Chiang Mai Bus and Train Stations: Arcade, Chang Phuak, Rail
Chang Phuak handles buses within Chiang Mai Province, while the Arcade station handles buses from outside it. Arcade has two terminals, numbered 2 and 3. The railway station is about 3 km east of the centre. A public minibus from Arcade to the Old City costs THB 15, while tuk-tuk drivers ask THB 100 to 200.
Chiang Mai has two bus stations and one railway station, and they sit on different sides of the city. Arcade adds a second layer, with two terminals side by side.
Which station for which trip
A roofed bus bay and forecourt at the Arcade bus station.
Station
Serves
Where
Chang Phuak Bus Terminal
Buses within Chiang Mai Province
North of the moat, about 1 km north of Chang Phuak Gate
Arcade bus station, Terminals 2 and 3
Buses from outside Chiang Mai Province
End of Kaeo Nawarat Road, before the superhighway
Chiang Mai railway station
Trains on the Northern Line
East of the Ping River, about 3 km east of the centre
The entrance side of the larger Arcade terminal, with a taxi at the kerb.
Arcade (อาเขต) has two official terminals, separated by a tuk-tuk stand and a road. The Land Transport Office calls them Chiang Mai Bus Stations No. 2 and 3.
Terminal 3 is the larger and newer one. It has an air-conditioned waiting room, ATMs, small food vendors and the Green Bus booking window, number 20. Buses for Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Ubon, Korat, Nan, Hua Hin, Luang Prabang, Mae Sot and Mae Khachan leave from here.
Terminal 2 has the booking office for BKS government buses, a tourist police office, ATMs and food vendors. Buses for Bangkok, Phitsanulok and Udon leave from there.
The overlap is large, with no logic to which bus uses which terminal. Ask the ticket seller, and check the number on your ticket.
The private company Nakhonchai Air has its own terminal behind Terminal 2.
Chang Phuak Bus Terminal: buses inside the province
The bus bays at Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.
Chang Phuak (ช้างเผือก) handles buses within Chiang Mai Province, including Mae Rim, Chiang Dao, Fang, Tha Ton, Phrao, Hot, Chom Thong, Doi Tao and Samoeng. It sits off Chang Phuak Road, on the north side of the moat.
Yellow songthaews to Chom Thong, Wiang Kalong, Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Rim leave from here. They cost around THB 20 to 30 a ride. Orange songthaews to Fang district also leave from here, at around THB 40 to 80. Those fares are from an older guide, so expect them to be higher now.
Yellow pickup-truck taxis outside Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1 (Chang Phueak Bus Terminal) Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Chiang Mai railway station
The front of Chiang Mai railway station.
Chiang Mai railway station (สถานีรถไฟเชียงใหม่) is the main railway station of the province. For the train numbers, times and fares from Bangkok, see Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Flooding closed part of the Northern Line on 26 September 2026 and SRT cancelled the overnight Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains. It reopened the line from 09.30 on 27 September 2026. Check train status on ttsview.railway.co.th, or call hotline 1690 at any hour.
Many songthaews and tuk-tuks wait for each train’s arrival. To walk, cross the open square, turn left on Charoen Muang Road and follow it to the centre.
Public minibus. It costs THB 15 and leaves from the road between the two terminal buildings.
Songthaew. Some wait near Terminal 3, beside the road between the terminals. Virtually all of them pass Warorot Market.
Tuk-tuk. Drivers ask THB 100 to 200 to the centre. The fair price is THB 50 to 60, so agree the fare before you get in.
Walking. It takes 1 hour or more, because the station is in the north-east outskirts.
A red-truck queue stands at the Arcade station.
In June 2024 the Land Transport Office arrested 7 drivers for carrying paying passengers by app in unregistered vehicles inside the Arcade terminals and the railway station. See Grab vs Bolt in Chiang Mai and songthaew red trucks for fares and how to ride.
Floods at the stations
On 5 October 2024 flooding at the Arcade terminal left tourists stranded, because getting in and out was hard. The same day the railway at Nong Hoi closed because of strong current. A 2022 Irrigation Office warning listed the railway station in its seventh area. See Chiang Mai rainy season and flooding.
1Pick the station by destinationUse Chang Phuak for towns within Chiang Mai Province and Arcade for other provinces.
2Confirm the terminal at ArcadeArcade has two terminals and buses overlap, so ask the ticket seller which one your bus leaves from.
3Choose how to reach the Old CityFrom Arcade, a public minibus costs THB 15 and tuk-tuk drivers ask up to THB 200.
4Leave the railway station on foot or by songthaewSongthaews and tuk-tuks wait for each train, and Charoen Muang Road leads to the centre.
Not confirmed: Facilities: no official page for Arcade, Chang Phuak or the railway station was reachable, so counters, ATMs and waiting rooms come from an undated travel wiki. Bus timetables by destination are not published here; ask at the operator's window.
Chang Phuak for towns inside Chiang Mai Province, and the Arcade station for buses from other provinces.
What is the difference between Arcade Terminal 2 and Terminal 3?
Terminal 3 is the larger and newer one. Terminal 2 has the BKS booking office and a tourist police office. Buses overlap between them, so confirm where yours leaves.
How far is the Chiang Mai railway station from the Old City?
About 3 km east of the city centre. A walk goes down Charoen Muang Road, which leads directly to the centre.
How much is a tuk-tuk from the Arcade station to the Old City?
Drivers ask THB 100 to 200. The fair price is THB 50 to 60, and the minibus at THB 15 is cheaper still.
Is there a cheap way from the Arcade station into town?
A public minibus to the old town costs THB 15, leaving from the road between the two terminal buildings.
Do the stations flood?
On 5 October 2024 the Arcade bus terminal flooded and the railway line at Nong Hoi closed.
Where do yellow songthaews to Mae Rim leave from, and what do they cost?
From the Chang Phuak Bus Terminal. Rides to towns outside the city cost around THB 20 to 30.
Is the railway line to Chiang Mai running after the September 2026 floods?
Flooding closed part of the Northern Line and cancelled the overnight Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains. SRT reopened it at 09.30 on 27 September 2026. Check status at ttsview.railway.co.th or on hotline 1690.
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.
