Easiest way and perhaps the cheapest way to Chaing Mai ....

[ottauk]

Hi All ,

I am taking a course in Chaing Mai , Could you advise the best way to get there and the costs if poss .

Train plane or bus , I dont mind

Thankyou

Roy ( your friendly local digital photography instructor or at least I will be soon )

[udonlover]

1) rent a car and self drive from udon to chaing mai , easiest and cheapest. Today gasoline very cheap ! I know a shop offer best deal. Just PM to me.
2) get a one night sleeping train to bkk then spending one more day train from bkk to chaing mai. the cost will be similar to first option but spend more time.
3) by thai airways, most expensive. I know a good agency in Udon.

Hope this help !

[BKKSTAN]

1) rent a car and self drive from udon to chaing mai , easiest and cheapest. Today gasoline very cheap ! I know a shop offer best deal. Just PM to me.
2) get a one night sleeping train to bkk then spending one more day train from bkk to chaing mai. the cost will be similar to first option but spend more time.
3) by thai airways, most expensive. I know a good agency in Udon.

Hope this help !

This is a forum for exchange of information,why don't you post your info for all to see?

[Irish Alan]

I wouldn't think renting and driving is the cheapest or easiest. Car rental 800-1,200 Baht per day? I made this journey last month and even with an economical 6-speed gearbox I reckon I spent 4-5,000 Baht on diesel. Also it is a long haul for a straight drive (though I know someone that did it) so a hotel stop off is advised possibly in Phitsanulok. Yes it is a great way to see the country if you want but if getting there by the easiest means is the priority as opposed to viewing the scenery then I'd get a train or fly.

Just my tuppence worth.

[UdonExpat]

VIP bus from the western ring road bus station. Around 500 baht.

[stattointhailand]

I wouldn't think renting and driving is the cheapest or easiest. Car rental 800-1,200 Baht per day? I made this journey last month and even with an economical 6-speed gearbox I reckon I spent 4-5,000 Baht on diesel. Also it is a long haul for a straight drive (though I know someone that did it) so a hotel stop off is advised possibly in Phitsanulok. Yes it is a great way to see the country if you want but if getting there by the easiest means is the priority as opposed to viewing the scenery then I'd get a train or fly.

Just my tuppence worth.

IA...... what planet are you living on today?

4 - 5000B .......... did you drive via Bangkok?

It's about 8 - 9 hours drive (taking it easy, less if you are a speed merchant) and you dont go within 100km of Phitsanulok.
Diesel for the return trip B 2,400 at last months prices.

[Irish Alan]

IA...... what planet are you living on today?

4 - 5000B .......... did you drive via Bangkok?

It's about 8 - 9 hours drive (taking it easy, less if you are a speed merchant) and you dont go within 100km of Phitsanulok.
Diesel for the return trip B 2,400 at last months prices.

Errrr, I think it is planet Earth! I should have kept a more accurate record but we were recently asked about it and it was in the region of 4,000 Baht. Bear in mind it was the scenic route and every day there was a day trip like Doi Inthanon etc. Other factors come into play like stuck behind trucks going uphill in 3rd gear with no possibility to overtake (I don't do the Thai way overtaking on bends).

Interesting to see what others might pay but 2,400 B?

Road to Chiang Mai

[stattointhailand]

IA...... what planet are you living on today?

4 - 5000B .......... did you drive via Bangkok?

It's about 8 - 9 hours drive (taking it easy, less if you are a speed merchant) and you dont go within 100km of Phitsanulok.
Diesel for the return trip B 2,400 at last months prices.

Errrr, I think it is planet Earth! I should have kept a more accurate record but we were recently asked about it and it was in the region of 4,000 Baht. Bear in mind it was the scenic route and every day there was a day trip like Doi Inthanon etc. Other factors come into play like stuck behind trucks going uphill in 3rd gear with no possibility to overtake (I don't do the Thai way overtaking on bends).

Interesting to see what others might pay but 2,400 B?

Road to Chiang Mai

I'm not sure what "scenic" route you took, but to add over half as much again to the diesel price, would indicate that you must have gone way way off the "direct" route. You mentioned Phitsanulok as a possible overnight stop, if your scenic route takes you down there, then that would explain the extra time taken, and the stuck behind heavy trucks going uphill in 3rd gear comment.
I always go via the "mountain" route now (about 630km) as opposed to 750+ via the main roads. You can still travel at 80 - 120kph most of the way, and very rarely see more than 2 or 3 heavy trucks on the whole journey.
Last month we left Udon at 08:00, stopped three times (coffee and pee stops) and were at the hotel in CM before 17:00, and that included 30 mins from the "Superhighway" to the hotel (rush hour).

[stattointhailand]

Sorry IA, it was B2400 I collected from the other guys, forgot about my own share .....make that B3000... appologies

[Pakawala]

Just 2 weeks ago some friends and I made a golf trip: Khon Khen (golf), Chulaporn (golf), Sirikit Dam (golf), Lampang (golf X 5), Sirikit Dam (golf X 2) then home. Total cost of fuel was 3000 baht for the 10 day trip in a 4-dr Chevy Pick-up. Now I know Lampang isn't Chaing Mai but only lacks 100 Km and we did quite a bit of 'looking around' during our 10 days.

[Pakawala]

Back on topic... the cheapest way is via VIP bus - by far.

[dahkchang]

i drove to chiang mai 2 years ago in my brother-in-laws car, he suplied the car i paid for petrol, nice drive through loei over the mountains we were in a new honda jazz. i wouldn't like to go by bus.
a recent post on this forum said thai airways were now flying atr's from udon to chiang mai.

[stattointhailand]

Just 2 weeks ago some friends and I made a golf trip: Khon Khen (golf), Chulaporn (golf), Sirikit Dam (golf), Lampang (golf X 5), Sirikit Dam (golf X 2) then home. Total cost of fuel was 3000 baht for the 10 day trip in a 4-dr Chevy Pick-up. Now I know Lampang isn't Chaing Mai but only lacks 100 Km and we did quite a bit of 'looking around' during our 10 days.

Agree that Lampang isn't CM, but the two excersions out to Sirikit would virtually cover the extra distance, and when you add the fact that you went via KK and via route 12 (even if not returning that way) you have to add about another 100km. So all in all I would say your mileage/kilometerage would have been more than Udon - CM.

[beer monkey]

So cheapest is by Bus...Hiring a car might be out for the OP, as its a course he is taking so could be a 1,2 or 3 week course and letting a hire car sit around wouldn't be the best option.

[stattointhailand]

Hiring a car might be out for the OP, as its a course he is taking so could be a 1,2 or 3 week course and letting a hire car sit around wouldn't be the best option.

You would only have to let it "sit around" if you used a small local company.
All the big companies would let you hire a car in Udon and drop it off in CM with only a small extra fee.

[ottauk]

Hi All ,

Brilliant thankyou for your help .

I sorry if it caused a bit of a row .

Irish Alan : I love your avatar ...sorry to lower the tone .



Roy
( Your Friendly Pro Digital Photography Instructor )
( For Washing and Ironing call : 0815747008

[stattointhailand]

Roy
( Your Friendly Pro Digital Photography Instructor )
( For Washing and Ironing call :

Damn, now I know what's wrong with my photography ......... I've washed the camera a few times, but I didn't know I was supposed to "Iron" it as well

[ottauk]

Stattointhailand .... I try and please .


Roy ... Your Friendly Pro Digital Photography Instructor
( For Washing and Ironing call : 0815747008 )

[Khun Paul]

Ok we have had the name calling, as you are going on a course a BUS is the quickest and cheapest way.
Walking actually is the cheapest but not for a quick trip.
bus can take up to 10 or more houyrs so pack a good sized goody bag as the food supplied is not fit for my dogs let alone a farang.
Water is supplied but thats all.
\take you own toilet paper as the toilets is at best disgusting worst a cess pit .

Hope that has encouraged you to take the trip if not you could fly but there are no planes, hire a car but it will sit there unused, go by trian via bangkok ----------not really an option.

Bus it is, VIP cost no t sure, please note details above for a pleasant trip.
i recount the time when a group of tourists were left on bus trip so be careful

enjoy chiang mai, best time of the year there.