How to Get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
The return leg is the same road and the same three to three and a half hours. What changes is that most people making this journey have a flight out of Chiang Mai at the end of it, which makes the buffer you leave more important than the fare you pay.
Book a Private TransferThe journey at a glance
| From | Chiang Rai |
|---|---|
| To | Chiang Mai |
| Distance | ≈ 190 km |
| Journey time | 3 – 3.5 hours |
| Private taxi fare | Sedan ฿2,500 · SUV ฿3,000 · Van ฿3,800 — per vehicle, tolls included |
| Payment | Cash in Thai Baht to the driver on arrival. Nothing charged at booking. |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before pickup. |
Every option compared
| Option | Typical cost | Total time | Departures | Door to door | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi | ฿2,500 per vehicle | 3 – 3.5 h | Any time you choose | Hotel to hotel or airport | Same day usually fine |
| Green Bus (VIP / A-class) | ≈฿170 – 290 per person | 3 – 4 h | Frequent from Terminal 2 | Terminal to Arcade station | Book ahead in high season |
| Minivan | ≈฿250 per person | 3 – 3.5 h | When full | Terminal to terminal | Buy at the terminal |
Bus, minivan, train and ferry fares are approximate and were last checked in September 2026. They change without notice. Our own taxi fares are live from our booking system.
If you have a flight from Chiang Mai
This is where the two options genuinely diverge. A private car goes straight to the airport terminal, so the journey is three and a half hours and finished. The bus arrives at Chiang Mai Arcade station, which is on the far side of the city from the airport — add a songthaew or taxi and the traffic between, and you are looking at another 30 to 45 minutes with your luggage.
Working backwards from a flight, allow five hours from your Chiang Rai hotel if you are driving, and six if you are taking the bus. Departures on this route are frequent enough that leaving earlier costs you nothing but a coffee at the airport.
Practical tips
- Chiang Rai Terminal 2 handles the long-distance buses and is a few kilometres outside town — Terminal 1 in the centre is for local services only.
- A car can collect you from your hotel, from the White Temple, or from anywhere else you have ended up. The bus cannot.
- If you are flying out, book the car to the airport rather than into the city — it is the same fare and saves a transfer.
- Give us your flight number even on a departure. If your morning runs late we would rather know than guess.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai?
About 190 km and three to three and a half hours by road. Add 30 to 45 minutes if you take the bus and then need to cross Chiang Mai from Arcade station to your hotel or the airport.
How early should I leave Chiang Rai for a flight from Chiang Mai?
Allow five hours from your hotel if you are travelling by private car, and six by bus. That covers the drive, the transfer across Chiang Mai if you need one, and normal check-in.
Can the taxi take me straight to Chiang Mai airport?
Yes, and it is the same fare as a city drop-off. Give us the terminal and your flight number when you book.
Is the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai comfortable?
The Green Bus A-class and VIP coaches are genuinely good — air-conditioned, reclining seats, and frequent departures. For one or two people travelling light it is the sensible choice.
Book this transfer
Fixed fare from ฿2,500 per vehicle. See the full fare card on the Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai route page, or book directly below. Most bookings on this route are made the day before travel.