Chiang Rai is my favourite city in Northern Thailand, but it’s very far away from Bangkok. That begs the question what is the best way to travel from Chiang Rai to Bangkok?
The two cities are also 800km apart, so it isn’t as easy as travelling between two cities in the same region (like between Chiang Mai and Pai).
There are two ways you can travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok: flying or taking the bus. Even though it’s more expensive, flying is the best way to travel to Bangkok from Chiang Rai. It’s way quicker and more reliable.
But just because I think flying is the best way to travel to Bangkok doesn’t mean you will. This post will break down the pros and cons of both flying and taking the bus to Bangkok.
You’ll have all the information you need to decide what the best way to travel from Chiang Rai to Bangkok is for you and your travel needs.
But for me, it’s 100% flying. Taking the bus isn’t worth the time and potential delays. I’ll spend a little extra money and fly to Bangkok.
The first method we’ll talk about is taking the bus to Bangkok. It’s first on the list mainly because there is a lot more information you need to know compared to flying.
How Long Does the Bus from Chiang Rai to Bangkok Take?
The bus to Bangkok from Chiang Rai takes about 12.5 hours.
Yup. It takes more than half a day to travel to Bangkok by bus from Chiang Rai. That’s a lot of time being stuck on a bus that may or may not have a bathroom.
Buses are often delayed because of traffic or longer than scheduled stops. Especially very long bus rides. Your 12.5 hour bus ride may stretch to be closer to 14 hours when it’s all said and done.
It isn’t guaranteed that your bus ride will be longer than 12.5 hours, but I wouldn’t make any plans for the first few hours you’re supposed to be in Bangkok just in case it is delayed.
The worst part is that it’s an overnight bus, so you have to try to get some sleep on the bus.
Luckily, buses in Asia have very large and comfortable seats. It’s easier to fall asleep on the buses in Asia than the buses in Europe, but it still won’t be a very comfortable sleep.
How Much Does the Bus Cost?
The price of a bus ticket varies, but you can expect to pay between 700 Baht and 900 Baht for your bus ticket to Bangkok from Chiang Rai. That’s approximately $19 USD to $23 USD.
That’s a pretty decent price for a 12.5 hour bus ride. It’s definitely less expensive than a flight to Bangkok is, so it’s a good option for people on a very tight budget.
Do You Need to Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance?
Yes! You absolutely do need to purchase your bus ticket from Chiang Ria to Bangkok in advance.
A lot of the blogs I read before my first trip to Thailand said that you didn’t need to book your tickets in advance. That you could just show up at the bus station the day of your departure and get a ticket for the next bus.
I discovered that was very outdated information when I tried to take the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and had to wait 4 hours to get on a bus because everything was sold out.
Now I recommend to everybody that they purchase their bus tickets for travel within Thailand in advance.
This is especially important for trips that don’t have many departures each day (like the bus from Chiang Rai to Bangkok). You don’t want to show up at the station to buy a ticket to learn that all the buses for that day are sold out and that you have to try again tomorrow.
That’s a headache if you’ve already planned on being in Bangkok the next morning and have a hotel booked in Bangkok.
Where to Buy Tickets in Advance
There are two places you can buy tickets in advance: online or at the bus station.
Normally I recommend that people buy their tickets online in advance through 12Go (the most reputable bus ticket seller in Southeast Asia) because it isn’t worth the hassle going to the station to purchase tickets in advance.
My advice when it comes to travelling from Chiang Rai to Bangkok is a bit different.
The bus station in Chiang Rai is super central. Most tourists stay within a 5 minute walk of the bus station, and you’ll need to go to the bus station to get to the White Temple.
Since the bus station is so close to where most tourists stay, it’s easy to purchase your bus ticket at the station either when you arrive in Chiang Rai or a few days before your journey to Bangkok
If you’re not staying within walking distance of the bus station, then it’s probably in your best interest to purchase your ticket online in advance. It’s way more convenient.
Where Does the Bus Depart from in Chiang Rai?
The bus departs from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal.
It’s right in the heart of the city and is likely walking distance to your hotel. It’s a super convenient location and easy to get to!
Where Does the Bus Arrive at in Bangkok?
The bus arrives at either Nakhonchaiair Stationor MochitStation.
From there, you’ll likely use Grab or a bus to get to wherever you’re staying.
Staying Entertained on Your Long Bus Ride
12.5 hours on a bus is a long time. You need a plan on how you’re going to entertain yourself.
I highly, highly recommend you install anesimon your phone. I think esims are way better than getting a physical simat the airport. You can install it ahead of time, avoid long lines to get your a physical sim, and you keep using your home number while you use your esim.
You’ll be able to scroll the internet and stay entertained while on the bus. 12 hours may not sound like a long time, but I’ve been on bus rides that are 12 hours, and you get very restless the last few hours.
I also want to remind you that you need to install a VPN on your phone to stay safe while using the internet when you travel. Public wifi networks put you at high risk of having your online information stolen, and you don’t want to deal with the hassle of cancelling bank cards just because you were careless and someone looked at and stole your private information. Trust me. I know from experience.
So, install an esim and get yourself a VPN.
Also make sure that your chargers are handy, your wireless earbuds are charged, and that you pre-download an audiobook or have a book (or two) to read if you’re a reader.
Flying from Chiang Rai to Bangkok
I think flying is the best way to travel to Bangkok from Chiang Rai. It is a bit more expensive, but it’s so much more convenient.
The flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok takes less than 1.5 hours and is a direct flight.
There are normally 5 departures a day and cost on average $60 USD. Of course, flight prices vary a lot, so you could pay more or pay less. Flights tend to be less expensive the further in advance you book them so book as early as your travel plans allow it.
The flights to Bangkok from Chiang Rai are about three times as expensive as the bus, but they’re also way quicker. Even when you factor in travel time to the airport, being at the airport early, flying time, deplaning, and getting to your hotel in Bangkok, it’s still way quicker to fly than take the bus.
I like to overland when I can. I much prefer the bus to flying, but there are times when even I choose to fly over taking the bus or train.
Travelling from Chiang Rai to Bangkok is one of those times.
Convenience outweighs cost in this situation for me.
Thailand is a way bigger country than a lot of people realize. I personally like to take the bus within different regions of Thailand (like taking the bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin in Central Thailand) and fly to different regions in Thailand (like flying from Bangkok in Central Thailand to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand).
It just makes travel within Thailand so much easier.
So, I recommend flying from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. You only have so much time in Thailand, and you don’t really want to be spending the better part of a day on a bus if you can fly.
Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular and laid back beach resorts. Approximately 3.8 million tourists visit Hua Hin every year. Luckily, if you want to visit Hua Hin, it’s very easy to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
There are 5 ways you can travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin. You can take the bus, a train, a private transfer, a guided tour, or drive yourself. I think the bus is the best option. It’s quicker than the train and easier to purchase tickets online in advance.
Even though I think the bus is the best way to travel to Hua Hin from Bangkok, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you.
This post will cover all the different ways you can travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin, so you can choose the best option for you. Your budget, travel needs, and time constraints will all play a part in you deciding what transportation option is best for you.
All five ways to travel to Hua Hin from Bangkok have their pros and cons. You need to weigh the pros and cons and decide what the best option is for you. I’m here to help guide you in making the best decision for you and your travel needs.
Looking to explore Northern Thailand? Check out my transportation guides on how to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai and to Chiang Rai. Also check out this post on the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai.
Taking the Bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin
I think the bus is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin. It’s reliable, comfortable, and there are 27 different departures from Bangkok each day. You can find a departure time that works perfectly with your travel plans.
When I talk about taking the bus to Hua Hin, I’m referring to both limousine buses and smaller vans. Whether you take a bus or a van depends on where you choose to depart from in Bangkok. We’ll talk about your options later on in this section.
Both the buses and the vans are comfortable. The buses are more comfortable. They have wider seats, and you’ll never be in squished in a middle seat.
The vans are slightly less comfortable. They have three seats in a row, so there will be one person per row who has to sit in the middle.
In the whole big scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter whether you take a bus or a van. You’ll get to Hua Hin safely and in relative comfort no matter what you ride in.
The only times where it really matters whether you take a bus vs a van is if you suffer from motion sickness or have a body shape or impairment that would make it more comfortable to sit in a larger seat on a bus rather than in a van.
How Long Does the Bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin Take?
The bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin takes between 3.5 hours and 4 hours.
The difference in driving time depends on the traffic and number of stops you make along the way. Half hour isn’t a huge time difference, so it shouldn’t be the deciding factor on what bus/van you choose to take.
Choose a departure/arrival time that suits your needs the most.
How Much Does the Bus Cost?
The price of the bus to Hua Hin depends on a few factors. What time of day you’re leaving, whether you’re taking a bus or a van, and where in the bus you sit. Tickets in the first two rows of the bus are more expensive than seats in the back of the bus.
You can expect to pay between 200 Baht and 400 Baht for your bus ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin. That’s between $6 USD and $11 USD.
That’s a little bit more expensive than the bus prices in Northern Thailand, but everything near Bangkok tends to cost a little bit more than the rest of the country.
Overall, that’s a pretty fair price to pay for a 3.5 to 4 hour bus ride.
Do You Need to Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance?
Yes! I highly recommend you purchase your tickets in advance. When I was preparing for my first trip to Thailand, all the blogs I read said you didn’t need to purchase tickets in advance. You could just show up at the station and get a seat on the next bus out.
That may have worked in the past, but that doesn’t work anymore.
Hua Hin is quickly becoming more and more popular with tourists. Both domestic and foreign.
The buses are selling out quickly, and if you show up at the station the day you want to travel, there’s a very good chance you won’t be able to get on the bus you wanted to.
Especially if you’re taking a van that has significantly fewer seats than the bus.
Where to Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance
There are two places you can purchase bus tickets in advance. You can purchase them online or you can go to the bus station and purchase them.
Both options have their pros and cons.
You waste a lot of your precious time in Bangkok physically going to the bus station before your departure date and buying a ticket in advance. This costs not only extra money (you need to get there somehow- most likely by Grab) but also time.
The pro of purchasing your ticket in advance at the station is that it is slightly cheaper to purchase your ticket directly at the station with the bus operator.
I think purchasing your ticket online in advance is the best option.
You have to use a third-party website, and it costs a little bit more than purchasing your ticket at the station.
But the convenience outweighs the small fee for purchasing your ticket online. Plus when you consider the time and cost of going to the bus station to buy your ticket in person, it probably ends up being less expensive to purchase your ticket online.
12Go is the most reputable and reliable website to purchase bus and train tickets in Southeast Asia. If you’re purchasing tickets online, you should always use them.
They’re safe to use, sell legitimate tickets, and can help you if you run into any issues. I’ve used them lots of times during my time in Southeast Asia and have never had an issue with them.
If another website offers tickets at a much lower rate, there is a good chance they’re not selling legitimate tickets. It’s better to pay a small amount more and use a legitimate website than try to save a buck and likely get scammed.
Bangkok is a huge city, and there are multiple locations where the bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin departs from. They are:
Ekkamai (van)
Khao San Mama (van)
Mochit New Van Terminal (van)
Southern Terminal (bus)
Khao San Tara (bus)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (bus)
Be sure to look at where the bus/van is departing from before you purchase your ticket. Make sure you’re choosing a departure location that is convenient and easy for you to get to.
You don’t want to buy a ticket and then discover that it’s going to take you an hour on public transportation just to get to where your bus/van is departing from.
Where Does the Bus Arrive at in Hua Hin?
Just like where it departs from, there are a few different places that the bus/van arrives at in Hua Hin. They are:
Hua Hin Minivan Station (van)
Hua Hin Market Village (van)
Hua Hin Alley 51 (van)
New Hua Hin Bus Station (bus)
Hua Hin Bus Station (bus)
Be sure to check where your bus/van is arriving at in Hua Hin, so you have an idea on where you’ll arrive in Hua Hin and plan how you’ll get to your hotel.
It’s more important to choose a convenient departure location in Bangkok than arrival location in Hua Hin in my opinion. Hua Hin is much smaller than Bangkok. No matter where you’re dropped off, it won’t be too difficult to get to wherever you’re staying.
The next best option is to take the train from Bangkok to Hua Hin. Trains in Thailand are comfortable, but they’re slow. They’re not the high-speed trains you’re used to in Europe or East Asia.
But they’re comfortable and reliable.
The train is a good option if you’re a train lover or staying super close to the train station in Bangkok.
How Long Does the Train from Bangkok to Hua Hin Take?
The train from Bangkok to Hua Hin takes 4.5 hours on average.
It may take longer if there is traffic on the railway line, but it shouldn’t take more than 5 hours.
The train is slightly slower than the bus, which is one of the reasons I prefer taking the bus over the train.
How Much Does the Train Cost?
The price of your train ticket depends on what seat you purchase. You can purchase a first-class sleeper seat or a second-class seat. The first-class seat is much larger, and you get a bed to sit or lie down on. The second-class seat is a normal train seat.
I find it a bit awkward to use a first-class sleeper seat when taking a daytime journey. I opt for a second-class seat if I’m travelling during daylight and don’t want to try to get some rest on the train.
If you’re travelling at night, it’s 100% in your best interest to purchase a first-class sleeper seat.
You can expect to pay 300 Baht for a first-class sleeper seat and 150 Baht for a second-class seat. That’s approximately $8 USD for first-class and $4 USD for second-class.
As you can see, the train prices are pretty similar to the bus prices. You’re not saving money by taking the train, but it takes longer.
The price of your ticket may not be exactly as listed above. Prices tend to change depending on the time of departure, time of year, and whenever the company decides to raise prices.
But it gives you a pretty good idea on how much you should budget for your train ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
Do You Need to Purchase Train Tickets in Advance?
It’s a little bit more difficult to know whether or not you need to purchase your train ticket in advance.
Trains seat more people than the bus, and it’s less likely to sell out, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
There have been multiple times when I’ve gone to purchase a same-day train ticket and not had any luck because it was already sold out.
That’s not necessarily the norm, but it happens more than you think. Especially on weekends and holidays.
I think it’s in your best interest to purchase your train ticket in advance, but it’s not always 100% necessary.
Where to Purchase Train Tickets in Advance
The best place to purchase your train tickets in advance is at the train station.
You used to be able to purchase train tickets to Hua Hin from Bangkok on 12Go, but it currently isn’t offered.
They may start offering train tickets again the future so be sure to check 12Go for tickets before you go all the way to the train station to purchase your ticket in advance.
Another thing to note about purchasing train tickets in advance with 12Go is that they apply a higher fee for train tickets than they do for bus tickets.
Bus tickets with 12Go are very similar to buying a ticket at the station. A train ticket on 12Go can have a fee that’s between 1/3 and 1/2 of the ticket price. I’m not sure why there is the difference in fees associated with the bus vs train tickets, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Where Does the Train Depart from in Bangkok?
All the trains from Bangkok to Hua Hin depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station.
That makes it easy to make sure you know where you’re going and not accidentally go to the wrong departure station.
Where Does the Train Arrive at in Hua Hin?
All trains arrive in Hua Hin at the Hua Hin Railway Station.
The railway station is conveniently located less than 1km from the beach, so you’ll likely be able to walk to your hotel from the train station.
Taking a Private Transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin
Your next option is to take a private transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
This is definitely the most expensive option on this list, but it is also the most flexible. A private transfer picks you up directly at your hotel in Bangkok and drops you off at your hotel in Hua Hin.
You also have the ability to customize your trip. You can choose to stop along the way to Hua Hin and see things you’d never be able to see if you used public transportation.
If you have a larger group of people you’re travelling with, it might be the right decision to take a private transfer rather than the bus or train.
It can also be a great option for people with mobility issues or who tend to get motion sick. You can ask your driver to pull over and stop anytime you need. If you’re uncomfortable and need to stretch your feet or need some fresh air, your driver will happily pull over for you.
That’s a luxury you don’t get with public transportation.
While taking a private transfer isn’t for everybody, it’s definitely a great option for some people.
When I travelled through Vietnam for a month with my parents, they insisted on the convenience of having a private transfer between every city. It’s a luxury I wouldn’t indulge in as a solo traveller, but I’ll admit it was a very nice luxury when I was with them.
If you’re on a tight itinerary and don’t have multiple days to spend in Hua Hin, taking a guided tour is your best option.
It’s a one day tour from Bangkok. It picks you up at/near your hotel, shows you the highlight tourist attractions in Hua Hin, and drops you back in Bangkok in the evening.
It’s a very long day, but it’s the best way to see Hua Hin if you only have one day to explore the area.
You get a taste of Hua Hin, and you can decide if you want to spend more time in the area if you ever come back to Thailand.
The thing I love about the Hua Hin guided tour is that you have the option to join a guided tour or go on a private guided tour. You can save some money by spending the day exploring Hua Hin with strangers or you can spend a little bit more money and explore Hua Hin with just your group and a guide.
I love the flexibility. One of my least favourite things about guided tours is having to make small talk with strangers, and I love that you can opt out of that by taking a private guided tour to Hua Hin.
Even though it’s a long day, it’s worthwhile taking a day trip to Hua Hin. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand for a reason and worth seeing even if it’s just for one day.
Your last option is to drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
I don’t recommend this option.
Most people who visit Southeast Asia say something along the lines that there are no rules of the road in the region. That’s false. There are definitely rules of the road. You just don’t know them as a tourist visiting the region.
And because you don’t know the unspoken rules of the road, you put yourself and everybody else on the road with you in danger when you drive as a foreigner.
Unless you’ve driven in Southeast Asia a lot and are very confident, I don’t think you should drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
One of the most overlooked travel safety tips is to be internet safe. You rely on public wifi when you travel, and that puts you at a higher risk of having your personal and private online information stolen.
Even if you install an esim on your phone, you still rely on public wifi some of the time (like in your hotel). Even if the wifi network has a password associated with it, you’re still not safe. Anybody who has access to that password (e.g. everybody staying in the hotel) is able to access your private online information if they choose to. Including your banking information.
Trust me when I say that it’s no fun having to deal with your bank and cancel your bank cards while on holiday because you weren’t being internet safe.
The only way to stay safe when using public wifi is by installing a VPN on your devices.
A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that keeps prying eyes out. It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
It’s one of the easiest ways to stay safe while travelling. I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to install a VPN on your devices.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. I honestly hated most of them.
VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel it with most VPNs. I used to turn off my VPN and put myself at risk just because I was annoyed at how slow my internet was with my VPN on.
It’s the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really feel the difference compared to other VPNs. I’ve been using NordVPN since 2018 and have never once felt a slow down of my internet speed.
I love NordVPN and have no plans of ever switching to another VPN provider.
You can protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN subscription, so you can keep all your devices safe with one account. It’s super easy and convenient.
The best part is that NordVPN is super affordable. A two-year subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte.
It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing your personal online information is safe and secure from prying eyes when using a public wifi network.
As you can see, it’s super easy to travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin. You have lots of different transportation options, so you can choose the best one for you and your travel needs.
I personally prefer the bus, but you may prefer the train or a private transfer. If you’re short on time, a guided tour is probably the best option for you.
I love that there is a transportation method that suits everybody’s needs. No matter how you prefer to travel or what your budget it, you’ll have no trouble getting from Bangkok to Hua Hin.
And no matter how you choose to get there, you won’t regret going to Hua Hin. It’s one of the most beautiful and laid back areas of Thailand. Everybody who goes loves it, and it’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
