Thailand›From Bangkok›Chiang Mai
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, flight or bus
About 690 km. The flight is fastest at 4 h; the bus is cheapest, from ₹1,550 per person.
Chiang Mai to BangkokFastest
Flight
Thai AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion / Thai Airways
4 h door to door
Cheapest
Bus
Overnight VIP bus from Mo Chit (Nakhonchai Air / Sombat Tour)
from ₹1,550 per person
Best value
Flight
Thai AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion / Thai Airways
cheapest at mid fares among options within 1.5× the fastest time (or 1 h more on a short ride)
Every option, compared
Door-to-door times (flights include the time at the airports). Fares are typical ranges from the cheapest seat to the premium one.
| Mode | Service | Time | Fare | Runs | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Thai AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion / Thai Airways | 4 h | ₹3,090–₹10,680per person | Daily | flight search ↗ |
| Train | Overnight sleeper (Special Express 9 / 13) | 13 hovernight | ₹2,170–₹4,640per person | Daily | 12Go ↗ |
| Bus | Overnight VIP bus from Mo Chit (Nakhonchai Air / Sombat Tour) | 10.5 hovernight | ₹1,550–₹2,810per person | Daily | 12Go ↗ |
- Flight, Thai AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion / Thai Airways: Low-cost flights mostly use Don Mueang (DMK); Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways use Suvarnabhumi. Cheapest fares exclude checked bags.
- Train, Overnight sleeper (Special Express 9 / 13): Departs Krung Thep Aphiwat about 18:40, arrives about 07:15. Lower berths sell out first; book on the SRT D-Ticket site up to 90 days ahead.
Booking links open the route on the country's transport booking site for trains, buses, boats and transfers, and a flight search for flights, dated about two weeks out; change the date there.
What it costs your group, one way
Fares × people; a private car is priced per car, one car per four people.
| Option | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|
| Flight · Thai AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion / Thai Airways | ₹6,180–₹21,360 | ₹12,360–₹42,720 |
| Train · Overnight sleeper (Special Express 9 / 13) | ₹4,340–₹9,280 | ₹8,680–₹18,560 |
| Bus · Overnight VIP bus from Mo Chit (Nakhonchai Air / Sombat Tour) | ₹3,100–₹5,620 | ₹6,200–₹11,240 |
Once you’re in Chiang Mai
- Best time: November – February
- Typical stay: 3 days
- November: Good month: November is at the start of the recommended season (November – February). Plan around: Yi Peng Crowds. Loy Krathong and Yi Peng lantern festival can fall this month.
Related
Plan Bangkok and Chiang Mai
A day-by-day plan with this journey, the stays and the rest priced in.