Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Every Transport Option Compared (2026)

Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the route that almost every backpacker in Thailand takes. The 700 km journey from the chaotic capital to the laid-back northern city is a rite of passage, and how you do it matters more than you might think.

You have four real options: the sleeper train, a VIP bus, a budget flight, or a regular bus. Each one has its place depending on your budget, how much time you have, and what kind of experience you want. This guide breaks down every option with real 2026 prices, honest pros and cons, and step-by-step booking instructions.

For the big picture on Thai transport, check our complete transport guide. For deep detail on the train option specifically, we have a full sleeper train guide.

Quick Comparison: All Options at a Glance

| Method | Duration | Cost | Comfort | Best For | |---|---|---|---|---| | Sleeper Train | 10-14 hours | 500-1,500 THB ($14-$43) | Good — actual bed | Experience seekers, budget travelers | | VIP Bus | 9-10 hours | 400-700 THB ($11-$20) | Good — reclining seat | Budget travelers, flexible schedules | | Budget Flight | 1.5 hours | 800-3,000 THB ($23-$86) | Standard | Time-pressed travelers | | Regular Bus | 10-12 hours | 300-500 THB ($8.60-$14) | Basic | Extreme budget |

The short answer: Take the sleeper train at least once for the experience. After that, fly if you are short on time or take a VIP bus if you are watching every baht.

Option 1: The Sleeper Train

Duration: 10-14 hours (overnight) Cost: 500-1,500 THB ($14-$43) Departs from: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok) Arrives at: Chiang Mai Railway Station

The sleeper train is the classic backpacker choice, and for good reason. You board in the evening, the attendant makes up your berth, you fall asleep to the gentle rocking, and you wake up in Chiang Mai as the sun rises over the northern hills. You save a night of accommodation, cover 700 km, and get one of the defining experiences of traveling in Thailand.

Which Train to Take

Several trains run this route. Here are the ones worth booking:

| Train | Departure | Arrival | Classes | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---| | #51 (Express Special) | 18:40 | 06:50 (+1) | 1st, 2nd AC | Newest carriages, best condition, earliest arrival | | #9 (Express) | 18:10 | 07:15 (+1) | 1st, 2nd AC, 2nd Fan | Most popular, good carriages | | #13 (Rapid) | 19:35 | 09:45 (+1) | 2nd AC, 2nd Fan, 3rd | Later departure, later arrival |

Our pick: Train #51 if available. Newest rolling stock, arrives earliest, and the most comfortable ride. Train #9 is the close second.

Class and Berth Recommendations

You will choose between three decisions: class, AC vs fan, and upper vs lower berth.

Class:

1st Class (1,300-1,500 THB / $37-$43): Private two-berth cabin with a lockable door. Great for couples or if you really value privacy. Very limited availability — book 3-4 weeks ahead.
2nd Class AC (700-900 THB / $20-$26): Open carriage with individual berths and curtains. Air conditioning. This is the sweet spot for most travelers.
2nd Class Fan (500-700 THB / $14-$20): Same layout, ceiling fans instead of AC. Good in cooler months (November-February), warm and dusty from March onward.

Berth:

Lower berth (+100-200 THB): More space, window access, easier to get in and out. During the day, it serves as the seating area.
Upper berth (cheaper): Less space but more privacy — nobody sits on your berth during the day. You need to climb a small ladder.

The recommendation: 2nd class AC, lower berth. That is what most experienced backpackers book. Budget of roughly 800-900 THB ($23-$26).

What to Expect Hour by Hour

Here is how the journey actually unfolds:

18:00-18:30 — Boarding. Arrive at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal 30-45 minutes early. Find your platform on the departure board, locate your carriage number, and settle into your seat. During this initial phase, the berths are configured as facing seats.

18:30-19:30 — Departure and city outskirts. The train pulls out and crawls through Bangkok's northern suburbs. This is a good time to eat dinner if you brought food or to visit the dining car.

19:30-20:30 — Berth setup. The train attendant works through the carriage, converting the seats into berths, pulling down upper bunks, and distributing bedding (sheet, pillow, blanket). The transformation takes about 30-45 minutes for the whole carriage.

20:30-21:00 — Settling in. Brush your teeth (small washbasins at the end of the carriage), change into comfortable clothes, set up your berth area with essentials (phone, earplugs, eye mask, water). The overhead lights dim.

21:00-05:30 — Sleep. The rhythmic rocking of the train genuinely helps with sleep. Earplugs are essential — the train rattles, wheels click on rails, and the horn sounds at crossings. The AC can be aggressive, so keep your warm layer accessible.

05:30-06:30 — Wake up. The carriage starts to stir. If you are awake early, pull back your curtain for some stunning northern Thai scenery — limestone hills, mist over rice paddies, small stations.

06:30-07:30 — Arrival. The attendant collects bedding and converts berths back to seats about 30 minutes before arrival. The train pulls into Chiang Mai station, and you step out into the cool northern morning air.

How to Book the Train

Online (easiest): Go to 12go.asia, search "Bangkok to Chiang Mai," filter by train, select your preferred service and class. Pay online, receive an e-ticket by email. Show the QR code on your phone when boarding.

At the station: Go to the booking counter at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. Tickets open 60 days before departure. Bring your passport. Pay in cash or by card.

When to book: In high season (November-March), book 2-4 weeks ahead for 2nd class AC and 4+ weeks for 1st class. In low season, a few days ahead usually works.

What to Bring

The essentials: earplugs, eye mask, warm hoodie or fleece (the AC is cold), water, snacks, phone charger/power bank, small lock for your bag, flip-flops for the bathroom. See our sleeper train guide for the complete packing list.

Option 2: VIP Bus

Duration: 9-10 hours (overnight or daytime) Cost: 400-700 THB ($11-$20) Departs from: Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal) or Ekkamai Arrives at: Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal

VIP buses are Thailand's best-kept budget transport secret. The major operators run comfortable, modern coaches with reclining seats, onboard toilets, blankets, snacks, and entertainment screens. They are cheaper than the train and only slightly less comfortable for sleeping.

Bus Operators Worth Booking

Not all bus companies are created equal. These three are the reputable ones:

Nakhonchai Air (NCA) — The gold standard. Widest seats, best service, most departures. Their "Gold Class" and "First Class" options are genuinely comfortable. This is the one backpackers recommend to each other.

Departures: Multiple times per day, with overnight buses leaving between 19:00-22:00
Gold Class: 500-600 THB ($14-$17) — 3 seats per row (2+1 configuration)
First Class: 600-700 THB ($17-$20) — Wider seats, more recline

Sombat Tour — Very close to NCA in quality. Slightly fewer departures but just as comfortable.

Departures: Several per day, overnight options available
VIP: 400-600 THB ($11-$17)

The Transport Co. — Government-run, reliable but less comfortable than NCA or Sombat Tour. Cheapest option for VIP-class service.

VIP: 400-500 THB ($11-$14)

Night Bus vs Day Bus

Night bus (recommended for most):

Departs 19:00-22:00, arrives 05:00-07:00
Saves a night of accommodation
You will not see scenery but you cover distance while sleeping
The seats recline far but not flat — less comfortable than a train berth

Day bus:

Departs 06:00-10:00, arrives 15:00-19:00
You see the countryside (not as scenic as the northern train route)
Burns a full day of travel
Makes sense if overnight options are sold out

How to Book the Bus

12go.asia: Search the route, filter by bus, select your operator and departure time. E-ticket to your email.

Operator websites: NCA has its own booking site (nakhonchaiair.com) with English support. Slightly cheaper than 12go.asia.

At the bus station: Walk up to the operator's counter at Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Cash or card. No advance booking needed for most departures, but VIP seats on NCA can sell out on weekends and holidays.

What to Expect on the Bus

Modern coach with reclining seats (VIP has 3 seats per row, regular has 4)
Blanket and pillow provided (AC is cold — bring a layer)
Small snack and water at departure
One or two rest stops (20-30 minutes each) at highway service stations with toilets, 7-Elevens, and food stalls
Onboard toilet (small but functional)
Phone charging ports on most VIP services

Arriving in Chiang Mai by Bus

Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal is about 3 km east of the Old City. From there:

Songthaew: 30-50 THB to the Old City (wait for one heading your direction)
Grab: 60-100 THB to your accommodation
Tuk-tuk: 80-150 THB (negotiate)

Option 3: Budget Flight

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (flight only) Cost: 800-3,000 THB ($23-$86) Departs from: Don Mueang Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Arrives at: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Flying is the fastest way to cover the distance and sometimes not much more expensive than the train. If you book early and travel light, a budget flight can cost under 1,000 THB.

Airlines and What They Cost

| Airline | Airport | Baggage Included | Typical Price | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---| | AirAsia | Don Mueang (DMK) | 7kg carry-on | 800-2,000 THB ($23-$57) | Usually cheapest, most departures | | Nok Air | Don Mueang (DMK) | 7kg carry-on + sometimes 15kg checked | 900-2,500 THB ($26-$72) | Good value with checked bag | | Thai Lion Air | Don Mueang (DMK) | 7kg carry-on | 800-2,000 THB ($23-$57) | Competitive with AirAsia | | Thai Smile | Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | 20kg checked included | 1,500-3,000 THB ($43-$86) | Full-service, more comfortable |

The Real Cost of Flying

The ticket price is not the whole story. Factor in:

Checked baggage: If your backpack exceeds 7 kg carry-on limit (it probably does), add 300-500 THB ($8.60-$14) for checked luggage
Getting to the airport: Grab from central Bangkok to Don Mueang is 150-300 THB. By train, take the A1 bus from Mo Chit BTS (30 THB)
Getting from the airport: Chiang Mai airport to Old City by Grab is 100-150 THB
Arrive 2 hours early: Factor in the time cost at the airport
No saved hotel night: Unlike the train or night bus, you still need accommodation for the night

Total real cost example:

Flight ticket: 1,000 THB
Checked bag: 400 THB
Bangkok transport to airport: 200 THB
Chiang Mai airport to Old City: 120 THB
Total: 1,720 THB ($49)

Compare this to the train at 800 THB total (plus you save a hotel night worth 300-500 THB).

Booking Tips for Flights

Book 2-4 weeks ahead for the best prices. Last-minute flights can be 3x the early-bird price.
Be flexible on dates. Midweek flights (Tuesday-Thursday) are consistently cheaper than weekend flights.
Check all three airlines. Prices vary significantly for the same day. AirAsia might be 800 THB while Nok Air is 1,800 THB for the same route.
Book direct on airline websites. Aggregators like Skyscanner show prices but redirect you to third-party sellers with worse customer service. Book directly.
Carry-on only if possible. If you can fit your bag within the 7kg / dimensions limit, you save the checked bag fee and skip the baggage carousel.

Don Mueang vs Suvarnabhumi

Most budget flights use Don Mueang Airport (DMK). If you are staying near Khao San Road or central Bangkok, Don Mueang is actually closer and easier to reach.

Getting to Don Mueang:

A1 bus from Mo Chit BTS: 30 THB, 30-45 minutes
Grab: 150-300 THB depending on traffic and pickup location
Train: SRT commuter line from some stations

Getting to Suvarnabhumi:

Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai BTS: 45 THB, 30 minutes
Grab: 200-400 THB depending on traffic

Arriving in Chiang Mai by Air

Chiang Mai International Airport is just 3 km from the Old City — one of the most convenient airport locations in Thailand.

Grab: 80-120 THB to the Old City (5-10 minutes)
Taxi meter: 100-150 THB
Songthaew: 40 THB per person (shared, follows a route — ask if it passes near your accommodation)

Option 4: Regular Bus

Duration: 10-12 hours Cost: 300-500 THB ($8.60-$14) Departs from: Mo Chit Bus Terminal Arrives at: Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal

Regular (non-VIP) buses are the cheapest option and the one we recommend least for this route. The seats are narrower (4 per row), recline less, and the overall experience is noticeably less comfortable than VIP services. The price difference is often only 100-200 THB.

When Regular Bus Makes Sense

You are on an extreme budget and every 100 THB matters
VIP buses are sold out (happens during Songkran and major holidays)
You want a daytime departure that VIP operators do not offer

What to Expect

Standard coach seating (similar to a city bus seat, but cushioned)
AC is hit or miss — sometimes too cold, sometimes barely working
More stops than VIP services
No blanket, snack, or water provided — bring your own
Rest stops at basic roadside stations

Honest assessment: For 100-200 THB more, the VIP bus is dramatically more comfortable. The regular bus works, but it is not an experience you will enjoy.

Which Option Should You Choose?

This depends on what kind of traveler you are:

The Budget Backpacker

Best choice: Sleeper train (2nd class AC) or VIP bus

Both cost 400-900 THB, both save you a night's accommodation, and both get you there by morning. The train is more comfortable for sleeping (actual bed vs reclining seat) and more of an experience. The bus is slightly cheaper and sometimes faster.

Budget comparison:

Train (2nd AC lower): 800 THB — saves 350 THB hostel = net cost 450 THB
VIP Bus (NCA Gold): 550 THB — saves 350 THB hostel = net cost 200 THB
Flight: 1,000 THB + 400 THB baggage + 320 THB transport + 350 THB hostel (still needed) = net cost 2,070 THB

The Time-Pressed Traveler

Best choice: Budget flight

If you only have two weeks in Thailand, burning a full night on transport twice (once each way) costs you two days. A flight takes 90 minutes gate to gate. The extra cost is worth it when time is your scarcest resource.

The Experience Seeker

Best choice: Sleeper train, no question

The train is the experience. Falling asleep in Bangkok and waking up in Chiang Mai, watching the northern Thai countryside roll past at dawn, chatting with other travelers in the carriage — this is what people remember about their Thailand trip. Do it at least once.

The Comfort Seeker

Best choice: 1st class sleeper train or Thai Smile flight

If budget is not your primary concern, 1st class on the sleeper train gives you a private cabin with a lockable door. Or fly Thai Smile from Suvarnabhumi for a full-service experience with checked bags included.

Step-by-Step Booking Summary

Here is the simplest path for each option:

Sleeper Train:

Go to 12go.asia, search "Bangkok to Chiang Mai," select your date
Filter by train, choose Train #51 or #9
Select 2nd Class AC, lower berth
Pay online, receive e-ticket
Show up at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal 30-45 minutes early

VIP Bus:

Go to nakhonchaiair.com or 12go.asia
Select your departure date and time (night bus recommended)
Choose Gold Class or First Class
Pay online, receive e-ticket or booking reference
Show up at Mo Chit Bus Terminal 20-30 minutes early

Budget Flight:

Check AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air websites for your date
Book the cheapest option with carry-on or add checked bag
Download airline app, check in online 24 hours before
Get to Don Mueang Airport 2 hours before departure

What to Do When You Arrive in Chiang Mai

However you arrive, your first priority is getting to the Old City, where most backpacker accommodation is concentrated.

From the train station:

Songthaew (red truck): 30-50 THB, they wait outside the station
Grab: 60-100 THB
Walk: About 30 minutes to the east side of the Old City (fine with a light pack)

From the Arcade Bus Terminal:

Songthaew: 30-50 THB
Grab: 60-100 THB
Tuk-tuk: 80-150 THB (negotiate before you get in)

From the airport:

Grab: 80-120 THB (fastest and easiest)
Taxi meter: 100-150 THB
Songthaew: 40 THB (slower, shared)

Once you are settled, check out our Chiang Mai backpacker and digital nomad guide for everything you need to know about the city.

Final Thoughts

Bangkok to Chiang Mai is not just a route — it is a transition between two completely different versions of Thailand. The crowded, electric energy of Bangkok gives way to the temple-filled, mountain-backed calm of Chiang Mai, and how you make that transition is part of the story.

Our recommendation: take the sleeper train on your first trip. It is the experience that backpackers have been sharing for decades, and it is still one of the highlights. After that, fly or bus based on what suits your schedule and budget.

For more on getting around the rest of Thailand, see our complete transport guide. For planning your overall trip, start with our first-time guide and budget breakdown.