Comparison table: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
| Option | Departure | Typical duration | Price (level) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Don Mueang (low cost) or Suvarnabhumi | about 1 h 15 in the air, 3 to 4 h door to door | €€ (varies a lot by date) | Short stays, families with children |
| Night train (no. 9) | Krung Thep Aphiwat, around 18:40 | about 12 h 30, arrives around 07:15 | €€ in 2nd class, €€€ in a 1st-class cabin | Travellers who want to sleep on the way |
| VIP bus | Mo Chit (Northern terminal) | 9 to 11 h, often overnight | € to €€ | Tight budgets, last-minute departures |
| Minivan or ordinary bus | Mo Chit | 10 to 12 h | € | Lowest cost, limited comfort |
Real prices move with the season and the day: from November to February and during Songkran everything costs more and sells out faster. For orders of magnitude, the night train sold in October 2026 for 941 to 2,453 baht depending on class and berth (details in our night train guide).
Flight: the fastest
Direct flights link Bangkok and Chiang Mai in a little over an hour. Low-cost airlines mostly leave from Don Mueang, full-service airlines from Suvarnabhumi: compare the two airports in Bangkok's airports. Add the trip to the airport, check-in and waiting: door to door, a flight is closer to 3 to 4 hours than 75 minutes. Checked bags are often extra on low-cost tickets, which narrows the gap with the train. In Chiang Mai the airport is a few kilometres from the old town.
To reach the airport in Bangkok, see the airport transfer: which offer and Grab or taxi.
Night train: the most pleasant
Special express no. 9 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat station around 18:40 and arrives around 07:15; no. 13 leaves about an hour and a half later. Arrival delays of 30 to 60 minutes are not unusual. Berths can be booked 180 days ahead on the official D-Ticket site; lower berths sell first in high season.
Pros: a hotel night saved, no airport, a dining car. Cons: the duration, and sometimes broken sleep. All the detail (classes, sleeping tips) is in the night train guide.
VIP bus: the cheapest
Buses leave from the Mo Chit Northern terminal (allow a BTS ride or a taxi from the centre). VIP buses have large reclining seats and reach Chiang Mai bus station in 9 to 11 hours depending on traffic. A VIP fare of about 935 baht seen on a comparison site is a benchmark: check the price on the day. Minivans are cheaper but cramped and sometimes driven fast: best avoided on a long night journey.
Which one to choose
- Fewer than 3 days in Chiang Mai: fly, so you do not lose a day.
- A week or more, and you want the experience: night train, lower berth.
- Tight budget: VIP bus, keeping valuables on you. See also our Bangkok travel budget.
- Train there, flight back: the classic combination, easier on the body.
High season (November to February) is the most pleasant in the north but also the most expensive: see the best time to visit.
Once in Chiang Mai
If you arrive early in the morning, drop your bags at the hotel and go: the Doi Inthanon National Park day trip and the half-day Wat Pha Lat and Doi Suthep tour can be booked with hotel pickup. To sleep, compare Chiang Mai hotels on Booking.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The bus, ordinary or VIP, from the Mo Chit Northern terminal. The upper 2nd-class berth on the train is close, and you also save a hotel night.
Is the night train longer than the bus?
Yes, by about two to three hours: roughly 12 h 30 against 9 to 11 h. But the train arrives at a sensible hour, around 07:15, and gives you a flat berth.
Do I need to book ahead?
For the night train, yes in high season and during holidays: tickets open 180 days ahead. For flights, booking early lowers the price. Buses are often bought the day before.
Which Bangkok airport for Chiang Mai?
Don Mueang for low-cost airlines, Suvarnabhumi for the others. Check the airport on your ticket before heading to the terminal.
Are the times and prices on this page guaranteed?
No. They were checked in October 2026 on reference sites; confirm them with the operator, especially before holidays and in high season.
