Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

Mariama S

Very Kind Bus Driver and the Ride was very comfortable. 🥰(vip Bus)

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jul 19, 2026

Stefan S

Excellent ride with perfect driver!

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Jul 19, 2026

Ruben T

The bus broken

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jul 17, 2026

Annelies H

Paid for VIP. But it was al normal small bus full with 13 People. Nothing VIP about it!

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van VIP Minivan, Pai Friendly Tour, Jul 12, 2026

Felix H

Everything Fine - a bit narrow to the front seat

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jul 12, 2026

Sarah O

The bus was really clean and great to get a bottle of water and she. We stopped the driver came down the bus giving wet wipes. A really nice touch. Journey was comfortable and felt very safe the whole journey despite road works and two accidents on the road.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jul 9, 2026

Koen D

In the beginning there was a tiny misunderstanding about the itinerary, but that was quite easily fixed bij the host via Whatsapp, who did his utmost best to help us. I would recommend this service, especially since the pick-up is at your hotel, what is very convenient.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Van, So Good Airline Service and Travel, Jul 7, 2026

Jonathan G

Great modern bus but no electrical chargers for phone and the driver didn't explain the number of stops in Chiang rai so I wasn't sure when I was going to get off.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jul 7, 2026

Jeroen P

Nice and comfortable seats. Lots off space when taking vip bus. Seat 8 is the best

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jun 27, 2026

Grant P

Very easy to find the bus at the station. Staff confirmed my ticket. Waited 10mins before we were asked to board. Bus left 4mins late. Journey was pleasant no issues with a/c being to cold arrived only a couple of minutes late.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jun 26, 2026

4.4

6485 customer reviews

59%

27%

10%

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	$90.18	3.7
Bus	GreenBus	VIP	06:00	09:20	$12.77	4.5
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:20	14:20	$101.26
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	06:50	12:40	$186.53
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	07:10	12:40	$85.14
Bus	GreenBus	VIP	07:30	10:50	$12.77	4.5
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	07:55	09:35	$106.95
Bus	GreenBus	Express	08:15	12:00	$7.84	4.3
Bus	GreenBus	Express	08:45	12:30	$8.43	4.3
Flight	Thai Vietjet	Economy	09:05	19:25	$64.85
Flight	Thai Airways	Economy	09:25	07:55	$116.82
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	09:45	15:50	$191.79
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:05	15:35	$92.53
Flight	Thai AirAsia	Economy	10:25	15:35	$186.53
Bus	GreenBus	Express	10:45	14:35	$6.12	4.1
Flight	Nok Air	Economy	11:05	21:05	$84.20
Bus	GreenBus	Express	11:30	15:15	$7.84	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	$48.36

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.

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 Flight. 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 taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 221.02. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 10.64.

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 249 miles (400 km). The flying distance is 397 miles (638 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 1 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 10.64 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 221.02.

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

Bus tickets - USD 10.64 to USD 24.98;
Van price : USD 15.70 - USD 26.91;
Bus+taxi price: USD 34.30. 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 35.13. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
Bus+Van price: USD 35.13. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
Plane tickets - USD 7,870.96 to USD 7,870.96;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 59.17 to USD 221.02.

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.

Vans from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart during the day - there are approximately 15 departures a day.
Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 12:30. There are 13 available bus trips every 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?

Flights

Traveling by plane is the fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. While it’s often the most expensive option, tool, occasionally you can grab promotional tickets for more or less the price of a train or a ferry ticket. Normally, the minimum you need to pay for a Plane ticket is USD 7,870.96.

Things to remember before boarding a plane:

It’s recommended to book a ticket in advance and check-in online. This way, you can save over 2 hours at the airport, and if your seat selection is on a first come first served basis you will have more options to choose from.
Getting through security checks may take some time - it’s recommended to get to the airport at least 1.5 hours in advance.

Airlines flying from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Siam Scenic

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 59.17.

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:

78% decided to go for a bus.
14% opted for a van.
4% decided to catch a taxi.
2% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
2% chosen Bus+Van

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Buses

$ 10.64
Flights

$ 7,870.96
Taxis

$ 34.30
Vans

$ 15.70
Trains are not available
Ferries are not available

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport	$11
Fastest Transport	45m
Earliest Departure	12:00 AM
Latest Departure	12:30 PM
Departures per day	102
Distance	400 kilometers
Transport Companies	Andaman 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, Pai Friendly Tour, Siam Scenic, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, So Good Airline Service and Travel, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Terminal Green Pai, Thailand Travel Taxi, Than Car Service, Torch, Yortdoy Travel