The two most popular destinations in Thailand are Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai. At first glance, the two cities seem to have a lot in common as they are both capital cities, have rivers meandering through the center and both should undoubtedly be on your must-visit list. However, despite being the largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai doesn’t have the same hustle and bustle as Bangkok, but offers a much more relaxed atmosphere than the country’s capital. With its magnificent temples and stupas and surrounded by spectacular greenery, Chiang Mai is a fantastic city to start your adventure in Thailand before heading to Bangkok.
Travel options from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
By road, the distance from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is 690 kilometers (431 miles), and any seasoned traveler can attest that it takes a long time to cover this distance. Nevertheless, traveling by bus is very popular as it is a very cheap option, although fortunately there are other alternatives. Trains from Chiang Mai to Bangkok are also possible. They don’t make the trip any faster, but the prices are similar to the bus or slightly more expensive, and it’s usually a more convenient means of transport. If you do not have to worry too much about money, there is always the option of flying, which is not as expensive as it might seem at first glance and is undoubtedly the fastest way to travel. Too many options? We explain the pros and cons of each.
Chiang Mai to Bangkok flights
Chiang Mai International Airport with Doi Suthep Mountain in the background. © Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
We’ll start with the quickest way to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok: by plane. There is a slight difference in flight time between different airlines, but the actual time in the air is 60-70 minutes. It is undoubtedly the fastest way to travel from one city to another, although flying also has its disadvantages. Firstly, you will miss the spectacular scenery that can be seen while traveling by car or train. For some travelers, this may not be important or may be a sacrifice you don’t mind getting to Bangkok early. Without a doubt, if you are on time and want to see as much of Thailand as possible on your trip, the plane may be your only option.
You might think that the second drawback is the price. Flying is usually much more expensive than traveling by bus or train, and if you’re traveling with enough money, you can throw out a plane on the spur of the moment. However, for flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, this is not the case. You can get a seat on one of the low-cost airlines for about the same price as a VIP bus ticket.
Use a reliable travel site like 12Go.asia where you can easily compare all airlines at once and see the results from both Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. The flight time is about the same from both airports, with the flight time from Suvarnabhumi being around 10 minutes longer. You can buy cheap flights from Chiang Mai to both airports. When deciding which airport to fly to, it’s best to consider which area of Bangkok you’re going to to see which airport is closest to you. On the map it may seem like they are not very far, but the truth is that there can be big differences in getting to different areas of Bangkok. Don Mueang Airport is further northeast of the city center and Suvarnabhumi Airport is further southeast of the city centre.
Thai Airways operates from Suvarnabhumi Airport, where most long-haul flights depart from Bangkok
If you are flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can choose between Thai Smiles, Bangkok Air, Thai Vietjet and Thai Airways. Thai Vietjet usually offers the cheapest flights, but keep in mind that their standard fares do not include baggage like other airlines.
For Don Mueang Airport, the options are Thai Airasia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air, and none of these airlines cover baggage, so if you bring a suitcase with you, you’ll have to pay extra to check it in. Be sure to look at all prices based on departure times as early morning and late afternoon flights tend to be the cheapest.
Train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
A train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok crossing the White Bridge (Thachompu) in Lamphun, northern Thailand. © Pawarin Prapukdee / Shutterstock.com
While we’ve already said that flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is pretty cheap, nothing beats the train if you want to enjoy the scenery and immerse yourself in Thai culture along the way. Trains in Thailand are notorious for being slow, but if you’re not in a hurry, you’ll enjoy this option.
There are several seat and carriage options on Chiang Mai to Bangkok trains, and prices vary from train to train. The most expensive option is the first class sleeper train, ideal if you want to travel overnight so you don’t spend your entire holiday day traveling. Night trains take around 13 hours and with daylight you’ll be able to sleep and enjoy the views. There are also day trains that take anywhere from 10.5 to almost 15 hours depending on the train, but traveling by light you will enjoy all the scenery between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. In addition, trains are a great way to experience Thai culture as they are widely used by locals.
From Chiang Mai to Bangkok by bus
Sombat Tour buses at Chiang Mai Station. © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
Here is the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok: bus. As with trains, you have the option of traveling at night or during the day, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Sleeper buses will be hard to find, so you’ll have to make do with your seats, but there are differences between the companies that offer this service, so if comfort is important to you, compare the different seat options available.