Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: How to Get There

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Chiang Rai sits roughly 190 km north of Chiang Mai, and getting between the two is one of the easier inter-city trips in northern Thailand — a well-paved, well-signed road, a reliable long-distance bus operator, and enough route options to make the trip as fast or as scenic as you like. Whether you are heading up to see the White Temple, planning to continue further north toward the Golden Triangle, or simply adding Thailand’s northernmost major city onto a longer Chiang Mai stay, here is a real, current breakdown of how to get there.

Quick Overview

By Bus: the Simplest Option

Green Bus (Greenbus) operates the Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai route, departing from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal (Terminal 3) and arriving at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, close to the city center. Express and VIP classes both run the route, with VIP a touch faster and more comfortable; journey time is roughly 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes depending on class and stops, and fares typically run from around 260 THB for standard Express up to roughly 600 THB for VIP. Departures are frequent through the day, though exact schedules and prices are always worth confirming close to your travel date rather than assuming a fixed timetable.

By Shared Minivan

Shared minivans cover the same distance in a similar 3 to 3.5 hours, usually for somewhere between 520 and 750 THB per seat, and can be a touch faster door-to-door since they make fewer scheduled stops. The tradeoff is legroom and comfort — minivans in Thailand generally have a reputation for cramped seating and fast, sometimes aggressive driving, and this route is no exception. It is worth checking with your accommodation or a local travel agent for the current departure point in Chiang Mai, since minivan pickup locations shift more often than the bus terminal does.

By Private Car or Transfer

A private car or transfer covers the same roughly 3 to 3.5-hour drive with none of the schedule constraints, running from around 2,000 THB for a standard sedan up to 3,800–4,000 THB for a larger van, depending on the vehicle and operator. This is the most practical option for groups or families splitting the cost, and it is also the easiest way to build in a stop along the way — most drivers will happily pause at the hot springs partway through the route if you ask in advance.

Is There a Flight?

Not currently, and probably not worth chasing even if a route were to reappear. Chiang Rai’s airport connects to Bangkok’s two airports via Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Vietjet, but there has been no direct Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai flight since the regional carrier Kan Air ceased operations in 2017. Flying today would mean routing through Bangkok, which takes far longer and costs more than the roughly 3.5-hour drive — worth a quick check of current schedules before you travel, since Thailand’s regional air routes do open and close, but not a realistic option to plan around for this particular pair of cities.

Self-Driving Route 118: The Scenic Way

If you have the time and either a car or a properly licensed scooter (see our guide to renting a scooter in Chiang Mai), Route 118 is a genuinely worthwhile scenic drive in its own right, not just a way to get from A to B. The road climbs out of Chiang Mai through Doi Saket, winds through forested hills, and passes Mae Kachan hot springs in Wiang Pa Pao district — a well-known, easy roadside stop where you can see steam rising from natural hot springs and grab food from nearby vendors. The route continues past Khun Chae National Park’s higher, cooler stretches before descending onto the flat final approach into Chiang Rai city. Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, sits just inside Chiang Rai province and makes a natural final stop rather than a true mid-route detour, and Singha Park is close enough to the city to add onto your Chiang Rai itinerary once you arrive rather than a stop on the highway itself.

Rainy Season and Road Conditions to Know

Route 118 is generally well-maintained, but the stretch around Wiang Pa Pao has a real, documented history of flash flooding and mudslides during the rainy season, and the higher elevation around Khun Chae Pass can bring sudden fog, especially in the early morning or evening. None of this makes the drive unsafe as a rule, but it is worth building extra time into a rainy-season trip, roughly June through October, and avoiding a late departure if the forecast looks unsettled.

Which Option Should You Choose

Budget travelers with no particular schedule pressure do best on the Green Bus — it is inexpensive, comfortable enough for the just-over-three-hour trip, and requires no planning beyond showing up at Arcade Terminal. Anyone short on time or traveling with a group usually comes out ahead with a private car, which also makes the hot springs stop painless to arrange. If scenery and a slower pace matter more than speed, self-driving Route 118 is the most rewarding option, provided you are comfortable on Thai roads and properly licensed for whatever you are driving. For everything else you will want to know about getting around once you arrive, see our guide to getting around Chiang Mai.

Continuing North From Chiang Rai

Many travelers treat Chiang Rai as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint — the Golden Triangle, the riverside town of Chiang Saen, and the border town of Mae Sai are all a further hour or so beyond Chiang Rai city, and worth factoring into your plans if you are already making the trip north. Building a night or two into Chiang Rai itself before continuing is generally the more comfortable approach than trying to cover everything in a single long day from Chiang Mai. If you are still deciding where to base yourself before heading north, our guide to choosing your area in Chiang Mai and full Chiang Mai Travel Guide cover the rest of the trip.

How Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Compares to Chiang Mai to Pai

Travelers weighing this trip against a run out to Pai should know the two routes feel quite different in practice: Chiang Rai is a mainstream, well-served route with a proper long-distance bus operator and a wide, well-maintained highway, while the Pai road is a narrower, far curvier mountain drive better known for its motion-sickness reputation than for comfort. If you only have time for one northern side trip, Chiang Rai is the more relaxed and more reliably scheduled option; Pai rewards those specifically looking for a slower, more remote mountain-town experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is it from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?

Roughly 190 km by road, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours by bus, van, or private car under normal conditions.

What is the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?

The Green Bus Express service is the cheapest option, typically costing around 260 THB one way.

Is there a direct flight between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai?

No direct flight currently operates between the two cities; flying would mean routing through Bangkok, which takes far longer than the direct overland trip.

Can I stop at the hot springs on the way?

Yes — Mae Kachan hot springs in Wiang Pa Pao district is a well-known, easy stop directly on Route 118, and most private drivers are happy to pause there if you ask in advance.

Is the drive safe during rainy season?

Generally yes, but the Wiang Pa Pao area has a documented history of flash flooding and mudslides in the rainy season, so build in extra time and avoid a late departure if the forecast looks unsettled.

Should I visit Chiang Rai as a day trip or stay overnight?

An overnight stay is the more comfortable option given the roughly 7-hour round trip and the amount there is to see, including the White Temple and, if you continue north, the Golden Triangle.