How to Travel on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus
A popular way to travel to the North of Thailand is to catch a Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus.
Travelling by bus is faster than the train and there are many bus companies to choose from, with various classes and ticket prices, including 1st Class, Express, VIP...
Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
If you decide to travel by bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you should make sure that you are leaving from the right bus terminal.
There are three main bus stations in Bangkok, but only one that operates buses to Chiang Mai - Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal.
Mo Chit Bus TerminalBuying Bus Tickets for the Bus from Mo Chit to Chiang Mai
At the bus station, the ticket selling counters for bus from Mo Chit to Chiang Mai are located outside on the 1st floor (ground floor).
At first it can be quite confusing as there are so many different bus companies to choose from.
To make it simple you should know that basically all these companies offer the same kind of services:
| Bus trips | General details |
|---|---|
| Types of Buses | A/C double-decker buses with TV and toilets on board / Some companies have single deck buses |
| Departure times | From 06.00 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 23.00 |
| Frequency | From every 30 minutes to every hour |
| Travelling times | VIP buses = 9 h 30 minutes / Other types of buses = from 9 h 30 minutes up to 11 hours | Stopovers | Most buses stop at the major cities en route / VIP buses make less stopovers and some even go direct without stopping |
| Food / Drinks | Small snacks and drinks are served on board / Most buses stop for 20 mins. at a roadside restaurant near Kamphaeng Phet / VIP bus tickets include a meal at this restaurant (rice + one choice) or a drink / Some companies don't stop at a roadside restaurant and instead serve hot meals on board |
| Fares | Government bus company: VIP Buses = 876THB / 1st Class = 563THB / 2nd Class = 438THB |
To get more detailed information (timetables, fares...) about the different companies operating buses to / from Bangkok to Chiang Mai see below >
Arrival / Departure from Chiang Mai
Arcade Bus Station (Terminal 3)
Bus arriving at Arcade Bus StationIn Chiang Mai you will arrive at, or depart from the Arcade Bus Station, which is the long distance bus station located a few kilometres east of the "Old City".
The station is divided in 2 distinctive terminals (number 2 and number 3) which stand only a few metres apart, with a road running in between them.
Bus Companies from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Below you will find some detailed information about three different bus companies that we have used in the past and that offer bus services to and from Mo Chit in Bangkok to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station.
The Transport Company - “ บริษัท ขนส่ง “
The Transport Company is the government bus company (under the Thai Ministry of Transport).
It is often referred by Thai people by its initial letters บขส (pronounce: Baaw-Khaaw-Saaw) or just as 99 or 999.
Buses :
It offers three types of buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
- VIP Bus = double-decker bus, 32 massage seats (adjustable at 135 degrees), 1st Class A/C, snacks and drinks, TV and lavatory / toilet on board.
Travelling time 9h30 / Ticket fare = 876 THB
- 1st Class Bus = double-decker bus, 50 massage seats (adjustable at 135 degrees), 1st Class A/C, snacks and drinks, TV and lavatory on board.
Travelling time 9h30 / Ticket fare = 563 THB
- 2nd Class Bus = double-decker bus, 55 seats (adjustable at 115 degrees), 2nd Class A/C, no lavatory.
Travelling time 11 hours / Ticket fare = 438 THB
2nd class bus
Seats inside The Transport Company 2nd Class busThe Transport Company - Bangkok to Chiang Mai Bus Timetable
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 05.40 | 16.40 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 07.25 | 18.25 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 08.50 | 19.50 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 09.00 | 18.30 | VIP Bus |
| 10.30 | 21.30 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 12.30 | 23.30 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 14.30 | 01.30 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 19.50 | 06.50 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 20.00 | 05.30 | VIP Bus |
| 21.00 | 06.30 | VIP Bus / No stop - Hot meals served on board |
| 21.30 | 07.00 | VIP Bus |
| 21.40 | 07.15 | 1st Class Bus |
| 23.00 | 08.30 | 1st Class Bus |
The Transport Company - Chiang Mai to Bangkok Bus Timetable
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 06.30 | 17.30 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 09.00 | 20.00 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 09.00 | 18.30 | VIP Bus |
| 11.30 | 22.30 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 16.00 | 03.00 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 18.00 | 05.00 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 19.00 | 04.30 | 1st Class Bus |
| 19.00 | 04.30 | VIP Bus |
| 20.00 | 07.00 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 20.00 | 05.30 | 1st Class Bus |
| 20.00 | 05.30 | VIP Bus |
| 21.00 | 08.00 | 2nd Class Bus |
| 21.00 | 06.30 | VIP Bus / No stop - Hot meals served on board |
Ticketing :
The Transport Company counters at Mo ChitAt Mo Chit outside on the 1st floor The Transport Company has a huge orange stand spreading from counter #23 to counter #31.
Tickets can be purchased up to 60 days before the departure date directly at Mo Chit.
You can also book your tickets by phoning their call centres:
Phone: 1490 (pay and collect your tickets using your ref. number at any Thai Ticket Major cinema in Thailand).
Phone: 02-8721777 (pay and collect your tickets using your ref.number at any 7/11 shop in Thailand).
To know more about The Transport Company contact their call centre at 1490 or go to their website (partially in English):
www.home.transport.co.th
Sombat Tour – “สมบัติทัวร์”
Buses :
Sombat Tour BusThis private company offers three different classes of buses on its Bangkok – Chiang Mai route:
- VIP Supreme Class = A/C double-decker bus, 32 seats, snacks and drinks, TV and lavatory on board.
Travelling time 9h30 / Ticket fare = 876 THB
- Super Class = A/C double-decker bus, 40 seats, snacks and drinks, TV and lavatory on board.
Travelling time 9h30 / Ticket fare = 657 THB
- Star Class = A/C single deck bus, 40 seats, snacks, TV and lavatory on board.
Travelling time 9h30 / Ticket fare = 563 THB
Sombat Tour - Schedule of Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 07.00 | 16.30 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 08.00 | 17.30 | Star Class |
| 09.00 | 18.30 | Super Class |
| 09.20 | 18.50 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 13.00 | 22.30 | Star Class |
| 14.00 | 23.30 | Star Class |
| 16.00 | 01.30 | Star Class |
| 18.00 | 03.30 | Star Class |
| 19.25 | 04.55 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 20.10* | 05.40 | Super Class |
| 20.25 | 05.55 | Star Class |
| 21.00 | 06.30 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 21.39 | 07.09 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 22.05 | 07.35 | Star Class |
*On Fri. and Sun. this bus is reserved for women.
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Sombat Tour - Schedule of Buses from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 07.30 | 17.00 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 08.00 | 17.30 | Super Class |
| 09.00 | 18.30 | Star Class |
| 10.00 | 19.30 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 12.45 | 22.15 | Star Class |
| 13.30 | 23.00 | Star Class |
| 17.30 | 03.00 | Star Class |
| 19.00 | 04.30 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 19.30 | 05.00 | Star Class |
| 19.45 | 05.15 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 20.00 | 05.30 | Star Class |
| 20.15* | 05.45 | Super Class |
| 20.30 | 06.00 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 21.00 | 06.30 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 21.00 | 06.30 | Star Class |
| 21.15 | 06.45 | Super Class |
| 21.30 | 07.00 | Star Class |
| 21.35 | 07.05 | VIP Supreme Class |
| 21.50 | 07.20 | VIP Supreme Class |
*On Fri. and Sun. this bus is reserved for women.
Note that Sombat Tour operates a twice a week “Lady bus” which are strictly reserved for women.
It leaves every Friday and Sunday at 20.10 on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus route and at 20.15 on the Chiang Mai to Bangkok bus route.
Ticketing :
Sombat countersTickets can be purchased up to 30 days in advance directly at the Sombat Tour counters at Mo Chit Bus Station (outside 1st Floor / counters A2, 1, 15, 16 and 17).
Or you can book tickets online here >
To know more go to www.sombattour.com or telephone their call centre on: 027921444.
Nakhonchai Air – “นครชัยแอร์”
This is another private bus company and our favourite because of its modern bus fleet, its punctuality and safety standards.
Buses :
Their Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus service offers 2 different kinds of single deck buses:
- First Class = A/C single deck bus, 21 or 30 massage seats, individual TV screens, snacks and drinks, hot meals served on board, lavatory.
Travelling time 9 hours / Ticket fare = 876 THB
- Gold Class = A/C single deck bus, 32 massage seats, TV on board, snacks, hot meals served on board, lavatory.
Travelling time 9 hours / Ticket fare = 657 THB
Nakhonchai Air Bus
Inside a First Class busNakhonchai Air - Bus Timetable from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
| Departure Time | Arrival Time | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 07.15 | 16.30 | Gold Class |
| 09.00 | 18.15 | Gold Class |
| 10.00 | 19.00 | First Class |
| 12.00 | 21.00 | Gold Class |
| 19.00 | 04.20 | Gold Class |
| 19.30 | 04.50 | Gold Class |
| 20.00 | 05.20 | Gold Class |
| 20.30 | 05.50 | Gold Class |
| 21.00 | 06.20 | Gold Class |
| 21.30 | 06.40 | Gold Class |
| 21.45 | 06.55 | Gold Class |
| 22.00 | 07.10 | Gold Class |
| 22.30 | 07.40 | First Class |
| 23.30 | 08.40 | Gold Class |
Nakhonchai Air - Bus Timetable from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
| Departure Time | Arrival Time | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|
| 07.15 | 16.05 | Gold Class |
| 09.00 | 17.50 | Gold Class |
| 10.00 | 18.55 | First Class |
| 10.30 | 19.25 | First Class |
| 12.00 | 20.55 | Gold Class |
| 13.15 | 22.10 | Gold Class |
| 19.00 | 04.10 | Gold Class |
| 19.30 | 04.40 | Gold Class |
| 20.00 | 05.10 | Gold Class |
| 20.30 | 05.40 | Gold Class |
| 21.00 | 06.10 | Gold Class |
| 21.20 | 06.25 | First Class |
| 21.30 | 06.35 | Gold Class |
| 22.00 | 07.05 | Gold Class |
| 22.30 | 07.35 | First Class |
| 23.00 | 08.05 | Gold Class |
Ticketing :
Tickets can be bought up to 30 days in advance at their ticket selling counter at Mo Chit Bus Terminal (ground floor outside counter 22A).
Nakhonchai Air counters at Mo chit
Nakhonchai Air small stationYou can also purchased your Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus tickets directly at the Nakhonchai Air small station which is located along Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road (about 1.5 km south from Mo Chit).
Actually, you can also board your bus there, as all their buses leave from this small station first and then make a stop at the nearby Mo Chit Bus Terminal to pick up more passengers before leaving for Chiang Mai.
Tickets can also be purchased by phoning their call centre: 1624 at least 12 hours before departure time.
Pay and collect your tickets using your given reference number at any 7/11 shop in Thailand.
To know more go to www.nca.co.th (in Thai only) or phone 029394999 ext. 1125, 1126
Buying Bus Tickets from a Bangkok Travel Agency
If you choose to buy your Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus tickets at one of the travel agencies found in Bangkok, you will obviously have to pay an extra charge.
Considering that it is quite easy and cheap to go to the Northern Bus Terminal on your own, we don't really advise you to go through a travel agent.
To know how to go to the Northern Bus Terminal click here >
If you purchase your tickets at one of the Khaosan Road travel agencies, there are a few things that you should know about these tourist buses:
- Khao San Road bus fares can be cheaper than in Mo Chit, but you will travel in a run-down double-decker bus with other foreign tourists (no Thai people).
- There are only evening departures (18.00 / 19.00 / 20.00) and the buses leave from Khaosan Road area and not from Mo Chit.
- The Khao San Road Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus is usually packed to the limit and doesn’t offer as much comfort (legroom) or as many on-board services (snacks and drinks) than the scheduled buses leaving from Mo Chit.
Many people still however use them, as they are cheap and they leave from the Koh San Road where many foreigners stay.
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