Take the green bus, and it's not nearby.
The distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is 182 km along Route 118, and the journey takes between 3 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes. The Green Bus is the cheapest and most common option. It departs 13 times daily from Bus Station 3 (The Arcade) in Chiang Mai between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Prices vary depending on the ticket provider, ranging from 260 to 290 baht for express class and from 360 to 400 baht for VIP class. Minivans cost approximately 520 to 780 baht per seat. A private car (1,950 to 3,000 baht for the vehicle, approximately 3 hours travel time) is the only option that stops at the White Temple along the way.
Check the current flight times and seat availability for flights from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai on 12Go.
There is no train connection, and all flights go through Bangkok. The bus stops at Terminal 1 in Chiang Rai city center, right next to the night bazaar – a better location than most hotel transfers. Below you will find all Green Bus departures with their respective classes and fares, the terminals at both ends, an overview of van and taxi prices, the local bus to Wat Rong Khun for 20 baht, and an honest answer regarding the day trip.
Accommodation in Chiang Rai
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Key Facts (2026)
The journey takes 3 hours 20 minutes in VIP class and 3 hours 45 minutes in Express class.
Both vehicle classes travel on the expressway with a 15- to 30-minute rest stop near the halfway point at Mae Kachan. Minivans and cars take approximately 3 hours. The total length of Route 118 is 182 km.
Fares are 260–290 Baht in the express area and 360–400 Baht in the VIP area.
Prices at the Terminal 3 ticket counter are at the lower end of their respective ranges, while booking portals are at the upper end (12Go offered tickets for 271–380 baht on September 26, 2026). Minivans cost approximately 520–780 baht per seat, and a car costs 1,950–3,000 baht for the entire vehicle.
There are 13 departures per day, 07:00–18:00.
Seven express and six VIP buses all depart from Chiang Mai 3 (Arcade) bus station, which can be reached from the Old City by Grab for 100–150 baht. Book a day in advance in December/January and around Yi Peng, as the VIP seats tend to sell out first.
Arrival at Terminal 1, City Center
The buses first stop at Terminal 2 in Chiang Rai (7 km south on the expressway) and then terminate at Terminal 1 next to the night bazaar. Continue your journey unless you are staying directly on the expressway.
No train, no direct flight
Thailand's northern railway line terminates in Chiang Mai, and there is no train connection to Chiang Rai. Flying from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is also not possible, as all routes shown on booking portals go via Bangkok – a flight time of 5 to 7 hours starting at approximately 1,500 baht. Therefore, flying is less economical than taking the bus, both in terms of time and cost.
The White Temple is not a bus stop.
Public buses pass Wat Rong Khun 13 km before Chiang Rai without stopping. From Terminal 1, a public bus departs from platform 8 19 times daily for 20–25 baht and stops at the temple gate. Alternatively, you can book a private car and have the bus stop noted on the route.
All routes from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai compared (2026)
Prices were compared on September 26, 2026, with current 12Go fares (271–380 Baht in both classes) and the operator's counter prices. The lower price range corresponds to the counter in Terminal 3, the higher to the online price. During peak season, booking one day in advance is recommended, and even earlier during festival season.
Bookable departures · updated daily
Chiang Mai → 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.
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 the current flight times and seat availability from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
12Go clearly displays the Green Bus classes, vans, and private transfers side-by-side, showing available seats and e-tickets. It's easier to use than the provider's booking system and the most reliable way to secure VIP seats in the Yi Peng area during the peak travel season in December.
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All departures of Green Bus buses from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (2026)
The 13 departures bookable via 12Go on September 26, 2026, with the arrival times specified by the provider (3:20 a.m. VIP, 3:45 a.m. Express), are also offered by other providers. However, two connections have been changed (12:45 p.m. Express and 3:30 p.m. VIP instead of 10:30 a.m. VIP and 3:30 p.m. Express). Therefore, please note that each connection is seasonal and check availability in the aforementioned live block before planning your connecting flights.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus: Information on Green Bus classes, fares and terminals
Terminal 3 out, Terminal 1 in, and geography is what counts.
Green Buses depart from Bus Station 3 in Chiang Mai, the Arcade complex about 3 km northeast of the Old City (100–150 baht with Grab, 30–50 baht per person in a red shared taxi). They follow Route 118 over the hills through Doi Saket and Wiang Pa Pao. The Express class offers a modern coach with four seats per row, a toilet, and a bottle of water. The VIP class offers three seats per row (one on one side and two on the other) with more legroom, a USB port, and a snack. Both classes stop for 15 to 30 minutes at the Mae Kachan hot springs rest area, roughly halfway through the journey. Luggage up to 20 kg is free. The bus operator requests that passengers arrive at the platform 30 minutes before departure.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counters in Terminal 3, on the Green Bus website or app, or through 12Go. Buying at the counter is cheapest (260 ฿ Express, 360 ฿ VIP at the lowest price). Online tickets cost 20–40 ฿ more and include a reserved seat but do not include transportation to the terminal. This is especially important in December and around Yi Peng, as VIP tickets tend to get priority then. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask for a seat near the front, as bus route 118 is a steep mountain road at midday.
It's important to know the arrival route. Buses first stop at Chiang Rai Terminal 2, seven kilometers south on the expressway, before terminating at Terminal 1, the old train station right in the city center next to Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar. From there, most hotels in the Old City are within easy walking distance. Go to Terminal 1 unless your accommodation is located outside the city on the expressway. If you arrive at Terminal 2, you can take a shared taxi (songthaew) into the city for a small fee.
The green bus in the express and VIP area, filmed by other travelers
Three journeys on this route, none of them mine, from the ticket counters in Terminal 3 to the night market. YouTube only loads when you press "Play".
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.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai via the White Temple, without a tour
Wat Rong Khun is located on this road, but is not listed in the bus timetable.
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, is located directly on Route 118, about 13 km before Chiang Rai. The most common question on this route is whether the bus stops there. Regular buses don't go there, as a sightseeing stop is part of a tour package and not the Green Bus tour. The easiest way is to continue to Terminal 1, drop off your luggage, and take the local bus back. This bus departs 19 times daily between 6:15 am and 5:50 pm from Platform 8 in the city center, costs 20–25 baht (payable on the bus), takes 20–30 minutes, and stops directly in front of the temple gate. The temple opens at 8:00 am and closes around 5:30 pm (foreign visitors pay 200 baht). Tour buses from Chiang Mai start arriving in the late morning, so taking the 7:10 am or 8:10 am bus is a good option to enjoy the quieter period.
Alternatively, a private car (1,950–3,000 baht) is a good option for traveling between the cities, with a stop at the White Temple. This is particularly useful for groups of three or more, as the driver can wait while you explore. From the Night Bazaar, you can easily reach the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten, free entry, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.) using Grab. The Baan Dam Museum (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) is about 12 km north. The temple tour offered by tour operators can therefore be completed in two relaxed half-days from a hotel in Chiang Rai – and your luggage stays in your hotel room instead of in the van.
I recommend taking the green bus to Terminal 1, checking in, and then taking a public bus (20 baht) to the White Temple that same afternoon or the following morning. A private car is more suitable for groups of three or more who want to visit the temple on the way.
Day trip or move? The honest calculation
Twelve hours, seven of them in a van
Day trips from Chiang Mai include a tour of the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and the Black House, sometimes with a side trip to the Golden Triangle. Prices range from approximately US$40 to US$55, including lunch and hotel pick-up. Departure is around 7:00 AM, and return is around 7:00 PM. Seven of the twelve hours are spent in the car. Reviews are consistently positive: the temples are worth the trip, but the minibus ride is not, and the stop at the White Temple coincides with the peak tourist season in the morning.
The decision therefore depends on your route, not the temples. If Chiang Rai isn't already on your itinerary and you have a day to spare in Chiang Mai, the tour is the only way to visit Wat Rong Khun without sacrificing two nights' accommodation – a fair trade. If you're traveling north anyway, hop on the Green Bus, explore the temples at your own pace from the city, and invest the money the tour would have cost in a night on the Kok River.
Return journey from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
The same buses, but in reverse, from Terminal 1
The return journey departs from Terminal 1 in Chiang Rai city center, not the highway station. Between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., there are 13 departures in the same express and VIP classes at the same price. Arrival is at Terminal 3 in Chiang Mai. The last VIP train departs at 6:00 p.m. and arrives around 9:20 p.m. – too late for a night train to Bangkok. Passengers with connecting trains should therefore take a bus, which departs no later than 12:00 p.m. for the 5:05 p.m. train or no later than 1:30 p.m. for the 6:20 p.m. train. The complete return timetable, tips on potential pitfalls at the terminal in Chiang Rai, and information on activities in the arrivals arcade can be found in the "Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai" travel guide (link below).
Chiang Rai → Chiang Mai: Departure times you can book now
Check the current flight times and seat availability from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.
The return journey with 12Go offers the same Green Bus classes, free seat selection, and e-tickets. This is especially convenient during the December weeks when the afternoon VIP journeys back to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai are fully booked.
Booked your trip? Plan both your arrival and departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
The Green Bus, available to almost all travelers, departs 13 times daily from Terminal 3 (Arcade) in Chiang Mai between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The journey takes 3 hours and 20 minutes (VIP) or 3 hours and 45 minutes (Express). Fares range from 260 to 290 baht (Express) and 360 to 400 baht (VIP). For other passengers, minivans (approximately 520–780 baht per seat) and private cars (1,950–3,000 baht) are available.
The journey takes 3 hours and 20 minutes in VIP class and 3 hours and 45 minutes in express class. The route follows a well-maintained highway with a rest stop roughly halfway. Vans are slightly faster, but this advantage is lost when it comes to hotel pick-ups. There is no train connection between the two cities, so the road is the only alternative to flying via Bangkok, which is not recommended.
Prices for the Green Bus Express class range from 260 to 290 baht, while VIP class fares are between 360 and 400 baht. Prices are generally lower at the ticket counter in Terminal 3, but higher online through booking portals. Minivans cost approximately 520 to 780 baht per seat, and a private car costs between 1,950 and 3,000 baht for the entire vehicle. Online bookings cost an extra 20 to 40 baht and guarantee a seat during peak season.
No, the scheduled Green Bus routes do not stop at Wat Rong Khun. A convenient alternative is to travel to Terminal 1 in Chiang Rai city center and take the bus from platform 8 back to Wat Rong Khun (19 departures daily, 6:15 a.m.–5:50 p.m., 20–25 baht, payment on the bus, 20–30 minutes, stop directly in front of the temple). Alternatively, you can book a private transfer with a temple stop.
Terminal 1, the train station in the city center next to the night market, is within walking distance of most hotels in the old town. Buses first stop at Terminal 2, seven kilometers south on the highway. Only get off there if you are staying nearby; otherwise, stay on for the final leg into the city.
Three options. The cheapest tickets (260 ฿ Express, 360 ฿ VIP at the last price) are available at the ticket counters in Terminal 3. During the off-season, seats are often still available there on the same day. You can pay by card and reserve a seat via the Green Bus website and app. 12Go issues an e-ticket in English and accepts foreign cards without the occasional card rejection on their website. The confirmation will inform you whether you can board with the e-ticket or if you need to redeem it beforehand at the Green Bus counter.
During the off-season, same-day bookings are usually possible, but during the shoulder seasons (December/January) and around holidays, it is recommended to reserve at least one day in advance. VIP tickets sell out quickly, especially during the Yi Peng weekend and on New Year's Day. Online bookings are slightly more expensive than at the ticket counter in Terminal 3, but they guarantee you a reserved seat.
No. Thailand's northern railway line ends in Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai is not connected to the rail network. Therefore, the road is the only option. The journey takes 3 hours 20 to 3 hours 45 minutes by Green Bus, minivan, or private car. Flying requires a layover in Bangkok and is longer door-to-door than the bus journey.
No. There are no scheduled flights between the two airports, which are only 180 km apart. All connections shown by booking portals go via Bangkok, making the door-to-door journey 5 to 7 hours and costing around 1,500 baht, compared to 3.5 hours and 290 baht by bus.
Yes, but it's a long journey. The trip takes 3–3.5 hours each way. Day trips that include the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and the Black House therefore take seven hours in a minibus and arrive back in Chiang Mai around 7:00 PM. The tour costs approximately US$40–55, including lunch. It's only worthwhile if Chiang Rai isn't already on your itinerary. If it is, take the Green Bus and visit the temples from the city.
Yes, two nights are definitely preferable to just one day. The White Temple, the Blue Temple, the Black House, and Wat Huay Pla Kang can all be reached from a hotel in the city center in a day and a half. The night bazaar offers culinary delights in the evening, and on a third day, you have the opportunity to visit Doi Tung, the tea plantations of Mae Salong, or the Golden Triangle. It's quieter and more affordable than Chiang Mai – and that's precisely what makes it so appealing.
Chiang Mai is ideal for a first visit, as more temples, restaurants, markets, cooking classes, and a vibrant nightlife are easily accessible on foot. Chiang Rai is the perfect choice for a second visit or for those who want to experience the north in a quieter, more contemplative way and discover its more surprising temples. For most trips, however, a combination of both cities, in that order, with the Green Bus in between, is recommended. A detailed comparison can be found on the "Chiang Mai vs. Chiang Rai" page.
Two nights allow ample time to visit the three famous temples, Wat Huay Pla Kang, and the night bazaar. A third night offers the opportunity for a day trip to the surrounding area, for example to Doi Tung and Mae Salong in the north, or to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen on the Mekong River. Day trippers from Chiang Mai usually only visit the temples.
Plan for five to six nights in each location. Spend three to four nights in Chiang Mai to visit the temples of the old city, Doi Suthep, take a cooking class, or explore Doi Inthanon, and enjoy a Sunday evening. Then, take the Green Bus north and spend two nights in Chiang Rai, where you can visit the White Temple, the Blue Temple, the Black House, and the Night Bazaar. A third night in Chiang Rai offers the opportunity to visit Doi Tung and Mae Salong or the Golden Triangle. For four nights or less, Chiang Mai is recommended as a base for a day trip to Chiang Rai.
Yes, Grab works in the city. Terminal 1 is right next to the Night Bazaar, so most hotels in the city are just a short walk or an inexpensive bus ride away. The ride from the airport to the city center costs around 150–200 baht and takes 15 to 20 minutes. The Blue Temple is easily accessible from the Night Bazaar by Grab. For the White Temple, 13 km away, the cheapest option (20–25 baht) is the local bus from Platform 8 in Terminal 1, which stops right at the entrance.
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Further from Chiang Rai
The next stage, with the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
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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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