Chiang Mai to Bangkok

Travelling between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is possible by Flight, bus, train and taxi. Flight guarantees the fastest travel on this route. Train is the slowest option.

The most expensive ticket will cost you THB 18,480 if you go by taxi; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a train which will set you back mere THB 260.

It can take you anywhere between 2 and 15 hours to travel between Chiang Mai and Bangkok depending on the means of transport you choose.

Flight is the fastest way to travel between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Flight will bring you to your destination in 1h 5m. Train does a much slower job and take about 14h 10m to reach Bangkok.

Travelling between Chiang Mai and Bangkok can be as cheap as THB 260 if you opt for a Thai Railway (การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย) train and as expensive as THB 18,480 if you buy a Jed Yord (บริษัท เจ็ดยอดบราเตอร์ จำกัด) taxi ticket.

Here is the list of how much you can expect to pay travelling by each means of transport available for this route.

• 37 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok starting from 07:50 Chiang Mai Airport until 22:45 Chiang Mai Airport
• 26 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok starting from 07:30 Chiang Mai Arcade 2 until 21:50 Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3
• 19 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok starting from 06:30 Chiang Mai until 18:55 Chiang Mai

37 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok starting from 00:00 Chiang Mai Town Hotel Transfer until 00:00 Chiang Mai Town Hotel Transfer

Check above for a bus, train, flight and ferry timetable from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Flights

Flying is the fastest and often the most expensive way to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, but with a bit of luck you can score very good deals for as little as THB 775.

Things to remember: Note that some of the airlines may have restrictions on checked luggage weight or require paying extra for check-in, choosing seats or transportation of oversized luggage.

If opting for a flight, calculate the time you will spend getting to and from the airports as well as the waiting time before your flight, getting through immigration in case of an international flight and recovering your checked luggage.

In certain cases all these procedures can add no less than 5 hours to your total travel time.

Airlines flying between Chiang Mai and Bangkok

Bangkok Air (บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส), Nok Air (นกแอร์), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air (ไทยไลอ้อนแอร์), Thai Smile (ไทยสมายล์), Thai Vietjet (ไทยเวียดเจ็ทแอร์)

Bus

Travelling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok overland will inevitably take longer but in many cases it is the cheapest option if you opt for a bus.

Things to remember: For a more comfortable ride opt for a higher-class bus wherever possible. These buses usually have soft reclining seats and are equipped with air-conditioning and on-board toilets.

They often include water, snacks or a light lunch into your ticket price and make bathroom stops en-route.

Companies operating bus routes between Chiang Mai and Bangkok

Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Budsarakham Tour (บุษราคัมทัวร์), Lignite Tour PK (ลิกไนท์ทัวร์(ภาคเหนือ)), Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Sombat Tour (บริษัท เทพสมบัติ จำกัด), Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด)

Taxi

Some travellers consider taxi to be the most convenient form of overland transport thanks to flexible departure times, a possibility to choose the size of the car you need, and a hassle-free door-to-door service.

Things to remember: If you are planning to make detours during your trip, discuss it with your driver or service provider in advance as it may affect the price.

Companies offering charters between Chiang Mai and Bangkok

12Go Transfer, BangkokTaxi24, Glassflower, Jed Yord (บริษัท เจ็ดยอดบราเตอร์ จำกัด)

Train

Train is a often a great choice for long-haul travel especially if you opt for a night sleeper train with berths which will allow you to sleep all your journey through. To make the most of your train journey, choose the class of your ticket wisely.

Note that there are air-conditioned and fan-only carriages; private compartments for 2 or 4; hard and soft seats.
Though the upper class you get the smoother is your journey, often second class air-conditioned or fan-only sleepers are a good money saving alternative.

There is a choice of transportation means any time of the day with Train remaining the most popular option due to their reasonable pricing and comfort.

Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route

• 44% took a train
• 40% opted for a bus
• 15% decided to fly
• 1% bought a taxi ride