Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: VIP Bus, Express Bus or Minivan?
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai runs through mountainous northern Thailand with no rail link, so the road is the only way. Green Bus operates 13 daily departures, 6 VIP and 7 Express, covering the 182 km route between Chiang Mai Arcade and Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1. The VIP service is fastest at about 3h20 with a wider reclining seat; Express is a little slower and cheaper. A shared minivan is quicker still but far more cramped. Here is how the options compare.
| Distance | About 182 km |
|---|---|
| Fastest | Shared minivan (about 3 hours) |
| Most comfortable | Green Bus VIP (about 3h20) |
| Frequency | 13 direct Green Bus departures a day |
| Mode | Operator | Duration | Approx fare | Overnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | Green Bus VIP (direct) 6 direct departures a day, wide reclining seats, a rest stop roughly halfway. |
about 3h20 | approx €8 to €12 | No | Check on 12Go → |
| Bus | Green Bus Express (direct) 7 direct departures a day, standard seating. |
about 3h45 | approx €6 to €9 | No | Check on 12Go → |
| Van | Shared minivan (direct) Fastest option and direct, but tightly packed with limited luggage space. |
about 3 hours | approx €8 to €11 | No | Check on 12Go → |
Fares are approximate and shown for comparison. Confirm live prices and times on 12Go before booking.
Loading things to do...
Loading things to do...
Activities load from Viator. Booking opens on Viator, and we may earn a commission.
How long is the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Is there a train from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
How many buses run from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai each day?
Is the minivan faster than the bus?
What is the best way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Plan your own version
Set your dates, budget and pace, and the planner builds an optimized trip with live prices.
Hotel options and prices come from Agoda and update at booking time; sample data shown if live pricing is unavailable. Transport fares are estimates, confirmed on 12Go.