กเปอร์ท ไดร์เวอร์), Sep 1, 2025

Pamela O

The foot rest was broken

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 27, 2025

Harriet C

On time, safe driver, old bus but go us there!

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 24, 2025

Robyn

We were waiting for the bus over an hour

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Aug 18, 2025

Francisco

Thedriver was careful

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, taxi Economy 3pax, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Aug 18, 2025

Iker B

Comfortable vehicle but the trip was longer than expected

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 16, 2025

4.4

4809 customer reviews

55%

30%

11%

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Schedule

Type	Operator	Class	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price	Rating
Taxi	Freedom Tour Taxi Service	Comfort 3pax	Any time	+3h	$96.18	3.7
Bus	GreenBus	VIP	06:00	09:20	$13.62	4.5
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:20	14:20	$104.45
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:50	12:40	$198.94
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	07:10	12:40	$90.81
Bus	GreenBus	VIP	07:30	10:50	$13.62	4.5
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	07:55	09:35	$110.32
Bus	GreenBus	Express	08:15	12:00	$8.36	4.3
Bus	GreenBus	Express	08:45	12:30	$8.99	4.3
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	09:05	19:25	$66.89
Flight	Thai Airways	Economy	09:25	07:55	$120.49
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	09:45	15:50	$204.55
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:05	15:35	$98.69
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:25	15:35	$198.94
Bus	GreenBus	Express	10:45	14:35	$6.53	4.1
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	11:05	21:05	$86.84
Bus	GreenBus	Express	11:30	15:15	$8.36	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	$49.88

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.

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.

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

Buses

$ 11.35
Flights

$ 72.31
Taxis

$ 30.27
Vans

$ 21.60
Trains are not available
Ferries are not available

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport	$12
Fastest Transport	2h 30m
Earliest Departure	7:00 AM
Latest Departure	11:30 PM
Departures per day	75
Distance	125 kilometers
Transport Companies	Andaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, GreenBus, Khamkhun Tour And Travel, Kim Transfers Thailand, Mekong Transfer, Naluangs, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thailand Travel Taxi, Than Car Service, Torch, Yortdoy Travel

Popular Routes

From Chiang Mai

From Chiang Rai

Popular Routes in Thailand

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 USD 242.59. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 11.35.

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 9 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 11.35 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 242.59.

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

Bus tickets - USD 11.35 to USD 15.99;
Van price : USD 21.60 - USD 26.49;
Bus+taxi price: USD 30.27. 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 34.69. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
flight price: USD 72.31 - USD 242.60. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 07:10 Chiang Mai Airport until 23:30 Chiang Mai Airport

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 78.81 to USD 235.73.

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.

Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:30. There are 14 available bus trips every day.
11 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 07:10 Chiang Mai Airport until 23:30 Chiang Mai Airport
Vans from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart during the day - there are approximately 4 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 78.81.

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:

77% decided to go for a bus.
10% opted for a van.
7% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
6% decided to catch a taxi.