Northern Thailand Popular Tour Route by Train, Bus, Car or Tour Mini Van and return by Plane. This trip is extensive and would take two weeks at a minimum to see all the most popular attractions.
1 Bangkok Click on each destination number to display details of how to get there and the attractions for each location.
2 Ayutthaya
3 Chiang Mai
4 Chiang Rai
5 Golden Triangle(Sop Ruak)
6 Chiang Rai
7 Bangkok
Select the number buttons above and scroll down for details on each destination.
See the Northern Thailand Tour map for routes.
To reach the Hualamphong (Bangkok) Train Station take a Tuk Tuk, Taxi or MRT train to Hualamphong station where the train station is around the corner from the nearby main road intersection. The Bangkok Transport Map has all the train routes.
Ayutthaya City Train Station
Take a tuk tuk or taxi from the train station to your accommodation. The city center is on the other side of the river.
Ayutthaya has many attractions and a minimum two day stop-over is recommended.
See Things To Do In Ayutthaya which has a list of all the major attractions and the river tour which ends in the evening at an outside dining food market where on the other side of the river is a magnificient view of Wat Banomyong.
Chiang Mai City Train Station
Chiang Mai is a major tourist destination with many attractions within the city and surrounding areas on day trips. Well worth spending at least two or three days of vacation time. See Things To Do in Chiang Mai for the many major attractions to visit and day tour destinations outside of the city limits. Getting around is best done in tuk tuks within the city and songthaew taxi trucks when visiting mountainous destinations such as Wat Doi Suthep.
After Chiang Mai you can use the bus services to reach Chiang Rai which is about 200 km north and takes 3 hours through scenic and winding roads. There are no trains or direct flights but taking one of the large air-conditioned VIP "Green Bus" services makes it a pleasant journey. Ensure you have booked a ticket that does actually end up at terminal 1 city center of Chiang Rai. Click the "Timetable" button for service times and prices.
Chiang Rai City Bus Terminal 1
Ensure you remain on the bus when arriving at terminal 2 on the outskirts of Chiang Rai city because it will continue onwards into the city center to terminal 1. Other services from terminal 2 depart for the longer journeys to other provinces.
Chiang Rai city is smaller than Chiang Mai but also has many attractions within the city and is a good home base for day tours to the Golden Triangle, Mae Sai and Doi Tung Royal Villa. It is also home to the famous and very popular White Temple located a short drive by taxi from the city center. See Things to do in Chiang Rai and don't forget to visit the Night Bazaar which has two entertainment sections, souvenir and clothing shops, restaurants and a large open eating area.
Sop Ruak town
Sop Ruak is a small town on the banks of the Mekong River and is close to the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar which make up the "Golden Triangle". The larger town of Chiang Saen is a short drive south.
Visiting this area on a day tour from Chiang Rai is easy and best suited by using a local tour company or hiring a private taxi. In this way you can stop along the way to see other attractions. Bus services are available but you will need to time your visit well else get stuck and have to stay overnight or pay for an expensive taxi ride back. See Chiang Saen and Sop Ruak for photos and more details.
Chiang Rai Airport also known as Mah Fah Luang International Airport
After visiting all the attractions around Chiang Rai, the quickest and most comfortable way back to Bangkok is by plane. There are several airlines that fly to Bangkok and it only takes less than an hour and a half. Arrival is either at the local Don Mueang Bangkok airport or Suvarnabhumi International Airport located east of Bangkok city center, depending which airline is taken. Select the "Timetable" button for details on flights.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok
Train Services From Bangkok to Ayutthaya then Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai, or Bangkok straight through to Chiang Mai
Air-conditioned train services can be very cold and wearing warm clothing is recommended.
Don't get scammed by taxi truck operators when you arrive in the Chiang Mai train station building offering transport to the city center and hotels for hundreds of Baht.
See transport hubs in Bangkok. Prices are Adults as of late 2018.
Class 3 - Bogie with no airconditioning - only fan - bench seats
Class 2 - Bogie with no airconditioning - only fan - bucket seats
Class 2 - Diesal railcar with air-conditioning and meal (much higher prices)
Class 2 (109, 9, 13, 51) - night coach
Class 1 (9 & 13) - night coach - air conditioning (a/c)
Hualamphong (Bangkok) to Ayutthaya | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Train | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Price |
303 | 04:20 | 05:48 | 1 hour 28 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
339 | 05:20 | 06:44 | 1 hour 24 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
21 | 05:45 | 06:58 | 1 hour 13 minutes | 2 | 345฿ |
135 | 06:40 | 8:25 | 1 hour 45 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
111 | 07:00 | 08:37 | 1 hour 37 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
75 | 08:20 | 09:41 | 1 hour 21 minutes | 2/3 | 245฿ / 165฿ |
7 | 08:30 | 09:47 | 1 hour 17 minutes | 2 | 345฿ |
201 | 09:25 | 11:27 | 2 hours 2 minutes | 2/3 | 35฿ / 15฿ |
71 | 10:05 | 11:24 | 1 hour 19 minutes | 2/3 | 245฿ / 165฿ |
3 | 10:50 | 12:15 | 1 hour 25 minutes | 2 | 345฿ |
209 | 11:20 | 13:04 | 1 hour 44 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
233 | 11:40 | 13:06 | 1 hour 26 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
211 | 12:55 | 14:31 | 1 hour 36 minutes | 2/3 | 35฿ |
109 | 13:45 | 15:17 | 1 hour 32 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
207 | 14:05 | 15:57 | 1 hour 52 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
145 | 15:20 | 16:56 | 1 hour 36 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
301 | 16:30 | 18:32 | 2 hours 02 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
341 | 17:00 | 18:57 | 1 hour 57 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
317 | 17:25 | 19:12 | 1 hour 47 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
313 | 18:20 | 20:18 | 1 hour 58 minutes | 3 | 15฿ |
77 | 18:35 | 20:03 | 1 hour 28 minutes | 2/3 | 245฿ / 165฿ |
139 | 18:55 | 20:25 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
107 | 20:10 | 21:43 | 1 hour 33 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
133 | 20:45 | 22:17 | 1 hour 32 minutes | 3 | 45฿ |
105 | 21:00 | 22:22 | 1 hour 22 minutes | 2/3 | 125฿ / 45฿ |
67 | 21:30 | 22:50 | Seat and Night coach 1 hour 20 minutes |
1/2 | 185฿ Seat |
51 | 22:00 | 23:55 | Seat and Night Coach 1 hour 55 minutes |
2/3 | 245฿S / 165฿S |
141 | 22:45 | 00:16 | 1 hour 31 minutes | 2/3 | 65฿ / 45฿ |
Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Train | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Type | Class | Price |
7 | 09:48 | 19:30 | 9 hour 42 minutes | Express | 2 | 616฿ |
109 | 15:19 | 04:05 | 12 hour 46 minutes | Seat Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower |
2/3 2 2 |
366฿ / 221฿ 666฿ 736฿ |
9 | 19:45 | 07:15 | 11 hour 30 minutes | Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Room |
2 2 1 1 1 |
916฿ 1016฿ 1398฿ 1598฿ 2398฿ |
13 | 21:07 | 08:40 | 11 hour 33 minutes | Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Room |
2 2 1 1 1 |
746฿ 816฿ 1198฿ 1398฿ 1898฿ |
51 | 23:36 | 12:10 | 12 hour 34 minutes | Seat Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper a/c Night Coach Lower a/c |
2/3 2 2 2 2 |
516฿ / 261฿ 536฿ 606฿ 726฿ 796฿ |
Hualamphong (Bangkok) to Chiang Mai | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Train | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Type | Class | Price |
7 | 08:30 | 19:30 | 11 hours 0 minutes | Express | 2 | 641฿ |
109 | 13:45 | 04:05 | 14 hours 20 minutes | Seat Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower |
2/3 2 2 |
391฿ / 231฿ 691฿ 761฿ |
9 | 18:10 | 07:15 | 13 hours 05 minutes | Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Room |
2 2 1 1 1 |
941฿ 1041฿ 1453฿ 1653฿ 2453฿ |
13 | 19:35 | 08:40 | 13 hours 05 minutes | Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Room |
2 2 1 1 1 |
771฿ 841฿ 1253฿ 1453฿ 1953฿ |
51 | 22:00 | 12:10 | 14 hours 10 minutes | Seat Night Coach Upper Night Coach Lower Night Coach Upper a/c Night Coach Lower a/c |
2/3 2 2 2 2 |
541฿ / 271฿ 561฿ 631฿ 751฿ 821฿ |
Bus services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
The most comfortable way to travel between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is by airconditioned bus services. The largest service providor is GreenBus. There are no train services between these cities.
Air-conditioned bus services can be very cold and wearing warm clothing is recommended. The jouney takes about 3 hours or more through scenic countryside.
Ensure the bus you book has a toilet, but this is usually always the case except for the very cheap bus services on low class services. Take some food and drink because there is no stopping except to pick up and drop off people along the way at small towns, and only the possibility of a light snack provided.
Take your passport with you in the coach in case the bus is stopped at a checkpoint. Also take some form of quiet entertainment as there is typically no Wi-Fi available.
Air-conditioned bus services can be very cold and wearing warm clothing is recommended. The jouney takes about 3 hours or more through scenic countryside.
Ensure the bus you book has a toilet, but this is usually always the case except for the very cheap bus services on low class services. Take some food and drink because there is no stopping except to pick up and drop off people along the way at small towns, and only the possibility of a light snack provided.
Take your passport with you in the coach in case the bus is stopped at a checkpoint. Also take some form of quiet entertainment as there is typically no Wi-Fi available.
Chiang Mai's new Arcade Bus Terminal 3 is directly opposite the old terminal. See transport hubs in Chiang Mai.
In Chiang Rai there is the newly built bus terminal (Terminal 1) located in the centre of Chiang Rai city near the Night Bazaar. It can be still referred to as the "old" station. The other bus station (Terminal 2) is also a modern new building located on the outskirts of Chiang Rai city. Most buses from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai will stop at Terminal 2 on the outskirts of Chiang Rai and then continue on to Terminal 1 into the city center. Terminal 1 in the city provides local and provincial transport services while the larger terminal 2 on the outskirts of the city is for long distance services and transfers. There is songthaew (taxi truck) or tuktuk transport available between the two stations. See transport hubs in Chiang Rai.
Prices are direct from GreenBus as of late 2018. Purchases can be on the day at the station for cash, or up to 30 days in advance. Call centre, website and Mobile app bookings at least 4 hours before departure and paid within 2 hours of booking.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Type | Class | Price |
GreenBus | 07:15 | 10:50 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 08:15 | 11:25 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
GreenBus | 09:15 | 12:55 | 3 hours 40 minutes | Express | 2 | 129฿ |
GreenBus | 10:00 | 13:35 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 10:30 | 13:40 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
GreenBus | 11:00 | 14:35 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 12:15 | 15:25 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
GreenBus | 12:30 | 16:10 | 3 hours 40 minutes | Express | 2 | 129฿ |
GreenBus | 13:00 | 16:10 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
GreenBus | 14:15 | 17:50 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 15:00 | 18:35 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 15:45 | 18:55 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
GreenBus | 17:00 | 20:35 | 3 hours 35 minutes | Express | 1 | 166฿ |
GreenBus | 17:30 | 21:10 | 3 hours 40 minutes | Express | 2 | 129฿ |
GreenBus | 18:00 | 21:10 | 3 hours 10 minutes | VIP | VIP | 258฿ |
Flight Services from Chiang Rai to Bangkok
Flight services from Chiang Rai go to Don Mueang Domestic Airport north of Bangkok city or Suvarnabhummi International Airport east of Bangkok city.
Prices are of late 2018, one way, approximate and times can change. Chiang Rai Airport is also called Mae Fah Luang International Airport.
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Don Mueang (DMK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Nok Air | 09:15 | 10:30 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Lite | 1600฿ |
Nok Air | 13:45 | 15:25 | 1 hour 40 minutes | Lite | 1700฿ |
Nok Air | 16:00 | 17:15 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Lite | 1700฿ |
Nok Air | 18:45 | 20:00 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Lite | 1900฿ |
Nok Air | 21:30 | 22:55 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Lite | 1700฿ |
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Don Mueang (DMK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Thai Air Asia | 09:45 | 11:10 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Low Fare | 1900฿ |
Thai Air Asia | 13:50 | 15:15 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Low Fare | 1900฿ |
Thai Air Asia | 15:50 | 17:10 | 1 hour 20 minutes | Low Fare | 2100฿ |
Thai Air Asia | 17:50 | 19:20 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Low Fare | 1700฿ |
Thai Air Asia | 18:20 | 19:45 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Low Fare | 1900฿ |
Thai Air Asia | 22:35 | 23:55 | 1 hour 20 minutes | Low Fare | 1500฿ |
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Don Mueang (DMK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Thai Lion Air | 06:00 | 07:20 | 1 hour 20 minutes | Economy | 1360฿ |
Thai Lion Air | 07:20 | 8:45 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Economy | 1360฿ |
Thai Lion Air | 10:35 | 11:55 | 1 hour 20 minutes | Economy | 1460฿ |
Thai Lion Air | 19:25 | 20:50 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Economy | 1660฿ |
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Thai Vietjet | 08:25 | 9:50 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Eco | 910฿ |
Thai Vietjet | 15:50 | 17:15 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Eco | 1050฿ |
Thai Vietjet | 19:55 | 21:20 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Eco | 1050฿ |
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Bangkok Air | 9:45 | 11:15 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Web Promo | 1590฿ |
Bangkok Air | 16:20 | 17:50 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Web Promo | 1990฿ |
Bangkok Air | 20:40 | 22:10 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Web Promo | 1590฿ |
Chiang Rai (CEI) to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) (Bangkok) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airline | Depart | Arrive | Duration | Class | Aprox. Price |
Thai Airways | 10:45 | 12:15 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Smile Value | 2800฿ |
Thai Airways | 13:40 | 15:10 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Smile Value | 2800฿ |
Thai Airways | 17:55 | 19:25 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Smile Value | 2980฿ |
Thai Airways | 20:45 | 22:15 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Smile Value | 2450฿ |