The last place of any size and note before hitting Thailand’s northernmost border with Burma is Chiang Rai. Smaller than its more well known neighbour Chiang Mai, Chaing Rai is increasing in popularity with tourists and is rapidly becoming a more regular feature on travel itineraries.
At over 800km from Bangkok and without a train station it is slightly less accessible than Chiang Mai. Ways to get to Chian Rai:
Car: Obviously if you have one then fine otherwise hiring a car is always an option, with or without a driver. Talk to taxi drivers, many are prepared to drive tourists to even the most remote areas of Thailand, for a fee. Ideally you need to make sure the taxi looks half decent and then prepare to battle the price down.
Train: With no train link to Chiang Rai the only option by rail is Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then car or bus up to Chiang Rai. The train to Chiang Mai is between 250 baht and 1,400 baht depending on class and then a three hours bus journey to Chiang Rai. Green Bus offers an air-con return trip for 520 baht but cheaper options are available.
Bus: The 11 hour trip by bus can be made from Bangkok’s northern bus terminal and will cost you from 239 baht for a non-air bus up to 900 baht for a VIP air-con service with less seats. Check around the travel agents on Khao San Road and you might find other deals direct from there.
Air: Not that domestic air travel should be encouraged in any way shape or form but yes, budget flights are available. Air Asia, Nok Air, One-to-Go and the not so budget Thai Airways all offer regular daily flights. Economy return with Thai is in the region of 6,000 baht and as with most budget airlines the price varies from almost nothing up to Thai Airways prices. Having said that One-to-Go are fairly consistent at 1,750 baht one way. Sure air is great if you’re really short on time but it’s not quite the same experience as rail.
Hi Thaiqa
Nice site – I found this post interesting.
I visited Chiang Mai 4 years ago and loved it.. but I had heard that it was not so good now.. maybe I’ll go take a look at Chiang Rai later in the year…
Thanks for that. Chiang Rai is lovely. Not only that, the countryside in that area is out of this world and best viewed on two wheels.
Thanks
I drove back down from Chiang Mai, rental car, they picked up in Bangkok, great roads and well sign posted.
Thanks for the comment Chris. My experience too, roads OK in most areas and easy to follow. Nice country to drive in.
Hi! We will be going to Chiang Rai this Sunday, I’m from the Philippines.
Are the buses going there 24hours? Coz we will arrive to bangkok at around 11pm.
Hi, sorry but I have to disagree. Sure, when you get into the countryside, Thailand is a nice place for driving around, but on the main roads you have to battle against motorbikes and filthy trucks on the left, and crazy kamikazi U-turns on the right. Then all of a sudden the lane will stop, when you’re travelling at 120 km/h in the fast lane!!
Driving on main roads in Thailand for me is a very tiring experience, which requires 100% concentration all the time. When I get to the destination, I feel like I’ve done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.
And don’t even get me started on signage …
I quite like to sleepover train. I can never sleep of coaches but I can sleep well on trains. Mind you, the last train I went on in Thailand, the air-con system was pulling in air from the toilet, and the whole carridge smelt like piss! It was so bad I couldn’t sleep. I felt quite sick in the morning!