For an authentic experience in northern Thailand, all you need to do is head to the city of Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle region of Thailand. The atmosphere, cuisine and even people in Chiang Rai are completely different than in Bangkok in the south. As the gateway to northern Thailand, Chiang Rai is the perfect place to explore the area. In addition to this, the city also has its own attractions, such as the amazing White Temple, numerous museums and a beautiful landscape. If you’re visiting Thailand to soak up its culture, a trip from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is something we recommend so you can see the differences that exist in the country and enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the way.
Travel options from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is one of the northernmost cities in Thailand and is a considerable distance from the capital, Bangkok. About 500 miles (800 kilometers) separates the two cities, but this long journey takes you through numerous cities and towns and stunning scenery, so getting there can be a lot of fun. If you already have experience traveling around Thailand, you know that moving around the country takes time. Roads are not always in the best condition for driving for many hours or at high speeds, but traveling on roads has the advantage that once you leave the big cities, the journey is relaxed and there are usually no traffic jams. Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Rai are always a popular choice as they are inexpensive, although the length may put some travelers off. There is also a direct flight that covers the route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai if you don’t want to spend a lot of time traveling, but there are no direct trains between the two cities. If you want to take the train, you will have to go to Chiang Mai and take a bus to complete your trip.
From Bangkok to Chiang Rai by bus
Sales desks at Mo Chit Bus Station, Bangkok © Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.com
The frequency of departures, the large selection of companies and low prices are the three main reasons why many travelers choose the bus to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Buses are great for tourists traveling on a budget, although many locals use them frequently. Thanks to this high demand and competition, you can find tickets at very low prices.
If you are traveling by bus from Bangkok, you can choose between several departure points. The main departure point is the Mo Chit Bus Terminal, which serves connections to northern Thailand. Thanks to the recent renovation, this station is quite nice and has air conditioning, plenty of seating, restaurants and much more, so in case of a bus delay the wait won’t be as long as before. Tickets can be purchased from several different companies. There is one on Khao San Road which is quite convenient if you are staying in this part of the city as you won’t have to go to the bus station. Of course, despite the fact that Khao San Road is a good starting point, we do not necessarily recommend buying tickets through one of the nearby agencies, because not all of them are reliable. We advise you to visit 12Go.asia to securely book your bus trip from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, where you can compare the costs and services of different companies.
VIP bus with standard 2+1 seats
Bangkok Bus Line, Sombat Tour and Budsarakham Tour are the three bus companies you can use if you leave the station
from Mo Chit. They have Express and VIP buses, but considering that the price of a seat on the VIP bus is only slightly higher than the Express bus, we recommend choosing the VIP bus to enjoy more comfort on such a long journey.
You’ll have more leg room and more room to move around, and you’ll be able to enjoy more services on board. While you can find daytime buses from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, night buses are the most popular. They leave Bangkok in the late afternoon, spend the night and arrive in Chiang Rai in the morning. The advantage of this option is that you will avoid paying for an overnight stay and hopefully you will be able to rest on the way. However, when traveling at night, you will not be able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that this route cuts through. The journey takes between 12.5 and 14 hours, so be prepared for a very long bus journey.
From Bangkok to Chiang Rai by plane
Suvarnabhumi Airport, where Thai Airways operates most long-haul flights from Bangkok
The best thing about traveling by bus is the price, but with the number of low-cost airlines offering flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, flying by plane may not be as expensive as you think. The advantage of flying is that you will reach Chiang Rai in less time. The flight takes between 1 hour and 15 minutes and between 1 hour and 30 minutes, so it’s a great option for those who don’t have a lot of time. Being able to fly for twice the price of a bus ticket seems like a good idea to invest in saving a few hours.
You can depart from any airport in Bangkok: Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi. Numerous flights operated by various airlines depart from both airports daily. Prices vary greatly from company to company, so do your research before purchasing. On sites like 12Go, you can search and check out various travel options from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, including the two airports in the capital. We recommend using online shopping services like 12Go for more convenience and peace of mind.
From Suvarnabhumi, you can choose between Thai Smile (Thai Airways’ low-cost airline), Bangkok Air and Thai Vietjet, which depart all day starting around 6:30am. Of these airlines, Thai Vietjet is usually the cheapest, although their tickets do not include baggage like other airlines.
Don Mueang Airport north of Bangkok. Bangkok Low Cost Airlines Airport © Camera_Bravo / Shutterstock.com
If you are flying from Don Mueang in Bangkok, you can choose between Air Asia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air. Thai Lion Air is generally the cheapest option, although none of these airlines include baggage in the price of their tickets.
Chiang Rai International Airport has flights almost exclusively from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, so as we mentioned earlier, there are plenty of schedules to choose from. Chiang Rai Airport is 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the city center, which can be reached by taxi.
The last option to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is a private taxi, although as you can imagine it is very expensive and only makes sense if you are traveling in a group and decide to rent a van for 9 passengers. A taxi or private van will usually cost between 11,000 and 13,000 baht (can also be booked through 12Go.asia). We advise you to travel by plane from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, unless you are on a very tight budget and don’t mind a very long bus journey.