How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Four ways cover the 700 km between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The overnight train is the one most travellers should take: you leave in the evening, sleep in a berth, and arrive in the morning without paying for a hotel night. Flying is the choice when time matters more than money. Long-distance buses are the cheapest and the least comfortable. A private car or minivan only makes sense if you want to stop on the way.

Trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue) in Bangkok, not the old Hua Lamphong station, and arrive at Chiang Mai railway station about 2 km east of the old city. The overnight sleeper is the classic trip: berths fold out of the seats after dinner, with curtains, a pillow and a blanket. Second class is the usual choice; first class gives you a private two-berth compartment.

Classes differ mainly in air conditioning and privacy. Second-class air-conditioned sleepers cost more than fan sleepers, and lower berths cost more than upper berths. Day trains are cheaper and let you watch the countryside, but you lose a full day in each direction. Food and drink are sold on board, and vendors come through at station stops.

Book through the State Railway of Thailand's official channels. Sleeper berths on popular dates, especially around Thai holidays and the cool season from November to February, can sell out several days ahead.

Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai take about 1 h 15 m. Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) for full-service and some low-cost carriers, and Don Mueang (DMK) for most budget airlines. Chiang Mai International Airport is about 3 km from the old city, a short songthaew or taxi ride.

Add time at both ends: 2 h before departure at Suvarnabhumi, less at Don Mueang, plus 30–45 minutes to get into central Chiang Mai. Total door-to-door is usually 4–5 h. Fares swing widely; booking a few weeks ahead on a low-cost carrier is usually the cheapest way to fly.

Long-distance buses take 9–11 h and leave from Bangkok's northern bus terminals, Mo Chit (Chatuchak) for most services. Overnight buses with reclining seats are the common option; they are cheaper than the train but less comfortable and more prone to traffic delays. VIP buses cost more and give you more legroom.

Minivans are faster on paper but cramped, and they are not recommended for this distance. If you take a bus, book with a reputable operator and keep your valuables with you.

For trains, use the State Railway of Thailand's official booking site or app; tickets can be bought in advance and collected or shown on your phone. For flights, book direct with the airline or through a major booking site. For buses, operator websites and station counters both work, and hotel desks in Bangkok can book on your behalf for a small markup.

In the cool season and around Thai public holidays, book trains and flights as early as you can. If your dates are fixed, book the sleeper first and build the rest of the trip around it.

Take the overnight train north and a flight back if you are short on time, or the reverse. Chiang Mai is cooler than Bangkok, especially from November to January, so pack a layer for the morning arrival. The old city is walkable, but you will want a songthaew or a rented scooter for the wider city; see the Chiang Mai guide for how transport works there.

If you are continuing north, Chiang Mai is the hub for Chiang Rai, Pai and Mae Hong Son. If you are heading south instead, compare this route with the Bangkok to Phuket options before you commit.

The rail and road route runs north from Bangkok through the central plains, past Ayutthaya, Lopburi and Nakhon Sawan, then into the hills around Lampang and Lamphun before Chiang Mai. The flight path is direct. Stops along the way, such as Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Lampang, are worth breaking the journey for if you have the time.