Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Private transfer Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: $165 sedan, $195 SUV, $210 van, $315 Alphard — per car, one way. 190 km, about 3 h. Driver, fuel and tolls included; 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver, or 100% online (under $100: in full); full refund if cancelled 24 h+ before pickup. Prices checked .
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is about 190 km on Route 118 through the hills — 3 hours with a coffee stop. With your own car you can stop at the Mae Khachan hot springs and arrive at the White Temple on the way into town.
- Distance190 km
- Drive time3 h
- Pricefrom $165
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: price per car
| Car | Per car one way | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6, USD | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Toyota Camry / Corolla Altis or similar | $165 ≈ ฿5,544 | ≈ 83 | ≈ 55 | — | — |
| SUV up to 4 Toyota Fortuner / Isuzu MU-X or similar | $195 ≈ ฿6,552 | ≈ 98 | ≈ 65 | ≈ 49 | — |
| Van (9) up to 9 Toyota Commuter / Hiace, 9 seats | $210 ≈ ฿7,056 | ≈ 105 | ≈ 70 | ≈ 53 | ≈ 35 |
| Premium (Alphard) up to 5 Toyota Alphard / Majesty, up to 5 | $315 ≈ ฿10,584 | ≈ 158 | ≈ 105 | ≈ 79 | — |
same price day and night, weekdays and weekends · return — price of the reverse route · entrance and boat tickets not included.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: every way compared (2026)
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bus, Express | approx. ฿260–290 per person | approx. 3 h 45 min | No | Budget |
| Green Bus, VIP | approx. ฿360–400 per person | approx. 3 h 20 min | No | Comfortable bus |
| Private car on booking sites | approx. ฿1,950–3,000 per car | approx. about 3 h | Yes | Door to door |
| Private car (RideTHA) | $165 per car (sedan), ≈ $55 per person for 3 | 3 h | Yes | Families, luggage, night arrivals, photo stops |
Public transport fares are approximate; check locally. Sources: visitthailandtoday.com — Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (updated 19 Oct 2026) (2026-10-22); visitthailandtoday.com — Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (updated 19 Oct 2026) (2026-10-22); visitthailandtoday.com — Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (updated 19 Oct 2026) (2026-10-22).
The road
Route 118 north-east over forested hills to Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Suai, then Route 1 into Chiang Rai. Good road with long climbs; the driver takes it steadily.
Worth stopping
- Mae Khachan hot springs (boiled eggs in the spring).
- Wat Rong Khun — the White Temple, 13 km before Chiang Rai.
Good to know
- Honest note: private cars on this route are listed from about ฿2,100 on booking sites, and Green Bus tickets cost ฿260–400 (visitthailandtoday.com, 19 October 2026); our price is above both.
- If you want temples rather than a transfer, the White Temple day trip returns you to Chiang Mai the same day.
Included
- Private car and licensed driver, fuel, expressway tolls, parking
- English-speaking driver as standard (often conversational English); Russian-speaking driver on request, free when available
- Meet & greet with a name sign at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports, 60 min free waiting after landing
- Short stops on the way for coffee, toilets or photos (up to 30 min on transfers)
- Child seat free on request
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup (multi-day: 7 days)
Who runs your trip
RideTHA: Bookings operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong). We hand-pick licensed drivers in every country, preferring drivers with experience in tourism.
English-speaking driver as standard (often conversational rather than fluent English); Russian-speaking driver on request (free, subject to availability — mostly Pattaya and Phuket)
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: questions
How much is a private transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
$165 for a sedan, $195 for an SUV, $210 for a 9-seat van — fixed per car.
Can we stop at the White Temple?
Yes, it is on the way; stops of up to 30 minutes are included and longer visits can be added on request.
Is the bus an option?
Yes — Green Bus runs often (about 3 h 20 min–3 h 45 min). The car is door to door, with stops where you want.