How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

There are three sensible ways to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: train, bus and flight. The overnight sleeper train is the most memorable and often the best all-round choice; flying is by far the fastest; the bus is useful when price or departure time matters more than comfort.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai at a glance

Best overall

Overnight train

12½–14 hr≈ ฿700–1,650

Sleep on the way north and arrive in the morning without sacrificing most of a day.

Fastest

Flight

1h10–1h30Variable fare

The easy choice when time matters, especially because Chiang Mai airport is close to the city.

Flexible / budget

Bus

10–13 hr≈ ฿660–1,030

Plenty of departures and useful when the train is full or the timetable suits you better.

Option	Typical travel time	Typical one-way cost	Best for
Sleeper train	About 12½–14 hours	Roughly ฿700–฿1,650 depending on train and class	Best overall experience
Day train	About 10–11 hours	About ฿550 for an air-conditioned seat on the faster service	Scenery and daytime travel
Bus	About 10–13 hours	About ฿660–฿1,030 on Bangkok Bus Line	Budget and timetable flexibility
Flight	About 1h10–1h30 in the air	Highly variable; low-cost fares can compete with the train	Saving time

Prices and schedules change. Check live schedules, current fares and ticket availability for your travel date.

The normal choice: take the overnight train

If you have one night to spare, the sleeper train is the option we would normally choose. You leave Bangkok in the evening, sleep on the way north and arrive in Chiang Mai the next morning without giving up most of a sightseeing day.

Long-distance northern-line trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok. Do not automatically head to the old Hua Lamphong station. Chiang Mai railway station is east of the Old City; from there, songthaews, taxis and app-based rides are easy to find.

The most useful services include overnight special-express and sleeper trains as well as daytime departures. Second-class sleeper berths are open-plan bunks with curtains; first class uses private compartments on trains that offer it. Lower berths cost more, but they are wider and generally the better choice if the difference is acceptable.

Normal Travels pick: if a suitable berth is available, choose an evening sleeper that arrives in Chiang Mai at a useful morning hour.

Check the train timetable

Use the official State Railway of Thailand timetable to confirm the service and departure time for your travel date. Sleeper berths can become scarce around weekends, Thai holidays and the high season, so once you know which train you want, do not leave the decision until the last minute.

Check SRT timetable

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by bus

Bus is the straightforward alternative when the sleeper train is full or the departure times work better for you. Most northbound intercity buses leave from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), usually called Mo Chit 2. Chiang Mai services arrive at the Arcade bus-terminal area, northeast of the Old City.

Bangkok Bus Line publishes several departures through the day and evening. Its listed Bangkok–Chiang Mai fares range from about ฿664 for standard first-class services to ฿1,033 for VIP, with scheduled journey times around ten to thirteen hours depending on the service and traffic.

For an overnight bus, the more comfortable classes are usually worth the extra money on a journey this long. Bus travel is still more affected by road traffic than rail, so treat the arrival time as an estimate rather than an appointment.

Check operator schedule

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by plane

Flying is the clear winner if time matters. Nonstop flights take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and there are many departures every day.

The important detail is that Bangkok has two airports. Flights to Chiang Mai operate from both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Always check the airport on the exact flight you choose rather than assuming a particular airline uses only one of them.

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is very close to the city. That makes flying unusually competitive even after allowing time for airport procedures. It can also be inexpensive when booked in advance, but baggage and seat-selection charges can change the comparison with train and bus fares.

Which option should you choose?

Take the sleeper train if you want the most interesting journey and can get a berth you are happy with.
Fly if you are short on time, find a good fare, or simply do not want to spend a night in transit.
Take the bus if the train is sold out, you find a convenient departure, or you are keeping the budget tight.
Take the day train if the journey itself is part of the day you want to have. It is comfortable enough, but it uses most of a day.

Departure and arrival points

Mode	Bangkok	Chiang Mai
Train	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal	Chiang Mai Railway Station
Bus	Mo Chit 2 / Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) for most services	Arcade Bus Terminal area; exact terminal depends on operator
Flight	Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK)	Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Normal Things to do in Chiang Mai

Start inside the Old City, where Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang are the obvious landmarks and smaller temples turn up on almost every street. The center is compact enough to explore on foot, while songthaews and app rides make it easy to reach places farther out. Khao soi is the local dish to look for, and it is easy to find without spending much. On weekends, the Saturday Walking Street runs along Wualai Road and the Sunday Walking Street takes over Ratchadamnoen Road, with food stalls, crafts and a lot more life after sunset. Thai massage is inexpensive and easy to find, and for a first stay, somewhere inside the Old City or just outside the moat keeps most of this within easy reach.

Find a place to stay

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Search hotels and accommodation for your dates.

Search hotels on Agoda

Practical tips

Check which Bangkok station or airport is printed on your ticket. Bangkok has several major transport hubs and going to the wrong one is an impressively normal way to miss a departure.
For sleeper trains, a lower berth is usually more comfortable than an upper berth.
Air-conditioned trains and buses can feel cold overnight. Keep a light layer within reach rather than buried under your luggage.
For flights, compare the total fare after baggage rather than the headline fare.
Allow for road traffic when heading to Mo Chit 2, Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

For most travelers with enough time, we would choose the overnight sleeper train. Flying is better if speed is the priority.

How far is Bangkok from Chiang Mai?

The cities are roughly 590 km apart in a straight line and about 686 km apart by road. Rail follows a longer route than the direct geographic distance.

How long does the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train take?

Expect roughly 12½ to 14 hours for the most useful overnight services. Day trains are around ten to eleven hours. Always check the live SRT timetable for your travel date.

Is it better to fly or take the sleeper train?

Flying saves many hours. The sleeper train, however, turns the transfer into an experience and replaces a night in a hotel. If the schedules suit you, both are sensible choices.