There are 6 ways to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai by plane, train, bus, 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
best- Fly from Wattay International Airport (VTE) to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)VTE - CEI
3h 40m฿3,908–7,798Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Nong Khai to Tha Phra134
- Take the bus from Phitsanulok Bus Terminal to Chiang RaiRoute No.909
10h 26m฿859–1,710Drive 556.4 km
- Drive from Vientiane to Chiang Rai556.4 km
9h 35m฿3,101–4,480Bus
- Take the bus from Vientiane Phanthavong Tour Office to Khon Kaen
- Take the bus from Khon Kaen to Chiang Rai
18h฿911–1,080Bus via Lampang
- Take the bus from Vientiane Talat Sao Station to Udon Thani
- Take the bus from Udon Thani to Lampang876
- Take the bus from Lampang to Chiang Rai
18h 4m฿880–1,924Bus #2
- Take the bus from Nong Khai to Chaing Mai Arcade Bus Terminal
- Take the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang RaiChiang Mai
19h 6m฿1,319–1,719
Vientiane to Chiang Rai by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai is to bus which costs ฿900 - ฿1100 and takes 18h.
The fastest way to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai is to fly which takes 3h 40m and costs ฿3900 - ฿8000.
No, there is no direct bus from Vientiane to Chiang Rai. However, there are services departing from Vientiane Phanthavong Tour Office and arriving at Chiang Rai via Khon Kaen. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h.
The distance between Vientiane and Chiang Rai is 368 km. The road distance is 556.4 km.
The best way to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai without a car is to bus which takes 18h and costs ฿900 - ฿1100.
It takes approximately 3h 40m to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai, including transfers.
Vientiane to Chiang Rai bus services, operated by Lao-Thai International Bus, depart from Vientiane Phanthavong Tour Office station.
The best way to get from Vientiane to Chiang Rai is to fly which takes 3h 40m and costs ฿3900 - ฿8000. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs ฿900 - ฿1100 and takes 18h.
Vientiane to Chiang Rai bus services, operated by Lao-Thai International Bus, arrive at Khon Kaen station.
Yes, the driving distance between Vientiane to Chiang Rai is 556 km. It takes approximately 9h 35m to drive from Vientiane to Chiang Rai.
What companies run services between Vientiane, Laos and Chiang Rai, Thailand?
Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways International, and Lao Airlines fly from Wattay International Airport (VTE) to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Vientiane Phanthavong Tour Office to Chiang Rai via Khon Kaen in around 18h.
- Website
- airasia.com
Flights from Wattay International Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport via Don Muang
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿3,700–7,500
- Website
- thaiairways.com
Flights from Wattay International Airport to Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport via Suvarnabhumi
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ฿4,200–12,000
- Website
- railway.co.th
Train from Nong Khai to Tha Phra
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ฿85–550
- Schedules at
- railway.co.th
- Phone
- +66 2 936 3256
- Website
- sombattour.com
Bus from Phitsanulok Bus Terminal to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 4m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ฿550–850
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/sombat-tour
- Website
- https://www.sombattour.com/
Bus from Khon Kaen to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 13h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- ฿600–750
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/sombat-tour
- Website
- https://www.sombattour.com/
Bus from Lampang to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 49m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/sombat-tour
- Website
- https://www.sombattour.com/
Bus from Vientiane Phanthavong Tour Office to Khon Kaen
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿310–330
- Phone
- 1490
- borkorsor@transport.co.th
- Website
- tcl99web.transport.co.th
Bus from Vientiane Talat Sao Station to Udon Thani
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- ฿80–600
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/transport-co
- Website
- https://tcl99web.transport.co.th/Home
- Phone
- +66 56 720 720
- info@phetprasert.com
- Website
- phetprasert.com
Bus from Udon Thani to Lampang
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿550–950
- Schedules at
- phetprasert.com
- 13
- ฿600–750
- Phone
- +66 5326 6480
- servicecenter@greenbusthailand.com
- Website
- greenbusthailand.com
Bus from Lampang to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ฿250–420
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/greenbus
- Website
- https://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/
Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ฿200–600
- Book at
- https://12go.asia/en/operator/greenbus
- Website
- https://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/
- Phone
- 084-2626003
- Website
- easybook.com
Bus from Nong Khai to Chaing Mai Arcade Bus Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ฿1,097
- Book at
- easybook.com
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 Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose (and how do I get there)?, How to get from London City Airport into central London, and How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
There are 392+ hotels available in Chiang Rai.











