Getting to Chiang Mai - Travel by Air, Train & Bus

Air

The fastest and most convenient way to reach Chiang Mai is by air from either Don Muang airport or Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Flights are also available from Phuket, Chiang Rai, Mae Hon Song and Samui. With the advent of Budget airlines the costs can be comparable to road or rail travel and of course considerably quicker. At Chiang Mai airport there is a taxi desk where you can arrange limousine transport into the city at a fixed rate of Baht 150 and the transfer time is only about 15 minutes to the city centre. Map of Chiang Mai Airport.
List of airlines flying to Chiang Mai

Rail

From Bangkok's Hua Lampong station there are 6 trains per day to Chiang Mai. In spite of the names of the service, ie, Rapid, Sprinter and Express, they are extremely slow taking between 10 to 12 hours to reach Chiang Mai. While they usually leave on time they are frequently late in arrival.

A/c, 1st  Class, Sleeper , Special Express, Baht 1253 Upper, Baht 1453 Lower
A/c, 2nd Class, Sleeper, Special Express, Baht 791 Upper, Baht 881 Lower
A/c, 2nd Class, Sleeper, Express, Baht 751 Upper, Baht 821 Lower
A/c, 2nd Class, Special Express, Baht 611
A/c, 2nd Class, Sleeper, Rapid, Baht 491 Upper, Baht 541 Lower
A/c, 2nd Class, Express, Baht 531 Upper, Baht 581 Lower.

For a timetable of trains to and from Chiang Mai see here.

Bus

Buses to Chiang Mai, both private and government, leave from Mochit bus terminal in Bangkok. The trip will take about 10 hours and you can choose between Ordinary air conditioned and VIP air conditioned buses. Prices range from about Baht 400 - 900. The buses are comfortable and reliable.
For timetable as at 30th Oct 2008 see Bus Time Table