How to Get from Pattaya to Chiang Mai
Compare Pattaya to Chiang Mai by bus via Bangkok, SRT train, flight from U-Tapao or private transfer in about 11 hours 20 minutes.
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Contents
Leaving the neon and salty breeze of the Gulf of Thailand for the misty mountains and golden temples of the north is a journey across the heart of the country. The road runs through the central plains and the Thai countryside before it climbs into the cooler green hills around Chiang Mai.
There is no single direct public service, so most travelers combine two legs through Bangkok, fly from U-Tapao, or book a private car for the whole way. Compare the options and arrange your trip on GoAsia.cc.
Pattaya to Chiang Mai by Bus
The overland route goes through Bangkok. RRC coaches run between Pattaya Bus Terminal and Mo Chit 2 in about 2 hours, leaving Mo Chit 2 hourly from 05:00 to 18:00.[1] From Mo Chit 2, the Transport Co. runs buses to Chiang Mai at 07:25 and 19:50 for 594 baht.[2] Nakhonchai Air also serves the route in Gold Class and First Class, and its Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip covers 713 km in about 9 hours.[3]
Pattaya to Chiang Mai by Bus and Train
The night train is a classic way to reach the north. After the coach to Bangkok, board a State Railway of Thailand train at Krung Thep Aphiwat. Special Express 7 leaves at 07:30 and arrives at 17:50, train 9 Uttrawithi leaves at 18:40 and arrives at 07:15, Special Express 13 leaves at 20:05 and arrives at 08:45, and Express 51 leaves at 22:30 and arrives at 11:40.[4] Krung Thep Aphiwat is about 1.5 km from the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal, so plan a short transfer between the two.[5] On a sleeper you wake up in the hills with the day ahead of you.
Pattaya to Chiang Mai by Air
Thai Lion Air flies between Pattaya (U-Tapao) and Chiang Mai.[6] U-Tapao airport is about 40 to 45 km from Pattaya, a 45 to 70 minute drive, and you can reach it by taxi, airport shuttle van or ride-hailing.[7] The flight saves most of a day compared with the road.
Pattaya to Chiang Mai by Private Transfer
A private transfer is the most comfortable way to cover the distance. Your driver meets you at your hotel in Pattaya and drops you at your address in Chiang Mai, with stops for stretches, snacks or photos on the way. The car classes run from Comfort sedans and SUVs for couples and small families to 9-passenger VIP vans, which suit groups with golf clubs or diving gear.
On booking platforms, private transfers cost about $283 to $375 (October 2026) per vehicle, and the drive takes from about 11 hours 20 minutes, longer with traffic around Bangkok.[8] Split among four to nine passengers, the cost per person is competitive with a flight once you add airport transfers and baggage fees.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (Pattaya to Mo Chit 2, then coach) | 594 baht for the Mo Chit 2 to Chiang Mai coach[2] | About 2h plus about 9h[1][3] | Standard |
| Bus and train | Bus leg plus train fare | Train 10h 20min to 13h 10min[4] | High on the sleeper |
| Private transfer | About $283 - $375 per vehicle on booking platforms (October 2026)[8] | From about 11h 20min | High |
Tips for Traveling from Pattaya to Chiang Mai
- Plan for the Long Haul: On the road, start early in the morning so you arrive in Chiang Mai for dinner and avoid the winding northern roads in the dark.
- Stock Up on Snacks: Service stations in Thailand have clean restrooms, cafes and convenience stores, but your own water and snacks make the long stretches more pleasant.
- Communicate with Your Driver: Drivers on this route are used to tourists. Use a translation app to ask for a bathroom break or a stop at a 7-Eleven.
- Prepare for Temperature Changes: Pattaya is tropical and humid all year, while Chiang Mai can feel much cooler after sunset, especially in winter. Keep a light jacket within reach.
- Booking Ahead: Book private vehicles and sleeper berths a few days ahead so the type you want is available.
Timetable
| Taxi Pattaya - Chiang Mai $ 282.75–375.57 11h 20m – 12h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Pattaya to Chiang Mai, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option. Take an RRC coach to Mo Chit 2 in Bangkok, then a Transport Co. coach to Chiang Mai for 594 baht.
Flying from U-Tapao on Thai Lion Air is the fastest. By road, a private transfer takes from about 11 hours 20 minutes.
By road with a private car it takes from about 11 hours 20 minutes. By bus you need about 2 hours to Bangkok and about 9 hours on to Chiang Mai, and the trains from Bangkok take between 10 hours 20 minutes and 13 hours 10 minutes.
The main highways are well maintained, but daytime travel lets you enjoy the scenery and is easier on the winding roads near the north. Professional drivers on transfer services know these long-distance routes.
Yes. A private transfer lets you stop at service stations for food, restrooms or a stretch. Agree any bigger sightseeing stops with your driver, because they add to the travel time.
VIP vans on this route carry up to 9 passengers, which suits large families or groups of friends with luggage.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] RRC (Roong Reuang Coach) Pattaya Bus: RRC Pattaya Bus | Bangkok-Pattaya. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [2] BusTicket.in.th (Transport Co., Ltd. ticketing): Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak aka Mochi 2): timetable, services and information. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [3] Nakhonchai Air: Bangkok to Chiang Mai route. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [4] State Railway of Thailand: SRT Timetable Matrix 2026 (Northern Line outbound). Retrieved October 19, 2026.
- [5] Bangkok Post: B3.5-billion makeover planned for Mo Chit 2 (8 May 2026). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [6] Thai Lion Air: Baggage Allowance and Destinations. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
- [7] Bangkok Airways: Flight Ticket from Phuket to Pattaya. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [8] 12Go: 12Go Timetable: Pattaya - Chiang Mai. Retrieved October 27, 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.