Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: Take the Greenbus Bus

Take the Greenbus. It runs ten times a day from Chiang Mai, the first at 07:00 and the last at 18:30, and the trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. You see the fare on FairFair after you pick a departure.

There is no direct passenger train between the two cities, so the Greenbus is your ride. It takes about 3 to 4 hours, and you buy the ticket on FairFair, which shows the fare once you pick a departure.

When the buses leave

From Chiang Mai, ten buses run every day. They leave at 07:00, 07:30, 08:45, 09:30, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00, 17:00, 18:15 and 18:30. Monday adds an early bus at 06:00, and Friday and Sunday add one at 16:00.

Coming back, ten buses run daily from Chiang Rai, the first at 07:30 and the last at 18:30. Mondays add one at 10:45, and Fridays and Sundays add one at 14:30. Times can change, so check your date before you pay.

Where you get on and off

Buses leave from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade) and arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, also called the Old Transport Night Bazaar, a name worth giving your driver. Terminals can differ by service, so go by your booking confirmation.

Booking

Tickets are sold on fairfair.co.th and at fairfair counters in Greenbus stations and offices. Book online up to 30 days ahead, subject to availability. Weekends and holidays are busy, so we recommend booking those departures early.

Put your own first and last name on the ticket, and if you pay on the FairFair website, finish within 2 hours of booking. Pets of any kind cannot travel on the bus.

Bus classes

V-Class and X-Class are the ones to check on this route, subject to availability. V-Class is a first-class air-conditioned bus with VIP seats and a toilet. A-Class has standard seats and no toilet.

If your plans change

You can postpone a ticket to another date if you notify Greenbus at least 24 hours before departure. Otherwise tickets cannot be cancelled, with exceptions such as illness or an accident, where you submit a medical certificate within 3 days of the travel date.

Day trip or overnight

A same-day round trip takes roughly 6 to 8 hours on buses, before waiting and sightseeing. Direct scheduled flights between the two cities are not generally available, so plan on the bus for the way back too.

The White Temple is about 12 km from Chiang Rai city centre, around 20 to 25 minutes by car, taxi or hired transport. Tickets and hours are in the White Temple guide.

For Chiang Mai itself, see the Chiang Mai first-time guide. For hotels, cafes and food in both cities, use the sister guide at chiangmaijao.com (opens in a new tab). Getting around Thailand covers the other routes, and the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train guide covers the way up from Bangkok.

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Not confirmed: Greenbus does not print fares as text, so check the fare on FairFair. Which departure stops at the White Temple is not stated. Online advance booking is 30 days in the newest Greenbus text, but 60 days at its counters.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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