Domestic flights direct to Chiang Mai:
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) offers direct domestic flights from Bangkok, Phuket, KohSamui, Krabi, Trat, Mae Hong Song, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Pai, UdonThani and UbonRatchathani.
By Plane:
Various daily flights and times from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and Don Muang Domestic Airport. Flight time is just over one hour. Upon arrival you will likely have taxi touts approach you. You can either go through them or via the counter desks. Taxi meter is the usual mode of transport from the airport into town. (Approximately 120 baht).
By Train:
Chiang Mai Train Station is located approximately 3 km from the city centre. The journey takes on average around 12 hours, with a total distance of about 700 kilometers. Overnight sleepers are available (if you choose the overnight sleeper, we recommend you book bottom bunks. Much roomier, and more comfortable. There are no individual compartments, except in first class). Food and drink is available on board, at a reasonable price and served at your seat (meal and drink is typically under 100 baht). Train prices vary depending on class of travel (anything from a few hundred baht up to approximately 1500 baht). Tuk-Tuk’s (motorcycle rickshaw), and Songtaews (red taxis) are the usual mode of transport from the train station into town and can be found easily outside of the main station (approximate cost: Songtaew: 50 baht; Tuktuk: 100 baht)
By Bus:
There are various companies running regular bus routes (usually hourly) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Most often than not they leave on time, so best to be on time! They vary in comfort from budget to VIP, and the journey takes approximately 10 hours. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will depart at Arcade Bus Station which is located approximately 3 km from the city centre. Be pre-warned that as soon as you depart the bus, you will be bombarded by drivers looking for business. You can either negotiate a price with one of these Tuk-Tuk drivers (approximately 100 Baht) or walk past them and find a red Songtaew (price approximately 50 baht, but you will have to wait until the songtaew is full of passengers before leaving).
Self-drive Route:
Approximately 800km, the road once clear of Bangkok traffic can be relatively free of heavy traffic. Goods vehicles and buses usually travel the route at night, so a daytime journey may actually be a better choice. Plus, driving during daylight hours will be a much safer trip. The main route is by expressway, so a straight-forward drive, with plenty of motorway services and garages on route.
(Note: One alternative is to take a public taxi or AOT Limousine Service to Bangkok airport/bus station/train station. Taxi will cost approximately 1400 baht (including expressway tolls), AOT Limousine costing around 3000-3500 baht.)
By Plane:
Take a bus, taxi or AOT Limousine to the airport. Buses run from three stations: North Pattaya (PattayaNua), Central Pattaya (Sukhumvit Road) and Jomtien Beach. The bus Stations run various standard of buses to Bangkok from Government Bus Service through to private companies. Various daily flights and times from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and Don Muang Domestic Airport. Flight time is just over one hour. Upon arrival you will likely have taxi touts approach you. You can either go through them or via the counter desks. Taxi meter is the usual mode of transport from the airport into town. (Approximately 120 baht).
By Train:
There is only one third-class train daily (weekdays) between Bangkok and Pattaya (and onwards to Ban Plutaluang). It does not run weekends/holidays. The alternative is to take a bus or taxi to the Train Station in Bangkok. Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The journey takes on average around 12 hours, with a total distance of about 700 kilometers. Overnight sleepers are available (if you choose the overnight sleeper, we recommend you book bottom bunks. Much roomier, and more comfortable. There are no individual compartments, except in first class). Food and drink is available on board, at a reasonable price and served at your seat (meal and drink is typically under 100 baht). Train prices vary depending on class of travel (anything from a few hundred baht up to approximately 1500 baht). Chiang Mai Train Station is located approximately 3 km from the city centre. Tuk-Tuk’s (motorcycle rickshaw), and Songtaews (red taxis) are the usual mode of transport from the train station into town and can be found easily outside of the main station (approximate cost: Songtaew: 50 baht; Tuktuk: 100 baht)
By Bus:
Pattaya has three bus stations: North Pattaya (PattayaNua), Central Pattaya (Sukhumvit Road) and Jomtien Beach. The bus Stations run various standard of buses to Bangkok from Government Bus Service through to private companies. Ask at the counter for the service and destination. You can go direct from Pattaya to Chiang Mai. Via Bangkok there are various companies running regular bus routes (usually hourly) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Most often than not they leave on time, so best to be on time! They vary in comfort from budget to VIP, and the journey takes approximately 10 hours. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will depart at Arcade Bus Station which is located approximately 3 km from the city centre. Be pre-warned that as soon as you depart the bus, you will be bombarded by drivers looking for business. You can either negotiate a price with one of these Tuk-Tuk drivers (approximately 100 Baht) or walk past them and find a red Songtaew (price approximately 50 baht, but you will have to wait until the songtaew is full of passengers before leaving).
Self-drive Route:
There are a couple of routes to take when driving from Pattaya to Chiang Mai. Look for the signs to Ayuthaya. Approximately 850km, the road can be relatively free of heavy traffic. Goods vehicles and buses usually travel the route at night, so a daytime journey may actually be a better choice. Plus, driving during daylight hours will be a much safer trip. The main route is by expressway, so a straight-forward drive, with plenty of motorway services and garages on route.
By Plane:
Both Bangkok Air and Air Asia fly direct from Phuket to Chiang Mai. Flight time is approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival you will likely have taxi touts approach you. You can either go through them or via the counter desks. Taxi meter is the usual mode of transport from the airport into town. (Approximately 120 baht).
By Train (& Bus.Combined trip):
If wishing to travel by road, one comfortable way is via a combined bus and train trip. An air-conditioned bus from Phuket Bus Station to SuratThani will take around 4-6 hours. From SuratThani you can take the train direct to Chiang Mai. The combined bus and train fare will be approximately 1,600 baht (1st class sleeper) or 1000 baht (2nd class sleeper).
By Bus:
There is a main bus terminal from Phuket town to Bangkok. Although Phuket is an island - there is a bridge that connects them to the mainland. The bus ride is approximately 12 hours (Phuket to Bangkok). Prices vary depending on time of day and class of service, the most expensive ticket around approximately 1200 baht (VIP). From Bangkok you can there are hourly bus services to Chiang Mai. They vary in comfort from budget to VIP, and the journey takes approximately 10 hours. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will depart at Arcade Bus Station which is located approximately 3km from the city centre. Be pre-warned that as soon as you depart the bus, you will be bombarded by drivers looking for business. You can either negotiate a price with one of these Tuk-Tuk drivers (approximately 100 Baht) or walk past them and find a red Songtaew (price approximately 50 baht, but you will have to wait until the songtaew is full of passengers before leaving).
