There are 7 ways to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai by plane, bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Don Mueang International Airport
best- Fly from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)plane DMK - CEI
2h 44m฿1,304–2,913Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Chiang Maitrain 9 / ...
- Take the bus from CoolMuang Coffee to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1bus CoolMuang Coffee - Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
17h 48m฿657–1,372Bus
- Take the bus from Mochit to Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiairbus Mochit - Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiair
13h 28m฿967–1,074Drive 772 km
- Drive from Bangkok to Chiang Raicar 772 km
10h 29m฿3,412–4,928Fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)plane BKK - CEI
3h 13m฿1,300–3,740Bus via Chiang Rai Town Transfer
- Take the bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal 2 to Chiang Rai Town Transferbus Mo Chit Bus Terminal 2 - Chiang Rai Town Transfer
20h 7m฿2,167–2,174Bus, Local Bus
- Take the bus from Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal to Chiangkhongbus
- Take the bus from Chiang khong to Chiang Raibus
23h 39m฿764–6,331
Bangkok to Chiang Rai by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is to train and bus which costs ฿650 - ฿1400 and takes 17h 48m.
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is to fly which takes 2h 44m and costs ฿1300 - ฿3000.
No, there is no direct bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. However, there are services departing from Wat Ratcha Natda Ram and arriving at Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiair via Mochit. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 28m.
The distance between Bangkok and Chiang Rai is 699 km. The road distance is 772 km.
The best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai without a car is to bus which takes 13h 28m and costs ฿950 - ฿1100.
It takes approximately 2h 44m to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, including transfers.
Bangkok to Chiang Rai bus services, operated by Nakhonchai Air, depart from Mochit station.
The best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is to fly which takes 2h 44m and costs ฿1300 - ฿3000. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs ฿950 - ฿1100 and takes 13h 28m.
Bangkok to Chiang Rai bus services, operated by Nakhonchai Air, arrive at Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiair station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bangkok to Chiang Rai is 772 km. It takes approximately 10h 29m to drive from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
What companies run services between Bangkok, Thailand and Chiang Rai, Thailand?
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Mentari, and Nok Air fly from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) hourly. Alternatively, Nakhonchai Air operates a bus from Mochit to Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiair once daily. Tickets cost ฿900–1,100 and the journey takes 11h 56m.
- Website
- airasia.com
Flights from Don Mueang International Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿1,100–2,600
- Website
- lionairthai.com
Flights from Don Mueang International Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿1,100–3,600
- Website
- vietjetair.com
Flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿1,100–3,200
- Website
- nokair.com
Flights from Don Mueang International Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿1,200–2,900
- Website
- thaiairways.com
Flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿2,400–4,000
- Phone
- 1690
- sarabanklang@railway.co.th
- Website
- railway.co.th
Train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Chiang Mai
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- ฿190–900
- Book at
- 12go.asia
- Website
- railway.co.th
- 1st Class (Air-Conditioned Berth)
- ฿600–900
- 3rd Class (Seat)
- ฿210–260
- 2nd Class (Air-Conditioned Berth)
- ฿190–250
- 2nd Class (Air-conditioned Seat)
- ฿500–540
- Phone
- 1624
- customerservice@nakhonchaiair.com
- Website
- Nakhonchai Air
Bus from Mochit to Chiang Rai Nakhonchaiair
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 56m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ฿900–1,100
- Book at
- 12go.asia
- Website
- Nakhonchai Air
- prpbee711@gmail.com
- Website
- Mekong Transfer
Bus from CoolMuang Coffee to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿750–780
- Schedules at
- Mekong Transfer
- Phone
- +66 2 225 1025
- booking@paifriendlytour.co.th
- Website
- Pai Friendly Tour
Bus from CoolMuang Coffee to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿840
- Website
- Pai Friendly Tour
Bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal 2 to Chiang Rai Town Transfer
- Ave. Duration
- 18h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ฿2,150
- Website
- Pai Friendly Tour
- Phone
- +66 42 081 899
- rgadventure.th@gmail.com
- Website
- RG Adventure
Bus from CoolMuang Coffee to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ฿430–1,200
- Schedules at
- RG Adventure
- Phone
- 1490
- borkorsor@transport.co.th
- Website
- ฺBor Kor Sor
Bus from Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal to Chiangkhong
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 24m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿700–6,500
- Book at
- 12go.asia
- Website
- ฺBor Kor Sor
Bus from Chiang khong to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- ฿65
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube, How to get from Gatwick Airport into central London, and Travelling around the UAE - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
Book your Bangkok to Chiang Rai bus tickets online with Omio and 12go.asia.
There are 420+ hotels available in Chiang Rai.

















