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Search round tripsDomestic route DMK to CEI
Bangkok to Chiang Rai flights for the far north
Several airlines fly Bangkok to Chiang Rai in about 1 hour 20 minutes: three from Don Mueang and two from Suvarnabhumi.
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Nonstop, several airlinesEconomy
DMK
Bangkok
CEI
Chiang Rai
- Distance
- 676 km
Return
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Looking for Bangkok to Chiang Rai air tickets and not sure what to pay? Five airlines fly this route, and fares change with demand, so the same seat can cost noticeably more close to a holiday weekend. Put your dates in the search above to compare today's fares and book with bookingMentor.
Everything you should know
Bangkok to Chiang Rai flight guide
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
In short
For the White Temple, the Golden Triangle and the hills along the Myanmar and Laos borders, the quickest way from Bangkok is a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes to Chiang Rai. The straight-line distance is about 676 km. Multiple airlines fly from Don Mueang (DMK); two fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK).
There is no railway to Chiang Rai, and the coach from Bangkok takes most of a day, so the route is busy all year with families visiting home as well as tourists.
Don Mueang for low-cost fares, Suvarnabhumi for connections
Most of the choice is at Don Mueang, where the low-cost carriers have their base. Domestic flights leave from Terminal 2, and the SRT Red Line station next door is the reliable way to get there at rush hour. If you are flying in from abroad, Suvarnabhumi is better: Thai Airways plans 21 Chiang Rai flights a week this winter and can check bags straight through, and Thai VietJet Air flies the route from there too.
Fares on Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai VietJet Air usually cover cabin baggage only. Thai Airways includes a checked bag in standard economy.
Taxis from Mae Fah Luang airport since the bus stopped
Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport is a single compact terminal about 8 km north of town, on the road towards Mae Chan and Mae Sai. Bags come through quickly. The airport bus into town stopped running in August 2024, so your choices are the taxi counter in arrivals, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked car; the drive to the clock tower and Night Bazaar takes 15 to 25 minutes. Grab, Bolt and other apps work, but fewer cars wait here than in Chiang Mai, so allow a few minutes. Car hire desks are on the first floor if you plan to drive yourself.
Because the airport sits on the road north, it is also the closest starting point for Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle, roughly an hour's drive. Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, lies south of town, about 25 to 35 minutes from the airport.
Airport buses to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi
For Don Mueang, the Airports of Thailand buses link the terminals with the city: A1 to Mo Chit 2 via BTS Chatuchak and A2 to Victory Monument for 30 baht, and A3 to Pratunam and Lumpini Park and A4 to Khao San Road and Sanam Luang for 50 baht. For Suvarnabhumi, BMTA bus S1 runs between the passenger terminal and Sanam Luang from 6 am to 5 pm for 60 baht, and minibus 552 links the airport with On Nut on the BTS.
Arriving from abroad and connecting the same day? The Thailand Digital Arrival Card must be filed online within three days before you land in Thailand; the Chiang Rai flight itself is domestic. Thai Airways connections stay within Suvarnabhumi, while a switch to Don Mueang means crossing the city, so leave at least four hours on separate tickets.
Road 5023 and two hours at Mae Fah Luang
The airport is reached from the Phaholyothin road (the Chiang Rai to Mae Chan route) via Road 5023. Airports of Thailand advises arriving at least two hours before departure, which is generous for a small terminal but useful in the cool-season peak and around Songkran in April. Taxis booked at the airport's counters cost slightly more than those flagged outside, and an airport shuttle can be booked in advance through the airport's services.
Cool mornings, smoky spring and the rainy season
November to February is cool and clear, with chilly mornings in the hills. From late February to April smoke from field burning often hazes the region. The rainy season runs from about June to October.
Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk
Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change
Checked against trusted sources:
Don Mueang International AirportSuvarnabhumi AirportMae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport
Bangkok to Chiang Rai flights at a glance
Several airlines fly from Don Mueang (DMK) to Chiang Rai (CEI), and two fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK). The 676 km flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
| Flight time | 1h 20m nonstop |
|---|---|
| Best time to go | November to February |
| Distance | 676 km |
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Airlines flying Bangkok to Chiang Rai
A number of low-cost airlines fly from Don Mueang. From Suvarnabhumi, Thai Airways offers the full-service option and Thai VietJet Air a low-cost one.
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Nok Air ThailandIATA DD ICAO NOKRoutes, baggage & check-in
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Thai AirAsia ThailandIATA FD ICAO AIQRoutes, baggage & check-in
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Thai Lion Air ThailandIATA SL ICAO TLMRoutes, baggage & check-in
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Thai Airways International ThailandIATA TG ICAO THARoutes, baggage & check-in
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Thai VietJet Air ThailandIATA VZ ICAO TVJRoutes, baggage & check-in
Thai Airways standard economy includes a checked bag; on Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai VietJet Air it is usually extra.
Departure and arrival airports
DMK Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
- Codes
- Don Mueang: IATA DMK, ICAO VTBD. Suvarnabhumi: IATA BKK, ICAO VTBS
- Don Mueang
- About 24 km north of the centre; domestic flights from Terminal 2; SRT Red Line
- Suvarnabhumi
- About 25 to 30 km east; Airport Rail Link; Thai Airways hub
- Check-in
- At least 2 hours before departure
CEI Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport
- Codes
- IATA CEI, ICAO VTCT
- Location
- About 8 km north of Chiang Rai town on the road to Mae Chan and Mae Sai
- Into town
- Taxi counter, ride-hailing apps or a pre-booked car; no airport bus since August 2024
- Terminal
- One compact building with car hire desks on the first floor
How to book Bangkok to Chiang Rai for less
Plan your ride from the airport, because there is no longer a bus.
8 kmairport to town
Book your transfer or app ride
With the airport bus gone, use the taxi counter or an app. If you land late, a pre-booked car saves waiting for a match.
1 hrto Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle
Go straight north if you can
The airport is on the northern side of town, so a hire car or driver can head to the border areas without crossing Chiang Rai.
Mar–Aprhaziest months
Avoid the burning season
Smoke from field burning can hide the mountains for weeks. November to February gives the clearest views.
Flight, train or bus to Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has no railway, so the alternative to flying is a long coach ride from Bangkok.
| Mode | Journey time | Total trip time | One-way fare | Operators and timings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | About 1h 20m | About 4 hours including transfers | Search fares | 5 airlines |
| Bus | About 11 to 12 hours | Usually overnight | Coaches from Mo Chit bus terminal |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Getting there
Don Mueang, where Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are based. Suvarnabhumi has Thai Airways International and Thai VietJet Air.
No. The airport bus stopped on 22 August 2024. Use the taxi counter in arrivals, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer.
The airport is about 8 km north of town, and the drive to the clock tower and Night Bazaar area takes 15 to 25 minutes.
Yes, along with Maxim and InDrive. Fewer drivers wait near the airport than in Chiang Mai, so allow a few minutes for a match.
Wat Rong Khun is about 13 km south of town, roughly 25 to 35 minutes from the airport by car. It makes an easy stop on the way to or from a flight.
Yes. The airport is on the road north, and Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle are about an hour's drive. A car with driver or a hire car is the simplest way.
No, the railway does not reach Chiang Rai. The overland alternative is a coach of about 11 to 12 hours from Mo Chit, or the train to Chiang Mai and a three-hour drive.
Yes. Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Thai Rent a Car and other firms have desks on the first floor of the terminal.
About 1 hour 20 minutes for a straight-line distance of about 676 km.
Airports of Thailand advises at least two hours before departure.
Timing & weather
November to February, when the air is cool and clear. Late February to April often brings heavy haze from field burning, and the rains run from about June to October.
What's included
Yes, standard economy includes checked baggage. The low-cost airlines on the route sell basic fares with cabin baggage only.
