How much does a taxi from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai cost?

A private taxi from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai costs ฿2,500 for a Sedan (3 passengers), ฿3,000 for an SUV (5 passengers), or ฿3,800 for a Van (7 passengers). Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and include expressway tolls. You pay the driver in Thai Baht cash on arrival.

How long does it take to get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai?

The drive takes 3 – 3.5 hours in normal traffic, covering about 190 km (route 118 through the hills — the direct road). A private taxi is door to door, so there is no transfer time at either end.

What is the cheapest way to get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai?

Green Bus (VIP / A-class) is usually the cheapest option at ≈฿170 – 290 per person, taking 3 – 4 h. Comfortable and frequent from Chiang Mai Arcade terminal. A private taxi costs ฿2,500 for the whole vehicle, which for three or more people is often close to the same total while being door to door and departing when you choose.

How do I book a taxi from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai?

Book online at thailand-taxis.com — select this route, choose Sedan, SUV or Van, enter your pickup details and submit. We confirm by WhatsApp or LINE, usually within minutes. You can also message us directly on WhatsApp at +66 88 623 5016. No prepayment is taken.

Can I book a Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai taxi for tomorrow?

Yes. Most bookings on this route are made the day before travel, and same-day requests are usually fine too. Send the request and we will confirm availability; nothing is charged until the driver takes you.

Is the Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai taxi price fixed?

Yes. The fare is fixed and all-inclusive — expressway tolls, fuel and driver. There is no meter, no surge pricing and no airport surcharge. The price shown when you book is what you hand the driver in Thai Baht.

Can I cancel my Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai taxi booking?

Yes, free of charge up to 24 hours before your pickup time. Since no prepayment is taken, cancelling in time costs nothing. Contact us on WhatsApp or LINE to change or cancel.

Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Taxi

Private transfer from ฿2,500 · about 3 – 3.5 hours. Fixed fare, tolls included, door to door. Pay the driver on arrival.

Book This Route

Planning the whole journey, not just the car? How to Get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Taxi Fare

Fixed prices per vehicle. Tolls included. Nothing charged until the trip.

Sedan

Up to 3 passengers · 2 luggage

฿2,500

Book Sedan

SUV

Up to 5 passengers · 4 luggage

฿3,000

Book SUV

Van

Up to 7 passengers · 5 luggage

฿3,800

Book Van

Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai at a glance

Distance	≈ 190 km
Typical journey time	3 – 3.5 hours
Route	Route 118 through the hills — the direct road
Sedan	฿2,500 — up to 3 passengers, 2 large bags
SUV	฿3,000 — up to 5 passengers, 4 large bags
Van	฿3,800 — up to 7 passengers, 5 large bags
Price basis	Per vehicle, one way. Not per person.
Tolls & fuel	Included in the fare. No surcharge on arrival.
Payment	Cash in Thai Baht to the driver on arrival. Nothing is charged when you book.
Cancellation	Free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Pickup points	Any hotel, condo, private address, pier or station.
Waiting time	15 minutes free at pickup; longer waits by arrangement.
Child seat	On request, +฿100.
Name signboard	On request, +฿100.
Driver	Licensed Thai driver with working English.
Booking notice	Same-day and next-day bookings are normal on this route.

Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai — how the options compare

A private car is not always the right answer, and we would rather you knew that before you booked than after. Here is how this journey looks by every reasonable method.

Option	Typical cost	Journey time	Door to door	Notes
Private taxi (Thailand Taxis)	฿2,500 per vehicle	3 – 3.5 hours	Yes — hotel door to destination	Any time; same day usually fine
Green Bus (VIP / A-class)	≈฿170 – 290 per person	3 – 4 h	No — terminal to terminal	Comfortable and frequent from Chiang Mai Arcade terminal
Minivan	≈฿250 per person	3 – 3.5 h	No — terminal to terminal	Leaves when full; cramped with luggage
Flight via Bangkok	฿2,500+ per person	5 h+ door to door	No — terminal to terminal	No practical direct flight; routings go south then north again

Bus, train, minivan and ferry fares are approximate and were last checked in September 2026. Our own fares are live from our booking system.

The Green Bus is a genuinely good service and the right choice for solo travellers. A car wins when you are three or more, when you want to stop at the White Temple or the hot springs on the way, or when you are moving between hotels rather than bus stations.

What to expect on the Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai transfer

Your driver meets you at the pickup address you give us, loads your bags, and takes you straight to your destination. There are no other passengers, no stops you did not ask for, and no detours to souvenir shops. The journey covers about 190 km and takes 3 – 3.5 hours in normal traffic.

The fare is agreed before you travel and does not move. If you need to shift the pickup time on the day, message us and we will move it if the driver can. You pay in Thai Baht cash when you arrive, so there is nothing to settle in advance and nothing to claim back if plans change.