How to get to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station / Terminal

Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station is the place where long distance buses to Central Thailand and Bangkok depart, as well as to North-Eastern Thailand (Isaan) and to Eastern Thailand (for Pattaya). 

It is where you arrive when travelling by bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok.

Arcade Bus Station Chiang Mai MapLocation Map

Arcade Bus Station is often referred as "Bangkok Bus Station" to distinguish it from Chang Puak Bus Station (สถานีขนส่งช้างเผือก) which serves only local destinations in Chiang Mai district.

It is located around 3 km east of the Old City Moat, just before the ring road.

Chiang Mai City Moat and WallChiang Mai City Moat and Wall
Wat Inthakhin Saduemuang inside the Old City in Chiang MaiWat Inthakhin Saduemuang inside the Old City

The Station can boast itself of having not just one, but two Terminals, which are separated by just a few metres from each other.

Terminal 2 is the older bus station and Terminal 3 is the newer one.

Terminal 2 the older part of Chiang Mai Bus StationTerminal 2 the older part of Chiang Mai Bus Station
Terminal 3 Chiang Mai Bus StationThe newer Terminal 3

Arcade Station, unlike Chang Puak Station, is not really within walking distance from the city centre so you will propably want to know the best way to get there from the city centre.

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Following are a few options for how to get to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station

By Red Car (Songthaew)

Red car in Chiang Mai ThailandRed car in Chiang Mai Thailand
Inside a Red carInside a Red car

If you are coming from the city centre, the cheapest way to go to the station is to board a Songthaew (which is called Red Car (รถสีแดง) in Chiang Mai).

A Red Car is a pick-up truck adapted into a passenger car and used as a shared taxi.

Although Red Cars follow a 20 THB fixed rate system, for longer distances such as from the city centre to the bus station or to the train station you have to negotiate the price.

Red car stand at the Bus Station Terminal 2Red car stand at Terminal 2
Red car stand at Terminal 3Red car stand at Terminal 3

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A reasonable price is around 30-40 THB per person, but don't be surprised if some drivers are not afraid of asking you as much as 150 THB per person!

If you are travelling as a group, the driver might ask you for a “group price”.

Here are a few "group prices" as shown on the fare table at the Red Car stand by the bus station:

From Fare
Warorot Market (4 persons) 100 THB
Train Station (4 persons) 100 THB
Night Bazaar (4 persons) 120 THB
Thapae Gate (4 persons) 120 THB
Loi Kroh Road (4 persons) 120 THB
Chang Klan Road (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai Gate (3 persons) 150 THB
Santitham (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai University (3 persons) 150 THB
Central Kad Suan Kaew (3 persons) 150 THB
Nimmanhemin Road (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai University (3 persons) 150 THB
Central Aiport Plaza (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai Airport (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai Zoo (3 persons) 150 THB
Rajvithi Road (3 persons) 150 THB
Chiang Mai Province Office (4 persons) 200 THB
700 year Stadium (4 persons) 200 THB
Night Safari (5 persons) 300 THB
Royal Park Rajapruek (5 persons) 300 THB

By Tuk-Tuk

Tuk Tuks at Chiang Mai Bus StationTuk Tuks at Chiang Mai Bus Station
Tuk Tuk driver waiting for a customerTuk Tuk driver waiting for a customer

You can also choose to board a Tuk-Tuk to get to the Station.

In that case you will need very good bargaining skills to get a fair price.

Following is a list of prices to help you negotiate.

The prices were taken from the fare table shown at the Tuk-Tuk stand by the bus station:

From Fare
Warorot Market 100 THB
Train Station 100 THB
Night Bazaar 120 THB
Lanna Hospital 120 THB
Chang Phuak Gate 120 THB
Thapae Gate 120 THB
Wat Phra Singh 120 THB
Big C Don Chan 120 THB
S.K. House 120 THB
Chiang Mai Gate 150 THB
Suan Prung Gate 150 THB
Julie Guest House 150 THB
Suan Dok Gate 150 THB
Suan Dok Hospital 150 THB
Nimmanhaemin Road 150 THB
Santitham 150 THB
Rincome 150 THB
Central Kad Suan Kaew 150 THB
Doi Suthep 180 THB
Chiang Mai University 180 THB
Zoo 180 THB
Central Airport Plaza 200 THB
Chiang Mai Airport 200 THB
Mae Jo 250 THB
Sankhampaeng 250 THB
Hang Dong 300 THB
Night Safari 350 THB
Doi Saket 350 THB

Tuk Tuk stand Terminal 3Tuk Tuk stand Terminal 3

By Taxi

A Taxi in Chiang MaiA Taxi in Chiang Mai
Taxi stand at Arcade Bus Station Chiang MaiTaxi stand at Arcade Bus Station Chiang Mai

One thing you might notice while in Chiang Mai is that compared to Bangkok, there are not many taxis roaming the streets.

If you are coming from the bus station to the city centre however, there is a taxi stand at the station.

A taxi to the city centre from here should cost between 100 to 150 THB.

Most drivers will not use there meter, but if they do, the price is 50 THB for the first 2 km, then 10 THB for every km after that.


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