Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Thu, Mar 12
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Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Destination Reviews

MH
Comfortable seats. Bus was on time and made good time to Chiang Rai. Recommend booking early so you can get a window seat. We did not and the people in those seats closed the curtains so we missed a lot of the scenery. Also, as previously mentioned, it is quite cool in the bus. Also, no USB plugs.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 13, 2026
BB
The tuk tuk was terrifying.....going way too fast ...
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 13, 2026
JG
Excellent transport I recommand the VIP Greenbus .0147305372701E+34;
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus VIP, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 13, 2026
S
“The trip was a bit turbulent, with a rather chaotic guide. In addition, when I asked the driver for some information, he replied in a very rude manner, as if I were bothering him. A bit more kindness wouldn’t hurt. Moreover we have a delay of half an hour.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 12, 2026
KT
The driver was driving carelessly, going from lane to lane really fast when the road had turns which felt extremely unsafe.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Van Minivan, K Buddy (เค บัดดี้), Jan 12, 2026
JI
Nice bus in scedule. Everything was fine. Could have found a lower price on local buses.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 12, 2026
JT
Left in time, arived in time. All good. Doesn't stop, so no toiletbreaks.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 10, 2026
FS
Bus was half an hour late, and the driver was quite frequently looking at his smartphone. Besides that everything was okay.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 9, 2026
LW
Driver was friendly, had a bit of English. As it was a long drive he asked us about every half hour if we needed a stop to stretch. At the stop we did make he showed us places further along that might be of interest. We did not stop but appreciated the information. Car was very comfortable and clean
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, taxi Economy 3pax, Firstplan Transport Services (เฟิร์สแพลน ทรานสปอร์ตเซอร์วิส), Jan 9, 2026
PC
Journey was ok. Didnt need a stop oftet 1 hour. Not happy people were getting dropped off on route. Road not so good to Chiang Rai.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus Express, GreenBus (กรีนบัส (รถเขียว)), Jan 9, 2026
4.4
5626 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
$97.74
  3.7
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
06:00
09:20
$13.84
  4.5
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:20
14:20
$103.93
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
06:50
12:40
$202.16
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
07:10
12:40
$92.28
Bus
GreenBus
VIP
07:30
10:50
$13.84
  4.5
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
07:55
09:35
$109.77
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:15
12:00
$8.49
  4.3
Bus
GreenBus
Express
08:45
12:30
$9.13
  4.3
Flight
Thai Vietjet
Economy
09:05
19:25
$66.56
Flight
Thai Airways
Economy
09:25
07:55
$119.89
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
09:45
15:50
$207.86
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:05
15:35
$100.29
Flight
Thai AirAsia
Economy
10:25
15:35
$202.16
Bus
GreenBus
Express
10:45
14:35
$6.63
  4.1
Flight
Nok Air
Economy
11:05
21:05
$86.41
Bus
GreenBus
Express
11:30
15:15
$8.49
  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
$49.63

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.

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 239.54. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 11.54.

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 10 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 11.54 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 239.54.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 11.54 to USD 16.25;
  • Van price : USD 17.63 - USD 28.84;
  • Bus+taxi price: USD 30.76. 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 38.07. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai starting from 09:00 Tha Phae Gate until 09:00 Tha Phae Gate
  • flight price: USD 143.15 - USD 201.92. 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 USD 75.34 to USD 239.54.

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 16 available bus trips every day.
  • Vans from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart during the day - there are approximately 8 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 75.34.

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.
  • 13% opted for a van.
  • 4% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 3% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
  • 1% Other

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Facts about the transport from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Cheapest Transport$12
Fastest Transport2h 30m
Earliest Departure6:30 AM
Latest Departure10:10 PM
Departures per day116
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 AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thailand Travel Taxi, Torch, Yortdoy Travel