Chiang Rai Day Trip From Chiang Mai: Bus Times and Fees
Greenbus leaves Chiang Mai from 07:00, and the last bus back leaves Chiang Rai at 18:30. The White Temple costs THB 200 for foreigners. Greenbus fares run THB 220 for A-Class, THB 260 for X-Class and THB 360 for V-Class.
The last Greenbus back leaves Chiang Rai at 18:30.
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple.
Chiang Rai day trip bus times, fees and opening hours
Greenbus departures
Greenbus leaves Chiang Mai daily at 07:00, 07:30, 08:45, 09:30, 11:00, 13:30, 14:00, 17:00, 18:15 and 18:30. Mondays add a 06:00 departure, and Fridays and Sundays add 16:00.
Buses back leave Chiang Rai daily at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 16:00, 18:00 and 18:30. Your booking confirms the departure time for your date.
Expect THB 220 for A-Class, THB 260 for X-Class and THB 360 for V-Class. A-Class has standard seats and no toilet. Book up to 30 days ahead.
Greenbus sells through its FairFair booking page. Pick your travel date first, then read the bus type, the departure and arrival terminals and the final price before paying.
The Green Bus booking window at Arcade Terminal 3 is Window 20. The Greenbus phone line is 053 266 480.
Sight tickets and opening hours
Sight
Foreign adult
Hours
White Temple
THB 200
—
The White Temple fee doubled from THB 100 on 1 January 2026, and the ticket includes the Cave of Art. Visitors aged 70 and over and children shorter than 120 cm enter free.
What to see in Chiang Rai on a day trip
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple
The White Temple is about 13 km from Chiang Rai city.
The temple is in Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The White Temple reflected in its pond.
Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple
The Blue Temple is the one sight you can walk to from the city; the White Temple (13 km) and Black House (13 km) need a bus or taxi. It is on Maekok Road, Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) 306 หมู่ที่ 2 Maekok Rd, Tambon Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple.
Baan Dam, the Black House
The museum is at 333 Nang Lae, Chiang Rai 57100.
Baan Dam Museum 333 Nang Lae, อำเภอเมือง Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)One of the dark wooden buildings at Baan Dam, the Black House.
Other stops on the Chiang Rai run
Singha Park is a farm and garden you can visit if you have a car or tour. The park is at 99 Mae Kon, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.
Who a Chiang Rai day trip suits (and who should skip it)
The painted ceiling inside the Blue Temple.
How to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai
By Greenbus
Buses leave Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade Bus Station) for Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1. Greenbus stops at both Chiang Rai terminals. Bus Terminal 1 is the old bus station, in the centre of town.
Bus Terminal 2 is 7 km south of the city, just off the super highway. A songthaew connects the two terminals and takes 15 minutes. Local buses to the White Temple or the Black House leave from Terminal 1. Terminal 1 sits in Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.
A public bus runs from the Chiang Rai bus station to the White Temple for THB 20 and takes 30 minutes.
Back from the White Temple to the bus terminal
Flag down a public bus from the police station on the left side of the road leading back to the main highway.
There is no timetable for the last bus, so keep a taxi as your safety net. It costs about THB 200-300 one way and takes around 20 minutes. Some drivers offer a THB 300-500 round trip and wait while you visit.
Leave the temple at least an hour before your bus: the last Greenbus back leaves at 18:30, and the ticket tells you which terminal it leaves from. Buses stop at both terminals, so check this before you sit down to dinner.
The railing and garden in the White Temple grounds.
Shared shuttle, tour or hired van
A shared shuttle leaves Chiang Mai either in the morning (07:45) or afternoon (14:00). You can get off at the White Temple, Chiang Rai downtown or the airport.
One Chiang Mai operator sells a White, Blue and Black Temples group day tour at THB 1,900 and a Golden Triangle group day tour at THB 2,300. A van with driver costs THB 2,590 per day, with 10 hours of rental time and a maximum of 13 passengers. Extra hours cost THB 200 each, and you pay fuel at about THB 4-5 per km.
When to go and how long
Catch the 07:00 bus: the ride takes 3 hours 20 minutes, and the last bus back leaves at 18:30.
Another gabled building in the Black House grounds.
Nearby and how to combine it
Plan the day around the opening hours. Sits 13 km from the city. The Blue Temple is the stop you can make on foot.
1Book the busBook Greenbus up to 30 days ahead for the date you travel.
2Board at Arcade Terminal 3Buses leave Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade Bus Station) for Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1.
3Reach the White TempleA public bus from the Chiang Rai bus station to the White Temple costs THB 20 and takes 30 minutes.
4Get back to the terminalFlag down a public bus from the police station on the road back to the main highway, or take a taxi for about THB 200-300.
5Catch the last busThe last bus back leaves Chiang Rai at 18:30.
Not confirmed: Greenbus fares: Greenbus publishes no fare table, so check the price for your date on the booking page before you pay. Last local bus back from the White Temple: no timetable found, so plan a taxi back.
What is the last bus back from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai?
The last daily departure from Chiang Rai is 18:30.
How much does the White Temple cost for foreigners?
Foreign visitors pay THB 200 from 1 January 2026, up from THB 100, and the ticket includes the Cave of Art. Visitors aged 70 and over and children shorter than 120 cm enter free.
How do I get from the Chiang Rai bus station to the White Temple?
A public bus runs from the Chiang Rai bus station to the White Temple for THB 20 and takes 30 minutes.
How do I get back from the White Temple to the Chiang Rai bus station?
Flag down a public bus from the police station on the left side of the road leading back to the main highway. A taxi costs about THB 200-300 one way.
How much is a group tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
One Chiang Mai operator sells a White, Blue and Black Temples group day tour at THB 1,900.
Is there a train from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
The nearest train station to Chiang Rai is in Chiang Mai. Take the bus.
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
