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Thailand

Travel in Thailand by Bus
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Popular routes in Thaïlande

🚌
From 8€
Bangkok → Ayutthaya
⏱ 2h 23min
See tickets ›
🚌
From 8€
Bangkok → Chiang Mai
⏱ 3h 33min
See tickets ›
🚌
From 8€
Bangkok → Chiang Rai
⏱ 3h 39min
See tickets ›
🚌
From 8€
Chiang Mai → Ayutthaya
⏱ 2h 54min
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🚌
From 8€
Chiang Mai → Bangkok
⏱ 3h 33min
See tickets ›
🚌
From 14€
Chiang Mai → Chiang Khong
⏱ 5h 7min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Phuket → Ao Nang
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Phuket → Bangkok
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Phuket → Chiang Mai
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Krabi → Ao Nang
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Krabi → Bangkok
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 18€
Krabi → Khao Sok
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
🚌 ✈️
From 14€
Koh Samui → Bangkok
⏱ 1h
See tickets ›
🚌 ⛴️ ✈️
From 18€
Koh Samui → Chiang Mai
⏱ 1h 30min
See tickets ›
✈️
From 35€
Koh Samui → Koh Lanta
⏱ 1h
See tickets ›

Popular destinations in Thailand

🏙️
Bangkok
The vibrant capital
49 routes 🏯
Chiang Mai
The cultural Northern rose
33 routes 🏝️
Phuket
The star Andaman island
35 routes 🌴
Koh Samui
Coconut beaches and lagoons
22 routes 🪨
Krabi
Karst cliffs and turquoise waters
25 routes 🏖️
Pattaya
Lively seaside resort
15 routes 🛕
Ayutthaya
Former UNESCO royal capital
13 routes 🐘
Chiang Rai
Golden Triangle and temples
14 routes 👑
Hua Hin
Royal seaside resort
16 routes 🎉
Koh Phangan
Parties and tropical beaches
20 routes

Travel in Thailand: bus, train, ferry & flights

Traveling Thailand by bus remains the cheapest and most flexible option: from Bangkok, reach Chiang Mai by overnight VIP bus (from €16, 9-11h), Phuket by VIP (from €19, 12-15h), Koh Samui by bus + ferry combo (from €24, 10-15h), or Pattaya by Express bus (from €4, 2-3h). See all Thailand bus prices by route, and use our Thailand bus booking site to compare 50+ operators (Lomprayah, Sombat, Greenbus…) and book online in 2 minutes — secure € payment, instant e-ticket.

🚌 VIP sleeper bus ⛴️ Island ferry 🚆 Overnight train ✈️ Domestic flights 💺 Comfort minivan 🛥️ Speedboat
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🌍221+ routes available
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Travel Thailand by bus: the complete guide

The bus is Thailand's most popular transport: cheaper than flying, more flexible than the train, and connecting almost every destination. Whether you're heading south from Bangkok to the beaches (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui), north to the mountains (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai), or jumping to the islands via combo tickets, there's a route for your itinerary — and a budget that works for a 3 to 6 week trip.

The 4 bus types to know

🚌 Public bus (Local)

The cheapest option. Connects short distances within a province: many stops, basic comfort, perfect to soak up Thai daily life. Best for trips under 200 km. From €1 to €3.

🚍 Express bus

Best value for long distances. Reclining seats, AC, toilet, snacks. Few stops at main terminals. Great for Bangkok → Chiang Mai or Bangkok → Krabi. €10 to €25 depending on distance.

🛌 VIP bus

Most comfortable: wide seats (3 per row), meals included, blanket and pillow, sometimes individual screens and USB ports. Fewer stops, faster. Excellent for overnight trips (Bangkok → Chiang Mai, Bangkok → Phuket): save a hotel night. €18 to €45.

🚐 Minivan

Faster than the bus (few stops) but cramped and sometimes "sporty" driving. Best for short tourist routes (Krabi → Ao Nang, Chiang Mai → Pai, Bangkok → Hua Hin). €5 to €15. Avoid for long distances.

Most popular bus routes from Bangkok

RoutePriceDurationRecommended type
Bangkok → Chiang Mai €16–€25 9–11h Overnight VIP
Bangkok → Phuket €19–€35 12–15h Overnight VIP
Bangkok → Krabi €18–€28 14–19h Overnight VIP
Bangkok → Koh Samui (bus+ferry) €24–€45 10–15h Combo ticket
Bangkok → Pattaya €4–€8 2–3h30 Express
Bangkok → Hua Hin €5–€12 3–4h Express
Bangkok → Ayutthaya €2–€4 1h30 Public
Bangkok → Sukhothai €10–€15 6–8h Express
Bangkok → Kanchanaburi €3–€5 2–3h Express
Bangkok → Chiang Rai €20–€30 11–13h Overnight VIP

Reaching the islands: combined bus + ferry ticket

To reach Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Chang or Koh Lipe, operators offer combined bus + ferry tickets: one purchase, one confirmation, the bus drops you at the pier and the ferry connection is guaranteed. Simplest and cheapest option for the islands — count €24 to €45 from Bangkok depending on destination. Specialist operators (Lomprayah, Songserm, Seatran) coordinate timetables: if your bus is late, the ferry waits.

Where to buy bus tickets in Thailand?

💻 Online (recommended)

Book in a few clicks from your phone via 12go.asia, our booking partner. Instant comparison across all operators, transparent prices, e-ticket by email. Best for high season (December to February) — VIP buses often sell out 48-72h in advance.

🏢 At the bus terminal

Sometimes 10–20% cheaper, but you risk being sold out on popular routes. Bangkok's 3 main terminals: Mo Chit (north — Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Isaan), Sai Tai Mai (south — Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin, southern islands), Ekkamai (east — Pattaya, Koh Chang, Cambodia).

🏪 Street agency

Convenient but pricier (10–30% commission). Avoid unless urgent or facing a language barrier.

Trusted bus companies

  • Transport Co. (BKS) — Government company since 1938, country-wide coverage. Reliable, fair prices.
  • Sombat Tour — Excellent reputation on long north-south routes.
  • Greenbus — Northern specialist (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai).
  • Lomprayah / Songserm / Seatran — Combined tickets to southern islands.
  • Nakhon Chai Air — Premium VIP buses on main routes.

Practical tips for a smooth bus journey

  • ✅ AC: bring a sweater and scarf, Thai buses often have very cold AC, especially at night.
  • ✅ Overnight trip: choose a VIP bus with reclining seats to actually sleep. Foam earplugs recommended (passengers often phone all night).
  • ✅ Luggage: keep valuables (passport, cash, electronics) with you in cabin, never in cargo hold. Lock your suitcases.
  • ✅ Snacks: bring some food and a water bottle — stops are limited to 2-3 per trip.
  • ✅ Booking: anticipate 24 to 72h in high season (December → March) and for VIP buses — otherwise you may have to settle for a less comfortable Express.
  • ✅ Platform: 12go.asia centralizes all verified reliable operators, avoiding sketchy ones or fake sites.

Traveling Thailand by bus: how much does it really cost?

The bus is Thailand's cheapest transport: about €1–€2/hour on Express, €2–€3/hour on VIP. For comparison, a domestic flight Bangkok → Chiang Mai costs €25–€60 (1h15 flight + 2h30 airports = 4h door-to-door), while the overnight VIP bus does the same route for €20–€25 in 9–10h while saving you a hotel night.

For a typical 3 to 6 week itinerary with multiple stops (Bangkok → Chiang Mai → back to Bangkok → southern islands), expect about €100–€150 of buses in total versus €250–€400 by flight. The bus remains the most economical option without sacrificing comfort, especially with VIP overnight services.

Routes by departure city

Routes from Bangkok 32
+ 24 routes →
Routes from Chiang Mai 20
+ 12 routes →
Routes from Phuket 20
+ 12 routes →
Routes from Ayutthaya 10
+ 2 routes →
Routes from Chumphon 10
+ 2 routes →
Routes from Hat Yai 10
+ 2 routes →
See all routes →

Pour prolonger l'évasion au-delà de la Thaïlande et découvrir d'autres merveilles d'Asie du Sud-Est, explorez le Vietnam grâce à ce guide complet.