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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 190 kilometre distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 4 ways to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. You can choose between the flight, bus, minivan, private transport. The most affordable option is by flight, starting from $2. The fastest route is by private transport (3h ).
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3h
$116
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3h 20m
$8
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3h 30m
$20
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10h 30m
$2
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We don’t recommend flying from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. All flights involve a stopover in Bangkok. This makes the total travel time around 4-10.5 hours.
In addition to the extra time that it will take, flying also produces a lot more (unnecessary) emissions. Taking the bus is about 20 times more eco-friendly.
There are several airlines that offer trips from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai like AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Smile, and Thai Lion Air. One-way ticket prices from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai start at $2.
Flights depart from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). You can easily take a taxi or a tuk-tuk from the Old City to the airport.
All flights arrive at Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), located 9 km northeast of the city centre.
The best and most practical option to travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is by bus. Green Bus is the most trusted company on this route and is known for providing good service.
For this route, you can choose between an express and a VIP bus. There are multiple daily trips from 07:15 until 16:00 daily, plus an extra VIP trip every Friday and Sunday at 12:45.
VIP buses have larger, more comfortable seats and an onboard toilet. These VIP buses also do not make any stops along the way, so you will arrive at Chiang Rai a little quicker. The express bus has almost the same amenities except for seat sizes.
Fare starts at $8 and travelling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai takes around 3h 20m - 5h 10m.
The last stop for the bus is Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 in the city centre. This terminal is right next to the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar.
Below, we have provided the bus schedules with the best travel times for the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai route.
You can travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by bus or by flight. We recommend taking a bus, which is cheaper with fares from 225 THB. The bus journey takes 3.5-4 hours. There are no direct flights between the two cities. All flights make a stopover in Bangkok and are more expensive with rates from 2,000 THB.
For more details, visit our guide for Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Chiang Rai is a great place to escape from the more touristic Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Home to the iconic Wat Rong Khun or White Temple, this city is a fusion of two countries that captured and recaptured Chiang Rai for centuries: Thailand and Myanmar.
Adventurers will not run out of amazing things to do in Chiang Rai. With its lush green mountain landscape, you can hike or trek to a number of hot springs and waterfalls. Within the city, you can find interesting shopping finds and traditional Thai food at the lively street market and night bazaars.
If you want a car to yourself while you travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai then you can book a private car.
Rates start from $116 for a -seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about per person. There is also an available car for up to 9 people.
Travel time is around 3h - 3h 30m.
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Carbon Footprint
This 190 km journey produces approximately 17 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Luggage Safety
Some stops on this route involve luggage storage or transfers. Keep valuables in your carry-on and use a lock on checked bags.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Treat YourselfIf you really want to treat yourself, Mora Boutique Hotel is the place to do that. You can go for a relaxing swim in the beautiful swimming pool or chill in the huge bathtub in your own room. This is where we'd spend most of our time!
There's a great onsite gym, free bicycles and a complimentary breakfast — essentially anything you could possibly need from a hotel. And if you need something else, the staff are more than willing to help.
Treat YourselfA day of temple hopping can be exhausting, and there's nothing better than coming back to a comfortable and luxurious room. Sooknirund Hotel is the epitome of luxury. The uniquely designed clock-themed rooms come with robes and incredibly comfortable beds.
There's also a wonderful courtyard surrounded by plants for you to relax in too. But you won't have to walk far to get back to the hotel, as it's situated in the perfect location in Chiang Rai.
Mid-RangeSleepy House is simply beautiful. Stepping into one of their rooms instantly puts you at ease just because of the way they're designed. They're clean, modern and spacious, with a cat theme.
The house has resident cats that are super friendly and loving. It's hard to beat the location of Sleepy House. You'll be within walking distance of a number of Chiang Rai's top sites. Plus, their cutely packaged free breakfasts are great at filling you up for a day of exploring.
BudgetNot many budget accommodations in Chiang Rai come with a swimming pool, but Na Na Doo Homestay has a small but beautiful outdoor pool. This is a great place to stay if you're a family. There's plenty of space for the kids to run around and even rabbits to play with.
The rooms are clean and spacious, and the staff are always there to help. It's impossible not to smile when you see their smiling faces! A delicious free breakfast is served every morning.
BudgetJust a 1-minute walk to the Clock Tower and a 2-minute walk to the Night Market, Kanlaya Place is all about location!
The rooms are spacious and very clean, offering a good night's sleep after a day of temple hopping. The staff are very friendly and there to help with anything you could need. There is a 2-night minimum stay.
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