Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Bus Tickets

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Green Bus takes 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes, and every bus leaves from the Arcade station (Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3). The decision that matters is the other end: Chiang Rai has two bus terminals, and which one you land at depends on the departure you book.

The route at a glance

Checked on 12Go on 8 November 2026 for buses on 20 November 2026.

Terminal 1 or Terminal 2

Terminal 1 is the old bus station in the middle of Chiang Rai, beside the Night Bazaar, and most of the day’s departures arrive there. It is the better landing for the Clock Tower area and the guesthouses around it, because you can walk. Our Chiang Rai guide covers where to stay.

Terminal 2 is the newer station south of town off Highway 1, about 5 km from the centre, so you need a taxi or songthaew into town. If your hotel is in the centre, book a Terminal 1 departure; the 08:30 Combo is the one 12Go service that lands at Terminal 2.

The White Temple is not on the way

Buses do not stop at Wat Rong Khun, which sits south of Chiang Rai city. Treat it as its own trip from town: see the White Temple guide, or book the White Temple, Blue Temple and more day tour from Chiang Mai if you want the stops handled in one day.

Going further than Chiang Rai

GreenBus also runs from the same Arcade terminal straight to Mae Sai on the Myanmar border, with four departures between 08:00 and 15:30, and to Chiang Saen on the Golden Triangle side at 12:45. These are long rides, 5 hours 10 minutes at the short end. If the Golden Triangle or the border is the goal, taking one of these avoids a change in Chiang Rai. Our things to do in Chiang Rai guide and the Chiang Rai hill tribes guide help you decide.

Coming from Bangkok first? The sleeper train to Chiang Mai arrives in time for the morning departures.