Chiang Mai First-Time Guide: Train 9 Reaches It at 07:15, 2026 Burning Ban Ran to 31 May
Overnight train 9 leaves Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) at 18:40 and is listed at Chiang Mai at 07:15. The smoke season is the burning-ban period: in 2026 burning was banned in all areas until 31 May. Doi Inthanon costs a foreign adult THB 300. Visa extensions are at 71 Moo 3, Airport Road.
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Getting to Chiang Mai by train
The northern line timetable shows overnight trains 9, 13 and 51 leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40, 20:05 and 22:30. They are listed at Chiang Mai at 07:15, 08:45 and 11:40. Train 109 leaves at 14:15 and is listed at 04:00. Train 7 is the day option.
| Train | Leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat | Listed at Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 18:40 | 07:15 |
| 13 | 20:05 | 08:45 |
| 51 | 22:30 | 11:40 |
| 109 | 14:15 | 04:00 |
| 7 | 07:30 | 17:50 |
Train fares
The SRT booking system showed these fares for 18 November 2026 departures. Fares shift with the train fee and the date, so confirm the date you travel.
| Train | 2nd class sleeper (upper / lower) | 2nd class fan seat | 3rd class fan seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | THB 938 / 1,038 | none listed | none listed |
| 13 | THB 768 / 838 | THB 468 | THB 310 |
| 51 | THB 728 / 798 | none listed | none listed |
| 109 | THB 688 / 758 | THB 388 | THB 230 |
| 7 (day) | none | THB 558, air-conditioned seat | none |
Train 109 is the cheapest overnight option and train 9 the dearest. The full fare breakdown, first class and the discount rules are in the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train guide.
Trains back to Bangkok
Trains leave Chiang Mai at 06:25 (102), 07:30 (8), 15:30 (52), 17:05 (14) and 18:20 (10). They are listed at Krung Thep Aphiwat at 20:05, 17:40, 05:10, 05:55 and 06:30.
Book the ticket
Book on the SRT e-ticket site, then follow these steps.
- Register or log in first.
- Choose the northern line in the search.
- Pick an air-conditioned, fan or sleeper car.
- Check the fare in the black bar at the bottom before you pay.
- Call the SRT hotline 1690 with questions.
From Chiang Mai Airport into town
The airport shuttle vans leave from the international terminal, gate 12. Line A1 costs THB 40 and runs via Nimmanhaemin Road and Huay Kaew Road to the Old City. Line A2 also costs THB 40 and runs via Mahidol Road and the Night Bazaar to hotels around Chang Khlan Road. Line A3 costs THB 60 and runs via Ring Road 2 to the 700th Anniversary Sports Complex.
City buses run from the airport from 06.00 to 23.30. Red songthaew serve the city and your destination. TDAC kiosks are at Chiang Mai Airport.
Which area to stay in
The airport’s own shuttle routes mark the areas visitors use:
| Area | Shuttle line |
|---|---|
| Nimmanhaemin Road, Huay Kaew Road and the Old City | A1, THB 40 |
| Mahidol Road, the Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan Road | A2, THB 40 |
| Ring Road 2 and the 700th Anniversary Sports Complex | A3, THB 60 |
For hotels, cafes and food with maps, use the sister guide at chiangmaijao.com (opens in a new tab).
Park fees around Chiang Mai
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park charges a foreign adult THB 100 and a foreign child THB 50. Doi Inthanon National Park charges a foreign adult THB 300 and a foreign child THB 150. The park department’s rate schedule has applied since 7 June 2022, but Doi Suthep-Pui only started collecting it on 1 October 2025; Doi Inthanon has charged since 2022.
A child is aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3 and disabled people are exempt, and the senior exemption covers Thai seniors aged 60 and over only.
| Park | Foreign adult | Foreign child | Rate collected from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doi Suthep-Pui | THB 100 | THB 50 | 1 Oct 2025 |
| Doi Inthanon | THB 300 | THB 150 | 7 Jun 2022 |
Vehicles pay on top: a 4-wheel car THB 30 and a motorcycle THB 20.
Doi Suthep and the temple road
Collection at Doi Suthep-Pui started on 1 October 2025 at the trails and waterfalls. It applies at the Pha Lat Nature Trail, Huai Kaew Waterfall, Wang Bua Ban-Pha Ngoap Waterfall, Doi Pui and Suan Son Resort.
Foreign visitors pay 50 baht for children and 100 baht for adults. Thai visitors pay 10 baht for children and 20 baht for adults. There is no entrance fee for visiting Wat Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat by the main road.
Smoke season and air quality
In 2026 the provincial ‘Chiang Mai does not burn’ campaign ran from 1 January to 31 May. On 29 April 2026 the deputy governor asked people to stop open burning under the ban that runs until 31 May 2026. In 2025 the ban ran from 1 January to 15 May.
That stretch, January to May, is the one to plan around. The worst readings fall at the end of March and in April: Chang Phueak in central Chiang Mai was at red level for 4 days running from 29 March 2026.
Chiang Mai recorded 110.3 µg/m³ of PM2.5 at Chang Phueak on 1 April 2026. Thai law sets the 24-hour limit at 37.5 µg/m³. Follow readings on Air4Thai.
| PM2.5 daily average | PCD index band |
|---|---|
| 25.1–37.5 µg/m³ | AQI 51–100 |
| 75.1 µg/m³ and above | AQI 201 and above |
The Thai Meteorological Department’s Chiang Mai station counts days with haze by month. March is the worst month and June and July have none.
| Month | Days with haze, 1991–2020 average |
|---|---|
| Jan | 18.7 |
| Feb | 22.1 |
| Mar | 26.8 |
| Apr | 17.1 |
| May | 1.5 |
| Jun | 0.0 |
| Jul | 0.0 |
| Aug | 0.2 |
| Sep | 1.3 |
| Oct | 6.7 |
| Nov | 7.8 |
| Dec | 13.5 |
Open burning that causes a nuisance carries up to 3 months in jail or a fine up to THB 25,000. Burning in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries carries 4 to 20 years.
Day trips to Chiang Rai and Pai
Chiang Rai is 180 to 185 km by road and Greenbus takes 3 to 4 hours. Buses leave from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade). Daily departures from Chiang Mai are 07:00, 07:30, 08:45, 09:30, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00, 17:00, 18:15 and 18:30.
Buy Greenbus tickets on fairfair.co.th or at fairfair counters in Greenbus stations and offices. The FairFair call centre is 053 142 888.
Pai is 135 km from Chiang Mai on Highway 1095. That road runs 246 km to Mae Hong Son.
Extending your stay at Chiang Mai Immigration
Chiang Mai Immigration is at 71 Moo 3, Sanam Bin (Airport) Road, Suthep, Mueang. The telephone is 053 201 755. A tourist extension of stay costs THB 1,900.
An online e-Extension service exists for certain visa types. The office points applicants to thaiextension.vfsevisa.com.
A second service point is at Central Festival Chiangmai, 2nd floor. It is open 09:00 to 17:00 and extends short-term tourist visas. Re-entry permits are handled there from 09:00 to 12:00. The 90-day report is also taken there.
Full rules: the visa exemption guide and the 90-day report guide.
Health and emergencies
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai’s Trauma Center of Excellence is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital is at 110 Inthawarorot Rd., Sri Phum. Its emergency room is open 24 hours a day.
Call 1669 for a medical emergency. The Chiang Mai Tourist Police Station is on the force’s station list. More numbers are in Thailand emergency numbers and tourist police.
Before you go
- Book the train on a registered SRT account.
- Check PM2.5 on Air4Thai before you plan outdoor days.
- The 2026 ‘Chiang Mai does not burn’ campaign started on 1 January.
- Park fees are per person, with vehicles extra.
- Keep 1669 for emergencies.
Not confirmed: Train fares are the booking system's figures for one November departure: check your own date. Call 1690 for help. Flight fares and Bangkok bus fares have no official source on file. Red-songthaew, taxi and Grab prices have none either. Elephant-camp welfare standards are not covered: ask at the airline, the terminal and the gate.
Common questions
How long is the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Train 9 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40 and is listed at Chiang Mai at 07:15 the next morning. Train 7 is a day train: it leaves at 07:30 and is listed at 17:50.
Which Bangkok station do trains to Chiang Mai use?
The trains in the table leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat. Trains 9, 13 and 51 are the overnight departures from there.
How much is the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
On 18 November 2026 departures a 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper berth on train 9 costs THB 938 upper or THB 1,038 lower. On train 109 it costs THB 688 or THB 758. Day train 7 has air-conditioned seats at THB 558.
How do I book an SRT train to Chiang Mai?
Register or log in on the SRT e-ticket site first. Choose the northern line, then pick an air-conditioned, fan or sleeper car. The system shows the full fare before you pay.
How do I get from Chiang Mai Airport to the Old City?
Airport shuttle line A1 runs via Nimmanhaemin Road and Huay Kaew Road to the Old City for THB 40. The shuttles leave from the international terminal, gate 12.
When is the burning season in Chiang Mai?
The season is January to May. In 2026 burning was banned in all areas until 31 May, and the province's 'Chiang Mai does not burn' campaign ran from 1 January to 31 May. In 2025 the ban ran from 1 January to 15 May. In 2026 central Chiang Mai had red-level PM2.5 from 29 March into April.
What PM2.5 level counts as unhealthy in Thailand?
The Thai 24-hour PM2.5 standard is 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre. A reading of 75.1 or more falls in the top red band.
How much does Doi Inthanon cost for foreigners?
A foreign adult pays THB 300 and a foreign child THB 150. A car adds THB 30 and a motorcycle THB 20.
Where do I extend my stay in Chiang Mai?
The Chiang Mai Immigration office is at 71 Moo 3, Sanam Bin (Airport) Road, Suthep. A tourist extension of stay costs THB 1,900.
How long is the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Greenbus takes about 3 to 4 hours for the 180 to 185 km. It leaves from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade).
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