The fastest way from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is a nonstop flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes from Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK). The lowest-cost way is an overnight bus from Mo Chit, from about 740 THB for 11 to 12.5 hours. For a private car door to door (about 10.5 hours of driving), ask Smile Taxi Service for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE. You can also go to Chiang Mai by train or plane and take a Smile car from there to Chiang Rai at a fixed fare (sedan 2,500 THB per vehicle, about 2 hours 50 minutes).
Distance and travel time
Chiang Rai is about 770–840 km north of Bangkok by road, depending on the route, and about 10.5 hours of driving without stops. The main roads are Highway 1 and Highway 32. Long-distance buses run via Lampang or Phrae and then Phayao. They do not pass through Chiang Mai.
There is no railway to Chiang Rai. Trains from Bangkok end in Chiang Mai, 744 km from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station, and take 10 hours 10 minutes to 13 hours 45 minutes. From Chiang Mai it is about 184 km to Chiang Rai on Highway 118. A railway line to Chiang Rai is under construction, with opening planned for 2028.
Bangkok to Chiang Rai options compared
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonstop flight (DMK or BKK) | about 1 h 20 min in the air | one way from about 1,300 THB | Short trips, saving a day |
| Bus from Mo Chit | about 11–12.5 hours | about 740–1,210 THB | Tight budgets, solo travellers |
| Train to Chiang Mai + Greenbus | about 17–18 hours with train 9 | train 9 berth from 938 THB + bus 196–305 THB | Rail fans, a stop in Chiang Mai |
| Smile car Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai | about 2 h 50 min | sedan 2,500, SUV 3,000, van 3,800 THB per vehicle | Families and groups after the train or a flight |
| Private car the whole way | about 10.5 hours of driving | quote on WhatsApp or LINE | Lots of luggage, door to door |
Bus, train and flight prices were checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm them with the operator. Bus fares in Thailand were adjusted five times between April and September 2026.
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Flights land at Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), about 8 km from the city centre.
Airlines and airports
Both Bangkok airports have nonstop flights, so check which one your ticket uses.
- From Don Mueang (DMK): Thai AirAsia (about 26 flights a week), Nok Air (about 14) and Thai Lion Air (about 13).
- From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): THAI (Thai Airways, about 21 flights a week) and Thai Vietjet Air (about 15).
That is about 89 nonstop flights a week, roughly 12 to 13 a day (September 2026). Thai Smile stopped flying on 1 January 2024 after merging into Thai Airways, and Bangkok Airways no longer flies to Chiang Rai.
Fares
On 25 September 2026 the lowest one-way fare seen was 1,295 THB (Thai Lion Air) and the lowest round trip 2,590 THB. Typical round trips: Thai AirAsia about 2,200–3,750 THB, Nok Air about 2,550–3,950 THB, Thai Vietjet about 2,650–4,550 THB, and THAI from about 4,760 THB. February is usually the least expensive month and June the most expensive. Check whether a checked bag is included before you book.
From Chiang Rai airport into the city
- Chiang Rai Airport Taxi (official): counter at Entrance 3, floor 1 of the main terminal, 06:30–22:00 daily; 150 THB per ride to anywhere in Chiang Rai city.
- Chiang Rai Taxi (metered): also at Entrance 3, 07:00–22:00; the meter starts at 40 THB, or agree a fixed price.
- Grab: the app works in Chiang Rai city.
- Car rental: Avis and Budget.
The public bus stopped serving the airport on 22 August 2024. Both taxi counters close at 22:00, so if you land late, plan your transfer in advance.
Pros: by far the fastest, with many flights every day. Cons: you still need to get to a Bangkok airport and allow time for check-in.
Overnight bus from Mo Chit
Most buses leave from Mo Chit 2 (Bangkok Bus Terminal, Chatuchak), which the government confirmed in May 2026 will stay where it is for now.
Sombat Tour
Sombat Tour's timetable of 15 September 2026 has three classes: "Star" (lowest price), "Super", and "Supreme", a 20-seat VIP coach run by Wiang Ping Bus.
| Departs Mo Chit | Arrives Chiang Rai | Class | Fare (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 (day bus) | 19:40 | Super | 905 THB |
| 17:00 | 04:00 | Super | 861 THB |
| 18:15 | 06:55 | Supreme | 1,207 THB |
| 18:30 | 05:30 | Super | 861 THB |
| 19:25 | 06:45 | Star | 738 THB |
| 19:50 | 06:50 | Supreme | 1,148 THB |
| 20:35 | 07:35 | Supreme | 1,148 THB |
Sombat Tour's call centre is 1215 (06:00–20:00); the company says times and fares may change.
Nakhonchai Air
Nakhonchai Air (NCA) runs two Gold Class (VIP) buses a night: 19:01, arriving 07:05 (21 seats), and 19:40, arriving 07:44 (30 seats). You can board at NCA's own Bangkok terminal (with a free shuttle to the BTS and MRT), at Mo Chit or at NCA Rangsit. Heading north, you can ask to get off at listed stops, including the junction for Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple); the bus stops there only if a passenger asks. The state company Transport Co. ("999" buses) also runs this route several times a day.
Getting to Mo Chit 2 and arriving in Chiang Rai
From Don Mueang airport, city bus A1 goes to Mo Chit 2 via BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park: 30 THB, 05:45–24:00, about every 15 minutes, boarding at the Service Hall building next to Terminal 1.
Buses from Bangkok arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, about 6–7 km south of the city. Bus Terminal 1 is in the centre next to the Night Bazaar, with left luggage and local buses to the White Temple and the Black House (Baan Dam). A songthaew (shared minibus) links the two terminals in about 15 minutes; taxis and Grab also go into town.
Night buses arrive between about 04:00 and 07:45, before most hotels allow check-in. For a daylight arrival, take the 07:00 day bus or fly.
Pros: the lowest price, and you do not pay for a hotel that night. Cons: a long ride, an early-morning arrival, and a transfer from Terminal 2.
Train to Chiang Mai, then on to Chiang Rai
This is the slowest way, but it lets you stop in Chiang Mai. For more on the train, see How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Since 19 January 2023, trains to Chiang Mai leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central (the former Bang Sue Grand Station), not Hua Lamphong. The station is on the MRT Blue Line and the SRT Red Lines.
| Train | Departs Bangkok | Arrives Chiang Mai | Fare range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special express 7 (day) | 07:30 | 17:50 | 558 THB |
| Rapid 109 | 14:15 | 04:00 | 230–758 THB |
| Special express 9 | 18:40 | 07:15 | 938–2,446 THB |
| Special express 13 | 20:05 | 08:45 | 310–1,946 THB |
| Express 51 | 22:30 | 11:40 | 270–818 THB |
On train 9, a second-class berth costs 938 THB (upper) or 1,038 THB (lower) and a first-class berth 1,446 THB (upper) or 1,646 THB (lower). Book on dticket.railway.co.th or through agents such as 12go.asia; bookings open up to 6 months ahead.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai:
- Greenbus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal (Terminal 3) to both Chiang Rai terminals, many times a day: 196 THB (38-seat bus, about 3 hours 45 minutes) or 305 THB (33-seat bus, about 3 hours 20 minutes); one 24-seat VIP bus a day, also 305 THB. These are May 2025 fares. The Greenbus website was down on 25 September 2026, so buy at the terminal.
- Daytrip shared shuttle at about 07:45 and 14:00 (as of September 2026; check with Daytrip), from Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai airport or your hotel, to the White Temple, downtown Chiang Rai or Chiang Rai airport.
- Smile Taxi Service private car, about 2 hours 50 minutes, at a fixed fare per vehicle (next section).
With train 9 and a Greenbus onward, you reach Chiang Rai around midday, about 17 to 18 hours after leaving Bangkok.
Pros: a bed for the night and a chance to see Chiang Mai. Cons: the longest total time and two bookings.
Private transfer with Smile Taxi Service
A private car is the only option that takes you from door to door. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for the full Bangkok–Chiang Rai drive: send your pickup address, date and number of passengers on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote.
Smile has fixed fares for the two legs of the trip, per vehicle, one way, expressway tolls included, the same for one passenger or a full car:
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Chiang Mai | 7,500 THB | 8,500 THB | 10,000 THB |
| Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai | 2,500 THB | 3,000 THB | 3,800 THB |
The first fare starts at Suvarnabhumi Airport, not central Bangkok. The simplest way to use Smile on this route is the second leg: train or fly to Chiang Mai, then take a Smile car from your hotel there to Chiang Rai.
- Book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book an SUV from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book a van from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai
- Book an SUV from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai
- Book a van from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai
- See all Smile Taxi Service routes and fares
Vehicles: sedan for up to 3 passengers and 2 bags (Toyota Camry or similar), SUV for up to 5 and 4 bags (Toyota Fortuner or similar), van for up to 7 and 5 bags (Toyota Commuter or similar).
- At Suvarnabhumi, 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time; a member of the team checks your flight. The driver meets you on Level 4 (Departures) near Gate 4. Message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags, and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes. A free 500 MB Thailand eSIM comes with an airport pickup on request.
- At hotels and other addresses, the driver meets you at the door. Before the trip you receive the driver's name, the car and its plate number.
- Name sign at arrivals +100 THB, child seat +100 THB, both on request. Extra stops on the way, for example for sightseeing: +250 THB per hour.
- An English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability.
- Pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. There is no online payment or deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee added).
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Smile Taxi Service is rated Google 5.0 and Tripadvisor 5.0 and has served 8,000+ passengers with 54+ local drivers.
Pros: door to door, your own schedule, and one price for the whole car. Cons: for one or two people it costs more than flying or the bus.
Practical tips for this route
- Plan for an early-morning bus arrival. Book your hotel room from the night before so you can check in when you arrive, or take the day bus.
- Match the car to your luggage. A Smile sedan takes 2 bags, an SUV 4 and a van 5.
- Going straight to the White Temple? It is on Highway 1, about 13–15 km south of the city. On an NCA bus, ask to get off at the Wat Rong Khun junction.
- Keep valuables with you on night buses rather than in the luggage hold.
- Travelling with children. Thai law requires a child seat in a car for children up to 6 years old; ask for a Smile child seat (+100 THB) when you book.
- Book ahead around long holidays, for both overnight buses and sleeper berths.
- Confirm bus fares before travel, for example with the Sombat Tour call centre (1215). The most recent change was on 15 September 2026.
The return journey from Chiang Rai to Bangkok
By air: the same five airlines fly from Chiang Rai to Bangkok: Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air to Don Mueang, and THAI and Thai Vietjet to Suvarnabhumi.
By bus: long-distance buses use Bus Terminal 2, and NCA also boards at its own Chiang Rai station. Sombat Tour has a day bus at 08:30 (arriving 21:10, about 905 THB) and night buses from 16:30 to 19:20, arriving between 04:30 and 06:20 (about 738–1,207 THB). Nakhonchai Air leaves at 17:46 (arriving 05:56) and 18:00 (arriving 06:10).
By train: first go to Chiang Mai by Greenbus or car. Day trains leave Chiang Mai at 06:25 and 07:30. Night trains leave at 15:30, 17:05 and 18:20 and reach Krung Thep Aphiwat between 05:10 and 06:30.
By private car: Smile's fixed fares are the same in reverse (sedan / SUV / van): Chiang Rai → Chiang Mai 2,500 / 3,000 / 3,800 THB, and Chiang Mai → Suvarnabhumi Airport 7,500 / 8,500 / 10,000 THB.
- Book a sedan from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
- Book an SUV from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
- Book a van from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
- Book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Book an SUV from Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Book a van from Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi Airport
For the full drive back, ask for a quote. A discount is available on return trips; ask when you message.
FAQ
What is the fastest way from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
A nonstop flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi, with roughly 12 to 13 flights a day.
What is the lowest-cost way?
An overnight bus from Mo Chit, from about 740 THB. One-way flights from about 1,300 THB were also seen in September 2026.
Is there a train to Chiang Rai?
No. The railway ends in Chiang Mai, and you continue about 184 km by bus or car. A line to Chiang Rai is planned for 2028.
How do I get from Chiang Rai airport to town?
Take the official airport taxi (150 THB to anywhere in the city, 06:30–22:00), the metered taxi, or Grab. The airport bus no longer runs.
Can I take a taxi all the way from Bangkok to Chiang Rai?
Yes, as a private transfer of about 10.5 hours of driving. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this trip, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
How much is a private car from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
With Smile, 2,500 THB (sedan), 3,000 THB (SUV) or 3,800 THB (van) per vehicle, tolls included, for a drive of about 2 hours 50 minutes.
Does Thai Smile still fly to Chiang Rai?
No. Thai Smile stopped flying on 1 January 2024 after merging into Thai Airways, which now flies nonstop from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Rai.
For a quote on the full drive or to book your Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai car, message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.