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Bangkok to Chiang Mai: compare train, coach and flight

Bangkok to Chiang Mai: compare train, coach and flight

Last updated: October 14, 2026
🇹🇭 Thailand BangkokChiang Mai
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Bangkok to Chiang Mai: compare train, coach and flight

Choose the SRT night train for a sleeping berth, the Mochit 2 coach for an overnight budget trip, or a BKK/DMK flight when time is limited and Chiang Mai transfers work.

This comparison is independent of the partner offers available below. Onboard time is not door-to-door time. Prices depend on date, fare and extras; compare the whole journey, not just the cheapest individual offer.

  • SRT Special Express sleeper train

    Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal → Chiang Mai Railway Station

    Time and total journey
    SRT lists train 9 leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40. Use the linked live timetable for the selected date and Chiang Mai arrival. (Allow additionally: Allow time to reach Krung Thep Aphiwat and for onward travel from Chiang Mai station.)
    Price basis
    Live SRT D-Ticket quote by date and class. (Check the individual quote)
    Who is it suitable for?
    Travelers who want an overnight rail journey and can plan around a live train schedule. Consider: The date-specific arrival and fare depend on the selected train. Reach Krung Thep Aphiwat rather than another Bangkok station.
    Official booking

  • Sombat Tour coach

    Mochit 2 Bus Terminal, Bangkok → Sombat Tour Chiang Mai terminal

    Time and total journey
    Sombat lists Mochit 2 examples of about 10 hours 30 minutes, including 07:00 to 17:30, 18:00 to 04:30 and other overnight departures. Traffic can change the result. (Allow additionally: Choose the dated service and add the Bangkok terminal and Chiang Mai local transfers.)
    Price basis
    The operator lists THB 661, THB 771 or THB 1,028 per seat. Confirm the selected service. (Per person)
    Who is it suitable for?
    Travelers who want a direct surface option with several departure bands. Consider: The terminal, arrival and fare depend on the selected service and traffic.
    Official booking

  • Direct flight from BKK or DMK

    Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) → Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

    Time and total journey
    DMK examples show roughly 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 15 minutes to CNX on selected dates. For BKK, verify the live duration, airport, departure and arrival. (Allow additionally: Add the selected Bangkok airport access, check-in and the transfer from Chiang Mai Airport.)
    Price basis
    Live one-way fare in THB per person. Baggage and extras vary by selected flight. (Per person)
    Who is it suitable for?
    Travelers comparing the two Bangkok airports for a direct flight. Consider: BKK and DMK are separate airports. Compare airport access, baggage terms and the final Chiang Mai transfer.
    Official booking

Boarding, transfers and onward travel

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

Core editorial facts checked:

Sources and background

These sources support the topics listed below, not every statement or current price in this article.

  1. [1] State Railway of Thailand: Special Express Train No. 9 Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport
  2. [2] State Railway of Thailand: SRT TTS View live timetable. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport
  3. [3] State Railway of Thailand: SRT D-Ticket. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport, Access
  4. [4] Sombat Tour: Bangkok to Chiang Mai coach schedule. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport, Access
  5. [5] Thai Airways: Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport
  6. [6] AirAsia: AirAsia Bangkok Don Mueang to Chiang Mai. Retrieved October 3, 2026. Transport

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.

Transport and connections in detail

1. SRT Special Express sleeper train

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

Train, Bus, Flight and Ferry tickets

Booking and payment are handled by 12Go, not GoAsia. We may receive a commission when you book through our links.

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.[3]

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 $ 49.48–187.46 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 $ 19.40–30.29 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 $ 286.52–479.54 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 $ 8.29–33.91 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 $ 41.03–65.11 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 $ 295.04–445.84 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 $ 262.26–715.97 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. [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. [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. [3] Thai Airways: Thai Airways: Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (BKK-CNX), fares from THB 4,700 round trip economy. Retrieved October 14, 2026.