About the ride from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Maybe you’re overlanding through Southeast Asia and heading to Myanmar next. Maybe you’re exploring Northern Thailand. Maybe you’re escaping the heat of Bangkok. Whatever your reasons are for visiting Chiang Mai, you’ll be glad you did. The city is a worthwhile stop and the ride from Chiang Rai gives you the chance to see lots of rural Thailand along the way.
The central city of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has hundreds of temples, tasty food, markets, and is surrounded by idyllic countryside dotted with tribal villages. Keen hikers might want to think about trekking in the nearby mountains, which are some of Thailand's highest. To see a real spectacle, visit during the flower festival in February.
There are no direct flights or trains between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, so your only option is to go by road. This isn’t a problem though, because the roads are good and the ride is a great opportunity to see some of rural Thailand. If you’re opting for public transport, Bookaway suggests taking the long-distance VIP Bus which is comfy and affordable.
Be aware that you’ll arrive in Chiang Mai at an out-of-town bus station, so you’ll need to take a taxi, songthaew or tuk-tuk to your hotel. If you prefer to travel in privacy, several companies offer car and minivan transfers, with prices starting at around $149 for a car between the two cities.
If you’re traveling on, flights from Chiang Mai Airport connect to places all over Thailand including Bangkok and Phuket as well as many outside of the country, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Yangon, Hong Kong, Doha, Dubai and more. From Chiang Mai, you can also take a long-distance bus to Myanmar or make the 17-hour journey overland to Luang Prabang, as well as many Thai cities including Bangkok.
What you’ll see when traveling from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
There is lots to see on this road trip. Keep your eyes peeled for roadside temples, buddha statues, hilltop wats, and lush mountain scenery.
How to get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Taking an express bus
This bus has A/C and a typical seating arrangement with 2 seats on either side of the aisle (2+2). It leaves from a bus station located around 6 km (4 miles) outside of Chiang Rai, so you’ll need to jump in a taxi or songthaew to get there. Along the way, the driver will make stops so you can stretch your legs, use the bathroom and buy snacks and water.
Be aware that you’ll also arrive at an out-of-town bus station, so you’ll need to book a Grab taxi or hop in a songthaew to get into the center of Chiang Mai.
Taking a VIP Bus
Run by the same company, Green Bus, the main difference between this bus and the Express Bus is that the seats are spaced further apart and in rows of 3 rather than 4 (2+1). They also recline and have padded headrests making the ride comfier. This seating arrangement is also good if you are traveling alone and don't fancy sitting next to someone you don't know. Other perks of this ride include free bottled water and snacks, USB charging ports for your phone/laptop and a mini TV system with headphones.
Taking a private minivan
If you’re a group or a family you might want to book a private minivan for this journey. Vehicles are modern with comfy seats and A/C. Prices start at $171 and include hotel pick up and drop off.
Something to think about is that while minivans can take up to 12 passengers if you also have a lot of heavy bags, you might have to sacrifice a couple of seats for the luggage.
Taking a private car
If you’re a couple traveling together or in a group, you might want to book a private car and driver for this journey. Cars for between 2 and 4 passengers cost from $149 and the driver will collect you and drop you off in any hotel in the city center. The main plus point is flexibility - you can leave whenever you want. However, it’s not a very cost-effective way of traveling if you’re on your own.
