🔄 Updated 20 Jun 2026
Short answer: Flying is fastest and best value — about 1 hour 15 minutes, and cheap if booked ahead. For atmosphere (and to save a night’s accommodation) the overnight sleeper train is the classic choice at around 11–13 hours. Buses are cheapest but take about 9–10 hours.
Your travel options
| Mode | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | ~1h 15m | ฿–฿฿ | Fastest; cheap if booked early |
| Sleeper train | ~11–13h | ฿ | Sleep on board, scenic; book berths ahead |
| Bus / coach | ~9–10h | ฿ | Cheapest; departs from Mochit |
Which should you choose?
If time matters, fly — booked ahead, airfares are often similar to a good sleeper berth but save you a whole day. If you want the Thai-train experience and are not in a hurry, take an early-evening sleeper and wake up in Chiang Mai in the morning.
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