Private van with driver

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Van Charter with Driver from ฿18,500

Chiang Mai lies about 700 km from Bangkok, a drive of roughly nine to eleven hours including rest stops. Most travellers fly or take the train, but a chartered van still makes sense in specific cases: large families of eight to ten, luggage heavy enough that airline baggage fees exceed the difference, household moves, or itineraries that stop in several provinces on the way. Kingtocar arranges private van charters to Chiang Mai with a driver at one flat price, door to door, and the vehicle stays available throughout your time in the north.

Book via LINE Call 084-709-3719

Toyota Commuter · 9–13 seats฿18,500/ trip

Toyota Alphard · 6–7 captain seats฿28,500/ trip

Distance ~700 km
Fuel + tolls + driver + water included

Why book this route with us

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Good value for larger groups

At ฿18,500 split among nine people that is about ฿2,050 each — comparable to a budget flight, but with no luggage limits, no baggage fees, and door-to-door service at both ends.

Stops along the way

Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang and Sukhothai all sit on the route. Tell us where you would like to pause when booking and we will schedule it — something a flight cannot offer.

A vehicle for your whole stay

No need to rent a car or hail taxis on arrival. Doi Suthep, Mae Rim or Doi Inthanon are all covered by a driver who knows the roads, for ฿500 per night driver accommodation.

Proper driver rest breaks

On a nine to eleven hour route we schedule driver rest according to safety practice rather than driving straight through, with regular stops for passengers too.

Stops & places to visit

Doi Suthep and Wat Phra That

Chiang Mai's landmark temple high above the city with panoramic views. The approach is a winding mountain road, best driven in the morning before mist and traffic. Reach the temple by 306 naga steps or the funicular.

The old city and its temples

Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man all sit inside the old walls and fit into half a day. Some lanes are narrow and one-way, so a driver who knows them drops you precisely.

Doi Inthanon

Thailand's highest peak, about two hours from the city, with the twin royal chedis, Wachirathan waterfall and the Kew Mae Pan nature trail. Genuinely cold late in the year.

Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and elephant camps

The northern belt has mountain-view cafés, flower gardens and elephant sanctuaries — choose camps that do not offer riding, for the animals' welfare. Thirty to sixty minutes from town.

Tha Phae walking street and Night Bazaar

Tha Phae runs Sunday evenings, Wua Lai on Saturdays, and the Night Bazaar opens daily. Crowds peak early evening, so set your pick-up point away from the market itself.

Lampang and Sukhothai en route

Lampang lies about ninety minutes before Chiang Mai and has Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, while Sukhothai sits midway — both easy additions on a two-day journey.

Travel tips for this route

At 700 km and nine to eleven hours, leaving Bangkok around 4 or 5am gets you to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon with time to check in and have dinner unhurried.
Compare against airfares first. For two to four people with light bags, flying is cheaper and far faster. For eight to ten with substantial luggage, the van wins on both cost and convenience.
To sightsee en route at Sukhothai or Lampang, plan a two-day journey with one night midway — more comfortable and safer than eleven hours straight through.
From January to April the north suffers seasonal burning haze with very high dust readings on some days. Check air quality before travelling if you have children or older relatives with you.

What's included

Professional driver who knows the route
Fuel + expressway and motorway tolls
Chilled water on board · child seat on request
Parking fees everywhere · light snacks on board

Frequently asked questions

How long is Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

About nine to eleven hours for the 700 km, including two or three breaks for restrooms and meals. Leaving Bangkok at 4 or 5am puts you in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.

Is a van charter better value than flying?

It depends on group size and luggage. For two to four travellers with light bags, flying is cheaper and much faster. For eight to ten with heavy luggage, ฿18,500 split works out around ฿2,000 each with no baggage fees, no car rental at the other end and door-to-door service.

What is included in ฿18,500?

Fuel, expressway and motorway tolls, the driver and bottled water. It is a flat one-way whole-vehicle price, not per passenger. Accommodation, meals and ฿500 per night driver accommodation if the van stays in Chiang Mai are separate.

Can the van stay with us in Chiang Mai?

Yes, and it is the main advantage of this route. For ฿500 per night in driver accommodation you have transport for Doi Suthep, Mae Rim, Doi Inthanon or anywhere else, with no car rental or taxis needed.

Can we stop at Sukhothai or Lampang on the way?

Yes, both are on the route, but plan it as a two-day journey with one night midway — stopping and then continuing the same day would exceed twelve hours, which is not safe. Send the plan on LINE and we will work out timing and price.