In northern Thailand, the city of Chiang Rai is a must-visit for nature lovers and those who wish to see the magnificent White Temple, one of the most beautiful in the country. Additionally, Chiang Rai is located near Thailand’s borders with Laos and Myanmar, making it a strategic spot to enter a neighboring country through the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia. But how can you get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai the easiest way?
Traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is a great option for those who want to start their northern journey in a destination that’s much quieter than Chiang Mai. It’s even ideal to fly the nearly 800 kilometers and then explore the northern region by road.
The most convenient, recommended, and quickest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is by plane, without a doubt. Flights are usually quite affordable, with one-way tickets starting at around 25 euros, and the trip takes less than an hour and a half.
Considering the challenging road conditions to this northern city, flying makes the journey much easier.
Remember, you can fly to Chiang Rai from either of Bangkok’s two airports. Both are relatively far from the city center, so choose the airport that best suits your budget and schedule.
To reach Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) (map), you can take the Airport Link train from Makkasan or Phaya Thai stations. If you’re flying from the budget-friendly Don Mueang Airport (DMK) (map), there’s an A1 shuttle bus from Mochit Skytrain station.
Traveling by road from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is a long journey, and the last part can be quite tricky, so we advise caution when choosing a bus. Ticket prices range from about 10 to 20 dollars, depending on the bus class. You can buy tickets online using the following link.
If you opt for a night bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, the trip will likely be faster. The more expensive buses are VIP, offering more comfort. However, even in the best case, the journey will take around 10 hours, and if you’re unlucky, it could take up to 14 hours.
The stretch between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is challenging due to the winding roads. Some travelers may experience motion sickness, especially if they’ve eaten too much before the journey.
We love traveling by train, but taking the train from Bangkok to Chiang Rai may not be the best option, mainly because it could be more expensive than flying—unless you’re traveling during special dates—and it’s less comfortable.
There are no direct trains between the two cities, so the alternative is to take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which takes about 12 hours and costs around 25 euros. From Chiang Mai, you’ll need to take a bus to Chiang Rai, which is arguably the most difficult part of the journey, lasting around three hours.
However, if you’d like to experience the night train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, this could be an option.
When considering how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, we recommend weighing the speed and convenience of flying against the tranquility of a VIP night bus, where the seats are as comfortable as first-class flight seats, allowing for a good night’s sleep.
