By Bus
From Bangkok, there are both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned bus services from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. The journey may take from 9 to 11 hours, though there are overnight sleeper busses available that may make the time seem to pass more quickly.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, air conditioned busses leave 12 times daily from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal for the three hour, 182 kilometer ride. Some busses continue on to Mae Sai and Chiang Saen.
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road), to Highway No. 32 passing Ayutthaya, Angthong, and Singburi Provinces. Change over to Highway No. 11 passing Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and Phrae Provinces then turn left to Highway No. 103, driving through to Ngao District where a right turn back onto Highway No. 1 will lead through Phayao to Chiang Rai Province. The total distance is 785 km.
From Chiang Mai it’s a three hour drive to Chiang Rai if you follow the fastest route and avoid stopping at attractions along the way. Otherwise there are several routes one can take between the two cities, the most straightforward of which are:
1. Take Highway No.107 north to Route No.109 and then Highway No.1 to Chiang Rai.
2. Travel South to Lampang on Highway No.11 and then follow Highway No.1 North to Chiang Rai.
By Plane
Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia have daily flights connecting Bangkok with Chiang Rai. For more information, visit www.thaiairways.com or www.airasia.com From Chiang Mai, both Thai Airways and Nok Air have service to Chiang Mai, though Nok offers flights only a few day each week.
By Train
There is no direct train to Chiang Rai. Visitors must take a train to Lampang (9 hrs. from Bangkok) or Chiang Mai (11 hrs.) and then take a bus to Chiang Rai. (2 hrs. from Lampang and 1.30 hrs. from Chiang Mai).
By Boat
Chiang Rai may also be reached from Tha Thon in Chiang Mai province via a scenic 4 to 6 hour long-tail boat ride along the Mae Kok River, depending on water levels, currents, and climatic conditions, such as rain.