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.
Location MapArcade 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 Wall
Wat Inthakhin Saduemuang inside the Old CityThe 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 Station
The newer Terminal 3Arcade 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.
Following are a few options for how to get to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station
By Red Car (Songthaew)
Red car in Chiang Mai Thailand
Inside a Red carIf 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 Terminal 2
Red car stand at Terminal 3Find the best places to stay in Chiang Mai.
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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 Station
Tuk Tuk driver waiting for a customerYou 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 3By Taxi
A Taxi in Chiang Mai
Taxi stand at Arcade Bus Station Chiang MaiOne 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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