Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and the White Temple: bus, day trip or private car (2026)
Chiang Rai is 182 km from Chiang Mai on Route 118, about 3 hours by car. There is no train and no direct flight. Green Bus runs Express (฿260–290, 3 h 45) and VIP (฿360–400, 3 h 20) from Arcade, but it does not stop at the White Temple, 13 km before Chiang Rai (open 08:00 to about 17:30, entry ฿200). A private car takes you door to door with the temple on the way: $165 per car one way. Seeing everything in one day and back to Chiang Mai is a long 12-hour day: our day trip with the car waiting is $230 per car. checked .
- Distance: 182 km on Route 118
- By car: about 3 h; bus 3 h 20–3 h 45
- White Temple: 08:00–≈17:30, ฿200, 13 km before Chiang Rai
- Private car: from $165 one way, $230 day trip
How long is the drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
182 km on Route 118, about 3 hours door to door by car or minivan; Green Bus VIP takes 3 h 20 and Express 3 h 45. There is one rest stop at the Mae Kachan hot springs near halfway.
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
All ways from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
| Way | Time | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bus Express (Arcade, Terminal 3) | 3 h 45 | ฿260–290 | 7 a day, does not stop at the White Temple |
| Green Bus VIP | 3 h 20 | ฿360–400 | 6 a day, 3 seats across |
| Minivan (per seat) | ≈ 3 h | ฿520–780 | |
| Private car (market) | ≈ 3 h | ฿1,950–3,000 | |
| RideTHA private car | ≈ 3 h | $165–$315 | stops included |
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
Does the bus stop at the White Temple?
No. Green Bus does not stop at Wat Rong Khun. From Chiang Rai Terminal 1 a local bus (platform 8, 19 departures 06:15–17:50, ฿20–25, 20–30 minutes) stops at the temple gate — or stop on the way in a private car.
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
What are the White Temple opening hours and ticket price?
08:00 to about 17:30, ฿200 for foreign visitors. The Blue Temple (free, 07:00–20:00) and the Baan Dam Museum (09:00–17:00, about 12 km north of town) are the other two classic stops.
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
Is a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai worth it?
Group tours cost about $40–55 per person, leave around 07:00 and are back around 19:00, with about 7 of 12 hours in the van. It is worth it only if Chiang Rai is not otherwise on your route; if you are moving north (to Chiang Khong and Laos, for example), go one way and stop at the temples on the way.
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
Is there a flight or train to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai?
No train reaches Chiang Rai, and there are no direct flights — connections go via Bangkok and take 5–7 hours door to door.
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
How much is a private car from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
One way: $165 sedan, $195 SUV, $210 9-seat van, $315 Toyota Alphard, with a White Temple stop on the way. Day trip with the car waiting and back to Chiang Mai: $230 / $275 / $300 / $440. Per car, tolls and fuel included. Honest note: market cars cost about ฿1,950–3,000 one way. Pay 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver — or pay 100% online. Trips under $100 are paid in full online. Full refund if cancelled 24h+ before pickup (multi-day trips: 7+ days before the start).
Sources and checks: visitthailandtoday.com
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: price per car
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van (9) | Premium (Alphard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 190 km · 3 h | $165 | $195 | $210 | $315 |
| Chiang Rai White Temple day trip from Chiang Mai 380 km · 12 h | $230 | $275 | $300 | $440 |
Questions
How far is Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai?
182 km, about 3 hours by car.
How much is the Green Bus to Chiang Rai?
฿260–290 Express, ฿360–400 VIP.
Where is the White Temple?
Just off Route 118, about 13 km before Chiang Rai.
Can we see the White, Blue and Black temples in one day?
Yes, on our day trip with the car waiting; it is a long day of about 12 hours.
Can you continue to the Laos border?
Yes — Chiang Mai to the Chiang Khong border is a separate one-way route.
Are temple tickets included?
No, only the car, driver, fuel and tolls.
Sources and checks
- visitthailandtoday.com — Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (unofficial source) · published 19 October 2026 · checked 27 October 2026
You may also need
- Chiang Mai to Pai: minivan, scooter or private car — times, prices and the 762 curves (2026)
- Chiang Khong – Huay Xai border (Friendship Bridge IV): shuttle bus, Lao visa and how to get there in 2026
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) to the Old City and Nimman: every way, night arrival and prices 2026
- Chiang Rai White Temple day trip from Chiang Mai — from $230
- Chiang Mai to Friendship Bridge IV, Chiang Khong (to Laos) — from $260
- Chiang Rai Airport to Friendship Bridge IV, Chiang Khong (to Laos) — from $135
Checked by the RideTHA team on 27 October 2026. Bookings operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong).