How to Get from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai
Compare bus and private transfer options from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai. Find the best way to travel between these Northern Thai hubs.
Last updated: October 30, 2026
Contents
Leaving the stone Buddhas and lotus ponds of Sukhothai Historical Park for the hills of the far north takes you from the dawn of Thai history into Lanna country. Chiang Rai's best-known sight is the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, where foreign adults pay 100 baht to enter.[1]
The road climbs from the flat rice plains of the lower north into forested hills. It is a long day by bus or a shorter one by private car.
Sukhothai to Chiang Rai by Bus
On booking platforms, a direct bus costs about $22 (October 2026) and takes from about 7 hours.[2] Departures are few, so book a seat ahead, especially in the cool season. Bring a layer, because Thai coaches run their air conditioning cold, and sit by a window for the last stretch into Chiang Rai province, where the road passes rolling hills and farmland.
Sukhothai to Chiang Rai by Private Transfer
A private transfer takes you from your Sukhothai hotel straight to Chiang Rai, with no trip to the bus terminal, and splitting the cost helps for groups. On booking platforms, prices run from about $238 to $303 (October 2026) and journeys take from about 5 hours 50 minutes. Vehicles range from 2-seat economy cars and 4-seat SUVs to 9-seat vans and luxury VIP vans.[2]
A VIP van to Mae Sai on the Myanmar border costs about $261 and takes about 8 hours.[2]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | About $22 | From 7h[2] |
| Private transfer | $238 to $303 | From 5h 50m[2] |
Tips for Traveling from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai
- Book ahead: Bus departures are few and can sell out. Reserve a seat a few days in advance.
- Pack a layer: Buses and vans are cold inside. Keep a light jacket or sarong in your carry-on for the 7-hour ride.
- Bring water and snacks: Pack your own for the long ride, even if a rest stop is planned.
- Check the station: Tell your driver whether you leave from New Sukhothai or from the Old City, as the two are well apart.
Timetable
| Bus Sukhothai - Chiang Rai $ 22.21 7h | |
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| Taxi Sukhothai - Chiang Rai $ 237.75โ302.88 5h 50m โ 7h | |
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| Taxi Sukhothai - Mae Sai $ 260.54 8h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option, about $22 per person on booking platforms (October 2026), far less than a private vehicle.
A private transfer, which can take from about 5 hours 50 minutes, roughly an hour faster than the bus.
From about 7 hours by bus and from about 5 hours 50 minutes by private transfer, longer in heavy traffic.
It costs much more, from about $238, but a group of up to 9 splitting a van pays far less per person and skips the trip to the bus terminal.
On a ride of about 7 hours, expect at least one rest stop. Bring your own water and snacks.
Yes. 9-seat vans, including VIP and luxury versions, are available, and the price per person drops when the van is full.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Wat Rong Khun. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go Timetable: Sukhothai - Chiang Rai. Retrieved October 30, 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.