For most travelers, the adventure in Thailand begins either in Phuket (south) or Bangkok (north), as these are the country’s main international airports. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the north, where many choose to spend a few days exploring Bangkok. If that’s also your plan, we invite you to check out our complete Bangkok's guide here!
The classic northern Thailand route typically includes stops in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. In this post, we’ll give you all the details on how to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, including the option to stop in Ayutthaya if you have enough time.
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through northern Thailand!
FROM BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI BY PLANE
Bangkok has two airports: the main international one, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), and Don Mueang (DMK), which handles more local and budget flights. To get to them, you can take a train or bus, but we recommend taking a taxi – just book a Grab and get directly from your hotel to the airport for under 20€.
Chiang Mai airport (CNX) receives flights from Don Mueang operated by Nok Air for just over 60€ round trip (depending on the season). Thai AirAsia also operates here – we flew with them from Bangkok to Japan and were very satisfied with their service and competitive prices.
From Suvarnabhumi, you’ll find flights operated by Bangkok Airways and Thai VietJet Air to Chiang Mai. The flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We recommend checking Google Flights or Kayak for options depending on your travel dates and schedule. If prices are too high, activate price alerts on either platform to receive email notifications and book when the best deal comes up.
FROM BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI BY TRAIN
Our top recommendation, after having done both the outbound and return journey, is to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, with a stop in Ayutthaya if you have the time.
The trip from Bangkok takes about 12-13 hours, most of which happens overnight. Trains typically depart around 8 pm from Bangkok and arrive around 9 am in Chiang Mai. This way, you can sleep during the journey, saving both time and the cost of one night’s accommodation.
There are options starting at 8€ per person, but pay attention to the class you choose. Third class has only fans, second class has seats with fans, while second-class sleepers come with air conditioning. First-class offers a private space with a seat that converts into a bed (these sell out quickly). We opted for the second-class sleeper with air conditioning, which provides a reserved seat that later turns into a bed with curtains for privacy. There's enough space for your luggage and backpacks too.
We booked through 12go.asia, selecting Thai Railways for both journeys: Train No. 9 for the outbound trip and Train No. 10 for the return. The train was on time, and very clean, you can watch it here in the reels we published. Around 9 pm, the seats are converted into beds so you can sleep whenever you wish. Santi took the upper bunk while I stayed in the lower one. If you sleep in the upper bunk, note that the air conditioning blows directly on you, so bring an extra sweater or blanket to stay warm. Also, the overhead light can make it difficult to sleep, so pack an eye mask if you think it might bother you.
There’s a dining car on the train where you can buy dinner or drinks and snacks throughout the trip. On the way there, we brought food we had purchased beforehand, while on the way back, we tried the menu they offered. As you’d expect, the prices were higher than in most local Thai restaurants, but at least the food was decent.
FROM BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI BY BUS
A less common, yet economical option for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai journey is by bus. Tickets start at around 15€, and the trip takes between 8 and 11 hours, depending on the stops. This makes it faster than the train. However, the downside is that the bus ride is usually during the day – you depart in the morning and arrive in the afternoon/evening, losing an entire day in transit.
If you’re on a tight budget and decide to take the bus, we recommend opting for a “VIP Bus,” which offers more comfortable seats. Be sure to check the company's reviews and bring a jacket or blanket, as the air conditioning can be strong.
Most buses to Chiang Mai depart from Mo Chit station in Bangkok. You can check all the options and book tickets through 12go.asia.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: A STOP IN AYUTTHAYA
After visiting the city of Bangkok, and before heading to the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai region, we suggest an idea that we tried ourselves and would definitely repeat:
Get up as early as possible and take a private transfer with a guide from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350 to 1767 and it is one of the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia. We chose this option because we wanted a guide to explain the history of the place, and we truly enjoyed learning about everything we visited. If you prefer to go on your own, or if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can take the train from Bangkok. Tickets start at around 1€, with a similar travel time to a car, and there are even options that take just over half an hour.
We believe that to properly explore the historic city of Ayutthaya, you need at least 4 hours. After seeing all the must-see spots in Ayutthaya, you can head to the train station where the Bangkok - Chiang Mai line stops, allowing you to continue your journey north after exploring a city rich in history and deeply significant to Thailand's past.
If you'd like us to prepare a blog post with all the must-see spots in Ayutthaya, let us know in the comments section below! <3
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR YOUR TRIP TO THAILAND:
- To enter Thailand, you’ll need a valid passport with at least six months of validity from your entry date. No visa is required for Spanish citizens for tourist stays, and you can remain in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, extendable by another 30 days at immigration offices.
- When traveling abroad, it's highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers you for any unexpected events. Here’s a 5% discount for Iati Insurance, just click here!
- Staying connected while traveling is essential for us. Whether you need directions from Google Maps or want to contact family or friends anytime, an eSIM provides the peace of mind of having data anywhere. If you buy your Thailand eSIM from Airalo by clicking here and using the code AIRALOESIM10, you'll get a 10% discount on your purchase. If you’ve never tried Airalo’s eSIMs before, you can get 15% off with the code NEWTOAIRALO15.
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