Bangkok to Chiang Mai Sleeper train, flight or bus.
The short answer: fly if you only have a few days, take the overnight sleeper if you want the trip to be part of the holiday, and take the bus if every baht counts. The flight is about an hour and a quarter. The night train takes around 12 and a half hours, but you sleep through most of it and save a night in a hotel.
Below: the trains with their real departure times, what each option cost when we checked on 6 November 2026, where they leave from in Bangkok and where they drop you in Chiang Mai.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai at a glance
Prices are what 12Go listed for a one-way ticket on 6 November 2026, and they can include 12Go's booking fee. Flight fares are Rome2Rio's range for the route, because airfares change all the time.
| Option | Time on board | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | About 1h 15m | Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | Roughly 900–5,500 THB | Short trips, arriving the same morning |
| Sleeper train No. 9 | 12h 35m, overnight | Krung Thep Aphiwat | About US$31 (2nd class berth), US$49 (1st class) | The classic way north, saves a hotel night |
| Other night trains (13, 51, 109) | 12h 35m – 13h 45m | Krung Thep Aphiwat | About US$23–31 (2nd class berth), US$7–9 (3rd class seat, fan) | When No. 9 is sold out, or a tighter budget |
| Day train No. 7 | 10h 20m | Krung Thep Aphiwat | About US$17 (2nd class seat, air-con) | Seeing the countryside in daylight |
| Bus | About 10–11 hours | Mo Chit 2 bus terminal | About US$16–34, depending on the class | Lowest cost with a proper reclining seat |
Compare live times and prices: all options on 12Go, trains only or buses only.
Which one should you pick?
Fly if your trip is a week or two and you would rather spend the day in Chiang Mai than on the way there. Add the time to get out to the airport and through check-in, but you will still beat every train by a wide margin.
Take the night train if you have a little slack in the plan. You board in the evening, the beds are made up for you, and you roll into Chiang Mai in the morning. It is slow, but you are asleep for most of it.
Take the bus if price matters most or the trains are full. The VIP and first-class coaches have reclining seats, and they leave throughout the day and night.
Trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
All long-distance trains north now start at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (the big station at Bang Sue), not at the old Hua Lamphong station. Times below are the ones 12Go listed on 6 November 2026.
| Train | Type | Departs Bangkok | Arrives Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 7 | Special Express, day train (seats only) | 07:30 | 17:50 |
| No. 109 | Rapid, overnight | 14:15 | 04:00 |
| No. 9 | Special Express sleeper, newer carriages | 18:40 | 07:15 |
| No. 13 | Special Express sleeper, older carriages | 20:05 | 08:40 |
| No. 51 | Express, overnight | 22:30 | 12:10 |
The overnight trains also stop at Don Mueang station about 17 minutes after leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat. If you are flying into Don Mueang airport, that is the easier place to board: the station is linked to the terminal by a skywalk, and the walk takes around 15 minutes.
The overnight train
Train No. 9 is the one most people mean when they talk about the sleeper to Chiang Mai. It runs with the newer carriages, which is why it is usually the first to sell out, especially the 1st class cabins. Train No. 13 leaves about an hour and a half later with older carriages and costs a little less.
In 2nd class you get a bunk in an open carriage with a curtain. 1st class, which only trains No. 9 and No. 13 have, is a small two-berth cabin with a door that locks. Bought from the railway itself, a 2nd class berth on No. 9 costs 941 baht for the upper bunk and 1,041 baht for the lower one; on No. 13 it is 771 or 841 baht. One thing travelers mention again and again in their reviews: the air-con is cold at night. Keep a long-sleeved top and socks in your day bag.
You can book directly with the State Railway of Thailand on its D-Ticket website or app, or through 12Go, which adds a fee but is easier to use from abroad. For the full Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip, tickets go on sale up to 180 days ahead. Busy holiday periods such as New Year can open later, and D-Ticket shows the first day you can book.
Chiang Mai station is about 3 km east of the Old City, a short Grab or red songthaew ride into town.
Flying
From Don Mueang (DMK) you can fly with Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air or Nok Air. From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) the main options are Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. Check which airport is on your ticket: they are far apart, and the shuttle bus between them takes about an hour.
Chiang Mai airport sits only 3–4 km from the Old City, so the last part of the trip is short.
By bus
Most long-distance buses leave from Mo Chit 2 (the Bangkok Bus Terminal at Chatuchak). Companies on this route include Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour, Sritawong Tour, Bangkok Busline and the state-run Transport Co. Some, including Nakhonchai Air and Sombat Tour, also run from their own terminals, so check the departure point on your ticket.
Buses arrive at the Arcade Bus Terminal, about 3 km north-east of the Old City. Shared songthaews to the moat area usually charge around 30–50 THB per person. As on the train, the air-con can be fierce, so bring a layer.
Booking Bangkok to Chiang Mai on 12Go
12Go puts the trains, buses and flights on this route on one page, so you can see the times and prices side by side before you decide. For the train it sells the same State Railway seats and berths you would get at the station.
Prices on 12Go can include a booking fee, so they may come out a little higher than the fare on a ticket bought at the station. In return you can compare everything in English and book in one place.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai FAQ
How long is the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Between about 10 and 14 hours, depending on the train. The day train, No. 7, takes 10h 20m. The popular sleeper, No. 9, takes 12h 35m.
Which station does the Chiang Mai train leave from in Bangkok?
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at Bang Sue. The trains also stop at Don Mueang station, next to Don Mueang airport.
How far ahead should I book the sleeper train?
For high season, weekends and Thai holidays, as early as you can, especially for 1st class on train No. 9. Tickets for the full route go on sale up to 180 days ahead.
Is the bus cheaper than the train?
Usually it is cheaper than a sleeper berth, but not cheaper than a 3rd class seat on the train. On 6 November 2026 buses on 12Go ranged from about US$16 to US$34.
Is it faster to fly?
Yes. The flight itself is about an hour and a quarter. Even with the trip to the airport and check-in, you arrive hours before any train.
Last checked: 6 November 2026. Train times and prices from 12Go; station fares and booking rules from Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide. Timetables change, so check the live schedule before you travel.