Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand and the main urban center in the north of the country. Although Chiang Mai is much smaller than the capital Bangkok, it is a highly recommended destination, offering a different urban experience and atmosphere than the huge capital.
Centered around the historic walled city, Chiang Mai is rich in history and culture and is the gateway to Thailand’s picturesque northern landscapes, where many other attractions and monuments await you. The journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is one of the busiest routes in Thailand, visited by thousands of tourists as well as locals who travel to visit friends and family.
Taking a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is one of the most popular ways to get around the city. Below you will find all the necessary information about bus classes, timetables, prices and travel tips.
Other legs:
• Why take a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
• Choose the best time to travel: Bus to Bangkok in the morning, afternoon or evening
• Chiang Mai to Bangkok bus timetable (2023)
• Express or VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
• What bus stations are there in Chiang Mai and Bangkok?
Why take a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
The journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is approximately 700 kilometers, so traveling by bus involves a long and sometimes arduous journey. Although there are faster options, the bus stands out for its economy: it is the cheapest way to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
However, the cheapest option is not always the best. So why choose the bus over other alternatives? The fastest way to travel between these two cities is by plane. The flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok takes just one hour and the prices are surprisingly affordable, with many flights and airlines serving this route. The train journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is also very popular: it is considered one of the most iconic train journeys in Thailand and can be cheaper than flying, although it is still more expensive than the bus. The most expensive option is to take a private taxi. While it is convenient and quick to travel by land, outperforming both trains and buses, its price is much higher.
Sombat Tour buses at Chiang Mai Station. © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
What are the advantages of traveling by bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok? The most important of these is cost. Bus tickets start at around €15 and go up depending on the type of bus you choose. Although the journey is long, some buses will get you to Bangkok faster than the train, and the flexibility that the bus offers is also an advantage. There are many more buses leaving Chiang Mai daily compared to the number of trains, making it easier to coordinate with other travel plans.
Choose the best time to travel: Bus to Bangkok in the morning, afternoon or evening
Nakhonchai Air Gold Class bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
As already mentioned, the wide range of bus companies serving the Chiang Mai to Bangkok route gives you the opportunity to choose between multiple timetables each day, generally divided into three ranges: morning, afternoon and night departures.
Choosing a morning departure means traveling during the day and arriving in Bangkok in the evening or at night. Traveling during the day gives you the opportunity to relax and admire the scenery. Although the journey is not as scenic as by train, you will still be able to appreciate the diverse Thai landscapes.
20-seater VIP bus for Sombat tour
In the evening, an afternoon bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok will take you to the capital. This is not the most convenient option if you need to go to a hotel or one of the airports, although in Bangkok you will usually find some form of transport available at night.
Traveling by night bus has the advantage that you will arrive in Bangkok the next morning. However, as with late night arrivals, arriving early in the morning may be difficult if you have to wait before you can transfer to another destination. If this is an inconvenience for you, for greater comfort it is better to choose a bus that arrives a little later in the morning. The advantage of traveling at night is that you can sleep on the bus, thus saving the cost of staying in a hotel.
Chiang Mai to Bangkok bus timetable (2023)
BUSBUS TYPEDEPARTURE COMETIMETICKET FOR ADULTS
| Tran Sports Co | VIP 31 | 07:30 to 19:23 | 11 hours 53 min | 651 THB |
| Sombat tour | VIP 31 | 07:30 to 17:30 | 10 am. | 1016 THB |
| Trip to Sombat | Express 42 | 09:00 to 19:00 | 10 am. | 1016 |
| Nakhon Chai Air | First class | 09:30 to 20:10 | 10h 40m | 974 THB |
| Tran Sports Co | Express | 10:00 to 20:30 | 10h 30m | 664 THB |
| Sombat tour | Express 40 | 13:30 to 23:30 | 10 am. | 762 THB |
| Tran Sports Co | VIP 31 | 18:00 to 05:53 (1) | 11h 53m | 651 THB |
| Sombat tour | Express 40 | 18:10 to 04:10 (1) | 10 am. | 762 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | Express | 18:40 to 04:10 (1) | 9h 30m | 664 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | VIP | 19:10 to 04:40 (1) | 9h 30m | 763 THB |
| Nakhon Chai Air | Golden class | 19:15 to 04:50 (1) | 9h 35m | 743 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | Express | 19:45 to 05:45 (1) | 10 am. | 664 THB |
| Nakhon Chai Air | First class | 19:46 to 05:19 (1) | 9h 33m | 974 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | VIP | from 20:00 to 06:30 (1) | 10 am. | 763 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | VIP 24 | 20:05 to 05:35 (1) | 9h 30m | 994 THB |
| Sombat tour | Express 40 | from 20:10 to 06:10 ( 1) | 10 am. | 762 THB |
| Trip to Budsara Kham | VIP | 20:15 to 07:30 (1) | 11:00 15:00 | 783 THB |
| Bus from Bangkok | Express | 20:20 to 06:50 (1) | 10 am. | 664 THB |
| Trip to Sombat | VIP 31 | 20:30 to 06:30 (1) | 10 am. | 1016 THB |
| Trip to Budsara Kham | VIP | 20:45 to 08:00 (1) | 11:00 15:00 | 783 THB |
| Trip to Sombat | Express 40 | 21:10 to 07:10 (1) | 10 am. | 762 THB |
| Trip to Sombat | VIP 20 | 21:30 to 07:30 (1) | 10 hours | 1016 THB |
Express or VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
Bangkok Busline Express seats for 4 people in each row.
If you’re looking for more legroom, a footrest, a personal screen and waiter service, choose VIP buses from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. With 3 seats in a row instead of 4, VIP buses offer more space between seats, perfect for sleeping. If you need even more space, look for a VIP bus with a low number, as the number after “VIP” indicates the total number of passengers. VIP buses are more expensive, but if you prefer a more comfortable journey and like to sleep on the bus, they are the best option.
Express buses will be simpler but will save you money. The express service is a normal bus with standard seats, an aisle in the middle and a row of two seats on each side. They offer a reasonable amount of legroom and the seats are quite comfortable, although they can be a bit hard on long journeys such as from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Transport What takes seats in VIP 31
Transport Co’s VIP 31 buses are not as luxurious as private company buses, but they have spacious seats with footrests.
The VIP 31 Sombat Tour buses are the most expensive and include TV and also offer food and snacks.
Gold Class buses operated by Nakhonchai Air are actually standard (express) buses, while First Class (VIP) buses are equipped with comfortable reclining seats and personal screens.
The Bangkok Busline VIP 24 bus has fewer seats, more space and on-board services.
You can book all the mentioned buses online via 12Go. The advantage of booking through them is that you can easily compare all the options and see what services each offers. Prices shown include a small booking fee charged by 12Go, but this is a small cost in exchange for the convenience of being able to book in advance and secure your preferred seat and bus.
What bus stations are there in Chiang Mai and Bangkok?
BUS COMPANYDEPARTURE BUS STATIONSEASON WITH ARRIVAL BUSES
| transport company | Chiang Mai arcade 2 | Mo Chit Bus Station |
| Sombat tour | Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 | Sombat Chatuchak Tour |
| Nakhonchai Air | Chiang Mai Nakhonchaiair | Nakhonchaiair station |
| Buses in Bangkok | Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 | Mo Chit Bus Station |
| Trip to Budsarakham | Chiang Mai Gallery 2 | Mo Chit Bus Station |
Chiang Mai departure bus terminals
Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (Arcade Bus Terminal) © Amnat Phuthamrong / Shutterstock.com
Arcade Bus Terminal 2 and Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3. To relieve the city center, the Arcade 2 bus terminal is located on the outskirts of the city, close to the main ring road, Highway 11. Opposite. It is located at Chiang Mai Bus Station 3, which offers more modern and better facilities. This larger bus station has more amenities for passengers, including multiple food outlets, an air-conditioned waiting room, shops and mini markets, and even a massage parlor if you want to relax before or after a long journey! Chiang Mai Nakhonchaiair Station is located right next to the No. 2 Arcade Bus Terminal.
Arrival of Bangkok bus terminals
Mo Chit Bus Station © paisan sangjunrung / Shutterstock.com
Most buses from Chiang Mai to Bangkok arrive at Mo Chit Bus Terminal. This terminal is the most popular in Bangkok for trips to northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Isan). It is located in the northern part of Bangkok, near the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Terminal Central railway station.
Sombat Tour Chatuchak Bus Station and NakornChai Air Bus Station are located in the Chatuchak area, north of Bangkok, a few kilometers from Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
Can you take a train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
Yes, Thai Railways offers all-day trains from Chiang Mai to Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station. It’s a long trip, but you can book bunk beds to sleep in and travel overnight, saving the cost of a hotel night. Moreover, it is a very scenic route during the day. Compare ticket prices and train options in our Chiang Mai to Bangkok Train Guide.
How long does the bus journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok take?
The distance between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is approximately 700 km, so the bus journey takes a long time, but allows you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Timetables show that the minimum journey time is 9.5 hours, and for some carriers it may be extended to 12 hours. On the 12Go travel website, you can buy tickets for Sombat Tour, Bangkok Busline, Transport Co, Budsarakham Tour and Nakhonchai Air by choosing VIP or Express buses.
How far is Chiang Mai from Bangkok?
It is approximately 700 km from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The journey by car or train is long, with buses taking 10 to 12 hours and trains taking up to 14 hours, both of which offer overnight options. Book your tickets via 12Go and compare all prices; flights are much faster and sometimes even cheaper than the train, while buses are usually the cheapest option.