THE SHORT VERSION
Phayao to Chiang Rai at a glance.
- From
- Phayao พะเยา
- To
- Chiang Rai เชียงราย
- Road distance
- About 94 km
- Straight line
- 83 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~1 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Chiang Rai to Phayao →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Phayao
Boarding points depend on the operator: some use the local bus station, others collect from their office or your hotel. Your ticket shows the exact place and check-in time.
Arriving in Chiang Rai
Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
- Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
In the town centre. Regional buses to Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong. - Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2
About 5 km south of the centre. Long-distance buses to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and beyond.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Buses towards Laos cross at Chiang Khong–Huay Xai. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Chiang Rai, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Chiang Rai
More buses from Phayao
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Phayao from Chiang Rai by road?+
About 94 km by road (83 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Phayao to Chiang Rai take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 1 h 15 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Phayao?+
It depends on the operator: some use the local bus station, others collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Chiang Rai to Phayao?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Chiang Rai to Phayao guide.
Where does the bus from Phayao arrive in Chiang Rai?+
It depends on the operator. In Chiang Rai, services use Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2. Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Chiang Rai?+
Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
What kind of bus runs from Phayao to Chiang Rai?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Phayao to Chiang Rai bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Chiang Rai by bus?+
Direct buses from Chiang Rai include Chiang Mai, Lampang, Pai, Luang Prabang, Sukhothai and more. See all connections on our Chiang Rai bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Phayao to Chiang Rai bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Chiang Rai (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →