Chiang Rai is one of the top tourist destinations in North Thailand along with Chiang Mai and Pai. The city is known for its beautiful temples, lots of trekking opportunities, tribe hill villages, as well as proximity to attractions such as the Golden Triangle and the tea plantation.
While many visitors stay in Chiang Mai and take day trips to Chiang Rai, I highly recommend spending a few days in Chiang Rai to have more time to explore the city.
I personally traveled from Pai to Chiang Rai and from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, so in this article you will share my own experience of getting to Chiang Rai as well as some of other options that you can look at.
Generally, you can get to Chiang Rai by public transport such as buses, vans, and by airplane. There are no train stations in Chiang Rai. If you are confident driving, you can reach the city by car or scooter.
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How to get to Chiang Rai from Pai
The cheapest way to get from Pai to Chiang Rai is taking the minivan ride of Terminal Green Pai. You can book it at the tour agencies on Pai Walking Street or online though 12go.asia. It can be cheaper if you book in person at the tour agency but it does not always guarantee that you will have seats especially in the high season. You can book in advance at 12go.asia to ensure the transfer.
I booked my ticket in person the day before my departure. The vans are about a 7-8 hour ride. The van left at 7 am in the morning, stopping a few times on the road for the toilet and food. The driver also stops for 20 minutes at the White temple for anyone who wants to visit them.
The ride evolved into a quick transfer to another van on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. It was smooth and the driver showed me where exactly the next van to take to get to Chiang Rai.
I Arrived at the White temple in Chiang Rai at 1.40 pm. The driver said you can stop here for food or explore the temple for 20 minutes. Some passengers just took Grab from here to their hotel as Chiang Rai city center is not far away.
The final stop at the bus Terminal 2, which is a 10-15 minute drive from the city center. You can take tuk tuk from here as well as Grab taxi. It was 100 Baht for me to order a Grab taxi. You can share this with other people to save money.
Another cheaper option to get to the downtown from Bus terminal 2 is to take a Blue minibus – songthaew. It runs every 15 minutes. If you don’t want to wait, taking a taxi is a better option.
Lots of hostels and hotels also offer shared direct transfer from Pai to Chiang Rai. You have to pay a little bit more but maybe you can get to your destinations quicker, so you can check this with your hotel for more information. If you are with a group of friends, you might consider taking a private taxi.
How to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai
You can easily get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai by bus or minivan. I did not travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai but traveled from Chiang Rai To Chiang Mai by GreenBus by booking a ticket at the Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 Station.
It was easy to get to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 on foot as it is located right in the city center near the Night Bazaar. The Bus stop at the Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 which is outside of the old town. You’ll need to book Grab or tuk tuk to get to your accommodations in Chiang Rai City center.
The bus ride is around 3.5 to 4 hours. I recommend booking in advance to choose the time you want to leave, especially in the peak season. I book it in the evening before my departure days but no seats are available in the morning and I have to wait until the afternoon bus.
There might be minivan options that pick you up from your hotels in Chiang Mai and drop you off in your hotel in Chiang Rai. You can ask your hotel for more information.
How to get to Chiang Rai from Bangkok
There are lots of bus options from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. The ride is usually 12-13 hours. The bus will stop at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, and you’ll need additional transport to get to the city center.
You can also take the flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai if you are short on time. The airport is around 20 minute drive to the Chiang Rai Clock Tower, which is in central Chiang Rai. I’m sure you can easily get the taxi from the airport to your hotel.
How to get around Chiang Rai
While renting a motorbike is one of the best ways to explore Chiang Rai, it was easy for me to get around and explore the city without renting one. I explore a city on foot, on joint tours, and use Grab taxis sometimes.
Chiang Rai City Center On Foot
The city center is small where you can easily explore on foot. You can walk to the Night Bazaar, the Clock Tower, The bus terminal 1, as well as lots of restaurants and bars. Just be sure that you book your accommodation in the city center so you can access most tourist facilities by walking.
Explore Chiang Rai by riding share
For the short distance, you can use Grab. I personally use Grab taxis and found it was easy to use. You can also check Grab bikes if you are solo and don’t have suitcases with you.
I often used Bolt and InDrive in other cities of Thailand but didn’t try it in Chiang Rai. You can also check these Apps to compare the prices. You can use these riding share services to get from the airport to the hotel, or to nearby attractions such as the White Temple, the Blue Temple, or the Black House.
Rent a scooter
Renting a scooter is a great way to explore Thailand and Chiang Rai. I only recommend this if you are confident with your driving skill and have a valid international license.
Renting a motorbike will save you lots of money compared to hiring a private driver and taking a tour. It also gives your freedom to explore many corners that you want to visit.
If you decide to rent a motorbike, be sure to check the reputable shop and never leave your passport as deposit. The deposit is usually from 3000-5000 baht. Also take a lot of photos and videos before renting.
Taking tuk tuks and public transport – local buses
There are lots of tuk tuk in Chiang Rai. It is a fun way to travel around in the short distance. You’ll need to bargain the price before getting in though.
If you have lots of time or travel on a budget, you can take a look at local buses at the bus terminal 1 in the city center. There are lots of routes that take you to nearby towns and attractions such as White Temple, Black House, Mae Sai…
Join the guided tours
I like this option the most as I didn’t drive a motorbike in CHiang Rai. And it allows me to explore most of attractions within a short time. I used one full day for trekking and another full day for one day trips around Chiang Rai.
This day trip allowed me to visit highlights such as White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House, Long Neck Village, tea plantation, and the Golden Triangle.
The trekking day was fun with a visit to several hill tribe villages and bambook cooking with some of the most delicious food that I have tried in Thailand.
See more:
- How to Spend 2-3 Days In Chiang Rai Itinerary
- Top 14 Things to Do & See in Chiang Rai
- Best Places to Stay in Chiang Rai
There you have it, my recommendation for how to get to Chiang Rai and how to get around. Whether you plan to rent a motorbike, explore the city on guided tours, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip in this wonderful city.