There are 2 parts to the journey by train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Rai. The first part of the journey is by train as far as Chiang Mai. On arrival in Chiang Mai travellers need to transfer to a connecting bus service for the second part of the journey to Chiang Rai.
Stage 1: Train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
By train the journey from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai takes from 9 to 13 hours depending upon which train you take.
- Buy train tickets from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai.
| Train | Ayutthaya | Chiang Mai | Service |
| 7 | 08:23 | 17:50 | Special Express |
| 109 | 15:20 | 04:00 | Rapid |
| 9 | 19:45 | 07:15 | Special Express |
| 13 | 21:09 | 08:45 | Special Express |
| 51 | 23:38 | 11:40 | Express |
Stage 2: Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
The reliable GreenBus company operates frequent Express and VIP bus services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai. The journey is scheduled to take from 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes depending upon which service you take.
- Buy bus tickets for travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
| Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Ticket | Service |
| 07:00 | 10:45 | ฿397 | Express |
| 07:30 | 10:50 | ฿602 | VIP |
| 08:45 | 12:30 | ฿397 | Express |
| 09:30 | 12:50 | ฿602 | VIP |
| 11:00 | 14:45 | ฿397 | Express |
| 13:30 | 17:15 | ฿397 | Express |
| 14:00 | 17:20 | ฿602 | VIP |
| 16:00 | 19:20 | ฿602 | VIP |
| 17:00 | 20:45 | ฿397 | Express |
| 18:15 | 22:00 | ฿397 | Express |
| 18:30 | 21:50 | ฿602 | VIP |
Location of Ayutthaya Train Station
Read more about Ayutthaya Train Station.
Location of Chiang Mai Bus Station
GrennBus services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3.
Location of Chiang Rai Bus Station
GreenBus services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai terminate at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1.
About Travel to Chiang Rai
By train, and connecting bus service, the journey from Ayutthaya to Chiang Rai takes from 16 to 20 hours depending upon which train and connecting bus service you take. The same journey by bus is scheduled to take from 11 to 12 hours. Travel by train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Rai takes longer than it does travelling by direct bus service. The advantage of travelling by train, however, is that you can book a sleeper berth and sleep for most of the journey.
Train Services from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
There are 5 train services a day from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. These train services differ not only in departure and arrival times, but also in relation to how long they take to complete the journey:
- Fastest Train: Train #7, departing at 08:23, is scheduled to complete the journey in 9 hours 27 minutes.
- Slowest Train: Train #109, departing at 15:20, is scheduled to complete the journey in 12 hours 40 minutes.
The 5 daily train services from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai also differ in respect of the seat types which are available on each train.
- Guide to Seat Types on Trains from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai:
| Train | Depart | Seat Types |
| 7 | 08:23 | 2nd Class A/C Seat |
| 109 | 15:20 | 2nd Class A/C Sleeper, 2nd Class Fan Seat, 3rd Class Fan Seat |
| 9 | 19:45 | 1st Class A/C Sleeper, 2nd Class A/C Sleeper |
| 13 | 21:09 | 1st Class A/C Sleeper, 2nd Class A/C Sleeper, 2nd Class Fan Seat, 3rd Class Fan Seat |
| 51 | 23:38 | 2nd Class A/C Sleeper, 2nd Class Fan Seat, 3rd Class Fan Seat |
The third major difference between 5 daily train services from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is that 4 out of the 5 train services travel overnight. Only 1 train service from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai completes the journey on the same day, which is Train #7 departing at 08:23.
- The advantage of taking Train #7 is that passengers get to enjoy the magnificent scenery during the journey.
- The disadvantage of taking Train #7 is that passengers need to stay overnight in Chiang Mai until the departure of the next connecting bus service the following day.
Guan Yin statue in Chiang RaiArrival in Chiang Mai
On arrival at Chiang Mai Railway Station passengers wishing to continue their journey onward to Chiang Rai need to organise their own local transport to take them from the train station to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3.
Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 is located on the same side of the Ping River as Chiang Mai Railway Station, 2.1 km walking distance to the north of the train station. Passengers with light bags and good levels of fitness sometimes walk between the train station and the bus station. On foot the journey takes about 30 minutes, however, this option is a lot less popular during the hotter summer months in Chiang Mai, typically from March to May.
A faster and easier option than walking is to take a tuk-tuk or a taxi from Chiang Mai Railway Station to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3. A variety of tuk-tuks, and taxis, wait in the car park in front of the ticket hall at the train station for the arrival of long distance trains. Expect to pay around 100 THB for the journey from the train station to the bus station.
Bus Services from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
The GreenBus company operates 2 types of service from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: Express and VIP. Both types of service follow the same route, and both stop during the journey for 10 to 15 minutes to allow passengers to visit the toilet and purchase drinks and snacks. The services, however, differ in 2 ways:
- Express bus services are scheduled to complete the journey in 3 hours 45 minutes, whilst VIP services take 3 hours 20 minutes.
- There are fewer seats in the passenger cabin of VIP services which means passengers have leg room and slightly larger and more comfortable seats.
GreenBus services stop briefly at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, more continuing onto Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1. Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2 is a long distance bus terminal which is located 6 km by road to the south Chiang Rai City. Unless you have plans to immediately board another bus to somewhere else, we recommend remaining on the bus until it terminates at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, which is located in the centre of Chiang Rai City.