Bangkok to Chiang Mai — Sleeper Train, VIP Bus or Budget Flight
Chiang Mai is roughly 700 km north of Bangkok and is the best-served route in the country. You can take an overnight sleeper and wake up in the north,…
Chiang Mai is roughly 700 km north of Bangkok and is the best-served route in the country. You can take an overnight sleeper and wake up in the north, ride a bus that leaves almost every hour, or fly in under an hour and a half.
Overview
| Option | Travel time | Departs from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper train | About 11–13 hours, mostly evening departures arriving in the morning | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal | Saving a night of accommodation; the classic experience |
| Bus (VIP / first class) | About 9–11 hours, day and night departures | Mo Chit 2 | Lowest cost, most departure times |
| Flight | About 1 h 15 min plus airport time | Don Mueang / Suvarnabhumi | Short trips, or when a promo fare appears |
- Compare trains, buses and flights Bangkok–Chiang Mai: open 12Go
Door to door, a flight still takes four to five hours once you include getting to the airport, check-in and the ride into town. Faster than the train by a wide margin, but not by the ten-times margin the table suggests.
The train: which class to choose
Several trains run to Chiang Mai daily. The real differences are whether you can lie down and air-conditioning.
- Second-class air-conditioned sleeper is the popular choice. The lower berth is wider and has a window; the upper berth is slightly cheaper but requires a climb and has less headroom. If you are tall or carry a large bag, choose the lower berth.
- First-class sleeper is a private two-berth compartment, ideal for couples or anyone who wants privacy. There are few of them and they sell out weeks ahead in high season.
- Second- and third-class seats are the cheapest but mean sitting all night; they make more sense on daytime trains.
All long-distance trains now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bang Sue, not from the historic Hua Lamphong station. The terminal is large and the platforms are upstairs, so arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. It is on the MRT Blue Line (Bang Sue station).
The bus: what to check before booking
- Bus type. "VIP" usually means fewer seats (24–32), which recline much further — worth the extra for a night journey.
- Arrival time. Many night buses reach Chiang Mai at 4–6 a.m., before hotels allow check-in. Plan a slow morning, or choose a departure that arrives later.
- Where it stops. Most buses terminate at Arcade Bus Terminal, about 3–4 km from the old city. Red shared trucks (songthaews) and ride-hailing apps wait there.
Flying: when fares are low
Low-cost carriers fly Don Mueang–Chiang Mai dozens of times a day. Fares are lowest booked a few weeks out and away from Friday-evening and Sunday-evening departures. If you carry a large bag, compare the total including checked-baggage fees; it sometimes lands close to a first-class train berth.
Which one for you
- Solo, on a budget, no rush → night bus
- Couple, want the experience → first-class sleeper, or a second-class lower berth
- Only two or three days off → fly, and spend the time saved on activities in Chiang Mai (see the chapter on what to book ahead)