The best way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to fly. A nonstop flight takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, and the full trip is usually around three hours once airport time is included. Choose the overnight train instead if the journey is part of the experience; choose the bus only when keeping the fare as low as possible matters more than comfort.
Budget airlines mainly use Don Mueang (DMK), while Thai Airways and other full-service options use Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Long-distance trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong, and buses leave from Mo Chit 2. If you are building a longer route, use our Thailand itinerary for 7, 10 or 14 days. For the complete trip budget, see how much a trip to Thailand costs in 2026.
If the beach is your next stop instead of the north, compare the transport options from Bangkok to Phuket.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai: transport options compared
| Method | Travel time | Typical 2026 price | Departure | Arrival | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 1h 10m–1h 25m; about 3h total | THB 900–3,400 one way | DMK or BKK | Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) | Best overall |
| Train | 10h 20m–13h 50m | THB 230–1,650 by class | Krung Thep Aphiwat | Chiang Mai Railway Station | Best overland experience |
| VIP bus | 9–11h | THB 500–1,200 | Mo Chit 2 | Chiang Mai Arcade Terminal 3 | Lowest practical budget |
| Private car | 8–9h | About THB 13,200+ | Your Bangkok hotel | Your Chiang Mai hotel | Only sensible for groups |
Prices and schedules were checked on 16 September 2026 using current route listings from State Railway of Thailand, 12Go, Thai Airways, Skyscanner, Omio and Rome2Rio. Fares change by date, luggage and class, so use these as realistic planning ranges and check your exact travel date before paying.
If you’re spending a few nights in the capital before heading north, see our guide to the best areas to stay in Bangkok.
👉 Compare Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains, buses and flights on Bookaway
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by flight
For most people, this is the best answer.
Direct flights are the fastest option by far. AirAsia’s current DMK → CNX page puts nonstop flight time at about 1 hour 10 minutes. Rome2Rio is showing DMK → CNX at around 1 hour 13 minutes and BKK → CNX at around 1 hour 23 minutes. In real travel terms, that usually becomes roughly 3 hours door to door once you count getting to the airport, check-in, security, and getting from Chiang Mai Airport into town.
The airport choice matters:
- Don Mueang (DMK) is the normal budget-airline airport and usually the best pick if you are staying in Bangkok and want the cheapest simple flight.
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) makes more sense if you are connecting from an international long-haul ticket or you prefer a full-service carrier like Thai Airways. Thai Airways is currently listing Bangkok → Chiang Mai fares from THB 3,395.
My rule is simple: fly from DMK if price matters most, and from BKK if you are connecting internationally or want a full-service carrier.
How to fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Search both DMK–CNX and BKK–CNX. A cheaper fare is not a saving if crossing Bangkok to the other airport costs more time and money.
- Compare the final price after checked baggage and seat fees. Budget-airline headline fares often exclude both.
- Book a nonstop flight. Connections make no sense on this domestic route.
- Reach the airport about 90 minutes before departure if you have already checked in online; allow more time during Songkran, New Year and other peak periods.
- From Chiang Mai Airport, the Old City is normally 10–20 minutes away by taxi or ride-hailing car, depending on traffic.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by night train
This is the best overland option, and the one I would choose if the journey itself is part of the trip.
The important practical update is this: long-distance Chiang Mai trains now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not the old Hua Lamphong main terminal. State Railway of Thailand’s own north-line pages show Chiang Mai services departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat, including Special Express train no. 9 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and train no. 51 departing at 22:30 and arriving at 11:40. Bangkok’s new Krung Thep Aphiwat terminal replaced Hua Lamphong as the main long-distance rail hub in January 2023.
If you want the sweet spot, book a 2nd class AC sleeper. That is usually the best value mix of comfort and price. The overnight train is the classic Bangkok–Chiang Mai experience. It takes roughly 12 hours, and sleeper tickets sell out quickly. Daytime seats cost around $17–$19, while other train classes cost more depending on comfort.
For booking, use either:
The official SRT site is the most direct place to book rail tickets, while 12Go is easier if you want to compare options in one place.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai train timetable 2026
The current working timetable has five daily departures from Krung Thep Aphiwat. These times were cross-checked on 16 September 2026 against current Thailand train listings and the official SRT booking system. SRT can amend schedules, so confirm the exact train in the official booking system before travel.
| Train | Bangkok departure | Chiang Mai arrival | Duration | What to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 7 | 07:30 | 17:50 | 10h 20m | Fast daytime train; 2nd class AC seat |
| No. 109 | 14:15 | 04:00 next day | 13h 45m | Budget option; inconvenient arrival |
| No. 9 | 18:40 | 07:15 next day | 12h 35m | Best sleeper; newer CNR carriages |
| No. 13 | 20:05 | 08:45 next day | 12h 40m | Good sleeper if No. 9 is sold out |
| No. 51 | 22:30 | 11:40 next day | 13h 10m | Latest departure; older sleeper stock |
If available, I would book train No. 9 in a lower 2nd class AC berth. It gives you the newer sleeper cars, a useful morning arrival and more space than an upper berth. Long-distance booking can open months ahead, and lower berths are normally the first to disappear.
How to take the sleeper train
- Search Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal → Chiang Mai for your exact date on the official SRT D-Ticket site or 12Go.
- Choose train No. 9 first, then No. 13. Select a lower 2nd class AC berth for the best balance of price and comfort.
- Check whether your booking is an electronic ticket or requires collection. The instructions depend on the seller.
- Go to Krung Thep Aphiwat, not Hua Lamphong. Arrive 45–60 minutes early because the terminal is large.
- Keep a light layer in your hand luggage; sleeper air-conditioning can feel cold.
- At Chiang Mai station, use a red songthaew into the Old City. A normal shared ride is roughly THB 30–40.
👉 Check night train availability from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Bookaway
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus
The bus is usually the cheapest normal answer, but it is not the one I would call best.
Chiang Mai-bound buses leave from Mo Chit / Mochit, the Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Rome2Rio and Omio both show the Bangkok departure point as Mochit / Chatuchak Bus Terminal, and 12Go also says Chiang Mai buses originate from the Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mochit). Arrival is normally Chiang Mai Arcade / Bus Terminal 3.
In price terms, the bus wins. Rome2Rio is currently showing roughly THB 550–1,200 for operator examples, Omio is showing average fares around $21, and 12Go says the cheapest buses start around 500 THB, with VIP coaches from around 800 THB. Journey time is usually around 9–11 hours depending on operator and exact service.
Is the overnight bus safe? Usually yes on a major route like this if you book a known operator, but I still think it is the weakest overnight option for most foreign travelers. The live 12Go route page shows a mixed review pattern for buses, while train reviews on the same route are generally stronger on comfort. So my view is simple: take the bus if you want the lowest normal price, but take the sleeper train if you want the better overnight experience. Keep valuables on you either way.
How to take the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Book a service leaving from Mo Chit 2 / Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak). Do not confuse the terminal with BTS Mo Chit station; they are not the same place.
- Choose a reputable operator and, if the price difference is reasonable, a 24-seat VIP coach rather than the cheapest standard bus.
- Confirm that the arrival point is Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal 3, not a roadside stop outside the city.
- Arrive 45–60 minutes early to find the correct counter and platform.
- Keep your passport, money, phone and other valuables with you, not in the luggage compartment.
👉 Check Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus times and prices on Bookaway
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by private taxi or car
This only makes sense for groups, families, or travelers who want total flexibility.
12Go is currently showing a 9-seat Toyota Commuter private transfer at THB 13,200, with travel time of about 9 hours. That is obviously expensive for one or two people, but it becomes more reasonable if several people split it and want hotel-to-hotel convenience without dealing with stations or airports.
For most normal trips, I would not choose this. Fly if you want speed. Train if you want the journey. Use private transfer only if the group setup makes the maths work.
How to book a private car
- Request a price for the whole vehicle, not per passenger.
- Confirm luggage capacity, hotel pickup, tolls, fuel and rest stops in writing before payment.
- Allow eight to nine hours in normal conditions and more around Bangkok at peak traffic times.
Which option is best for you?
| Traveler type | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, first-timer, 7–10 days | Flight | Fastest and easiest |
| Wants the classic Thailand experience | Night train | Most memorable overland option |
| Strict budget traveler | VIP bus | Usually the cheapest standard choice |
| Family or group with lots of luggage | Private car | Door-to-door convenience |
If you are still deciding whether Thailand is worth building a route around at all, read is Thailand worth visiting in 2026?. If timing matters, especially for northern Thailand planning, read best time to visit Thailand in 2026.
Getting from Chiang Mai station to the city centre
If you arrive by train, the easiest budget move is a red songthaew.
Current route and local transport pages put red songthaew pricing roughly in the 30–40 THB range for a normal ride into the Old City / city-center area, with some station-specific references putting it at around 40 THB from Chiang Mai railway station. That is the normal low-hassle local move after a train arrival.
Is it better to fly or take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
For most travelers, fly.
For travelers who actively want the experience, take the sleeper train.
That is really the answer. The flight is the best overall transport solution. The train is the best story. If you only have a week in Thailand, I would not waste a big chunk of it on a long overland transfer unless that train ride is one of the reasons you are coming. But if you are doing a slower Thailand trip, the sleeper absolutely earns its place.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The absolute cheapest ticket can be a basic train seat from roughly THB 230. For a tolerable overnight trip, the bus is usually the cheapest practical option at about THB 500–900, while an AC sleeper costs more.
How long does the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai take?
Current direct trains take about 10 hours 20 minutes to 13 hours 50 minutes. The recommended sleeper, train No. 9, is scheduled for 12 hours 35 minutes from 18:40 to 07:15.
Is it worth taking the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Yes, if you want the experience and like the idea of saving one hotel night. For pure efficiency, the flight is better. For atmosphere and overland travel, the sleeper train is better.
How much is a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
A realistic one-way planning range is roughly THB 900–3,400. Budget fares can be lower on sale dates, but checked luggage and seat selection may increase the final price; full-service fares can be higher.
Which Bangkok airport do I fly from to Chiang Mai?
Usually DMK for budget airlines and BKK for full-service carriers or easier international connections.
How do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus?
Go to Mo Chit Northern Terminal / Chatuchak Bus Terminal, book a bus to Chiang Mai, and expect an overnight journey of roughly 9–11 hours. Most buses arrive at Chiang Mai Arcade / Bus Terminal 3.
Where does the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train depart from?
From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not old Hua Lamphong for these long-distance Chiang Mai services.
Is the overnight bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai safe?
Usually yes if you choose a known operator, but it is less comfortable and more variable than the sleeper train. I would treat it as a budget choice, not the premium choice.
How do I book the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train online?
Use 12Go Asia or the official State Railway of Thailand booking site.
Is it better to fly or take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
For most travelers, fly. Take the train only if the journey itself is part of why you are doing the route.
Final verdict
For most people, the best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is still a direct flight, especially from Don Mueang if you want the cheapest easy option. The sleeper train is the best alternative if you want a more memorable Thailand travel experience and do not mind the long journey. The bus works if you are being very price-sensitive, but it is the compromise option, not the best one.
