Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Wed, Aug 27
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

BO
On time, nice driver, everything safe. Thank you
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, taxi Economy 3pax, Torch, Aug 10, 2025
CM
On time, car-type seat belts compulsory. 10-minute break at the halfway point. Seat comfort could be improved
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 8, 2025
JM
Took longer than expected due to multiple stops. Driver drive pretty wild.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Aug 6, 2025
JC
The bus was more than an hour late, with no updates.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 6, 2025
LE
There toilet wasn’t available but the journey was good, comfy reclining seats & water
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 6, 2025
L
The bus ride and ticketing process was fine. The only issue was our ticket said we would arrive at Chiang Rai bus station 1 , and when we arrived at the bus terminal in Chiang Mai we learned the bus would drop us at bus station 2. It did not go to station 1 as we expected and as our ticket said. Station 2 in Chiang Rai was quite a distance further and required us to hire a car to get to our destination instead of a short walk.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express Combo, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 6, 2025
HS
Bus a little dated. Except that no complaints.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 6, 2025
JR
Driver very good. Punctual departure and arrival
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 6, 2025
L
Very efficient. Helpful staff.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 5, 2025
GH
The bus was late, it almost broke going uphill, suspensions were inexistent an seats were the most uncomfortable we had in a bus in all of Thailand
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Aug 3, 2025
4.4
4698 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
$94.35
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$10.05
  4.5
Bus
GreenBus
Express
06:30
10:15
$6.68
  4.3
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$147.24
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$98.36
Bus
GreenBus
Express
07:30
11:15
$6.68
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:00
14:35
$9.74
  4.3
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
08:25
12:40
$143.22
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$8.20
  4.3
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:10
15:00
$99.91
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
09:30
12:50
$12.75
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:50
15:00
$140.12
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:10
15:00
$96.81
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:30
14:15
$6.68
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
10:50
10:20
$294.30
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:20
$6.40
  4.1
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
11:50
19:25
$129.37
Bus
GreenBus
Express
12:15
16:00
$6.68
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
12:45
16:25
$8.20
  4.3
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
13:05
17:20
$113.74

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$11
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure7:00 AM
Latest Departure6:30 PM
Departures per day86
Distance125 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAndaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, GreenBus, Kim Transfers Thailand, Mekong Transfer, Naluangs, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thailand Travel Taxi, Than Car Service, 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 taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 209.90. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 10.52.

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 USD 10.52 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 209.90.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 10.52 to USD 15.07;
  • Van price : USD 21.66 - USD 25.99;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 29.70. 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 34.03. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
  • flight price: USD 85.60 - USD 207.83. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 07:10 Chiang Mai Airport until 18:30 Chiang Mai Airport

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 77.31 to USD 209.90.

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.

  • 26 by flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 07:10 Chiang Mai Airport until 18:30 Chiang Mai Airport
  • Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:00. There are 13 available bus trips every day.
  • 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 77.31.

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:

  • 76% decided to go for a bus.
  • 12% opted for a van.
  • 9% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
  • 3% decided to catch a taxi.