Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai: Route Overview & Map
Mo Chit 2 (officially Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal at Chatuchak) is your launch pad for Chiang Mai. Distance is 685 km. Buses cruise up Highway 1 through Saraburi, Nakhon Sawan, and Lampang. Journey takes 10 to 11 hours depending on traffic and operator.
You’ll arrive at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal (Terminal 3). It’s 3 km northeast of Old Town. Grab a songthaew or taxi from there. Most buses run overnight so you wake up in the north.
Mo Chit to Chiang Mai Bus Timetable & Ticket Prices (2026)
| Operator | Time | Cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nakhonchai Air | 10h | 600 THB | 8/10 |
| Sritawong Tour | 10h 55m | 600 THB | 8/10 |
| Sombat Tour | 11h | 480 THB | 8/10 |
| Greenbus | 10h | 550 THB | 7/10 |
| Bangkok Busline | 10h 30m | 550-594 THB | 7/10 |
Prices are stable year-round. Peak season (Dec-Feb, Apr) sells out fast. Book three days ahead minimum. Greenbus starts earliest at 5 AM. Sritawong runs latest at 10:35 PM.
Looking for other northern routes? Check out City Center to Kanchanaburi if you’re doing the west loop first.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable Buses from Mo Chit 2
Cheapest: Sombat Tour at 480 THB. You sacrifice legroom and seat padding. Toilet is rough.
Fastest: Greenbus and Nakhonchai Air tie at 10 hours. Greenbus leaves earlier so you land in daylight.
Most Reliable: Nakhonchai Air and Sritawong Tour both score 8/10. Nakhonchai has newer coaches. Sritawong has better night departure options.
If you’re coming from Hua Lamphong Railway Station, take MRT Blue Line to Chatuchak Park (exit 1), then walk 400 meters to Mo Chit 2.
Comfort & Amenities Comparison by Operator (VIP vs Express)
Nakhonchai Air: Seats are 48 cm wide with 15-degree recline. Legroom is 78 cm. Toilet has soap and tissue until hour seven. No WiFi despite the stickers. Power sockets work on newer buses only.
Sombat Tour: Seats are 45 cm wide. Recline is 12 degrees max. Legroom is 72 cm. Toilet paper vanishes by hour five. Drivers blast TV at full volume. Bring earplugs.
Greenbus: Seats are 46 cm wide. Recline is 10 degrees. AC runs too cold. Blankets are thin and smell like mildew. Toilet door doesn’t lock. Snack stop at hour six in Nakhon Sawan.
Bangkok Busline: No recline. Seats are wooden-hard. AC is inconsistent. Toilet is a horror show. Only pick this if you’re doing daytime and staying awake.
Sritawong Tour: Seats are 47 cm wide with 14-degree recline. Legroom is 75 cm. Toilet is average. Drivers are professional. VIP buses have curtains but same seat size as standard.
Planning a beach run after the north? Try City Center to Pattaya for a quick coastal reset.
How to Book Mo Chit–Chiang Mai Bus Tickets Online Step‑by‑Step
Option 1: 12Go Asia (Recommended)
- Go to 12Go.asia and enter ‘Mo Chit’ to ‘Chiang Mai’.
- Filter by departure time and price.
- Pick your operator. Nakhonchai Air and Sritawong Tour are safest bets.
- Enter passenger details. Double-check your passport number if you’re foreign.
- Pay via card or PayPal. You’ll get an e-ticket in 5 minutes.
- Show e-ticket at Mo Chit 2 counter 30 minutes before departure. They’ll print your boarding pass.
Option 2: BusOnlineTicket.co.th
Same process. Interface is clunkier. Prices are identical. Stick to 12Go unless you’re already logged in here.
Option 3: Terminal Counter (Walk-Up)
Go to Mo Chit 2 two hours early. Counters are inside the main hall. Pay cash. You’ll get a paper ticket immediately. Risk: sold out during holidays.
Luggage: Standard allowance is 20 kg per person. Oversized bags (surfboards, bikes) cost 100-200 THB extra. Pay at the counter.
Arrival: Show up 30 minutes early. Gates are labeled in Thai and English. Bathrooms are near Gate 6. Grab snacks at 7-Eleven inside before boarding.
10h 55m
