CHIANG MAI TRANSPORT HUBS

Chiang Mai International Airport is the main gateway to the city and northern Thailand. It operates domestic flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, Phuket, Krabi, and other major cities. There are also international routes from regional hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Taipei, and various Chinese cities.

Flight time from Bangkok is approximately a little more than 1 hour but getting to Bangkok airport and checking in luggage extends the trip to a few hours.

Chiang Mai airport is located just 4 km southwest of the Old City. You can reach the city center within 10 to 15 minutes by taxi or a ride-hailing service using apps like Grab and Bolt which makes arrivals and getting to your accommodation relatively quick.

The address is 60 Mahidol Rd, Tambon Suthep, Chiang Mai city.

Chiang Mai Railway Station is the northern terminus of Thailand’s rail network. Long-distance trains originate mainly from Bangkok's new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. Journey times range from 11 to 14 hours depending on the service, either the regular express, special express, or sleeper train. Overnight sleeper trains are popular for tourists as they combine transport and accommodation. You can book a first class air-conditioned private cabin, second class air-conditioned shared open-plan sleeper, or a second class fan only open-class shared sleeper. Book tickets well in advance during peak season as sleeper berths sell out quickly.

Trains to and from Bangkok are slower than buses or flights but are more comfortable and you can enjoy a scenic journey.

The station is located about 3 km east of the Old City. There are songthaew services to get to your accommodation located just outside the station building. You will most likely be approached by a tout inside the building offering transport.

The address is Charoen Mueang Road, Wat Ket Subdistrict, Chiang Mai City

You can view and download the Thailand railway map.

Chiang Mai bus terminal 1 is officially called Chang Phueak Bus Terminal. It is located on highway 11 just north of Chiang Mai old city and handles some regional routes and minivans to nearby destinations.

It's smaller than Terminal 2 and 3 Arcade Station and is useful for quick trips within Chiang Mai and to places like Chiang Rai or Pai.

Terminal 2 was the the original long-distance bus station which now provides regular bus and minivan services to areas close-by.

Terminal 3 is the new bus station with modern facilities which provides luxury air-conditioned coaches. Major services to Bangkok, Isaan, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Phayao, Nan, Mae Sot and several other areas originate from this terminal. The Green Bus company has a ticket office inside this arcade.

Both terminals are next to each other and located about 4 km east of Chiang Mai Old City on Kaeo Narawat Road, just before Chiang Mai-Lampang Hwy.

To get to and from Chiang Mai city, take a shared red songthaew, taxi, or use the Grab app from the terminal.

At the end of Chiang Mai's Chinatown main road of Chang Moi is the large intersection of Chang Moi / Wichayanon / Praisanee Roads which borders Chiang Mai's Ping River.
Here you will find many red, blue, yellow and white songthaews as well as some mini-vans all lined up along the Wichayanon and Praisanee Roads (one single road beside the river) that provide transport to towns and other areas around and outside of the city. These are used by locals to get around and also offer tour services for tourists to popular places such as Doi Suthep, Phuping Palace, the famous Bo Sang umbrella factories, caves, hot springs, waterfalls, and many more attractions.

The driver will wait until the songthaew has enough customers on-board to make it worth his while before departing, so you could be waiting some time.

Get the Chiang Mai tourist map for the exact location. The songthaews are directly opposite the flower markets on the other side of the road. See the Chiang Mai links above.