Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

NaN Passengers

Best Options

 
$18
 
 
$28

Other Options

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
12Go Transfer VIP Van 9pax Any time$ 311.02
Nok Air Economy #DD14005:20 - 06:25$ 76.52
Thai Airways Economy #TG210207:55 - 09:15$ 117.22
Thai Railway Class II AC 08:30 - 19:30฿ 741
Thai Vietjet Economy #VZ10210:30 - 11:45฿ 1,497
Thai Airways Economy #TG211013:30 - 14:50฿ 3,702
Thai Vietjet Economy #VZ10615:15 - 16:30฿ 2,802
Thai Vietjet Economy #VZ10816:15 - 17:30฿ 1,347
Bangkok Busline Express 18:35 - 04:05฿ 664
Nok Air Economy #DD13821:05 - 22:25฿ 2,759
Thai Railway Class II Fan 22:30 - 12:10฿ 515

Transportation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Facts about the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Cheapest Bus$18
Fastest Bus8h 55m
Earliest Bus6:00 AM
Latest Bus10:35 PM
Daily Bus Routes39
Distance692 kilometers
Bus CompaniesBangkok Busline, Budsarakham Tour, Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour, Tara Tour and Travel, Transport Co

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

WY
The bus
Bus VIP, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Apr 18, 2024
DR
The seat was comfortable the blanket cozy and the ride was smooth as hell. 30 minute food break in the middle (food included with ticket) and most of the time either watching a show or sleeping on my way to Chaing Mai.
Bus VIP Bus, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Apr 11, 2024
SH
Very good, no problem sleeping. Toilet was ok, but bring wipes.
Bus Express, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Apr 9, 2024
EM
We had a good trip, the only downside was that the snacks we got weren’t vegetarian. Additionally the headrest was a bit to low for our tallest traveler. The staff was nice and we had no problems receiving the tickets and the booking process was easy. We even arrived an hour early.
Bus VIP 33, Sombat Tour (บริษัท เทพสมบัติ จำกัด), Apr 8, 2024
LM
In general it was a great experience and the chairs was very comfortable. The only things that bothered me was the loud sounds from the engine of the bus and the little televisions on the chairs did not work. Otherwise I would really recommend this bus to others!
Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Mar 22, 2024
TL
Really a good trip! Comfortable bus and the 10 hours didn’t feel like it so worth it.
Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Mar 17, 2024
HG
cold in bus and bus always stop many station so you can't have a good rest
Bus Express, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Mar 16, 2024
AK
We travelled in a comfortable bus and were served a packed lunch, a snack and drinks. Very good value for money
This review was autotranslated
Bus First Class, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์), Mar 15, 2024
AG
The bus ride was really good! We left on time, just about 5 minutes later, but it was okay. The bus was nice, each seat had water, snacks, and a blanket. We even had our own screen to watch movies. Most of the movies were in Thai, but that was fine. The funny part was the toilets, they were tiny! If you're big, it might be a problem. And there was a hole beside the toilet where people passing by could see you! But when you gotta go, you gotta go, haha! We were happy that halfway through, we stopped for dinner, which was included in the ticket. The food was good, and the toilets were clean. You could also buy snacks. The drive was supposed to be 10 hours, but we ended up arriving quite late, around 11 hours and 30 minutes. Overall, it was a good service, and we were glad we tried these buses.
Bus VIP, Bangkok Busline (บางกอกบัสไลน์), Mar 1, 2024
L
AC was not working well and it was very hot and uncomfortable on the 11 hour journey, the bus stopped over 10 times along the way so we had toilet breaks and food stops. The journey seemed to take forever. Driver was very good and it was a fairly comfortable ride, only downfalls was the AC was blowing warm air and the bus was very old and in bad shape.
Bus Express, Sritawong Tour (Sritawong Tour), Feb 26, 2024
4.4
4897 customer reviews
5
53%
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32%
3
11%
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How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Bangkok from Chiang Mai?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 692 km between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus?

Buses normally need between 8h 55m and 11h 53m hours to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Nakhonchai Air (นครชัยแอร์) offers the fastest service. Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Bangkok and Chiang Mai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) and costs USD 17.67. A Sombat Tour (บริษัท เทพสมบัติ จำกัด)'s ticket will set you back USD 17.67 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.