Best Option for Most Travellers
Flight for speed (especially from Don Mueang on a budget carrier). Overnight sleeper train for the experience and value — book 1st or 2nd class sleeper via the SRT Ticket booking website.
All Transport Options
| Method | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 1h 15m | ฿499–2,500 | 20–25 daily flights |
| Overnight Train (Sleeper) | 11–13 hours | ฿481–1,353 | Several daily departures; 6pm–8pm best for overnight travel |
| Bus (VIP/Express) | 9–11 hours | ฿400–850 | Multiple daily from Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal |
| Private Car / Transfer | 7–9 hours | ฿3,500–6,000 | On demand |
Flight
฿499–2,500Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways fly Bangkok–Chiang Mai from both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). DMK flights are cheaper. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for the best low-cost fares.
Overnight Train (Sleeper)
฿481–1,353State Railway of Thailand Trains 9, 13, and 51 depart Hua Lamphong (Bangkok). Second-class sleeper (฿700–800) is excellent value — air-conditioned, proper beds, and scenic. Arrive at Chiang Mai station in the morning.
Bus (VIP/Express)
฿400–850Government (Transport Co.) and private companies (Nakhon Chai Air, Greenbus) run VIP overnight coaches. 42-seat VIP buses are comfortable. Allow extra time from Suvarnabhumi area — Mo Chit is far from most guesthouses.
Private Car / Transfer
฿3,500–6,000Comfortable but expensive unless split between 3–4 people. Useful for groups or those with lots of luggage. Stops en route (Tak, Lampang) possible.
Who runs Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Operators publishing this route on their own site. Booking direct is usually cheaper than through an agent.
State Railway of Thailand
checked 2026-08-21Train
Book direct
Where you actually leave from and arrive
The transport infrastructure mapped at each end. Distances are straight-line from the town centre, not travel time — in Bangkok in particular the two are very different.
Bangkok
- Don Mueang International Airport(DMK)· Airport21 km
- Sam Yot· Train station1 km
- Public Minivan Station (to Kanchanaburi / Koh Chang)· Bus station1 km
- Phanfa Leelard· Ferry pier1 km
Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai International Airport(CNX)· Airport3 km
- Chiang Mai· Train station3 km
- Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal 2· Bus station4 km
© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.
Tips & Things to Know
- 1
Don Mueang (DMK) handles most low-cost carrier flights to Chiang Mai. It is further from central Bangkok than Suvarnabhumi — allow 90 minutes from Sukhumvit.
- 2
Train tickets sell out during Songkran (April), Christmas/New Year (December–January), and long weekends. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for the sleeper train.
- 3
If travelling by bus, use the official Transport Co. terminal at Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal) — avoid touts selling overpriced 'tourist' buses from Khao San Road.
Disclaimer