What to expect when visiting Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s northernmost city, an intriguing fusion of new and old. Its hundreds of temples, striking Old City and delicious local dishes tell the story of Chiang Mai’s culture and history. On the other hand, its cafe culture, friendly coworking spaces and nightlife attract digital nomads from across the globe.
Surrounded by mountains, the city offers plenty of adventures with nature. But if you can, we recommend travelling to Chiang Mai in time for one of its many festivals — like Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) in November and Songkran (Water Splashing Festival) in April.
3 ways to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai
There are three ways to travel the distance of 630 km (391 miles) from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai: by bus (21h-23h59m), flight (1.5-5 hours) and ferry (25h5m). The journey takes between 1h30m - 25h05m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 300,385 LAK ($14.50) for the ferry.Where to stay in Chiang Mai?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Chiang Mai at the bottom of this page.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai by Bus
Travelling by bus used to take almost a full day, but it was cheaper compared to flying. That’s apart from the one night you can save on accommodation. A bus ride also gave you an opportunity to take in the sights along the way.
Naluang Travel and Laos Group Tour were the two bus companies operating on the Luang Prabang to Chaing Mai route. Tickets used to be around 1,500 THB ($42.00).
Departure and arrival station
The Naluang buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal which is located within a 5-minute drive from the city centre of Luang Prabang. On the other hand, Laos Group Tour offers a free pick-up service from your hotel so you won’t have to worry about the transfer.
Naluang bus drops passengers off at Bus Terminal 3 in Chiang Mai, while Laos Group Tour bus takes you straight to Chiang Mai Bus Station 2. Both stations are located east of the city centre. To go to the city centre, you can take a songthaew for about 60 THB ($1.60) for the 15-minute ride.
Below we provide you with schedules of the reputable buses from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Bus schedule from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai*
Customs & Immigrations
Buses operating from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai stop at Huay Xai border. You will need to get off the bus and go through Laos Border Control and Immigration Office to record your exit leaving the country. When completed, you will board your bus again and head to Thailand immigration.
The bus will then drive you across the bridge to Thailand Border Immigration Office in Chiang Khong, the Thailand side of the border. Here, you will need to present your travel documents to Thai immigration and receive your passport stamp to enter Thailand.
Once completed, you will board the bus again, which will then take you straight to Chiang Mai.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai by Flight
Booking a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is the quickest option and takes just a little over an hour. A direct flight with Lao Airlines starts from 3,000 THB ($84.00), but it’s normally more expensive.
In case these direct flights are sold out, you can also book an indirect flight, which makes a stopover in Bangkok. These flights take around 4.5-5.5 hours, with airfares starting from 3,575 THB ($100.00).
Be sure to book your flight in advance and early as there are not many direct flights for this route.
Flights depart from Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ), which you can reach in 15 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk from the city centre.
All flights land at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX). From the airport, you can take a bus, taxi, songthaew, or tuk-tuk to go to the centre of Chiang Mai. Depending on the traffic, it is usually a 20-minute trip from the airport.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai by Ferry
If you’re looking for adventure and a more authentic experience, then we suggest travelling by ferry or “slow boat” from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Travelling by slow boat along the Mekong River is one of the most scenic and cheapest ways to travel on this route. This option is truly unique and offers amazing sights that you will miss if you take a flight or a bus instead.
Keep in mind that three days on a boat can feel like a long time and there is not much to do besides taking in the scenery along the river. We suggest bringing a book or a deck of cards to keep yourself entertained throughout this journey.
Step 1: Luang Prabang to Pak Beng by Slow Boat + Tuk-tuk
The first part of the journey is travelling from Luang Prabang to Pak Beng by ferry.
To get to the slow boat terminal in Luang Prabang, you need to take a tuk-tuk from the city centre. This trip takes about 15 minutes and costs 50,000 LAK ($2.40) per person.
For the long ferry ride, you can buy your tickets directly at the slow boat pier. Note that ticket booths open at 08:00 and a ticket costs 110,000 LAK ($5.00) per person.
The boat departs at 08:30 and the ride takes 9 hours. You’ll arrive at Pak Beng at around 17:30, so don’t be surprised if you have to spend one night in this village.
Note that many locals at Pak Beng will offer accommodation. Prices are negotiable, so make sure to ask for a discount. Don’t expect too much of the local accommodations, though. Most of them are clean and good for a night’s sleep.
Step 2: Pak Beng to Huay Xai/Chiang Khong by Slow Boat
The ferry from Pak Beng to Huay Xai departs at 08:30. To guarantee your spot on the boat, make sure to arrive at the pier before 08:00, which is when the ticketing booth opens.
Fare starts at 110,000 LAK ($5.00) for the 9-hour journey to the pier in Huay Xai.
Upon arriving at the pier, you can take a tuk-tuk for 20,000 LAK ($0.90) to the Laos Border Control and Immigration Office to exit the country. This trip takes about 20 minutes.
Once complete, cross over the bridge to the Thai border. The next step is to take a shuttle bus to the immigration office in Chiang Khong, which costs 10,000 LAK ($0.40) per person. Tuk-tuks are also available near the bridge.
At the immigration office, present your documents to get your visa and have your passport stamped.
Step 3: Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai by Bus
After all the immigration steps, you need to look for a hotel to spend a night in Chiang Khong, as the buses to Chiang Mai depart early in the morning.
We suggest booking your hotel in advance. Try to book a hotel with a free pick-up service so that you won’t have to arrange for a transfer.
Green Bus is the only bus company on the Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai route. They offer one daily trip departing at 09:30 from Chiang Khong District (Chaing Khong Market), north of the border crossing. Bus tickets start at 385 THB ($10.50) for the 7-hour bus ride.
Ferry options from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai
The bus arrives at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, which is just a 15-minute ride from the centre of Chiang Mai. You can book your tickets in advance through 12GoAsia.
Fast Boat from Luang Prabang
If you want a quicker way to travel by water, you also have the option of taking a fast boat from Luang Prabang. A fast boat to Pak Beng costs 175,000 LAK ($8.00), while a fast boat all to way to Huay Xai costs 290,000 LAK ($14.00).
We do not recommend this option because it is known to be risky and can result in accidents. It’s basically a long-tail boat with a strong engine in the back. Not only will it be noisy, but it will also be more dangerous compared to the more stable slow boats.
Our favourite places to stay in Chiang Mai
Rimping Village - Treating Yourself
Chiang Mai can be tiring exploring all of the temples and going on day trips, so there’s nothing better than coming back to a luxurious and beautiful hotel. Rimping Village feels like a mini resort nestled in the middle of Chiang Mai.
The exceptional breakfast served in the gardens each morning is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip. What a way to start the day! Then go for a dip in their beautiful outdoor swimming pool or head back to your spacious room.
- Stunning swimming pool
- Luxurious rooms and design
- Beautiful garden
- Exceptional free breakfast
Private rooms start from $88 per night.
POR Daowadung - Mid Range
Everything about POR Daowadung feels like a top-quality luxury hotel. Whether it’s the ultra-modern but comfortable designs of the rooms or the outdoor swimming pool and sunloungers actually in the pool!
The hotel is in a great location, every room has its own balcony and a delicious breakfast is included every morning. Can you ask for much more from an accommodation?
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beautiful design
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start from $44 per night.
Chada Mantra Hotel - Budget Friendly
The star of the show at Chada Mantra Hotel has to be its outdoor swimming pool, which is extremely refreshing after a day spent exploring the city. Located within Chiang Mai Old City, just 700m from the Pae gate, this hotel is perfectly located.
The hotel offers free breakfast, wifi in all rooms and common areas, as well as an onsite bar. Here you’ll find beautiful clean rooms with city views and very comfortable beds. The staff are well known to be extremely helpful, always going the extra mile to assist their guests in any way possible.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Perfect location
- Comfortable beds
- Free breakfast
Private rooms start at $28 per night
Asa Hotel - Budget Friendly
It’s hard to believe that Asa Hotel is a budget-friendly accommodation, but a night here will cost you less than $30 for two people. The hotel is ultra-modern with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and sun loungers for you to enjoy.
The staff are incredibly friendly and will help you with anything. The hotel also offers free coffee, tea and water in glass bottles to reduce the use of plastic. Here you’re a 15-minute walk from the Old Town.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Ultra-modern
- Great staff
- Free coffee, tea and water
Private rooms start from $27 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai
What is the distance from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai?
The distance from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is 630 km (391 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai?
The fastest way to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is by flight and takes 1.5-5 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai?
The cheapest way to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is by ferry with ticket costs starting from 300,385 LAK ($14.50).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai. 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!
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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.
