How to get to Chiang Rai

There are many options for arrive in Chiang Rai from the different cities, as it is one of the must-sees on a visit to Thailand. Most people visit Chiang Mai first and then Chiang Rai (or go on a day trip directly). We decided to go directly to Chiang Rai from Ayutthaya So here we tell you about our experience and the different options available depending on how you plan your route.

From Ayutthaya

Night bus ⭐
From Ayutthaya you can take a direct night bus to Chiang Rai. This journey takes between 10 and 12 hours and it's a pretty convenient option if you want to save on accommodation while traveling. Tickets usually cost between 600 and 800 THB (16-22 €), depending on the type of bus (VIP or standard).

It is the option we choose and the we strongly recommend The buses are super comfortable with reclining seats and they even give you some snacking when you get on. He makes a quick stop halfway to go to the bathroom.

We bought the bus on the website of 12Go with pick-up included in the center of Ayutthaya, here we leave you the location of the siteWe were also able to rent a motorbike there, and they let us store our backpacks there while we visited Ayutthaya.

Train + Bus
Another alternative is to take a train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai, which takes about 9 hours and enjoy the scenery along the way. From Chiang Mai, you can continue to Chiang Rai by bus, which adds a few 3-4 hours of the journey. This is only an interesting option if you plan to include a stop in Chiang Mai beforehand.

From Chiang Mai

Bus
The most popular connection is the bus, which takes between 3 and 4 hours and costs about 150-300 THB (4-8 €) depending on the company and type of bus. Buses from Green Bus They are the most recommended for their convenience and frequency.

Rental car or motorcycle
If you fancy a more adventurous experience, rent a car or motorcycle and driving to Chiang Rai can be a great option. The road (Route 118) is in good condition and the scenery is beautiful, with mountains, villages, and nature along the way. The journey takes about 3 hours by car and a little more by motorcycle.

Shared minivan
Another economical and practical option is to take a shared minivan from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. These minivans usually depart from the Arcade Bus Station and they take a few 3-4 hours to arrive. They are a little faster than conventional buses, although space may be somewhat limited if you are traveling with a lot of luggage. The price is usually around 200-300 THB (€5-8) per person. It's a good option if you're looking for more direct transportation without spending a lot, although it may be less convenient for long journeys.

Excursion

If you don't want to complicate things by organizing transportation, there are day trips from Chiang Mai that take you to visit the most emblematic places in Chiang Rai, such as the White Temple the Blue Temple and the Black House These tours usually include van transportation, a guide, and temple entrance fees, although visits can be a bit rushed. Prices are around 1,000-1,500 THB (€26-€40) per person, depending on the agency. It's a practical option if you're short on time but don't want to miss the best of Chiang Rai. It wasn't an option for us since we didn't want to travel 6 hours (3 hours there and 3 hours back) in the same day.

From Bangkok

Plane
The fastest and most convenient way is to fly directly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai International Airport (Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport). There are daily flights with low-cost airlines such as AirAsia o Nok Air, and the journey takes just over an hour. Tickets usually cost between 800 and 2,000 THB (20-50 €) depending on the season and how far in advance you book.

Bus
If you are looking for something cheaper, you can take a night bus from the station Mo Chit in Bangkok. The VIP buses are quite comfortable and the journey takes about 12 hours, with prices ranging from 600 THB (€16). It's a good option if you want to save on accommodation, since you'll sleep on the bus, but it's considerably slower.

Train + Bus
There's no direct train to Chiang Rai, but you can take a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then a bus to Chiang Rai. This option doesn't make much sense if you're going to have to return to Chiang Mai later.

Important tips

• Buy them tickets in advance If you go during peak season, we missed out on the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai route we wanted because it took so long to purchase it.
• Don't rent a motorcycle If you're not a regular driver in your country, traffic in Thailand is quite chaotic, and driving is on the left, which adds to the difficulty.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement How to get to Chiang Rai you can visit our posts about Thailand.