The fastest way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to fly: about 1 h 15 min from Don Mueang or about 1 h 22 min from Suvarnabhumi, with fares from about 1,200 THB one way. The lowest-cost option is a train seat from about 230 THB; an overnight sleeper train (about 12–13 hours) or a night coach (about 10–10.5 hours, from about 620 THB) also saves a hotel night. For a door-to-door trip, a Smile Taxi Service private transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport costs a fixed 7,500 THB (sedan), 8,500 THB (SUV) or 10,000 THB (van) per vehicle, one way, expressway tolls included, and takes about 9–11 hours with rest stops.
Distance and travel time overview
By road, Chiang Mai is about 686 km from Bangkok; coach route figures range from 678 km to 713 km. By rail it is 744 km from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and 729 km from Don Mueang station.
Non-stop driving takes about 8 h 40 min, so plan about 9–11 hours door to door with meal and rest stops. Trains take between 10 h 10 min and 13 h 45 min.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai: all options compared
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (BKK or DMK to CNX) | about 1 h 15 min to 1 h 22 min in the air | from about 1,200 THB per person | travellers short on time |
| Overnight sleeper train | about 12–13 hours | about 688–1,646 THB per berth | travellers who want a real bed |
| Train, seat | 10 h 20 min (No. 7) to 13 h 45 min (No. 109) | about 230–558 THB per seat | the smallest budget; daytime travel on No. 7 |
| Coach (Sombat Tour, Nakhonchai Air and others) | about 10–10.5 hours | about 620–1,028 THB per seat | budget travellers, night travel |
| Smile private transfer | about 9–11 hours with stops | fixed 7,500–10,000 THB per vehicle, tolls included | families, groups, luggage, stops on the way |
Third-party prices and timetables in this guide were checked in September 2026. Coach fares in Thailand were adjusted five times between April and September 2026 because of diesel prices, so confirm the fare with the operator before you travel.
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Both Bangkok airports have non-stop flights to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), roughly 55–60 a day in total:
- From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Vietjet Air and Bangkok Airways; about 27–29 flights a day, about 1 h 22 min.
- From Don Mueang (DMK): Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air; about 29–31 flights a day, about 1 h 15 min.
One-way fares are roughly 1,200–3,700 THB, more at peak times and for checked bags. If you land at one Bangkok airport and fly from the other, an airport shuttle bus runs between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 24:00.
From Chiang Mai airport to your hotel
The airport is about 3 km south-west of the city centre.
- Taxi: the flat-rate Airport Taxi counter (07:00–00:00) and the meter taxi counter (07:00–23:00) are both on floor 1 at Entrance 1. The airport publishes no flat-rate fare; meter taxis add a 50 THB airport charge.
- Grab: a designated pickup point at the car park by the domestic terminal, floor 1, open 24 hours.
- Buses (07:00–00:00): the RTC City Bus R3 loops leave from outside the international terminal, cost 30 THB and stop at Tha Phae Gate, the Night Bazaar, Nimmanhaemin and other central points. Airport shuttle buses A1 (Nimmanhaemin and the city moat) and A2 (the Night Bazaar and Chang Klan hotels) cost 40 THB, and A3 (Second Ring Road) costs 60 THB.
After midnight the buses and both taxi counters are closed, so use Grab.
Train from Krung Thep Aphiwat or Don Mueang
Since 19 January 2023, every Chiang Mai train leaves from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (formerly Bang Sue Grand Station), not Hua Lamphong. Five trains run each way every day. All five also stop at Don Mueang station, next to Don Mueang airport, about 15–17 minutes later.
| Train | Krung Thep Aphiwat → Chiang Mai | Don Mueang departure | Fares (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 7 special express (daytime railcar) | 07:30 → 17:50 | 07:45 | 558 (seats only) |
| No. 109 rapid | 14:15 → 04:00 | 14:32 | 230–758 |
| No. 9 special express sleeper | 18:40 → 07:15 | 18:57 | 938–2,446 (sleepers only) |
| No. 13 special express sleeper | 20:05 → 08:45 | 20:22 | 310–1,946 |
| No. 51 express sleeper | 22:30 → 11:40 | 22:47 | 270–818 |
Which class to choose
- 1st class sleeper: a 2-berth cabin, 1,246–1,646 THB per berth depending on the train, or 1,946–2,446 THB for a cabin to yourself.
- 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper: about 688–1,038 THB per berth, depending on the train and on the berth.
Upper berths are a little cheaper but narrower than lower berths, so choose a lower berth if you are tall. Trains 9 and 10 use newer Chinese-built sleeping cars with power sockets, information screens and a restaurant car that sells set meals; the rail guide Seat61 calls them the best trains on the route. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has banned the sale and drinking of alcohol since July 2014.
Booking and getting to the station
Book on the official SRT D-Ticket website (dticket.railway.co.th) or app, up to 180 days ahead; the SRT D-Ticket help page explains the rules. You pay at once by card or PromptPay QR and need each passenger's passport or ID card number. Changes and refunds must be made at least 3 hours before departure; SRT D-Ticket lists fees of 20% three days before, 30% two days before and 50% one day before departure. Sleepers often sell out weeks ahead, especially around New Year (30 December to 3 January) and Songkran (usually 11–16 April), and 1st class sells out first because each train has only one 1st class car.
Children aged 0–3 and under 100 cm travel free; children aged 4–11 and under 150 cm pay a reduced fare.
- From central Bangkok: take the MRT Blue Line to Bang Sue, linked to Krung Thep Aphiwat by an underground walkway. It is a large station, so leave extra time.
- From Suvarnabhumi: take the Airport Rail Link (05:30–24:00, 15–45 THB) to Makkasan, then the MRT Blue Line from Phetchaburi to Bang Sue.
Chiang Mai railway station is about 3 km east of the city centre. A red songthaew (a shared pickup truck) costs about 30 THB per person in town and Grab about 60–80 THB; these prices may have risen in 2026.
Coach from Mo Chit 2 or the Nakhonchai Air station
Most coaches leave from Mo Chit 2, the Bangkok Bus Terminal in Chatuchak. In 2026 the Transport Ministry confirmed that Mo Chit 2 will not move to Krung Thep Aphiwat.
- Sombat Tour: 16 departures a day each way from Mo Chit, via Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet and Lampang, taking about 10.5 hours. Fares: Star 661 THB, Super 771 THB, Supreme (VIP coaches with 20 or 21 seats) 1,028 THB. Departures from 07:00 to 22:05; the last coach arrives at 08:35. Call centre 1215 (06:00–20:00).
- Nakhonchai Air (NCA): 10 departures a day each way from its own station at 21/88 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Lak Si, not from the Mo Chit 2 building: 09:00 and 10:00, then eight evening coaches from 18:45 to 22:30, taking about 10 hours. Gold Class (VIP, 4 seats in a row) and First Class (3 seats in a row) cost about 700–1,000 THB. Baggage: 2 pieces, 20 kg in total. See the Nakhonchai Air Bangkok–Chiang Mai route page or call 1624.
- Other operators from Mo Chit 2: Transport Co. (the state bus company), Bangkok Bus Line, Sri Thawong Tour, Budsarakum Tour, Cherd Chai Tour and Viriya Tour, with fares from about 620 THB. The Transport Co. booking site lists no Chiang Mai trips from Suvarnabhumi.
From Don Mueang airport, BMTA city bus A1 goes to Mo Chit 2 for 30 THB, every 15 minutes from 05:45 to 24:00, from in front of the Service Hall building or Terminal 1, floor 1, Gate 6.
In Chiang Mai, the coaches arrive at the Arcade bus station (Terminal 2 and 3); NCA uses its own terminal next to it.
Private transfer with Smile Taxi Service
A private transfer carries your group only, from the airport to your hotel door in Chiang Mai, with no terminals and no connections.
Fixed fares (THB per vehicle, one way)
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Chiang Mai | 7,500 | 8,500 | 10,000 |
| Chiang Mai → Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 7,500 | 8,500 | 10,000 |
The price is per vehicle, not per person: the same for 1 passenger or a full car. Expressway tolls are included, and there is no meter. From central Bangkok or Don Mueang Airport there is no fixed fare for Chiang Mai: ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
- Sedan (Toyota Camry or similar): up to 3 passengers and 2 bags.
- SUV (Toyota Fortuner or similar): up to 5 passengers and 4 bags.
- Van (Toyota Commuter or similar): up to 7 passengers and 5 bags.
What is included
- Airport pickups: 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the time your flight actually lands. A person on the team checks your flight.
- Meeting point at Suvarnabhumi: Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4; the car stops in the pickup lane. Message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags, and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes. At hotels and other addresses, the driver meets you at the door.
- Before the trip: the team sends you the driver's name, the car and its plate number.
- Free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup, on request.
Options on request
- Stops on the way, for example in Ayutthaya: +250 THB per hour. See how to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
- Name sign at the arrivals gate: +100 THB. Child seat: +100 THB.
- Pickups or drop-offs in Bangkok west of the Chao Phraya River (the Thonburi side): +100–200 THB.
- An English-speaking driver, subject to availability (not every driver speaks English).
Payment and cancellation
You pay the driver in cash (Thai baht) at the end of the trip. The website takes no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, for example because you have not changed money yet, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Smile Taxi Service works 24/7 in 9 languages, has served more than 8,000 passengers with 54+ local drivers, and is rated Google 5.0 and Tripadvisor 5.0.
A private car suits families, groups and travellers with a lot of luggage. For one or two people, a flight costs much less.
Practical tips for this route
- Arriving at night: train No. 109 reaches Chiang Mai at 04:00, and night coaches arrive at the Arcade bus station between about 04:30 and 08:30. Plan how you will get to your hotel (Grab or a red songthaew).
- Luggage: a sedan takes only 2 bags, so choose an SUV or van for more.
- Air quality: check it before a trip between February and April. In 2026 the smoke from forest fires was worst in March and April, and on 7 April 2026 Chiang Mai had the worst air in the world.
- Children: Thai law requires a child seat in a car for children up to 6 years old; the fine is up to 2,000 THB. Ask for a child seat (+100 THB with Smile) when you book a transfer.
- Going on: Pai is about 124 km away on a mountain road, about 2–3 hours by car (Smile Chiang Mai → Pai: 2,200 / 2,700 / 3,500 THB), and Chiang Rai about 184 km, about 2 h 50 min by car (2,500 / 3,000 / 3,800 THB). Read how to get from Bangkok to Pai and how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, or see tours and day trips for a day out with a driver.
The return journey: Chiang Mai to Bangkok
- Flight: from Chiang Mai airport (CNX) to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang.
- Train: No. 102 06:25 → 20:05, No. 8 07:30 → 17:40, No. 52 15:30 → 05:10, No. 14 17:05 → 05:55 and No. 10 18:20 → 06:30, arriving at Krung Thep Aphiwat. The night trains reach Don Mueang first (No. 52 at 04:53, No. 14 at 05:38, No. 10 at 06:13), which suits a morning flight from Don Mueang.
- Coach: Sombat Tour leaves Chiang Mai from 07:30 to 21:50 and takes about 10 hours; Nakhonchai Air leaves its Chiang Mai station at 08:30 and 09:30, then from 19:15 to 21:30.
- Smile private transfer: Chiang Mai → Suvarnabhumi Airport costs 7,500 / 8,500 / 10,000 THB (sedan / SUV / van), tolls included. To central Bangkok or Don Mueang, ask for a quote. A discount is available on return trips; ask by message. Book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Chiang Mai train still leave from Hua Lamphong? No. Since 19 January 2023 all Chiang Mai trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and also stop at Don Mueang station.
Can I catch the train at Don Mueang airport? Yes. All five trains stop at Don Mueang station, next to the airport, about 15–17 minutes after leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat.
How far ahead can I book the train? Up to 180 days ahead on SRT D-Ticket (dticket.railway.co.th).
Is there a bus from Suvarnabhumi airport straight to Chiang Mai? Transport Co. lists none. Fly from Suvarnabhumi, go to Mo Chit 2 for a coach, or take a private transfer.
How much is a private car from Bangkok airport to Chiang Mai? With Smile Taxi Service, 7,500 THB (sedan), 8,500 THB (SUV) or 10,000 THB (van) per vehicle from Suvarnabhumi, tolls included, about 9–11 hours with stops.
Is March a bad time to visit Chiang Mai? Often, because of the air quality: in 2026 the smoke was worst in March and April.
To book your transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, choose your car on the Smile Taxi Service booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.