Bangkok to Chiang Mai (2024)

A favourite part of any trip to Thailand, the Bangkok to Chiang Mai journey, is to be enjoyed not endured. Chiang Mai is a fantastic destination, it is cheap, relaxed, and very different from Bangkok. We highly recommend a trip to this part of northern Thailand and exploring further into the mountains if possible. We highly recommend you take the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. This post was first published in 2016, when the train departed from Hua Lamphong train station. Today, September 2024, everything has changed. There is a new huge train station in Bangkok, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (AKA Bang Sue Grand Central). Last month we caught this train. This post is updated with current information and photos on all forms of transport between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Why should you take the train rather than flying? It’s a fun trip. A classic Thailand experience. The cost of the train is about the same as the cost of a hotel for that night, so it’s budget-friendly. I always look forward to this trip, 2024 was probably my 6th time. I still enjoy it and sleep well. I first took this journey over 25 years ago! I’m fast approaching 60, my son was 20 on this trip, but we’ve done it with kids as young as 6 years old. It’s always been fine and we feel safe on the trains in Thailand.

There are multiple ways of getting to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, including sleeper train, bus, car, and flying, we take a look at the options and how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on this page.

The easiest way to book transport like this in Thailand is to use 12GoAsia, link below. This site will give you costs and times of all forms of transport so that you can easily compare. We booked our tickets for the sleeper train on 12GoAsia this time, we had no issues. We flew back from Chiang Mai to Bangkok this time on VietJet, Air Asia and various local airlines fly this route. The form is set to give you Bangkok to Chiang Mai information, but you can change these two points and use it for any journey.

You can search all of your transport options and get times and prices using our widget above, but if you want to know what the Chiang Mai sleeper trains are like? Read on.

This information was correct last time we made this trip but it’s here to give you a guide only. Please do your own research and double-check, things change all the time.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

There are multiple ways to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Our favourite by far, if you have time, is the sleeper train. This is one of the most iconic train journeys in Thailand and we highly recommend it.

If you’re on a short vacation, you can fly but it’s also possible to take a bus, minivan, or even a taxi.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Distance

Bangkok to Chiang Mai is 688.4 Km by road, 450 miles. A taxi will be way too expensive, around 8,000 Baht ($250 US) and an 8 hour journey.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train

It’s possible to catch a train from Don Mueang Airport or from the new central train station, Krung Thep Aphiwat. These 2 stops are about an hour apart and will be the routes most used by foreigners.   These trains also stop at Ayutthaya, you could catch the same train north to Chiang Mai from there.

The Bangkok to Chiang Mai route is called the Northern Line and there are usually 6 trains per day, 2 of which are day trains.

Train number 9 leaves Bangkok at 6.40 pm and arrives in Chiang Mai at 7.15 am the next day. This is the train we caught in 2024.

Train number 13 leaves at 8.05 pm and arrives at 8.40 am. A 10 pm train, Train number 51 arrives at midday the next day.

These trains also stop at Don Muang Airport.

These times were correct at time of writing, please check they haven’t changed. If you just open 12Go with our links all of this information should be there.

The old trains are the same as those I remember 20 years ago, they are good, comfortable sleepers.

The new trains are very similar, but have luxuries such as charging ports for each bunk.

You can look at train prices and times, plus journey durations, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, here. This is an excellent website for booking trains in Thailand.

Cost of Trains to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.

Top and bottom births on these trains used to be different prices, 850 Baht for a bottom birth, 750 Baht for a top birth. This doesn’t seem to be the case any more, we booked 2 sleeper berths at about 1000 Baht each in second class A/C. We were on train #9.

There are trains with chairs rather than berths too. They’re cheaper, we’ve never tried them. We like to sleep!

You will notice on 12GoAsia that seats are sold by Thai Railway, or Thai Railways. The cheaper tickets don’t allow you to reserve berths. We took the cheaper option and our berths were together.

Children to the age of 12 must book a bottom birth, the bottom bunk is bigger than the top on the old trains, they’re the same size on the new ones. Both are comfortable. Check child regulations haven’t changed.

The lights in the train compartment stay on all night, my son (top berth) found the light was quite annoying as the curtains don’t go all the way to the top. I didn’t have this problem on the bottom, but the curtain stopped the aircon doing its job and I was quite hot. The aircon on the train was very cold when we first got on, take a fleece and long pants.

We sleep in our clothes on these trains and just brush our teeth and wash with wet wipes. Some people change into pyjamas.

Luggage has to go under the bottom berth, on the floor. You could attach them to metal rails using a travel cable lock like this. Our carry-on bags were small enough to stay with us in the bunks. The conductor insisted that all large bags had to be on the floor, the vertical luggage racks have gone on the new trains.

Food on The Trains

Meals are available on the sleeper trains but they’re quite expensive. From memory, I think they were 250 or 290 Baht in 2024. The food is pretty good and my morning coffee came with chocolate cake. We didn’t order breakfast, but you can.

A catering worker will come around and take your order not long after departing Bangkok. If you’re on a tight budget buy snacks at the train station before departure, there are plenty of options.

Food in Thailand is a little more expensive today, but you can get a good meal around 50-80 Baht, $2-3 US. See our guide to Thai food. Back in our day as budget backpackers (with kids) we would never have paid so much for a meal!

Which Train Class To Choose?

Which class of train should you book from the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai? If you are on a very tight budget, you can choose non AC or even chair only. These 3rd class trains have open windows. We’ve used these as young backpackers but the air-conditioned carriages are far more comfortable and reduce your risk of encountering mosquitoes and Dengue fever. If you use our link in the grey box above, this site will let you choose your preferred class of carriage on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train. The train journey takes 10 to 13 hours depending on which train you choose, these trains are often delayed slightly.

There are very limited first class compartments on train 9 and train 13. I believe just 2 berths on train 9 and 1 on train 13. I’ve never seen them but the booking company says they exist. They are roughly double the price of 2nd class AC.

Booking Train Tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

You can book tickets online for the Chiang Mai trains but the cost will be fractionally higher than going to the station in person. You cannot book tickets direct with Thai trains, you need to use an agency, 12Go.Asia . This is the only way to book your own tickets other than going to the station in person.

We’ve taken these trains many times and always had good experiences. Watch out for the food prices, they’re steep, but the food is good and we’ve found it totally safe to eat. Cost per head for dinner, approx 170 Baht.

Alcoholic drinks, including beer are now banned on trains in Thailand.

Bathrooms are absolutely fine by train standards.

The New Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal

The new Central Terminal in Bangkok is a dream if you remember the old one. It feels like an airport, with departure gates and boarding times. We departed from Gate 5. There were plenty of shops selling snacks and drinks, comfortable seating and air-con.

The station is very close to Chatuchak Weekend Market. We spent the morning there and walked to the train station. It’s also on the metro system if you’re not inclined to walk.

Arrival and Chiang Mai Railway Station From Bangkok

Red songtaew drivers of songtaews, tuk tuks, and taxis will be waiting outside the train station in Chiang Mai.

The fixed rate for songtaews was 20 Baht/person back in 2016. I have no idea what it is now, we weren’t on a tight budget so didn’t stress about getting the best price.

I doubt you will be able to get such a low price from the train station.

In 2024 we just agreed to 200 Baht for a ride for 2 people from the train station to our hotel in the walled Old Town. You could call a Grab car, that’s the cheapest way to travel in Thailand now. Just have the Grab app ready on your phone with your credit card details. You’ll need a SIM card for this, we buy our SIMs online through SIMCorner (here, with a discount for you), we have for years.

We paid 150 Baht for 4 people from the train station to our booked accommodation in the Old Town in 2016. Songtaew drivers tend to charge per person and these vehicles are designed to be shared.

If you’re not sure where you want to go in Chiang Mai, tell the driver Tai Pei Gate. This gate is in the west wall of the old city. You should be able to walk anywhere from here.

Tuk tuks can be cheaper than songtaws in Chiang Mai, tuk tuk drivers are far more reasonable here than in Bangkok. We took a tuk tuk out to Maya Mall on this trip. We happily paid 200 Baht, the return Grab fare was about 140 Baht.

You should stay within the walls of the Old Town in Chiang Mai. If you stay in the centre you can easily walk to all of the stunning temples. There are night markets, morning markets and “walking streets” in Chiang Mai constantly. The Sunday Walking Street is now huge and takes up most of the centre of the Old Town. This is the hotel we used on our last stay in Chiang Mai, the location was perfect.

The Chiang Mai songtaws will also take private tours, bargain hard with the driver.

Arrival in Chiang Mai at 7 am

Don’t get breakfast on the train, get it in Chiang Mai. This will give you something to do at 7am! At the south wall of the city there is a morning market which should be open when the trains arrive. It’s a good place to grab street food.

It was very hot in Chiang Mai in August, Maya Mall has good air conditioning, a coworking space, and a cinema. If you need to fill your arrival day it may be a good option to just head there. It’s north of the Old Town.

We couldn’t check into our hotel until 2pm, but we did leave our big bags at reception for the day.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Options

The bus is slightly cheaper than the train, at around 400-650 Baht.

The majority of public buses depart from Mor Chit bus station, others from the Khao San Rd area.

The bus takes roughly 10 hours departing every hour between 5.30 am and 10.00 pm.

Some buses are sleepers, some arent and cost varies.

Either book your ticket direct at the bus station, or through an agent (commission will be added).

Book a bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here, also compare bus prices and journey duration with minivans, taxis etc.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Car

Hiring a car in Thailand is extremely cheap.

I doubt many people will want to do this in Bangkok’s crazy traffic congestion, but for other parts of Thailand car rental is a brilliant idea.

We have paid between $20- $30 US per day for car hire in Thailand. This is with insurance to cut excess to zero.

To book a car in Thailand to drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, use this cost comparison tool.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Air

You can fly to Chiang Mai from Bangkok for 1500 to 3000 Baht depending on which airline you choose. This is the most expensive option, other than taxi, but will save you time. The flight time is only about an hour. You won’t save a night on hotel costs, of course.

It’s a good idea to book this flight in advance to find a good price, you can check daily prices and book tickets online via Skyscanner or via our 12 Go links.

Airlines that fly this route include, Nok Air, Bangkok Airlines, Lion Air, Viet Jet, Thai and Air Asia. You can fly to or from Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai on Arrival

Chiang Mai has abundant accommodation options and prices are good.

It’s probably best to stay in the Old City, from here it’s easy to walk to most of the Wats and markets and the red songtaews circle the outer perimeter, picking up passengers for fixed-rate 20 Baht/person trips.

We have stayed at Central Guest House (cheap) right on Tha Pae Gate, above. We would recommend their large, 2 room, family suite.

In addition, we used Kamala’s Guest House (also cheap) on the other side of the moat from Tha Pae gate in a quiet back road.

This one had a vast family room that may even sleep 6 with private 2 toilet cubicles in the room. That’s something we’ve never seen before.

On our most recent stay in Chiang Mai we used the much nicer Makka Hotel. Their breakfast was excellent as was the location.

If you need a good, budget-friendly place to eat in Chiang Mai find Aroy Dee, on the east wall. It’s still there and still serving good food.

We’ve also stayed on the Ping River, a 15-20 minute walk from the Old Town. This was a very different experience as this area has an abundance of micro-breweries, art cafés and boutique shops on the east bank. On the west bank is China town and some of Chiang Mai’s best markets.

We stayed at Ping River House where we took two twin rooms at a bargain price during the busy Loi Krathong and Yi Peng festivals. Book ahead during this period, the city fills up.

Make sure you get up to Chiang Mai, we really can’t recommend it highly enough, it’s totally different to Bangkok or to the southern beaches. We rented a car up here to explore nearby Pai, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai, this is a great option and one we’ll talk about in our next post, but if that’s not your scene, there is enough to keep you and your family busy in and around Chiang Mai for weeks on end. We cover things to do in Chiang Mai along with the nitty-gritty of staying a while in our Living in Chiang Mai page.

Enjoy Thailand!

We hope you found our information on getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai useful, remember that options, timetables, and prices change regularly so always do your own current research too. All thoughts on this page and on our website reflect our personal opinions. Now you can go back to our Living in Chiang Mai and Things to do in Chiang Mai page or visit our main Thailand Travel Page.

If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal!

We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.

Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!