Are you looking for the best way to get from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai in Thailand? If so, then you’re in the right place!
We spent weeks travelling around Thailand and did this route ourselves, although we caught the train down from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya. The reverse journey works the same way, and I would recommend catching the train, especially the overnight sleeper, which is a bit of a novelty. There are a few other ways, though…
To reach Chiang Mai, the laidback hippie city in the heart of Northern Thailand, you have buses, flights, private cars and even rentals as a means of transport. It’s a landlocked city, a favourite of ours, surrounded by mountains, forest trails and stunning scenery, and it’s a beautiful and culturally unique place to visit. So, how will you get there?
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Summary | Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai Transport Options
If you’ve been in Ayutthaya for a few days, you might be thinking it’s time to move on; heading north to Chiang Mai is a good choice. We loved both of these ancient cities, and although they have similarities – old temples and laidback vibes – they are different, offering two unique experiences in Thailand.
As you’ve likely noticed, Ayutthaya is quite far away from Chiang Mai (over 600km), being only a couple of hours north on the train from Bangkok. This means that it can take a while to travel between the two, if you’re going overland your options are by road or rail.
Times vary depending on the transport method. However, it takes around 9 to 11 hours by bus, although it can sometimes be faster or delayed depending on traffic. Usually, it won’t be anything more than 30 minutes over ETA.
For the train, it takes about 10 to 13 hours to get from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. The fastest way will be in a private car, expect an 8-hour journey, but hefty prices.
It’s possible to return to Bangkok and catch a flight from there directly to Chiang Mai. This is the fastest option (1.5 hours) but it can also be another expensive option, depending on when you choose to go!
✅ Depending on your budget and travel preferences, we think the train is the best option for travelling from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. Nevertheless, I’m going to go over all the options for you in more detail so you can choose which is best for you.
Transport Summary Costs
✔️By Train.Cheapest from £6.40/$8.00 Recommended from £17.50/$21.70 to £23.80/$29.50
✔️By Bus.VIP Direct Bus from £22.60/$28.00
✔️By Rental Car: A small car from about £25.00/$31.00 per day
✔️By Taxi. Cheapest 3-Seater Comfort from £322.00/$400.00
✔️By Plane. From about £20.00/$25.00 to £30.00/$37.00
Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai By Train
✔️Price: Recommended 2nd Class A/C (or fan) Sleeper from £17.50/$21.70 to £23.80/$29.50
✔️Time: 10 to 12 hours
We actually travelled from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya by sleeper train but it’s the same thing running the other way.
The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) is a state-owned railway company connecting both the south and north of Thailand via Bangkok. The trains are pretty great, especially the overnight sleeper trains which have become a rite of passage for any budget traveller visiting Thailand.
It’s a fun and quintessential Thai experience which also saves on accommodation costs.
Note: Trains on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines will leave from the new terminal station in Bangkok called Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which was formerly called Bang Sue Grand. Although this won’t affect you leaving from Ayutthaya, it’s good to know!
Train Times
*Please double check as train times tend to change. You can visit 12Go to check times and pre-book online.
The SRT Northern Line, which is the one you will need to get from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai, runs 5 times a day, 3 of which are the night trains. You will have the choice of three classes: first, second and third.
| Train | Ayutthaya | Chiang Mai | Service |
| 7 | 09:48 | 19:30 | Special Express |
| 109 | 15:19 | 04:05 | Rapid |
| 9 | 19:45 | 07:15 | Special Express |
| 13 | 21:07 | 08:40 | Special Express |
| 51 | 23:36 | 12:10 | Express |
Fastest Train: Train #7, departing at 09.48 in the morning (I’ve heard this recently changed to 8:23), is the only day train. If you prefer not to travel through the night, this is the one to catch. Although you won’t experience the sleeper train, the views through the mountains are said to make the trip worthwhile.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is 9 hours 42 minutes.
Slowest Train: Train #109, departing at 15.19 in the afternoon, is also the cheapest train. This is because it arrives in Ayutthaya at the awkward time of 4 am, which can cause some problems reaching hotels. I wouldn’t recommend this train unless it’s a last resort.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is 12 hours 46 minutes.
Train Prices
Depending on your budget and travel preferences (and time of day) you will want to weigh up which carriage/class you choose:
- First-class berth in compartments for 1-2 passengers is the most expensive.
- Second-class berth or Second-class seat is the one we recommend.
- Third-class seat is best for daytime travel or if you’re on a really tight budget. Note, these are SEATS and you will not get a berth to sleep.
| Seat Type | Avg. Online Price | Avg. Station Price |
| 1st Class A/C Whole Room Sleeper | 2,198 Baht | 1,898 to 2,398 Baht |
| 1st Class A/C Sleeper | 1,698 to 1,848 Baht | 1,198 to 1,598 Baht |
| 2nd Class A/C Sleeper | 1,046 to 1,291 Baht | 746 to 1,016 Baht |
| 2nd Class A/C Seat | 866 Baht | 616 Baht |
| 2nd Class Fan Sleeper | 766 to 806 Baht | 516 to 556 Baht |
| 2nd Class Fan Seat | 440 to 488 Baht | 406 Baht |
| 3rd Class Fan Seat | 271 to 313 Baht | 261 Baht |
Booking Your Train
You can either book directly at the station or online. Booking at the station will be cheaper than online; however, you run the risk of not getting a ticket as the trains fill up quickly. This happens regularly during peak season – November to February.
If you’re looking to book directly, I advise you to book your ticket a few days before you want to travel. Once you have decided when you’re leaving, head to the station and book your ticket.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you prefer to book online, which is easier and quicker, we use 12Go Asia. You’ll be able to search for different trains, but make sure you book the right class. The good thing is 12Go Asia’s platform is really easy to navigate!
Note: A small disadvantage with 12Go Asia is it’s necessary to collect old-fashioned paper train tickets. Although, in some instances, you can book as an e-ticket and show your ticket on your phone.
⭐ Pro tip >> Ticket pickup at/near the departure station in Bangkok if you know when you’ll be leaving Ayutthaya and want to book your ticket in advance. Or with an alternative shipping option to the parcel room at your departure station or by EMS to your home/hotel address at an additional cost.
Alternatively, you can use the D-ticket, which is the official online ticket seller. However, their site isn’t user-friendly, and you might have some trouble navigating and purchasing tickets. The good thing is there is no booking fee or additional charges!
Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai By Bus
✔️By Bus. From £22.60/ $28.00 overnight VIP Direct Bus.
✔️Time: 9 hours 45 mins
The next way to reach Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya is by bus. It’s not necessarily the cheapest option when compared to the 3rd and 2nd class train tickets but it’s a good alternative if the trains are full, or you prefer to travel by coach, plus the bus is slightly faster.
Thai Sriram is the bus company which operates a double-decker coach between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. It’s a VIP Direct Bus and offers lots of different amenities. Once you get on board, you can enjoy A/C, reclining seats, WC, charger and food & drinks.
Although we didn’t travel from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai via bus we did go from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai on the overnight bus. It’s a similar journey and to be honest, it was not that comfortable! I would recommend sticking to the trains.
Alternatively, if you really want an adventure you could choose local buses which depart more regularly throughout the day. However, they aren’t direct and although cheaper, for ease and comfort you might as well jump on a train which is still very reasonably priced. This option is more suited if you want to make stops along the way.
Bus Times
There is only one VIP Direct Bus departing from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai per day at 8 pm. It’s an overnight bus leaving from Ayutthaya and arriving at 5:45 am. Our coach from Kanchanaburi arrived at a similar time and we found there were many Songthaew (a converted pick-up truck with two rows of back benches) at the bust terminal.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai via bus is 9 hours 45 mins.
Bus Prices
✔️ Booked in advance and online, the cheapest bus tickets from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai will be about £22.60/$28.00.
Booking Your Bus
Depending on how you prefer to book, it’s always cheapest to book in advance at the bus station in Ayutthaya.
For the lowest prices, it’s usually best to book as far in advance as possible and look out for low-cost deals. Be aware that some providers do not offer refunds or changes on their lower-priced tickets!
⭐ Pro tip >> Otherwise, if you don’t mind paying booking fees you can book your bus ticket online at BookAway. Their website is super easy to navigate and makes booking very easy.
Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai By Private Car
For road travel, you can either rent a car or hire a taxi. These are both more expensive options than the train or bus. However, there are many positives, such as increased comfort and freedom.
Renting A Car
✔️By Rental Car: A small car from about £25.00 /$31.00 per day
✔️Time: estimated. 8 hours direct
Choosing to rent a car in Thailand offers you the most freedom and comfort. You’ll be able to leave when you want, stop where to want and travel at your own pace. The countryside between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai is particularly beautiful and choosing to take a road trip will have enormous cultural benefits.
If you’re thinking about this option, I would suggest planning a road trip departing from Bangkok. It’s possible to arrange an alternative drop-off location for your car, but the price is hefty – about £125/$155.00 extra for this service.
Therefore you might consider starting and ending in Bangkok while adding Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai to your itinerary!
Rental Car Times
When you rent a car you pay a daily rate every 24 hours.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is 8 hours, although I would suggest making at least one overnight stop (if not more) along the way.
Rental Car Prices
Rental car prices vary considerably depending on many factors; which company you use, the time of year, make, model and age of the vehicle will all impact the total cost. You also need to consider insurance, and if you’re dropping the car in a different location, there is usually a one-way fee.
Adding an additional driver will also have an additional cost, although this is generally quite small eg. £4.00/$5.00 per driver
| Vehicle Size | Avg. Cost | Avg. Insurance |
| Small | £25.00/$31.00 per day | £20.00/$25.00 + per day |
| Medium | £28.00/$35.00 per day | £20.00/$25.00 + per day |
| Large | £35.00/$43.00 per day | £20.00/$25.00 + per day |
Booking your Rental Car
We have previously used EconomyBookings and Rentals Cars to book cars overseas and have had a good experience with both. Therefore, I’m happily recommending them both!
The only catch is that neither of these companies has a pick-up garage in Ayutthaya, so you will have to grab your car in Bangkok. The good news is that you can drop the car in Chiang Mai, but you’ll have to pay the one-way fee.
⭐ Pro tip >> The best way to make sure you get the best deal is to compare both these companies online. Click on EconomyBookings and Rentals Cars here!
Hiring A Taxi
✔️By Taxi. Cheapest 3-Seater Comfort from £322.00/$399.00
✔️Time: estimated. 8 hours direct
Not everyone is comfortable renting a car in a foreign country. If this is the case and you prefer to travel by road you can choose to book a taxi. Keep in mind this is a long journey and it is the most expensive option.
Taxi Times
The great thing about booking a taxi is that you choose when and where you want to leave. You can get picked up directly outside your hotel and you don’t need to worry about missing your transfer.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai via Taxi is 8 hours.
Taxi Prices
There are a few different options depending on the size of your group operated by Thailand Limo By Datum. If you are travelling in a group this is a much more viable option as you can split the costs.
- Standard Car: Up to 3 persons, £322.00/ $399.00 (13,750 Baht)
- SUV: Up to 4 persons, £325.00/ $402.00 (13,860 Baht)
- Mini Van: Up to 9 persons, £347.00/ $430.00 (14,850 Baht)
✔️ Booked in advance and online, the cheapest taxi price from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is est. £322.00 / $399.00
Booking Your Taxi
There are two ways to book your taxi from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai: Online via a booking platform such as 12Go Asia or directly through Thailand Limo By Datum.
Since 12Go Asia uses Thailand Limo By Datum, I would assume it is a reputable company. However, they only have a Facebook page, and while booking directly would appear cheaper, you have no insurance or guarantee.
⭐ Pro tip >>Therefore, I would recommend using 12Go Asia to make your taxi booking.
Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai By Plane
✔️By Plane. From about £20.00/$25.00 to £30/$37.00 one-way
✔️Time: Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai can be completed in around 6 hours.
The final way to reach Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya is to fly. Unfortunately, Ayutthaya doesn’t have an airport and so you will need to go back to Bangkok. The good news is this is easy and quick, and you can jump on a train from Ayutthaya to Bangkok which takes less than an hour.
Flying nationally is a super quick and effective way of getting around Thailand, especially if you’re pressed for time or just don’t like long journeys.
Flying is the quickest way to reach Chiang Mai, although when considering travel time between destinations and airport wait time, it’s not that much quicker than catching a taxi! But, it’s a lot cheaper!
Flight Times
It’s possible to fly from both Bangkok’s airports: Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Mai. Various companies fly to Chiang Mai, the most common are Thai AirAsia, Vietjet Air and Nok Air.
Alongside the multiple airlines, you’ll find numerous flights departing each day, ensuring that the total journey time between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai can be completed in around 6 hours.
✔️ Travel time from Ayutthaya to Bangkoki via train is about (on average) 1 hour.
✔️ Travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via plane is about 1 hour 15 mins.
Flight Prices
Booked in advance and online, the cheapest ticket I have seen from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was £7.00. However, this was for about 6 weeks in advance. On average, if you’re looking for a last-minute deal, they sit between £20.00/$25.00 to £30/$37.00 one-way.
✔️ The average price for a train ticket between Ayutthaya and Bangkok is £1.00/$1.24 (70 Baht).
✔️ The average price of a plane ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about£20.00/$25.00 to £30/$37.00 one-way
Booking Your Flight
You’ll need to buy both your train ticket to Bangkok and your airline ticket separately. It’s easy enough and can be done online or at the terminals. Keep in mind that if you have specific time needs, it’s best to book all transport online.
It’s always cheaper to book at the ticket office in person, but unless you’re flexible, this is risky, especially if you have already booked your flight. That said, trains do run regularly between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai.
✔️ I believe there are about 10 trains per day, and if you’re happy to travel third class and stand, you will always get a space!
It’s actually easier to book the train ticket at the station as you will need to arrange for the paper copy to be sent to you if you book online using 12Go Asia.
⭐ Pro tip >> Since flights are already very affordable, I would stick to booking online. We use Skyscanner and Kayak to compare flights. Be sure to compare to find the best deals!
Resources For Thailand
Is it your first time visiting Thailand? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Thailand Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- We spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai; e sure to visit the elephants.
- Fancy a road trip to Pai along Route 1095? You’ll need to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai to make the most of this trip!
- We really enjoyed visiting Kanchanaburi. It’s where the death railway can be found, but there’s also a stunning waterfall.
- Are you travelling for longer? Consider a 2-week island hopping adventure in the south.
- If you’re searching for a paradise island, head to Koh Mook!
- Phuket Old Town is a great place to end your holiday if you’re flying out from the island; 2 days are enough.
Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Get From Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai?
Travel by train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai takes about 10-13 hours. While by bus from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai takes about 9-10 hours. Travel by rental car/taxi from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai takes about 8-9 hours. While travelling by plane – a direct flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1-1.5 hours.
How Do I Get From Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai?
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is to catch the sleeper train. There are 3 sleeper trains departing from Ayutthaya: #9 at 19:45, #13 at 21:07 and #51 at 23:36.
Alternatively, you can catch the VIP Direct Bus departing at 20:00 every evening, hire a taxi, rent a car or return to Bangkok and fly direct from either Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airports.
How Long Is The Train From Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai?
Fastest Train: Train #7, departing at 09.48 in the morning is the only day train. Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is 9 hours 42 minutes.
Slowest Train: Train #109, departing at 15.19 in the afternoon is also the cheapest train. Travel time from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai is 12 hours 46 minutes.
How Much Is A Taxi From Bangkok To Ayutthaya?
There are a few different taxi prices and options to get to Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya. Depending on the size of your group, Thailand Limo By Datum are a recommended company to use.
Taxi costs, start anywhere from £322.00/$399.00 for a standard car, £325.00/$402.00 for an SUV and £347.00/$430.00 for a minivan.
Conclusion: Ayutthaya To Chiang Mai Transportation Guide
And there we have it. Hopefully, by now, you have got all the information you wanted on how to get to Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya. As I’ve said, we did this journey (more or less) on the bus and the train. The train wins every time, without a doubt.
Catching the sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya was one of our favourite Thai experiences and it’s really something everyone should try at least once.
That said, considering how cheap the flights are, it also makes a lot of sense to return to Bangkok and fly from there. But you will miss the opportunity to travel on a sleeper train!
👉 READ NEXT: Why Is Thailand So Cheap For Tourists? Visiting Or Living In Thailand
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