Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Three and a half hours north.
The short answer: take the Green Bus. It leaves Chiang Mai's Bus Terminal 3 (the Arcade) many times a day, takes about three and a half hours, and costs a few hundred baht. A private car takes about three hours and can stop at the White Temple on the way. There is no train, and no direct flight.
Below: the options compared with fares checked on 6 November 2026, the difference between VIP and Express, which stop to get off at in Chiang Rai, and whether a day trip is worth it.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai at a glance
Bus fares are counter prices reported in autumn 2026; on 12Go, on 6 November 2026, Express seats started at about US$6 and VIP at about US$12, including the booking fee.
| Option | How long | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bus Express | About 3h45 | Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) | About 260–290 baht | The lowest price |
| Green Bus VIP | About 3h20 | Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) | About 360–400 baht | More legroom, fewer seats |
| Minivan | About 3 hours | Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai | About 520–780 baht | Pickup at your door |
| Private car | About 3 hours | Your hotel | About 1,950–3,000 baht per car | Groups, stopping at the White Temple |
Compare live times and prices: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai on 12Go.
Which one should you pick?
Take the Green Bus if you are going to stay in Chiang Rai. It is comfortable, it runs from early morning to early evening, and the road is a good highway most of the way.
Pay for VIP if you are tall or want more room: three seats across instead of four, and about 25 minutes faster on the timetable.
Book a private car or a tour if you want to see the White Temple on the way, since the bus does not stop there.
Green Bus: times and classes
Green Bus is the company on this route. Buses leave from Bus Terminal 3 at the Arcade, about 3 km north-east of the Old City (a Grab costs about 100 to 150 baht). On 12Go the first bus on 6 November 2026 left at 06:00 and the last at 18:00, with one roughly every half hour to hour in between.
Express has four seats across, a toilet and a bottle of water. VIP has three seats across, more legroom and a snack. Both include one bag of up to 20 kg in the hold. Be at the platform about half an hour before you leave.
Bring a jumper: more than one review on 12Go says the air-conditioning is very cold.
Getting off in Chiang Rai
The bus first calls at Terminal 2, on the highway about 7 km south of town, and then ends at Terminal 1, next to the Night Bazaar in the centre. Unless your hotel is out by the highway, stay on until Terminal 1.
The White Temple on the way
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, is about 13 km before Chiang Rai, but the buses do not stop there. The easy way to see it is from Chiang Rai: a local bus from Terminal 1 takes 20 to 30 minutes and stops at the temple gate. The temple opens at 08:00 and charges foreign visitors 200 baht. See our White Temple guide.
Day trip or overnight?
You can see Chiang Rai's temples on a day tour from Chiang Mai, but it is a long day of around 12 hours, with about seven of them in a van. If Chiang Rai is on your route anyway, stay a night or two and take the bus. If you only have one day, a tour is the simplest way. See our Chiang Rai day tour page.
Booking Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai on 12Go
12Go sells Green Bus Express and VIP seats, plus minivans and private cars, so you can choose a seat and a time in advance.
The counter at Terminal 3 is a little cheaper, and some reviews on 12Go complain about the difference. Booking online is worth it on weekends and holidays, when buses fill up.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai FAQ
How long is the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
About 3 hours 20 minutes on the VIP bus and about 3 hours 45 minutes on the Express, including a short rest stop.
Where does the bus to Chiang Rai leave from in Chiang Mai?
From Bus Terminal 3 at the Arcade bus station, about 3 km north-east of the Old City.
Is there a train or a flight from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
No. The railway ends at Chiang Mai, and there is no direct flight; flying would mean changing in Bangkok.
Does the bus stop at the White Temple?
No. Get off in Chiang Rai and take the local bus back to the temple, or go by private car or on a tour.
Can I do Chiang Rai as a day trip from Chiang Mai?
Yes, on a tour, but it is a long day of around 12 hours. If you have time, staying a night is more relaxed.
Last checked: 6 November 2026. Bus times and online fares from 12Go; counter fares, classes, luggage, terminals and White Temple details from Visit Thailand Today (updated October 2026); Terminal 3 and Green Bus from 12Go's operator page and train36.com. Timetables change, so check before you travel.