Flying. It's 80 minutes compared to a night on the bus.

Chiang Rai is about 780 km north of Bangkok (by road), and the answer is unusually simple: fly. Depending on the season, there are 15 to 20 direct flights daily from Bangkok to Chiang Rai Airport. The flight time is 80 to 95 minutes, and in November, the cheapest seats cost around US$60 each way—barely more than a VIP bus seat. Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air fly from Don Mueang Airport, while Thai VietJet and Thai Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi. So choose the airport that best suits your arrival airport or hotel.

Check the current flight times and seat availability for flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai on 12Go.

Those who don't want to fly can take a night bus from Mo Chit every evening. The journey takes 11 to 13 hours and costs approximately 720 to 1,070 baht. There is no train connection to Chiang Rai, but you can take the night train to Chiang Mai and from there the Green Bus, which takes three and a quarter hours. This reduces the journey from one stop to two.

Accommodation in Chiang Rai

This route ends in Chiang Rai. Search for hotels in Chiang Rai for your travel dates or narrow your search to the region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.

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My recommendations in every price category in Chiang Rai

  • Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, ThailandLuxury · 5 stars · 4.7 (2,844)
  • Nak Nakara HotelMid-range · 4 stars · 4.6 (1,402)
  • B2 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar Boutique & Budget Hotel · Budget · 2 stars · 4.3 (1,989)

    • Key facts

    15 to 20 direct flights per day, 80 to 95 minutes

    Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air fly from Don Mueang Airport, where most of these airports are located. Thai VietJet and Thai Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The first flights depart around 6:30 a.m., and the last in the early evening.

    Flights cost from about $60 each way.

    In November, flights with AirAsia, Lion, and VietJet typically cost US$60–80 each way, and with Thai Airways US$90–120. Compare the total price including baggage.

    The night buses depart from Mo Chit between approximately 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

    Buses operated by the state-owned transport company take approximately 11 hours to reach Terminal 1 in the city, while private lines take about 13 hours to reach Terminal 2, located 7 km to the south. Fares range from 720 to 1,070 baht.

    There will only be a train connection to Chiang Rai from around 2028.

    The new railway line from Den Chai is about 60% complete and is scheduled to open around 2028. Until then, train travel means taking the night train to Chiang Mai and then the Green Bus to Chiang Rai.

    It's approximately 780 km by road.

    This equates to approximately ten hours of driving without breaks, which is why nobody travels this route by car unless they are making a round trip through the north.

    Chiang Rai Airport is located approximately 8 km from the city.

    Taxis are waiting at the arrivals desk and Grab is working; the ride to the hotels around the night bazaar and the clock tower costs about 150–200 baht and takes 15 to 20 minutes.

    All routes from Bangkok to Chiang Raig compared

    Flight prices from 12Go for a Thursday in mid-November 2026; flight times vary depending on the season, so please see below for current prices. Bus timetables and fares from 12Go and Baolau for October and November, including booking fees. Sleeper car and Green Bus prices from our travel guides for the Bangkok–Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai routes.

    Bookable departures · updated daily

    Bangkok → Chiang Rai: Departure times you can book now

    All flights currently bookable via 12Go on this route, sorted by booking class. The prices shown are distributed across the different booking classes; the exact price for a seat and a specific date can be found on the booking page.

    Flight

    bus

    12Go timetables and fares are updated daily. Services that operate only locally—regular trains, weekend trips, and ferry terminal tickets—are not listed; these can be found in the table above. Sponsored link: We may receive a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

    Check current flight and bus connections from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.

    The 12Go live display board shows direct flights from both Bangkok airports as well as night buses from Mo Chit with current flight times, prices and seat availability.

    Sponsored link – We may receive a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

    Which airport in Bangkok should I fly from?

    Both Bangkok airports offer flights to Chiang Rai. The correct airport is the one closest to where you already are. Don Mueang offers the most connections with Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air and is the obvious choice from Khao San Road, the Old City, or anywhere north of the city center. Suvarnabhumi is served by Thai VietJet and Thai Airways and is ideal for connecting flights from long-haul routes, as you don't have to cross the city between airports.

    Prices for a one-way flight in November with AirAsia, Lion, and VietJet were generally between US$60 and US$80, and with Thai Airways between US$90 and US$120. Therefore, compare the total price including baggage. Bangkok Airways no longer flies this route, contrary to the information on the old offer page.

    Chiang Rai Airport, Mae Fah Luang, is located approximately 8 km from the city center. Taxis wait at the counter in the arrivals hall, and Grab is also available. The ride to hotels around the Night Bazaar and the Clock Tower costs approximately 150–200 baht and takes 15 to 20 minutes.

    The night bus from Mo Chit

    All buses to Chiang Rai depart from Mo Chit 2, the northern bus terminal in Bangkok (Chatuchak district), except for Nakhonchai Air, which uses its own bus terminal in Bangkok. The state-owned bus company, Transport Co., offers five evening departures between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm for approximately 720 to 840 baht. This is the fastest option, with a journey time of about 11 hours to Terminal 1 in Chiang Rai, the old bus terminal next to the night bazaar. Private bus companies such as Bangkok Busline, Budsarakam, Kasemthara, and others operate daytime and evening services for approximately 780 to 1,070 baht, taking about 13 hours to reach Terminal 2, located 7 km south of the city on the highway. From there, you can take a songthaew or Grab.

    Taking the evening bus brings you to dawn, which saves on a hotel night but robs you of sleep. Nakhonchai Air's Gold Class, which costs around 1,070 baht from Bangkok airport, is the premium option.

    By train via Chiang Mai

    Currently, there is no rail connection to Chiang Rai. The new line from Den Chai to Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong was approximately 60% complete by early 2026 and is expected to open around 2028. Until then, the only alternative is to take the night train to Chiang Mai and then fly to Chiang Rai on the Green Bus.

    Sleeper trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat in the evening and arrive in Chiang Mai the following morning. A second-class seat costs between 771 and 1,041 baht. From Chiang Mai Bus Station 3, the Green Bus runs 13 times daily between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The journey to Chiang Rai costs between 260 and 400 baht and takes between 3 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes. It is the slowest travel option and the best choice if Chiang Mai is already on your itinerary. Our Bangkok–Chiang Mai travel guide includes all train connections, and our Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai travel guide includes all bus connections.

    The best-rated hotels in Chiang Rai

    Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Chiang Rai. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you can enter your travel dates.

  • #5 Riva Vista Riverfront Chiang Rai 4.8 (744 reviews) A quiet resort on the banks of the Kok River, within walking distance of the Blue Temple and Chiang Rai's attractions. Check prices
  • #6 Laluna Hotel and Resort 4.4 (1,270 reviews) A lavish resort hotel in Chiang Rai with elegant bungalows, a pool, and tranquil gardens. Check prices
  • #7 Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa Chiang Rai 4.6 (866 reviews) An upscale all-suite mountain resort near Chiang Rai with forest views, a spa, and complimentary breakfast. Check rates

    • Chiang Rai to Bangkok

    For the return flight, the first flights depart from Chiang Rai around 8:30 a.m. and the last around 9:00 p.m. to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, with 15 to 20 flights daily at each airport. Prices for a one-way flight in November started at approximately US$35 to US$50. The journey to the airport takes about 20 minutes and costs 150–200 baht with Grab.

    All bus departures from Bangkok are from Terminal 2, located 7 km south of the city. Transport Co. buses depart at 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM, and 6:30 PM, while Bangkok Busline buses depart at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:30 PM. The journey to Mo Chit takes approximately 11 to 13 hours. For the return trip via Chiang Mai, the Green Bus must leave Chiang Rai around 12:00 PM for the 5:05 PM night bus or around 1:30 PM for the 6:20 PM bus. Our Chiang Rai–Bangkok travel guide includes all flight and bus connections.

    Chiang Rai → Bangkok: Departure times you can book now

    Check current flight and bus connections from Chiang Rai to Bangkok.

    The same live display board for travel to the south, with all flights to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, as well as buses to Mo Chit.

    Take a look at the journey

    A flight up from Don Mueang and a bus ride back.

    Are you planning the rest of the north?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about the Bangkok–Chiang Rai route.

    Fly. There are 15 to 20 direct flights daily, taking 80 to 95 minutes from Don Mueang (Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air) or Suvarnabhumi (Thai VietJet, Thai Airways). One-way flights start at around US$60. The cheapest option is the overnight bus from Mo Chit. The fare ranges from 720 to 1,070 baht, and the journey takes 11 to 13 hours.

    No. Chiang Rai is not yet connected to the railway network; the new line from Den Chai is expected to be completed around 2028. Take the night train to Chiang Mai and from there the Green Bus, which will get you to Chiang Rai in about three and a half hours.

    Approximately 780 km by road, roughly ten hours of driving time without breaks, and about 1 hour 20 minutes by plane.

    Both. Don Mueang Airport offers most flights with Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air, while Suvarnabhumi Airport is served by Thai VietJet and Thai Airways. Bangkok Airways no longer flies this route.

    The journey by evening bus from Mo Chit to Terminal 1 in the city takes approximately 11 hours, while the journey by private bus to Terminal 2, located 7 km south, takes approximately 13 hours. Fares range from 720 to 1070 baht.

    Take a taxi from the counter in the arrivals hall or a Grab vehicle. The ride to the hotels around the Night Bazaar and the Clock Tower (8 km) costs approximately 150–200 baht and takes 15 to 20 minutes.

    Yes, for about two nights. The White Temple, the Blue Temple, and the Baan Dam are all near the city, and the tea plantations and the Golden Triangle make for a good day trip. If Chiang Mai is also on your list, you can combine both; the journey by Green Bus takes about three and a half hours.

    Compare prices on the major booking portals and filter for rooms with free cancellation if you want to book now and decide later.

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    Further from Chiang Rai

    The next stage, with the fastest and cheapest way to get there.

  • Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai: Fastest minivan (approx. 3 hours), cheapest green bus (express class, 260–290 ฿). Compare all 4 options.
  • Chiang Rai – Luang Prabang: Fastest package with slow boat trip (2 days, 1 night). Cheapest option: Van + sleeper bus (approx. 1,350–1,500 ฿ with 12Go). Compare all 5 options.

    • Return journey? From Chiang Raang to Bangkok – All routes in Thailand

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    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

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