Bangkok to Chiang Mai bus ride from ฿693/pax


If you’re in Thailand, you’ve got to see how diverse the country can be. But there are so many travel options to consider that it can often be hard to pick. If you’re going from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or vice versa, we recommend taking a look at this very generous offer from NakhonChai Air.

Their new luxury bus – decked out in massage chairs and touch screen TVs – will take you between Chiang Mai and Bangkok in less time than a train for a similar price.

More news in Thailand:


Luxury bus ride with lots of perks from ~USD18/pax


The new bus from NakhonChai Air is a 32-seat bus designed for comfort. Each seat will be equipped with an electric massage and touch screen television for entertainment. There will also be USB charge stations for your electronics as well as a standard table for dining purposes.

Everything is designed with privacy in mind so it is well-suited even for those who are travelling alone.

Image credit: nakhonchaiair.official

The journey will take about 9 hours, so a toilet break may be on the cards. Fret not, as the bus will also come with restroom facilities akin to the layout you’d commonly see in trains or planes.

Image credit: nakhonchaiair.official

In case you’re curious about how this new service stacks up compared to its alternatives, we’ve done a quick breakdown below.


Bus fare is ~4x cheaper than a plane ride


A train ride in a regular express will set you back roughly ~฿650 (~USD17) but will come with none of the luxuries. Going by train will also take a bit longer, at ~11 hours compared to the bus, which will take ~9 hours.

That’s why at ฿693 (~USD18)/pax, the new bus service between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is pretty reasonably priced in our opinion. Do note that it’ll only be available for 32 people each way per day for now.

A plane ride would take much less time but will cost you at least 4 times more at ~฿2,400 (~USD63)/seat for some of the cheapest available flights.

If you’re a frequent traveller, or wanna score even cheaper NakhonChai Air bus fares, opt to become a member and receive a small discount to pay ฿658 (~USD17.30) per trip instead.

Image credit: nakhonchaiair.official

If that’s got you interested, here’s how you can book with them.


Booking the ride via Facebook or LINE


The ride is now available through multiple channels.

You can book directly through their social media page on Facebook or LINE (@nakhonchaiair). Interested parties can also consider using their call centre at 1624 or browsing their website. They are also available at all physical counters at most major bus interchanges.

Trains in Thailand have always been a popular choice for its rustic nature and opportunity to experience the landscapes of rural Thailand. This bus service is for those who want to take in the rural views but also appreciate modern conveniences.


Cover images adapted from (From left to right): nakhonchaiair.official, nakhonchaiair.official

Enjoying The Smart Local Thailand? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this.

Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.