Key hubs
Chiang Rai airport and railway station
- Airport
- Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), about 8 km from the city centre; flights are mostly to Bangkok, with some other domestic routes
- Railway station
- None. There is no rail service to Chiang Rai; a branch line to Chiang Khong is under construction and expected to open in 2028, per Wikipedia. Most visitors fly or take a bus or car.
- Getting around
- Hired car with driver for the temples and hill trips; Grab or local taxis and songthaews in town. Public buses run from Chiang Mai in about 3.5 hours.
How to reach Chiang Rai by air
Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) is about 8 km from the city centre. Flights run mainly to Bangkok (about 1 hour 30 minutes), and Wikipedia also lists Phuket and Singapore. We could not confirm direct flights from India, so most travellers connect via Bangkok or fly to Chiang Mai.
How to reach Chiang Rai by train
There is no rail service to Chiang Rai. A branch line to Chiang Khong is under construction and expected to open in 2028 per Wikipedia, so do not plan around a train.
How to reach Chiang Rai by road
Highway 1 links Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Mae Sai. Bangkok is about 839 km away, roughly 14 hours by road. Buses from Chiang Mai take about 3.5 hours. The rainy season can disrupt road travel.
Getting around Chiang Rai
A hired car with driver is the easiest way to see the temples and day trips. In town, taxis and songthaews run short hops; agree fares first. Hill roads to Doi Tung, Mae Salong and Phu Chi Fa are winding.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Chiang Rai
- Book a hired car with driver for the temples and hill trips; the sights are spread out and public transport is limited.
- On winding hill roads such as Mae Salong and Phu Chi Fa, carry motion-sickness medicine and plan stops.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.