Tuk-Tuks, Songthaews and Buses in Chiang Mai - what you should know

See the locations on Chiang Mai Songthaew and Bus Google Map

Picture by Connie Ma


Inside and around Chiang Mai City

Chiang Mai city now has buses. Or you use Tuk-Tuks, Songthaews (Pickups with seatbanks) or taxis. Since August 2014 only red songthaews are allowed to travel inside the city centre. All other songthaews and buses start from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal or Arcade Bus Terminal.

Chiang Mai RTC City Bus: See RTC Bus stops on Chiang Mai Google Map by #MyLanna. These air-con buses have been launched mid-2018. They run from 6.00 am to late night and charge a fare of 20 Bath per ride. The buses stop at the marked bus stops, if you raise your arm and wave up and down. You board at the front door and pay with coins into the fare machine. Tourist Cards cost 180 Baht for a 1-day unlimited ride or 400 Baht for a 3-day unlimited ride. CM transit mobile app provides timetables and maps with routes and bus stops. See the timetable.

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Kittinun Nakthong (@kittinunn) am Mai 16, 2019 um 11:48 PDT

RTC Bus on line R1

RTC Route B1: From Arcade Bus Terminal to Kruba Srivichai Monument. Bus stops on the way: Chiang Mai Railway Station, Warorot Market, Thapae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Suan Dok Gate, Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai University (the back), Malin Plaza, Chiang Mai Zoo.

RTC Route B2: From Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai International Airport. Bus stops on the way: Nawarat Market, Warorot Market, Thapae Gate, The Three Kings Monument, Wat Phra Singh, Suan Dok Gate, Nong Buak Hard Public Park, Electric Plaza, Saturday Night Market, Chiang Mai Gate, Wat Srisupan, The Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center, Chiang Mai Immigration Office.

RTC Route B3: From Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Provincial Government Office. Bus stops on the way: Central Festival Mall, Tesco Lotus Kam Tieng, Mueang Chiang Mai Stadium, Sri Wattana Market, Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium (Behind Sri Wattana Market), The Tribal Museum, Flea Market, Chiang Mai International Convention & Exhibition Center, The Chiang Mai 700 Years Stadium.

RTC Route R1: From Chiang Mai Zoo to Central Festival Mall. Bus stops on the way: Chiang Mai University, Malin Plaza, MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, One Nimman, Kad Suan Kaew, Computer Plaza, Wat Lok Moli, Mueang Chiang Mai Stadium, Thapae Gate, Warorot Market, The Riverside.

RTC Route R2: Starts from Promenada Mall and ends at the same place. Bus stops on the way: Art in Paradise 3D Museum, Shangri-La Hotel, Pantip Plaza, Anusarn Market, Kalare Night Bazaar, The Night Bazaar.

RTC Route R3: Begins and ends at Chiang Mai International Airport. Bus stops on the way: Chiang Mai Immigration Office, Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport, Electronic Plaza, Chiang Mai Gate, Saturday Night Market, Pantip Plaza, Anusarn Market, Night Bazaar, Kalare Night Bazaar, Warorot Market, Thapae Gate, Sunday Night Market, Wat Chedi Luang, The Three Kings Monument, Wat Lok Moli, Central Kad Suan Kaew, MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, One Nimman, Nimmanahaeminda Street, Wat Suan Dok.

RTC Route 10: Starts and ends at Khwan Wiang Village. Bus stops on the way: CentralPlaza Chiang Mai Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Wat Lok Moli, The Three Kings Monument, Thaepae Gate, Warorot Market, Night Bazaar, Kalare Night Market, Shangri-La Hotel, Art In Paradise 3D Museum, Chiang Mai Gate, Wat Sri Suphan (The Silver Temple), The Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center.



Learn the colours of the Songthaews: Differend colours mean different directions:

Picture by Dennis Jarvis

Red Songthaews: They roam around without a fixed route. Just stop one - by extending your arm in a downward motion - and ask for your destination. If the driver doesn't go to this destination take the next one.
Orange Songthaews: They travel to Fang in the north. Depart from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
White Songthaews: They travel to the eastern suburbs, to San Kampaeng. Depart from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
Yellow Songthaews: They travel to Mae Rim in the north and Hang Dong. Depart from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
Blue Songthaews: They travel to Sarapi and Lamphun in the south. Depart from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
Green Songthaews: They travel to Mae Jo in the northeast. Depart from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
The fare for the fixed routes is 20 Bath within Chiang Mai town. The price for longer distances has to be negotiated.


Tuk-Tuks: Fares are usually 40-50 Bath for a short way and 50-100 Bath for longer distances. Tuk-tuks parked near train- or busstations will ask for a higher price.



Buses out of Chiang Mai

The following buses leave from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal:

. Fang (Minibus, Duration: 3 hours): Every 30 Minutes From 05.30-19.30
. Mae Rim (Minibus, Duration: 20 Minutes): Every 15 Minutes From 05.30-18.00
. Mae Taeng (Minibus, Duration: 30 Minutes): Every 30 Minutes From 05.30-17.30
. Chiang Dao (Minibus, Duration: 1,5 hours): Every 30 Minutes From 05.30-17.30
. Om Koy (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 4 hours): 07.05/13.30
. Thaton (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 4 hours): 05.30/07.20/09.00/10.30/11.30/13.030/13.30
. Peangloung (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 6 hours): 08.30/12.30
. Hod (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 3 hours): Every 20 Minutes From 04.30-16.30
. Doi Tao (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 3 hours): 04.30/05.30/07.30/08.30/10.30/12.30/14.30/15.30
. Chomthong (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 1,5 hours): Every 20 Minutes From 04.30-18.00
. Prao (North) (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 2 hours): 06.20/09.50/13.50/15.50
. Prao (South) (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 2 hours): 06.10/06.40/07.10/08.30 Then every 1 hour till 16.30/ 17.10/18.10
. Mae Jo (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 15 minutes): Every 1 Hour From 04.20-21.00
. Lamphun (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 1 hour): 06.45/08.00 Then every 1 Hour till 18.00
. Samoeng (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 3 hours): 09.00/10.45/12.30/14.15/16.00
. Ban Watchan (Ordinary Bus, Duration: 6 hours): 11.00



The following buses leave from Arcade Bus Terminal. There are buses from state and private companies for long distance travel. See the bus routes on Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand Bus Map

Green Bus: See Green Bus Timetable. For a reservation you call their Call Center 0-5326-6480. They will give you a reservation number. Then you have 2 hours to get to a Seven Eleven shop, where you can pay with the reservation number and get your ticket. Click for timetables:
. 166 Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
. 1661 Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle
. 150 Chiang Mai - Lamphang - Phayao - Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle
. 619 Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Mae Sai
. 6721 Chiang Mai - Mae Sot
. 198 Chiang Mai - Wang Nuea - Phayao
. 1663 Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong
. 671 Chiang Mai - Phayao - Chiang Khong
. 6711 Chiang Mai - Phayao - Thoeng
. 113 Chiang Mai - Phayao - Nan
. 1131 Chiang Mai - Phayao - Chiang Muan
. 113 Chiang Mai - Phayao - Chiang Maun - Nan
. 169 Chiang Mai - Lamphun - Lamphang - Phrae - Nan
. 1691 Chiang Mai - Lamphun - Lamphang - Phrae
. 1692 Chiang Mai – Lamphun - Lamphang - Phrae – Nan – Thung Chang
. 672 Mae Sai - Mae Sod
. 146 Lamphang - Phayao - Chiang Rai

See map of Green Bus Routes


The Transport Co.: The state bus company. See their routes and numbers in Thai. See their timetable in Thai and English. You can translate with Google Translate.
. Chiang Mai-Bangkok
. More buses Chiang Mai - Bangkok by other companies.

Prempracha Transport Co.: See their routes.
. Chiang Mai - Pai - Mae Hong Son
. Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang -Mae Hongson
. Chiang Mai - Chiangdao - Prao
. Chiang Mai - Sansai - Prao

Nakhonchai Tour Bus Company:
. Chiang Mai - Nakhon Ratchasima

Sombat Tour:
. Chiang Mai - Hua Hin, See timetable. Read an experience by Four Letter Nerd.
. Chiang Mai - Khon Kaen

Chakrapong Tour:
. Chiang Mai - Udon Thani via Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Loei and Nong Bua Lamphu

Bus Schedules and Fares from Chiang Mai: Read more here.