Guide · Getting around
In this guide
Eight hundred kilometres lie between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There are four sensible ways to cover them and one suicidal one. Skip the suicidal one (a private car driving overnight on Route 1) and choose between the four below according to your budget, your patience, and how much you trust your stomach on a Thai bus.
The sleeper train
The overnight train is the correct choice if time is flexible and experience matters. Train 9 departs Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station at 18:00 and arrives Chiang Mai at 07:45 the following morning — 13 hours and 45 minutes, give or take the usual delays. Train 13 leaves at 18:10 and pulls in around 08:25. Both are run by the State Railway of Thailand and both offer second-class air-conditioned sleepers that are genuinely comfortable: bunks fold out from the seats at around 20:00, linen is included, and the upper berth costs slightly less than the lower. A second-class lower berth runs between 650–800 baht booked in advance; upper berths are 50–100 baht cheaper. First-class compartments (private two-bunk cabins) exist on some trains and cost around 1,200–1,600 baht.
Book through the State Railway’s website or via 12Go.asia if you want a more reliable English-language interface. Book at least a week ahead in high season (November to February and Songkran in April) — sleeper berths sell out. The train arrives in Chiang Mai at the main station on Charoen Muang Road, which is about 3km from the Old City and a short songthaew or tuk-tuk ride to most guesthouses.
The plane
The 75-minute flight from Don Mueang is often the cheapest option when booked in advance, and always the fastest. Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Lion Air run multiple daily departures from Don Mueang (DMK); Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) at higher base fares. The practical consideration is the airport: Don Mueang is in northern Bangkok and adds roughly 45–60 minutes of travel time from most central areas, while Suvarnabhumi is further east. Factor transit time into the calculation before assuming the plane is actually faster door-to-door than the train.
Booked 2–4 weeks ahead, fares run 400–900 baht on the budget carriers. Booked the day before, you might pay 2,500 baht or more. The sweet spot for value is 10–21 days out. Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is about 4km southwest of the Old City — a Grab car costs around 100–130 baht to the centre.
The night bus
Night buses depart from Bangkok’s Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal) and arrive at Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal on the eastern edge of the city. The journey takes 9–10 hours depending on traffic leaving Bangkok. Two tiers exist: VIP 32-seat buses with wide reclining seats (around 600–800 baht) and standard 40+ seat coaches that are perfectly functional but considerably less comfortable (350–500 baht). Transport Co. runs the government services; Nakhon Chai Air and Sombat Tour are the reputable private operators with better seats and more predictable departure times.
The main drawback is not comfort but schedule: most buses depart between 20:00 and 22:00 and arrive in Chiang Mai between 05:00 and 07:00, dropping you at a bus terminal far from the city centre at an hour when nothing is open. Budget for a songthaew or tuk-tuk into town and factor in the groggy hours before check-in. That said, for travellers prioritising cost over comfort, a VIP bus plus a street breakfast is a perfectly acceptable way to arrive.
The shared minivan
Shared minivans run from Victory Monument and several guesthouses in central Bangkok to Chiang Mai’s Arcade Terminal, typically departing in the early morning and late afternoon. The journey takes 7–8 hours and costs around 300–450 baht — but nine people share a van designed for six and the mountain sections involve road conditions that the driver treats as a personal challenge. Minivans are best suited to travellers with a high tolerance for cramped legs, unpredictable stops, and a driver who considers speed limits a mild suggestion. The upside: they’re door-to-door for many guesthouses, cheaper than any bus, and on the afternoon departure you arrive in daylight.
Which option is right for you
Best value overall: Night bus VIP, booked directly with Nakhon Chai Air. Around 700 baht, comfortable enough, and you save a night’s accommodation.
Best experience: Second-class sleeper train, lower berth. The scenery on the approach to Chiang Mai alone justifies the choice, and waking up in the mountains never gets old.
Fastest and often cheapest if booked ahead: Thai AirAsia from Don Mueang, 2–3 weeks in advance. Under 600 baht is not unusual.
Avoid if you value your knees: Shared minivan. Unless you are under 25 with a rucksack and a point to prove.
Practical notes
All train bookings can be made up to 60 days in advance at Hua Lamphong station, via the SRT website, or through 12Go.asia. For flights, set up price alerts on Google Flights for the BKK/CNX route — fares move significantly week to week. Night bus tickets are sold at Mo Chit terminal, through guesthouses, or via Busbud for the private operators. Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal is 4km from the Old City; a red songthaew (shared pickup truck) to the city centre costs 30–40 baht per person and runs from the terminal forecourt.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train take? The overnight trains (Train 9 and Train 13) take approximately 13–14 hours, departing around 18:00 and arriving between 07:45–08:30 the following morning.
Is the sleeper train comfortable? Second-class air-conditioned sleepers are comfortable for most travellers — clean linen, private curtains on each berth, and a dining car. First-class private compartments exist on some services for more privacy.
What’s the cheapest way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai? Budget flights booked 2–3 weeks ahead often beat night bus fares. If flexibility is limited, the standard night bus is around 350–500 baht. The shared minivan is the cheapest option at roughly 300 baht but the least comfortable.
Do I need to book in advance? Yes for the sleeper train in high season (December–February, Songkran). Flights should be booked 2–3 weeks ahead for the best fares. Night buses can usually be booked a day or two in advance outside peak periods.
Before you go and when you arrive: If you’re still sorting entry requirements, our 2026 Thailand travel rules guide covers visa exemptions, the Thailand Destination Card, and what’s changed this year. And once you’re in Chiang Mai, our guide to breakfast in Chiang Mai is a good first morning sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train take?
The overnight trains take approximately 13–14 hours, departing around 18:00 and arriving between 07:45–08:30 the following morning.
What’s the cheapest way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Budget flights booked 2–3 weeks ahead often beat night bus fares. The standard night bus is around 350–500 baht. The shared minivan is cheapest at roughly 300 baht.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes for the sleeper train in high season. Flights should be booked 2–3 weeks ahead. Night buses can usually be booked a day or two in advance outside peak periods.
