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If you’re planning to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 2026 this guide is for you. The journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is around 700 km. There are several different ways to do this journey depending on your time, budget and desired level of comfort.
However, it is also very important to be up-to-date with the latest travel information. We are here to help give you the best and latest travel information to plan your trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
If you’re visiting Chaing Mai DON’T MISS our ULTIMATE Chiang Mai itinerary and our guide on THE BEST areas to stay in Chiang Mai
How to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Methods of transport compared
| Advantage | Rough price | Journey time | |
| Long distance bus | Cheap | 500 – 700 baht | 10 hours |
| Sleeper train (first class) | Comfortable and enjoyable | 1,500 – 1,700 baht | 12 hours |
| Domestic flight | Fast and convenient | 1,500 – 3,000 baht (including baggage) | 1 hour (plus transit and waiting times) |
Take a bus: From Bangkok to Chiang Mai on a budget
The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to take a bus. However this is a long journey and we do not recommend this unless you are on a really tight budget.
Most buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai depart from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak). Other pick up locations are available around the city. The 700km bus journey is likely to take around 10 hours. This is quite an endurance, even on more comfortable buses. As far as we are aware it is not currently possible to find buses with flat beds in Thailand. At best you can get VIP buses with large comfortable reclinable seats.
Top tip: if you are planning to take a long distance for from Bangkok to Chiang Mai remember to bring an extra layer for warmth. Many of the buses in Thailand have a very strong air conditioning and come actually be quite cold.
Long distance bus tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai cost around 500 – 700 baht (roughly £10 – £14 or $13 – $18). Buses are available throughout the day.
Another reason you may need to take the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is if you are not able to book train tickets for your travel dates. If you do choose to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus you will need to decide whether to travel over the day or night. The advantage of traveling through the day is that you do not need to lose sleep on an uncomfortable bus. On the other hand, the advantage of traveling through the night is that you save time (you’ll be sleeping anyway) and you also save the cost of one night’s accommodation (budget travellers will do anything to save a little money)
It is very important to be aware of security if you’re traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus. The best way to look after your belongings is to have a small bag with any valuables, which you keep with you on the bus. Do not put any valuables in your large bag which goes under the bus. If you are traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on a night bus it is very important that you keep your valuables bag with you and hold it throughout the journey. We do not recommend leaving a valuables bag underneath your seat or at your feet. If you drop off to sleep there is a risk that people can go through your bag and steal your valuables. Sadly we have seen this happen to people before.
Finally, one massive change that we have noticed in travel in the past few years is the amount of advance booking online. Due to the increase in online bookings it can be very challenging to find a bus service. Your desire a time with the right seats available unless you also booked in advance.
Many websites now sell bus tickets online
Take a Train: From Bangkok to Chiang Mai for the experience
Here is the train timetable from Bangkok to Chiang Mai…
| Service | Departure / Arrival |
| Special Express 7 | 08.30 – 19.30 |
| Rapid 109 | 13.45 – 04.05 |
| Special Express 9 | 18.10 – 07.15 |
| Special Express 13 | 19.35 – 08.40 |
| Express 51 | 22.00 – 12.10 |
- First class sleeper price from Bangkok to Chiang Mai 1,500 baht – 1,700 baht
- Second class sleeper price from Bangkok to Chiang Mai 800 baht – 1,000 baht
- Second class seat price from Bangkok to Chiang Mai 600 baht – 700 baht
The night train options are very popular – and the first class sleeper cabins often sell out a day or two in advance, so if possible book early. If you book online in advance expect to pay around 250 baht more per ticket (roughly £5 or $7)
The best way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to take a night sleeper train.
In our opinion, the night train provides the perfect balance between economy, comfort and enjoyment. Trains depart from Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok (this is the main train station). The train journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes around 11 – 14 hours.
There are three classes available on the long distance night trains in Thailand. If you take a first class sleeper cabin there are two beds in a private lockable cabin. The cabin includes a little bit of space to store your luggage and a small sink. There is also a small fold out table. The beds are wide enough for a parent to share a bed with a small child.
The first class sleeper trains in Thailand are actually surprisingly comfortable. The cabins are air conditioned and in most trains you are able to switch the air conditioning off to adjust the temperature accordingly. Also, on the first class sleeper train they provide bedding too.
The journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a long journey, so if you can get a first class sleeper cabin we do recommend this. In the morning a friendly guard will give you a knock on the door to make sure you’re awake in plenty of time.
Second Class beds are also available on sleeper trains in Thailand. A second class sleeper carriage has lots of beds. There is less security and privacy in a t class sleeper carriage. Second class beds do have a curtain to give you a little bit of privacy, however there are no sealed compartments for bags. The entire carriage is shared with many beds. Therefore we recommend keeping your valuables bag with you as you sleep.
Top Tip: The second class sleeper carriage can actually be very cold. Passengers are not able to control the air conditioning and on some trains the air conditioning settings are very cold. Remember to bring an extra layer for the journey. When you book your ticket you can choose your bed. Either an upper bed or lower bed. We recommend the lower beds which is more comfortable and further from the air conditioning.
You can also buy seat tickets on night trains in Thailand. However, we do not recommend this option due to the lack of comfort and security. What’s the point of saving a little money if you lose a day or two feeling tired after your journey?
The long distance trains in Thailand do not have a dedicated buffet car. There are no official services to buy food or drinks on the train. So it is important to be aware that you will need to buy food and drink prior to your journey. On many train journeys you will see locals hopping on and off the train selling an array of local foods.
If you are taking a sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, we recommend taking a first class cabin for security, comfort and enjoyment. However, the sleeper trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai may book up early.
If possible try to book your train tickets early. Is it possible to book your train ticket online in advance or in person at the train station.
Top tip: if you are planning to book your train ticket in the station in advance, you can actually book your future trips (from other stations) at the same time. If you know your travel dates in advance we recommend booking tickets together.
Alternatively, find a tour operator near your accommodation and ask if they can help you book a train ticket. If you book tickets through a tour operator, be aware that they are likely to charge a small additional fee.
It is worth being aware that you may need to show your passport in order to book train tickets in Thailand.
Take a plane: From Bangkok to Chiang Mai fast and convenient
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The fastest and most convenient way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to take a cheap, internal, domestic flight. There are several budget airlines that offer cheap domestic flights in Thailand.
Although internal flights are fast and convenient you will need to weigh this up against your overall budget for your trip. If you are just on a short holiday in Thailand and you do not have much time, a cheap domestic flight is probably your best option.
Another thing to consider if you’re planning to take a cheap domestic flight is the amount of baggage that you are allowed to check in. Cheap budget Airlines often have a much smaller baggage allowance than long-haul carriers. Also make sure you consider the transit time to and from the airport and waiting time at the airport too.
Top tip: If you are not bothered about visiting Bangkok consider looking at international flights all the way to Chiang Mai. If you book your overall flight itinerary from your home country to Chiang Mai it may be cheaper than booking a domestic flight separately. If you book a ticket to Chaing Mai you may end up transiting in Bangkok anyway. The airport in Chiang Mai is a lovely little Airport located a few kilometers south of the old city. It will not take long to get into the old town from the Chiang Mai airport.
Here are some budget airlines that offer flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
- Vietjet Air
- Thai Air Asia
- Nok Air
Expect to pay around 1,500 – 3,000 baht for flights (including additional check in baggage)
Rent a car: From Bangkok to Chiang Mai on your own steam
Another way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to rent a car and drive. However, we only really recommend that you do this if you want to do a long road trip in Thailand and perhaps see a few sights along the way. If you are planning to drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai you will probably want to stop along the way.
If you do rent a car in Thailand and you’re planning to drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, check with your car rental company whether you are allowed to drive long distance journeys around Thailand. Some car rental companies have contracts that only allow you to drive around a particular town or province. We do not recommend that you break the contract and drive further for many reasons.
Also if you do rent a car in Thailand be aware that many car rental companies will request a deposit (normally up to 5,000 baht which is around £100 or $130). Make sure that you are appropriately qualified to drive in Thailand and obtain an international driving permit if possible.
Car rental in Thailand normally costs around 700 – 1,500 baht per day (£14 – £30 or $18 – $40) depending on the dealer, type of car, availability and season. You can normally find cheaper deals locally compared to using online companies. Remember to negotiate a better deal, especially if you are renting for a few weeks. Some car rental companies may also include children’s seats (check whether this is an additional fee). Petrol is very cheap in Thailand costing around 40 baht per liter in most places (roughly £0.80 or $1).
How much does it cost to drive a rented car from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Car rental is likely to cost around 1,000 baht per day. You are also likely to spend around 2,000 – 3,000 baht in petrol. If you take two days to drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai it is likely to cost 4,000 – 5,000 baht for the journey (and remember this is just one way, you will need to keep paying for the rental until the car is returned). You also need to consider the cost of one night’s accommodation.
So overall this is not a cost effective option (even car sharing is likely to cost more per person than the train). What’s more, this can be quite a tiring journey. So if you want to rent a car, we recommend taking a train and then renting when you arrive in Chiang Mai.
Summary: What is the best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to take a sleeper train. Try to get a first class private sleeper cabin if possible. By doing this you will save the cost of one night’s accommodation and you will not lose any of your valuable waking hours in Thailand to travel time. The night train is very affordable, fun and actually relatively comfortable. Just remember to book your ticket in advance if possible. Also, don’t forget to bring some food and drinks on the night train with you.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Chiang Mai?
Don’t miss the stunning Inside House Chiang Mai with it’s amazing PRIVATE POOL suite. Located conveniently in the Chiang Mai old City.
