How to Take the Bus to and From Chiang Mai

The bus can be a convenient way to get to cities close or far from Chiang Mai. Learn how to take the bus to and from Chiang Mai

One of the reasons we prefer buses is that they can be far more comfortable than an airplane or the train. Buses can also reach many more places in Thailand than other modes of transportation. Usually, tickets are affordable too!

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What to expect when you take a bus in Thailand

Taking the bus to or from Chiang Mai is always an adventure!

Buses range from top of the line, to rickety, to how in the is this thing still on the road?!

There are karaoke party buses that will keep you up all night, and there are mini-buses which are really vans. Some buses are two levels, other one. Most come with air conditioning, but always ask because you don’t want the dreaded fan. And remember to bring sweaters or blankets to deal with the polar icy chill of the air con.

Also ask if there are toilets on board, especially if you are travelling with kids! Most, if not all of the buses will make stops along the way. The stops are usually at a food centre where you can purchase snack, lunch or dinner and very importantly, have a proper pee break. Stops usually last for 15-20 minutes, but confirm with the driver or other passengers to make it back to your seats on time.

Still unsure about taking the bus in Thailand? Nat from Love & Road has a useful guide with great tips about how to travel in Thailand by bus.

How to book a bus ticket in Thailand

You can book through an agent, or your guesthouse. You can also book in person directly at the bus stations.

The most convenient way is through online ticket booking through 12go.asia.

12go is great because they show you photos of exactly the type of transport you are going to get including photographs of the exterior and interior of the buses. You want to make sure you’re not on the orange rickety buses that have no a/c! They also inform you of how many seats are available and let you pre-book your seats 🙂 In addition they offer travel insurance (a wise decision if you don’t have some already) and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.

When searching 12go.asia it will show you all available modes of transportation for your route, so if no bus tickets pop up, it means either there are no bus tickets left, no buses operate on that day or time, or no buses operate on that route. Happy searching!

Just remember to print your tickets!!!

Bus stations in Chiang Mai

There are now three bus stations in Chiang Mai.

Bus Terminal 1

The first is Chang Phuak Bus Station also called Bus Terminal 1. It’s more of a rainbow of a songtaew hub. This is where you would go to grab any of the coloured trucks to take you to places near Chiang Mai. Orange buses and blue buses, which are the most basic buses you can get; hard seat, open window, diesel guzzling type vehicles, also operate from here.

Such destinations that can be reached from here are: Mae Rim, Chiang Dao, Fang, Tha Ton, Phrao, Hot, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, Samoeng, Sankampaeng, Baan Tawai, and more. Be sure to check these cities out in our day trips section!

Find the location of Bus Terminal 1 Chiang Mai in Google Maps.

Bus Terminals 2 & 3

More commonly known as Arcade Bus Station, they operate from the same location directly across from one another. Buses leaving from here are air conditioned, soft seat reclining type. Some have on-board washrooms, while others don’t. It’s best to ask!

Most of these buses make stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers or for meal breaks or driver switches.

The areas serviced from here are: Bangkok Mo Chit bus station, the Northern provinces including Chiang Mai, some Middle provinces, North-Eastern provinces, some of Southern Thailand such as Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Phang Nga and Phuket, some areas west and east of Bangkok such as Kanchanaburi, Chonburi, Pattaya and Rayong, and finally Luang Prabang in Laos.

Find the location of Arcade Bus Terminal Chiang Mai in Google Maps

Nakhonchai Air

This is absolutely the best bus option for families! This is my personal bus favourite and the most kid friendly. Nakhonchai Air no longer operates out of Arcade Bus Station. Due to its popularity and increased space requirements it moved just around the corner.

Nakhonchair buses are the Airbuses of the road! They come with stewardesses (think in-flight service!), meals, drinks, and hot towels. Depending on the class of bus booked you could get reclining massage chairs, in seat movie screens with tv shows and films in both Thai and English.

Some screens even have built in gaming consoles with game pads. Great for the kids to keep them occupied. You can now easily book tickets through their website and pay at any 7-11!

Find the location of Nakonchai Air bus station in Chiang Mai in Google Maps