Chiang Rai Bus Terminal

Chiang Rai Bus Terminals

Buses and minibuses offer a cheaper choice of travel to get to Chiang Rai, from Bangkok or from other cities of tourist interest, respect to air travel. Buses take much more time for the journey, of course, but they cost much less of flights. Many tourists use them lately since when are available the lines with VIP buses, which traveling in the night allow to recover the excess time respect to flights. You can buy tickets directly at the departure terminal or at any travel agency, prices are not negotiable. There are two bus stations in Chiang Rai, a new one outside the city, Bus Terminal 2, and the old one in the centre, Bus Terminal 1. The old downtown bus station, located in Prasopsook Road next to the night bazaar, it was the point of departure and arrival of all provincial buses, and also the headquarters of the largest private company in northern Thailand, the Greenbus. Currently the station is under reconstruction, the work will probably be completed in 2017, and majority of services have moved to the new Terminal 2, such as buses to and from Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai. Some local buses, and all of Greenbus, still depart from here, unknown for how long time again, but most of them, those toward south, do anyway a stop at the new terminal. New station, Bus Terminal 2, is 7 kilometers south of the city, just off the Phahonyothin Road.All long distance buses which connect Chiang Rai to the other Thai provinces stop there. In Thailand, many cities like Chiang Rai, have preferred to move a large part of the bus outside the city walls in news terminals, for streamlining city traffic and improving the service. Inside the building there are various Ticket Counters, schedules and rates are well exposed and easy to understand. For all destinations there are different prices depending on the type of bus and the number of seats. The available destinations include the cities of Bokeo, in Laos, Chiang Mai, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai, Mae Sot, Sukhothai, Lampang, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom and Bangkok. During high season it is recommended to buy a bus ticket in advance. Note: schedules and fares are subject to change without prior notice, often, depending on the season, prices are lowered or raised, the lines are reduced or deleted. To reach the city center, or your final destination, outside the terminal are available tuk tuks, songthaews and few metered taxis. The songthaew service, collective, between the two terminals cost 20 THB per passenger, a trip of 15 minutes, but only until 18:00 after is free bargaining.Read More