How to Travel From Bangkok to Chiang Mai
3 Options: Airplane, Train, Bus

By airplane
Airplane is the fastest way obviously. It takes only 70 minutes to travel from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
There are two airports you can choose from in Bangkok. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport.
You don't need to worry about flight schedules because a lot of domestic flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
As you can see from below, it's almost every 30 minutes.
Then, how much does it cost?
It's quite cheap in fact. But prices of flights changes dynamically depending on your travel date and hour.
However, if you have extra checked baggage the price can be doubled.
Of course the extra baggage fee is different by airlines and travel agencies.
One thing you should consider is that if you choose Thai Airways or Thai Smile instead of other LCCs, your flight fare already includes 20kg checked baggage.
So if you choose Nokair 900 baht and 20kg baggage 800 baht, it's total 1,700 baht, whereas if you choose Thai Airways 1,395 baht you don't need to pay extra.
By Train
Oddly enough, the overnight train, which takes 13 hours, is very popular.
There are two prefered trains, #9 and #13.
Train #9 departs from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station at 18:10PM, and it arrives 07:15AM next day.
Train #13 departs from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station at 19:35PM, and it arrives 08:40AM next day.
Train #9 is newer and more expensive.
You can also take the train from Don Mueang or other stations near Bangkok depending on your location.
Train #9 seats and fares
Seat Type | Fare |
---|---|
1st Class A/C Sleeper |
Upper Berth 1,453 THB Charter Room (Single Occupancy) 2,453 THB |
2nd Class A/C Sleeper |
Upper Berth 941 THB |
2nd Class Sleeper
Dining Car
1st Class Sleeper Car (Below)
Train #13 seats and fares
Seat Type | Fare |
---|---|
1st Class A/C Sleeper |
Upper Berth 1,253 THB Charter Room (Single Occupancy) 1,953 THB |
2nd Class A/C Sleeper |
Upper Berth 771 THB |
2nd Class Fan Coach | 471 THB |
3rd Class Fan Coach | 311 THB |
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, you'd better make a reservation at least 2~3 weeks prior to your departure, or your 1st Class sleeper train will be sold out.
By bus
It takes 10 hours by bus, which is faster than by train.
I'd recommend VIP20 bus only at this moment.
924 THB on-site, 1,016 THB online.
This type of bus has only 20 seats.
This article was updated on 2023-04-17.
Featured Articles
Check out other articles
Cost of Living in Chiang Mai
Accommodation Monthly rent of a condominium 1-bedroom 40sqm 10,000 ~ 20,000 THB 2-bedroom 50-60sqm 20,000 ~ 25,000 THB Foods If you order a local dish and a drink at a local eatery, 10 | Chiang Mai Master

How to Live a Life as a Digital Nomad in Chiang Mai
Cost of Living It is cheap. Local people here lives a month with around $400. Digital Nomads who will live here for more than 3 months will cost around $900 per month. Your Grab Deliver | Chiang Mai Master

How to Travel From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
By bus Many say that the best way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai without a car is to take a bus which takes 3h 55m and costs ฿200 - ฿390. There are 3 bus terminals in Chi | Chiang Mai Master

How to Open a Bank Account in Chiang Mai
It's not easy to open a bank account with a tourist visa. It is possible, but it's really hard. Below are required documents from Bangkok Bank. 1. Foreigner with a work p | Chiang Mai Master

What types of VISA do I need
There are four main types of Thai visas. 1. Tourist Visa 2. Non-Immigrant Visa with work permit 3. Non-Immigrant Visa witout work permit 4. Elite Visa In this article, I'll only | Chiang Mai Master

5 Best Khao Soi Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Khao soi is a popular and traditional dish from Northern Thailand, particularly from the city of Chiang Mai. It is a noodle soup made with a rich, creamy and slightly spicy curry sauce, coconut milk, | Chiang Mai Master