Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or flight: which to choose?

Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the classic northbound journey in Thailand: roughly 700 km by road, a little more by rail, from the capital to the main city of the north. You have three realistic choices. The train is the slow, scenic option, with overnight sleepers and one daytime service from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. Long-distance buses leave from the Bangkok Bus Terminal at Chatuchak (Mo Chit 2) and take nine to eleven hours. Flights from either Bangkok airport take about an hour and a quarter in the air and often cost no more than a first-class berth. A private car only makes sense for groups who want to stop along the way.

Options at a glance

Prices are approximate one-way adult fares seen in October 2026; confirm on the operator's site before you plan around them.

Overnight train

Long-distance trains to Chiang Mai depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the large modern station in Bang Sue that replaced Hua Lamphong for northern services. The easiest way to reach it is the MRT Blue Line to Bang Sue station, which is linked to the terminal by walkway, or the SRT Red Line (Dark Red Line from Rangsit and Don Mueang, Light Red Line from Taling Chan), which stops inside the terminal. A taxi or Grab from the old city or Sukhumvit takes 20–45 minutes. Several northbound trains also call at Don Mueang station, handy if you arrive by air and continue straight on.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) runs several overnight services each evening. The flagship is Special Express No. 9, which uses newer Chinese-built (CNR) air-conditioned sleeping cars, leaves in the early evening and reaches Chiang Mai after breakfast time, about twelve and a half hours later. It has a dining car, an accessible carriage with a wheelchair lift, and a ladies-and-children-only car; its southbound twin is Special Express No. 10. Older sleeper services such as Special Express No. 13 and Express No. 51 leave later in the evening and arrive mid-to-late morning, and a Rapid train with fan-cooled sleepers leaves in the afternoon. SRT adjusts the timetable from time to time, so check current times on the D-Ticket site.

Classes to know about:

• 1st class sleeper: two-berth lockable compartments with a washbasin and air conditioning; you can book the whole compartment for solo use. On train 9 expect roughly 1,450 THB for an upper berth and 1,650 THB for a lower one.
• 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper: open-plan bunks with curtains, converted from facing seats in the evening. Lower berths are wider and cost a little more; on train 9 budget about 940–1,040 THB, on the older trains roughly 700–850 THB.
• 2nd class and 3rd class seats: on some services, air-conditioned or fan-cooled, from about 230 THB. Fine by day, hard work overnight.

Tickets are sold on SRT's D-Ticket website and app, at station counters, and through platforms such as 12Go. SRT generally opens sales for long-distance journeys up to 90 days ahead (the window has been extended for some periods, so check D-Ticket), and lower berths on train 9 sell out first, especially in the December–February high season and around Thai holidays. Luggage is not weighed; bring what you can lift into the rack, and keep valuables with you overnight.

On arrival, Chiang Mai Railway Station sits on Charoen Muang Road about 3 km east of the old city moat. Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) wait outside and charge roughly 30–60 THB per person to the old city; a Grab or Bolt car is around 80–150 THB.

Daytime train

For views without the sleeping, SRT runs a daytime Special Express diesel railcar (train No. 7) with 2nd class air-conditioned seats only: a morning departure from Krung Thep Aphiwat, an early-evening arrival about ten to eleven hours later, and a fare of roughly 550–600 THB including a light meal. The finest scenery comes in the last three hours, climbing past Lampang and through the Khun Tan tunnel. Seats do not recline much, so it is a long day. Booking and arrival arrangements are the same as for the sleepers.

Long-distance bus

Buses to Chiang Mai leave from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), still universally known as Mo Chit 2. It is on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road about 2.5–3 km from BTS Mo Chit, MRT Chatuchak Park and MRT Kamphaeng Phet, so you need a short taxi, Grab or motorbike-taxi hop (around 60–100 THB) after leaving the rail network. From Don Mueang airport, the A1 airport bus runs directly to the terminal for about 30 THB. Northern routes have their own ticket counters, signed in Thai and English.

Operators on this route include the state-owned Transport Co. Ltd (บขส., often branded BKS), Nakhonchai Air (First Class and Gold Class coaches), Sombat Tour (Express and VIP 20- or 33-seat services), Bangkok Busline, Sritawong Tour and others. Most departures leave between late afternoon and about 22:00 for an overnight run arriving at dawn; journey times are typically 9–11 hours with one or two stops.

Bus classes, from most to least spacious:

• VIP 24 / First Class (20–24 seats): wide reclining seats in a 2+1 layout, blankets, snacks, on-board toilet. Roughly 900–1,200 THB.
• VIP 32 / Gold Class: 2+2 reclining seats, still comfortable. About 700–900 THB.
• Standard or Express air-conditioned (44 seats): narrower seats, fewer frills. About 500–700 THB.

Each operator sells online on its own site, by phone, through 7-Eleven counters, and via 12Go and similar platforms. Buying at Mo Chit on the day is usually fine outside Songkran, New Year and long weekends. Large luggage goes in the hold; keep valuables, a jumper and a sleeping mask with you, because the air conditioning is strong.

Buses arrive at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station (Bus Terminals 2 and 3 share the site), about 3 km northeast of the old city near the Superhighway. Red songthaews charge around 30–60 THB per person to the moat area, and Grab is about 80–120 THB.

Flight

Flying is the only quick option. Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is served from both Bangkok airports: Don Mueang (DMK) is the base for Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air, while Suvarnabhumi (BKK) has Thai Airways, Thai Vietjet and Bangkok Airways, plus some AirAsia flights. Between them there are well over thirty departures a day, and scheduled flight time is 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 25 minutes. Door to door, allow three to four hours including airport transfers and security.

Fares in October 2026 look roughly like this: low-cost carriers from about 900–2,500 THB one way when booked a few weeks out, with occasional promotions lower; full-service carriers and anything booked in the last few days 2,500–4,500 THB or more. Low-cost base fares usually include only a 7 kg cabin bag, and a 15–20 kg checked bag adds roughly 400–800 THB if bought in advance (much more at the airport). With a bag added, the gap between a budget airline and Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways, which include checked baggage, narrows considerably.

Don Mueang is on the SRT Dark Red Line (Don Mueang station, linked to the terminals by walkway) and served by the A1/A2 airport buses from Mo Chit and Victory Monument; a taxi from downtown is about 250–400 THB plus tolls. Suvarnabhumi has the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai and Makkasan; see our Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok guide. Aim to be at either airport 90 minutes before a domestic flight, two hours in holiday periods.

Chiang Mai airport is unusually close to town, about 3 km southwest of the old city. The taxi desk in arrivals sells fixed-fare vouchers of roughly 150–200 THB to the old city and Nimman, Grab is a little less, and the airport shuttle buses (routes A1 and A2 about 40 THB, A3 about 60 THB) and the city's yellow and red bus lines also serve the terminal. Read our Chiang Mai guide for where to head once you land.

Private car or minivan

A private car with driver covers the route in eight to nine hours via Nakhon Sawan and Lampang, or via Phitsanulok if you want to stop at Sukhothai. Transfer companies quote roughly 7,000–12,000 THB per vehicle depending on size (sedan to 9-seat van), tolls and fuel included. It suits a group of four or more who want to break the journey at Ayutthaya, Sukhothai or Lampang; as a straight transfer it is slower than the plane and far dearer than the bus. Self-drivers should budget for one-way rental drop-off fees.

Which option should you choose?

• First-time visitors with a week or more: take the overnight sleeper up and fly back, or the reverse. Our Thailand in 7 days itinerary uses exactly this pattern.
• Short on time: fly. Book two to four weeks ahead and pick a mid-morning or afternoon departure to avoid the earliest check-in.
• Tight budget: a standard or Gold Class bus at 500–900 THB, or a 2nd class seat on the daytime train. The 2nd class sleeper on the older trains is excellent value if you book early.
• Families with children: the sleeper train. Children can move around, there is a dining car, and a 1st class compartment makes a private room. Ask SRT about child fares.
• Lots of luggage: the bus hold or the train avoids airline baggage fees, but take a taxi to the terminal.
• Motion sickness: the train is gentler than the bus, which twists through the hills around Lampang in the small hours. Flights are short enough that most people cope.
• Travellers who want to see the country: the daytime train, or a private car with stops.

See our Bangkok guide for the days before you leave and our getting around Bangkok tips for reaching the terminal.

Where to check and book

Frequently asked questions

Do trains to Chiang Mai still leave from Hua Lamphong?

No. Northern long-distance trains now use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bang Sue, reached via MRT Bang Sue or the SRT Red Line. Hua Lamphong keeps only a few short-distance services.

How far ahead can I book the sleeper train?

SRT generally opens online and counter sales up to 90 days before departure for long-distance journeys, and has at times extended this further. Check the D-Ticket website for the current rule, because lower berths on Special Express 9 go early in high season.

How do I get from the station, Arcade or the airport to the old city?

All three are within about 3 km of the moat. Red songthaews cost roughly 30–60 THB per person, Grab or Bolt about 80–150 THB, and the airport taxi desk sells fixed-fare vouchers of about 150–200 THB.