How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok to Chiang Mai by SRT sleeper train (18:40, arrives 07:15), Sombat Tour coach from THB 661 or direct flight. Fares as of October 2026.

Thailand Bangkok Chiang Mai

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Contents

1. Transport and connections in detail
1.1 1. SRT Special Express sleeper train
1.2 2. Sombat Tour coach
1.3 3. Direct flight from BKK or DMK
2. Practical checks
3. Timetable
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Sources and background

The SRT Special Express sleeper train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40 and reaches Chiang Mai at 07:15, about 12 hours 35 minutes, with fares of about THB 938 to 2,446 per person depending on class (October 2026).^[1]

The Sombat Tour coach from Mochit 2 takes about 10 hours 30 minutes and costs THB 661 to 1,028 per seat (schedule updated September 2026).^[2] AirAsia lists nonstop flights of about 1 hour 10 minutes, with fares from THB 1,104.^[3] Choose the flight when time is short, the coach for a cheaper overnight trip and the train for a sleeping berth.

Transport and connections in detail

1. SRT Special Express sleeper train

Departure: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Arrival: Chiang Mai Railway Station

Onboard reference: SRT lists train 9 leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40 and reaching Chiang Mai at 07:15, about 12 hours 35 minutes for 744 km. Check the live timetable for your date.^[1]

Complete journey: Allow time to reach Krung Thep Aphiwat and for onward travel from Chiang Mai station.

Price: SRT lists fares of about THB 938 to 2,446 per person depending on class (October 2026). Check the live D-Ticket quote for your date and class.^[1]

Best for: Travelers who want an overnight rail journey and can plan around a live train schedule.

Trade-off: The date-specific arrival and fare depend on the selected train. Reach Krung Thep Aphiwat rather than another Bangkok station.

Booking channel: Official information and booking: SRT Special Express sleeper train

2. Sombat Tour coach

Departure: Mochit 2 Bus Terminal, Bangkok
Arrival: Sombat Tour Chiang Mai terminal

Onboard reference: Sombat lists Mochit 2 departures of about 10 hours 30 minutes, for example 07:00 to 17:30, 18:00 to 04:30 and other overnight departures. Traffic can change the result.^[2]

Complete journey: Choose the dated service and add the Bangkok terminal and Chiang Mai local transfers.

Price: Sombat Tour lists THB 661 (Star), THB 771 (Super) and THB 1,028 (Supreme or Supreme X) per seat on Mochit 2 departures (schedule updated September 2026). Confirm the selected service.^[2]

Best for: Travelers who want a direct surface option with several departure bands.

Trade-off: The terminal, arrival and fare depend on the selected service and traffic.

Booking channel: Official information and booking: Sombat Tour coach

3. Direct flight from BKK or DMK

Departure: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK)
Arrival: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Onboard reference: The scheduled flight time is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Verify the live duration, airport, departure and arrival for BKK or DMK.

Complete journey: Add the selected Bangkok airport access, check-in and the transfer from Chiang Mai Airport.

Price: Thai Airways shows round-trip economy fares from about THB 4,700 per person for BKK to CNX in October 2026. One-way fares, baggage and other airlines vary.^[4]

Best for: Travelers comparing the two Bangkok airports for a direct flight.

Trade-off: BKK and DMK are separate airports. Compare airport access, baggage terms and the final Chiang Mai transfer.

Booking channel: Official information and booking: Direct flight from BKK or DMK

Practical checks

Choose Krung Thep Aphiwat for train 9, BKK or DMK for flights, or Mochit 2 for the coach before comparing fares.
Use SRT TTS and D-Ticket to confirm train number, arrival and class.
For Sombat, confirm the dated Mochit 2 service and the next-morning arrival.
Compare airport access, baggage and the Chiang Mai transfer with the complete surface journey.

Timetable

Bangkok - Chiang Mai More info / Tickets

Flight Bangkok - Chiang Mai $ 49.38–187.06 1h 15m – 6h
→ Economy 06:10, 06:15, 06:30, 07:00, 08:00, 10:00, 10:35, 12:25, 12:40, 14:25, 15:05, 16:05, 16:30, 17:35, 19:05, 19:30, 20:35, 20:40, 21:30, 22:35 → Business 06:30
Bus Bangkok - Chiang Mai $ 19.36–30.23 8h 55m – 17h 21m
→ Standard 07:25, 18:10, 19:50 → VIP 16:00, 18:30, 20:45 → Express 06:00, 07:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:30, 18:50, 19:00, 20:00, 20:35 → Express 44 08:00, 09:00, 13:00, 18:00, 18:30, 19:35, 20:10 → VIP 33 07:00 → VIP 24 20:00 → First Class 10:00, 10:15, 20:01, 20:16, 21:15, 21:30, 21:45 → Gold Class 18:30, 18:45, 20:31, 20:46, 22:20, 22:35
Taxi Bangkok - Chiang Mai $ 285.91–478.53 8h – 10h
→ Luxury VIP Van 9pax → Comfort Car 3pax → Luxury SUV 4pax → Comfort 3pax → Van 9pax → SUV 4pax → VIP Van 9pax → Economy 3pax → Van 10pax → VIP Van 8pax
Train Bangkok - Chiang Mai $ 8.27–33.84 10h 10m – 13h 50m
→ 2nd Class Sleeper AC 14:32, 18:40, 18:57, 20:22, 22:30, 22:47 → 2nd Class AC seats only 09:05, 09:20 → 2nd Class Fan seats only 14:15, 14:32, 20:05, 20:22, 22:30, 22:47 → Class 3 Fan 14:15, 14:32, 20:05, 20:22, 22:30, 22:47

Don Mueang Airport - Chiang Mai More info / Tickets

Flight Don Mueang Airport - Chiang Mai $ 40.94–64.97 1h 10m – 1h 20m
→ Economy 05:10, 06:00, 06:50, 07:50, 08:00, 08:30, 09:20, 09:30, 10:20, 11:50, 12:00, 12:45, 13:25, 14:40, 15:20, 15:45, 18:30, 18:45, 19:30, 19:50, 21:50
Taxi Don Mueang Airport - Chiang Mai $ 294.42–444.90 8h – 9h 25m
→ Comfort → Van 9pax → SUV 4pax → VIP Van 8pax → VIP Van 9pax

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Chiang Mai More info / Tickets

Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Chiang Mai $ 261.71–714.46 9h – 10h
→ Comfort → Van 9pax → SUV 4pax → VIP Van 9pax → Economy → Van 10pax → VIP Van 8pax

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, including current prices and schedules.

Which train departs from Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40?

SRT Special Express train 9 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40 and is listed to arrive in Chiang Mai at 07:15, about 12 hours 35 minutes later. Check the live timetable for your date.

How long does the bus from Mochit 2 take?

Sombat Tour lists Mochit 2 departures of about 10 hours 30 minutes, including daytime and overnight services. Traffic, terminal and the selected service can change the result.

Should I use BKK or DMK for the flight?

Both Bangkok airports are separate options. The flight takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes; verify the live duration and the airport on your ticket.

How is the train fare checked?

SRT lists fares of about THB 938 to 2,446 per person depending on class (October 2026). Use the live SRT D-Ticket quote for your date and class.

What should I include in the comparison?

Add access to Krung Thep Aphiwat, Mochit 2 or the selected Bangkok airport, then include baggage and the final transfer from Chiang Mai.

Who benefits from the overnight choices?

The SRT sleeper suits travelers who want a rail journey and a sleeping berth. The coach suits travelers seeking a direct surface option. Compare the selected service rather than assuming one is always better.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

[1] State Railway of Thailand: SRT timetable: Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Chiang Mai, Special Express, 18:40 to 07:15, 744 km, fares by class. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
[2] Sombat Tour: Sombat Tour: Bangkok - Chiang Mai timetable and fares (Mochit 2, Star, Super, Supreme), updated 15 September 2026. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
[3] AirAsia: Cheap Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (nonstop flight time and lowest fare). Retrieved October 16, 2026.
[4] Thai Airways: Thai Airways: Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (BKK-CNX), fares from THB 4,700 round trip economy. Retrieved October 14, 2026.

Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.