What to expect when visiting Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a great place to escape from the more touristic Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Home to the iconic Wat Rong Khun or White Temple, this city is a fusion of two countries that captured and recaptured Chiang Rai for centuries: Thailand and Myanmar.
Adventurers will not run out of amazing things to do in Chiang Rai. With its lush green mountain landscape, you can hike or trek to a number of hot springs and waterfalls. Within the city, you can find interesting shopping finds and traditional Thai food at the lively street market and night bazaars.
4 ways to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus (3 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes), minivan (3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes), private Transport (3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes) and flight (4 hours to 10 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours to 10 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. The lowest priced tickets start from 265 THB ($7.90) for the bus.Where to stay in Chiang Rai?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Chiang Rai at the bottom of this page.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bus
The best and most practical option to travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is by bus. Green Bus is the most trusted company on this route and is known for providing good service.
For this route, you can choose between an express and a VIP bus. There are multiple daily trips from 07:15 until 16:00 daily, plus an extra VIP trip every Friday and Sunday at 12:45.
VIP buses have larger, more comfortable seats and an onboard toilet. These VIP buses also do not make any stops along the way, so you will arrive at Chiang Rai a little quicker. The express bus has almost the same amenities except for seat sizes.
Fare starts at 265 THB ($7.90) and travelling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai takes around 3 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes.
Departure and arrival stations
All buses depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3. From the Old City, you can take a 15-minute taxi ride to the bus terminal.
The last stop for the bus is Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 in the city centre. This terminal is right next to the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar.
Below, we have provided the bus schedules with the best travel times for the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai route.
Bus schedules from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Since the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai route is a popular route in Northern Thailand, we suggest booking your tickets in advance during peak season.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Minivan
Going from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by minivan takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes, which is the same time a bus ride takes. However, minivans are smaller than buses, so there is less leg and luggage space. It is also more expensive compared to the bus, with fares starting at 653 THB ($19.50).
Minivan schedule from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Flight
We don’t recommend flying from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. All flights involve a stopover in Bangkok. This makes the total travel time around 4 hours to 10 hours 30 minutes.
In addition to the extra time that it will take, flying also produces a lot more (unnecessary) emissions. Taking the bus is about 20 times more eco-friendly.
There are several airlines that offer trips from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai like AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Smile, and Thai Lion Air. One-way ticket prices from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai start at 2,000 THB ($60).
Flights depart from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). You can easily take a taxi or a tuk-tuk from the Old City to the airport.
All flights arrive at Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), located 9 km northeast of the city centre.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Private Transport
If you want a car to yourself while you travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai then you can book a private car.
Rates start from 3,886 THB ($115) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 972 THB ($29) per person. There is also an available car for up to 9 people.
Travel time is around 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes.
Private Transport options from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Best places to stay in Chiang Rai
MORA Boutique Hotel - Treating Yourself
If you really want to treat yourself, Mora Boutique Hotel is the place to do that. You can go for a relaxing swim in the beautiful swimming pool or chill in the huge bathtub in your own room. This is where we’d spend most of our time!
There’s a great onsite gym, free bicycles and a complimentary breakfast — essentially anything you could possibly need from a hotel. And if you need something else, the staff are more than willing to help.
- Beautiful rooms and grounds
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Amazing bathtubs
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $111 per night.
Sooknirund Hotel - Treating Yourself
A day of temple hopping can be exhausting, and there’s nothing better than coming back to a comfortable and luxurious room. Sooknirund Hotel is the epitome of luxury. The uniquely designed clock-themed rooms come with robes and incredibly comfortable beds.
There’s also a wonderful courtyard surrounded by plants for you to relax in too. But you won’t have to walk far to get back to the hotel, as it’s situated in the perfect location in Chiang Rai.
- Delicious free breakfast
- Beautifully designed rooms
- Perfect location
- Great staff
Private rooms start from $74 per night.
Sleepy House - Mid Range
Sleepy House is simply beautiful. Stepping into one of their rooms instantly puts you at ease just because of the way they’re designed. They’re clean, modern and spacious, with a cat theme.
The house has resident cats that are super friendly and loving. It’s hard to beat the location of Sleepy House. You’ll be within walking distance of a number of Chiang Rai’s top sites. Plus, their cutely packaged free breakfasts are great at filling you up for a day of exploring.
- Beautiful design
- Perfect location
- Amazing staff
- Exceptional free breakfast
Private rooms start from $38 per night.
Na Na Doo Homestay - Budget Friendly
Not many budget accommodations in Chiang Rai come with a swimming pool, but Na Na Doo Homestay has a small but beautiful outdoor pool. This is a great place to stay if you’re a family. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around and even rabbits to play with.
The rooms are clean and spacious, and the staff are always there to help. It’s impossible not to smile when you see their smiling faces! A delicious free breakfast is served every morning.
- Beautiful gardens
- Plunge pool
- Great staff
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $28 per night.
Kanlaya Place - Budget Friendly
Just a 1-minute walk to the Clock Tower and a 2-minute walk to the Night Market, Kanlaya Place is all about location!
The rooms are spacious and very clean, offering a good night’s sleep after a day of temple hopping. The staff are very friendly and there to help with anything you could need. There is a 2-night minimum stay.
- Perfect location
- Friendly staff
- Extremely clean and comfortable
- 2-night minimum stay
Private rooms start at $20 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
How do I get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
You can travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by bus or by flight. We recommend taking a bus, which is cheaper with fares from 225 THB ($6.70). The bus journey takes 3.5-4 hours. There are no direct flights between the two cities. All flights make a stopover in Bangkok and are more expensive with rates from 2,000 THB ($60).
For more details, visit our guide for Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.
Is Chiang Rai worth visiting?
If you’re interested in art, culture and nature, Chiang Rai is definitely worth visiting. It is home to many iconic landmarks, like the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and the Black House. Off the beaten path, you can also explore forest trails that lead to Chiang Rai’s waterfalls — like Khun Korn and Mae Sai Waterfalls. Up the hills, you can also meet one or more of Chiang Rai’s many local tribes.
Check out the 13 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai for more info.
Which is better Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?
It really depends on your preference. If you want a few days filled with activities, then Chiang Mai is the way to go. You will find here a good number of temples, street markets in the weekends, and a number of ethical elephants sanctuaries, among many others. The best thing is that all the attractions are mostly located close to each other so you can easily explore them by moped or motorbike.
Chiang Rai is the better option if you want a more relaxed getaway. It has fewer temples, but equally as unique as the ones in Chiang Mai. Also, the highlight here is a visit to the hill tribes, who live a bit far from the city centre. Expect a lot of trekking and quiet time with nature.
Is Chiang Mai close to Chiang Rai?
How many days should I spend in Chiang Rai?
Many tourists choose to visit Chiang Rai as a day trip or overnight tour from Chiang Mai. But if you have the time, we recommend spending 3-4 days here. This way, you can enjoy the slow life in the countryside and have enough time to get to know Chiang Rai’s hill tribes.
Visit our Ultimate Chiang Rai Travel Guide for more details.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Chiang Rai Travel Guides
13 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai
The Ultimate Chiang Rai Travel Guide
Routes from Chiang Rai
Most popular routes in Thailand
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
