Chiang Rai

Getting Here & Around

By Air

Thai Airways has three daily flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. SGA Airlines flies twice daily from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The single fare is B1,690. Chiang Rai International Airport is 6 km (4 mi) northeast of the city. Incoming flights are met by songthaews and tuk-tuks, which charge about B50 for the journey to central Chiang Rai.

By Boat & Ferry

Longtail boats and rafts set off daily from Tha Ton for the 130-km (81-mi) trip downstream to Chiang Rai.

By Bus

Chiang Rai is served by buses that leave regularly from Chiang Mai's two terminals (3 to 4 hours; B80 to B200). Buses to Chiang Rai also leave regularly between 8 am and 7:15 pm from Bangkok's Northern bus terminal (12 hours; B600 to B700). Express buses also leave hourly from Chiang Mai's Arcade terminal. The fare is B180.

By Car

Roads are well paved throughout the Golden Triangle, presenting no problem for drivers. The area is bisected by the main north-south road, Highway 110, and crisscrossed by good country roads. In Chiang Rai, the most prominent companies are Avis, National, and Budget.

By Taxi & Tuk-Tuk

Tuk-tuks are the common way of getting around Chiang Rai, and a trip across town costs B40 to B50. Songthaews can also be hailed on the street and hired for trips to outlying areas. The fare inside the city is B15—farther afield is a matter of negotiation.