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From Bangkok
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By Plane
Getting to Chiang Mai province by airplane is extremely
easy as Chiang Mai city hosts a convenient modern international
airport on its very doorstep.
There
are currently direct international flights from Singapore,
Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Vientiane, Berlin, Munich,
Hamburg and Dusseldorf via Abu Dhabi and Mandalay via Yangon.
As
well as from Bangkok (55 min), domestic flights operate from
all the neighbouring provinces and from many other major cities
throughout Thailand including; Mae Hong Son (30 min), Chiang
Rai (40 min), Nan (45 min), Khon Kaen (1 hr 25 min), Phitsanulok
(35 min), Phuket (2 hrs), Mae Sot (50 min) and Tak (50 min).
By
Bus
There are two bus stations in Chiang Mai city. The long
distance Arcade Bus Station, (sometimes referred to as No.
2) is situated in the north east of the city, at the Chiang
Mai Arcade on the corner of Kaew Nawarat Road and the superhighway.
Buses
depart and arrive here regularly from many of the major towns
throughout Thailand, as well as daily departures to and from
Bangkok’s Mor Chit 2 (Northern) Bus station. Inside the main
terminal building is an information desk with all the routes,
departure times and prices etc. The Thai Tourist Police also
maintain an information desk within this building.
Similar
to the railway service, there are different types of buses
available; regular, air-conditioned and VIP air-conditioned
with luxury reclining seats.
By Train
An alternative means of getting to Chiang Mai, although
involving a considerably longer journey time, is by rail.
The
railway station in Chiang Mai is situated across the Ping
river on the main Charoen Muang Road and intersection of Rat
Uthit Road. This is on the eastern side of the city, not far
from the main Post Office. The ticket office is open from
5.30 am until 9.00 pm. The left-luggage department, however,
is only open from 6.00 am until 6.00 pm.
Several
train services run each day between Chiang Mai and Hualampong
Railway Station in Bangkok, covering a distance of some 751
km. The first stop on the main line rail route is Don Muang
(Bangkok International Airport). The railway station is situated
next to the airport terminal building, so trains to Chiang
Mai can be conveniently boarded here also.
The
train is generally a lot more fun than flying, though the
sometimes thirteen-hour plus journey from the capital can
be a little tiring. Sleepers are available in both first (air
conditioned) and second class (air-conditioned or fan) coaches.
The lower sleeping berth in second class is generally considered
more comfortable than the upper. There are various types of
train services to choose from and these can be a little confusing
to the uninitiated. Hence, some care should be taken in ensuring
the required service is available on a particular train before
booking - as the choices include Rapid, Drex, Rapid S, Exp
S and Ordinary etc.
Food
is always plentiful on the rapid and express trains as most
will invariably have a restaurant car, as well as the numerous
food vendors on board and/or on every station platform along
the way.
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