What is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

The overnight train is the best combination of price, comfort, and experience. A first-class sleeper (฿1,300–1,600) is comfortable and gives you an evening in Bangkok and a morning arrival in Chiang Mai — essentially a free night's accommodation. The flight is 1h20m and starts at ฿800–1,200 on low-cost carriers but requires airport transfers at both ends. The bus is cheaper but takes 8–10 hours and is significantly less comfortable.

Is Grab safe and reliable in Thailand?

Yes. Grab operates in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and most tourist cities. The app gives a fixed price before booking — eliminating the negotiation that standard taxis require. Drivers are rated and traceable. It's the recommended option for most city-to-city journeys within a given destination. Available on iOS and Android; payment by card or cash.

Getting Around Thailand | The Thailand Guides

Bangkok transport

BTS Skytrain and MRT Metro

Bangkok’s two rail networks cover the central and expanded city. The BTS (above-ground) connects most tourist and business areas: Sukhumvit, Silom, Chatuchak, On Nut. The MRT (underground) loops through Hua Lamphong, Chatuchak, Silom/Lumphini, and now extends to the outer suburbs.

A Rabbit Card (BTS) or stored-value MRT card makes journeys faster than buying single tickets. Cards available at all stations. Single fares: ฿17–62 depending on distance.

The rail network does not reach the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, or Khao San Road — these require a ferry, tuk-tuk, or Grab.

Chao Phraya River Ferry

A practical commuter option for riverside destinations. The Express Boat (orange and yellow flag boats) runs from Nonthaburi in the north to Rat Burana in the south, stopping at major piers including Saphan Taksin (BTS connection), Tha Chang (Grand Palace), Tha Tien (Wat Pho/Wat Arun ferry), and Tha Phra Athit (Khao San Road area). Fare: ฿10–32. A day pass (฿150) covers unlimited orange-flag boat rides.

Grab vs metered taxis

Grab gives a fixed price and traceable driver — highly recommended over standard taxis, which sometimes refuse to use the meter in tourist areas. If using a metered taxi, insist on the meter before getting in. Starting rate: ฿35 flag-fall + ฿2–5 per km. Expressway tolls are additional.

Airport Rail Link

Connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan (City Air Terminal) and Phaya Thai BTS station in 30 minutes. Fare: ฿45. Runs 6am–midnight. Significantly faster and cheaper than taxi for the city centre.

Intercity transport

Trains

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) operates an extensive network covering most major destinations. Sleeper trains are the highlight — the Bangkok–Chiang Mai overnight train runs daily, with first-class air-con sleepers (฿1,300–1,600), second-class sleepers (฿700–900), and seated second class (฿300–600).

Key routes and journey times:

Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 11–13 hours (overnight, departs Hua Lamphong ~18:00)
Bangkok → Ayutthaya: 1.5 hours (frequent daily trains)
Bangkok → Kanchanaburi: 3.5 hours (departs Thonburi station)
Bangkok → Surat Thani: 8–10 hours (overnight options available for Koh Samui ferry connection)

Book at Hua Lamphong station or the SRT online booking portal. Peak season (December–February, Songkran) books up fast for sleeper berths.

Buses

Government and private buses connect every destination in Thailand at lower prices than trains and flights. The main terminals in Bangkok are Mo Chit (Chatuchak area, for northern and northeastern routes) and Sai Tai Mai (southern bus terminal, for Kanchanaburi and southern routes).

Private minivans (rot doo) are faster for shorter routes — Bangkok to Hua Hin (3.5 hours, ฿200), Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (2 hours, ฿120), Chiang Mai to Pai (3 hours, ฿150). Depart frequently from their own terminals rather than the main bus stations.

Domestic flights

Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways connect major cities. Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (international + some domestic) and Don Mueang (primarily low-cost domestic and budget international).

Useful routes and approximate prices:

Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 1h20m, from ฿800
Bangkok → Phuket: 1h20m, from ฿900
Bangkok → Koh Samui: 1h15m (Bangkok Airways only), from ฿2,500
Bangkok → Krabi: 1h20m, from ฿900

Don Mueang serves AirAsia and Nok Air. Suvarnabhumi serves Bangkok Airways (which has a monopoly on Koh Samui routes and prices accordingly). Check both airports when searching.

Getting to islands

Ferries and speedboats

All Thai islands are reached by boat. Main connections:

Phuket → Koh Phi Phi: 45 minutes speedboat or 2 hours ferry. Rassada Pier.
Surat Thani → Koh Samui: 1.5 hours (Raja Ferry). Alternatively, Donsak pier.
Koh Samui → Koh Phangan: 30 minutes, multiple daily, ฿200.
Koh Phangan → Koh Tao: 1 hour, ฿250.
Krabi/Ao Nang → Koh Lanta: 1.5–2 hours by speedboat, ฿350–450.

High-season ferry routes run multiple times daily. In low season, some speedboat services reduce to once daily or stop entirely — always confirm before travelling.

Lomprayah and Songserm are the main high-speed catamaran operators; Raja Ferry and Seatran run slower car ferries that also take vehicles.

Local transport

Songthaews

Pickup trucks with covered beds and bench seats. Fixed routes in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and most provincial cities. Fares: ฿20–50 for standard routes. Hail from the roadside; tell the driver your destination before getting in. No fixed stops — ask to be dropped where you need.

Tuk-tuks

Found in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, and tourist areas. Always negotiate the price before getting in. A fair rate in Bangkok: ฿60–100 for short distances. Tuk-tuks are slower than Grab for most journeys and primarily serve as a tourist experience.

Scooter rental

Standard practice for exploring islands and smaller towns. Costs ฿150–300/day. An international driving licence (motorcycle endorsed) is technically required and occasionally checked. In practice, rental shops in tourist areas rarely ask. However, accidents on scooters are the single largest cause of tourist injury in Thailand — drive defensively, wear a helmet, and don’t attempt roads you’re not comfortable with. Koh Tao and Koh Phangan have particularly steep, narrow roads that catch out inexperienced riders.

Getting Around Thailand: Transport Guide