Bus or private car
| Option | Chiang Mai departure | Chiang Rai arrival | Journey | Sold online for November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbus coach | Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) | Bus Terminal 1, some services Terminal 2 | 3 to 4 hours | 409 or 621 THB per adult |
| Private car | Your hotel in Chiang Mai | Your hotel or a Chiang Rai terminal | About 3 hours | From about 2,550 THB per vehicle |
Check times & tickets Return journey
For three travellers, compare one car price with three bus seats plus a ride to and from each terminal. Neither option is a train: Chiang Mai is the end of the railway.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai bus: Greenbus from Arcade
Greenbus runs this route. Its own route notice names Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) as the departure point and Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 as the arrival for applicable services, with a typical journey of 3 to 4 hours.
For November 2026, two fare levels were sold online, the same in both directions: 409 THB, on services taking about 3 hr 45 min, and 621 THB, on faster services of about 3 hr 20 min. The ticket names the service class; Greenbus's own booking pages offer V and X choices.
Greenbus says its official online booking opens up to 30 days ahead, subject to availability. Plan your ride to Arcade from your hotel; the Chiang Mai guide covers getting around the city.
Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has two bus stations, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, in different places. Which one your bus uses decides how you reach your hotel.
On the dates checked, an 08:30 departure from Chiang Mai was sold to Terminal 2, arriving 11:40, while most other departures ran to Terminal 1. Read the arrival station on the ticket before booking a hotel pickup or planning to walk.
For onward trips, including the White Temple, Mae Sai and Chiang Khong for the Laos border, see the Chiang Rai guide and the Thailand–Laos border guide.
Private car and driver
Private cars were sold online for November 2026 from about 2,550 to 2,990 THB per vehicle, all charges included, for a small car or SUV with up to three passengers, taking about 3 hours. Prices are for the whole car, not per person. Some pick up at your Chiang Mai hotel and drop at a Chiang Rai hotel; others end at Terminal 1, so check both ends of the booking.
Coming back to Chiang Mai
The return uses the same fares, 409 or 621 THB, and Greenbus again lists Terminal 1 as the usual Chiang Rai departure. On the dates checked, a 13:10 service from Terminal 2 was also on sale, arriving at Chiang Mai Terminal 3 at 16:10. Check which terminal is nearer your hotel before choosing a departure.
From Chiang Rai Airport, AOT lists an airport taxi at a flat 150 THB per ride within Chiang Rai city, from Entrance 3, which is useful for reaching either bus terminal.
Questions before you go
Is there a train from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
No. Chiang Rai is not on the passenger rail network, and Chiang Mai is the end of the Northern Line. The journey is by road.
How far ahead can I book Greenbus?
Greenbus says its official online booking opens up to 30 days ahead, subject to availability. Weekend and holiday departures are the ones to book early.
Which Chiang Rai terminal will my bus use?
Greenbus names Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 for applicable services, but some tickets sold for November 2026 ran to or from Terminal 2. The terminal printed on the ticket is the one to plan around.
Thailand Transport Hub
Written and maintained from Bangkok. The people behind this site have lived in Thailand for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months.
