Easy Ways to Go to Chiang Mai from India — Chiang Mai is located in Northern Thailand. The city is situated 700 kms North of Thailand. It is worth it to visit Chiang Mai due to its perfect mix of nature, culture and affordability. You get to explore diverse activities, stunning temples, laid back atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife. Some of the famous attractions that you can visit in Chiang Mai are Doi Inthanon National Park and Elephant Sanctuaries. Other important landmarks are Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang. Whether you are a family, or a couple planning a romantic getaway or a solo traveller. Chiang Mai has something for everyone. In this article, we will discuss how you can reach Chiang from India and the best routes to reach Chiang Mai.
You can reach Chiang Mai from India by taking a flight to Bangkok first. From Bangkok, book a domestic flight to Chiang Mai, which takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. Many airlines like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and Nok Air operate daily on this route. Another option is to take a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which takes around 10 to 12 hours. This journey is easy, safe, and suitable for all kinds of travellers.
Flying from India to Chiang Mai
The easiest and the fastest way to reach Chiang Mai from India would be to take a flight from India. Some of the major International airports in Chiang Mai are Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). The airport is 3 kms away from the city centre. The airport has the facilities of cars, buses and trains from the airport to the city. It connects Chiang Mai to the rest of the world. There are both domestic and international flights. The Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok is also used frequently by travellers to reach Chiang Mai.The flight’s ticket price may vary depending on when you are booking the flight. It would be best to book the flight ticket in advance.The time taken to travel to Chiang Mai is different depending on from which city and airline you are travelling from. On an average the time taken is between 3.5 – 4.5 hours.
Best Routes
Mumbai (BOM) – Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) has no direct flights to Chiang Mai. It has direct flights to Bangkok. Some of the major airlines include Air India and Indigo. Indigo operates six times a week. It takes around 4 hours to reach Bangkok. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai time taken depends on the mode of transportation you are using. On an average it will take around 10 – 11 hours to reach the destination.
Bengaluru – The Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bangalore offers no direct flights to Chiang Mai.Some of the major airlines that provide direct flights are Air India and Thai Airways. It takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach Bangkok. From here you can take a bus, train or a personal taxi to reach the destination.
Chennai – Chennai International Airport (MAA) has indirect flights to Chiang Mai in Thailand. You can find flights with airlines like Thai Airways, Air India, and IndiGo. There are usually layovers in Singapore and Bangkok. From Bangkok you can travel via train, taxi or bus to reach the destination.
Hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) has no direct flights to Chiang Mai. Some of the airlines that operate indirectly to Chiang Mai are IndiGo, Air India, and Thai AirAsia. It takes around 10 hours to reach from Hyderabad to Chiang Mai.
Kolkata – There are many indirect flights from Kolkata CCU to Chiang Mai. Some of the major airlines that provide indirect flights are Air India, IndiGo, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, and Thai Lion Air. It takes around 12 hours to reach the destination via Bangkok.
Visakhapatnam – There are indirect flights from Visakhapatnam to Chiang Mai. Some of the major airlines are Indigo and Air Asia. It takes around 14 – 20 hours to reach the destination via Bangkok. The total journey involves one stop or two. This significantly impacts the travel time.
Exploring Land and Sea Options
Road Travel from India to Chiang Mai(Via Myanmar): Roadways are not a safe option to travel from India to Chiang Mai. There are feasible options like buses which are cheap but might take longer than required.Yes, it is possible to travel, but it is highly complicated. It requires extensive permits (Myanmar visa, border crossing permits, carnet de passage for vehicles). But there are challenges like the road conditions are bad, political stability in Myanmar, and border formalities. It is best for adventure enthusiasts with significant time and resources.
Yes, road travel from India to Chiang Mai via Myanmar is definitely possible now, especially after the completion of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. The roadtrip generally takes 12 – 15 days. However to travel via this route you will require extensive permits like border crossing permits, International Driving Permit and carnet de passage for vehicles.
You might not always be able to use this route due to the political instability that Myanmar faces especially during these recent years. While the IMT Highway is a proposed route, it is not yet fully operational or in good condition in some sections, especially in Myanmar. It is best for adventure enthusiasts with significant time and resources.
However you can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via road. You can catch a bus from the Suvarnabhumi Airport or the Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. The cost is less than 80 Baht.
Train
There are no direct trains from India to Chiang Mai. However you can train till main cities in India like Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. From these major cities you can book your flight. Since there are no direct flights you can take the flight till Bangkok. Take the flight till Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. There are frequent trains that run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You can take a train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train Station. The entire journey might take anytime between 12 – 15 hours to reach the location. The train journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is fairly smooth if travelling via 2nd class and 3rd class train.
Sea Travel from India to Chiang Mai
There are no direct sea routes from India to Chiang Mai. The most practical way to reach from India to Chiang Mai would be to take a flight. But you can explore the cruises option which might include Thailand in their itineraries. They might make a stop in a port city which might be close to Chiang Mai.
Other options
Chiang Mai also has local options like the tuk tuk, songthaews, rickshaws and bus services. Songathaews is the most common transport used in Chiang Mai. It is like a mini van. They are the cheapest and affordable means of transport within the city. Tourists can opt for the local transport or can also go for self driven cars. But if you are opting for a self driven car then you must have an international driving license.
Conclusion: Ways to Reach Chiang Mai from India
So by now you know that the best and fastest means to reach Chiang Mai is via flight. Chiang Mai is a place full of historical places, parks, museums and other scenic views. It is a perfect blend of historical venture, cultural immersion and outdoor activities. So whether you are a family, small group of people or just adventure seekers, it is perfect for all types of travellers. Do not wait for the last minute to plan your trip out. Plan it in advance so that you can grab the best offers in flights and other means.
