Arcade Bus Station

Arcade Bus Station is Chiang Mai’s main long-distance bus terminal, serving interprovincial coaches and minivans to destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phitsanulok, Mae Hong Son, and other parts of Thailand.

The name “Arcade Bus Station” can be slightly misleading because the complex consists of two main passenger terminals: Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

They stand opposite one another across a road in Wat Ket, east of Chiang Mai’s Old City.

For travellers, knowing the terminal number is more important than memorising which routes supposedly use which building. Different bus operators have counters and departures in both terminals, and operating arrangements can change.

Check the ticket for Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 before arriving.

Terminal 2 and Terminal 3

Arcade Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are close together but are separate buildings.

Passengers can walk between them in only a few minutes, but arriving at the wrong terminal becomes inconvenient when carrying luggage or rushing for a departure.

Both buildings contain long-distance bus operators.

GreenBus, one of northern Thailand’s major operators, currently sells tickets at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

That is a good example of why simple advice such as “all Chiang Rai buses leave from Terminal 3” should not be hard-coded into a travel guide.

The operator and ticket should determine where you go.

What Is Terminal 1?

Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1 is not part of Arcade.

Terminal 1 is the separate Chang Phuak Bus Terminal north of the Old City.

The distinction is:

Arcade Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
Mainly long-distance and interprovincial services.

Chang Phuak / Terminal 1
Mainly shorter local and provincial routes.

Some older websites use the numbers without explaining that Terminal 1 is several kilometres away.

If your ticket says Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, go to Arcade.

Buses to Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is one of Arcade’s busiest visitor routes.

GreenBus operates frequent direct services between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

The journey normally takes around 3–4 hours.

Current 2026 schedules include multiple departures throughout the day rather than one or two fixed services.

Different classes can be offered, with differences in:

• seat configuration;
• space;
• fare;
• vehicle type.

For most travellers, choosing a convenient departure time matters more than paying for the most expensive class.

Booking is useful during weekends and peak tourism periods.

Buses to Bangkok

Several operators run long-distance coaches from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Current journey times range from around 9 to 15 hours, depending on the operator, stops, and service type.

Most visitors choose an overnight departure.

Bus categories can include:

• Standard;
• Express;
• First Class;
• VIP;
• VIP 24;
• Other premium configurations.

The terminology is operator-specific.

A “VIP” label generally means fewer seats and more space, but no single universal VIP standard is used by every company.

Look at the actual:

• seat layout;
• photographs;
• operator;
• departure and arrival points

before choosing.

Overnight Buses

Overnight buses can save the cost of one night’s accommodation.

The trade-off is that even premium coaches still involve sleeping in a reclining seat rather than a bed.

Useful items include:

• light jumper or jacket;
• eye mask;
• earplugs;
• water;
• small bag containing valuables.

Air-conditioning can feel surprisingly cold overnight.

Keep your passport, wallet, phone and medication with you rather than in luggage stored underneath the bus.

Chiang Mai to Nan

Arcade also offers direct services from Chiang Mai to Nan.

Current booking listings show journeys of around 6.5–9 hours, depending on service.

This makes bus travel a practical way to connect the two northern cities because direct air links are not always available or convenient.

GreenBus and other regional operators can serve the corridor.

Check the current schedule rather than relying on an old departure table.

Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok

Buses also run towards Phitsanulok, an important transport centre in lower northern Thailand.

Current travel times are roughly 5.5–7 hours.

Phitsanulok is useful for visitors continuing towards:

• Sukhothai;
• central Thailand;
• railway connections.

As with other routes, check the actual arrival terminal if making an onward connection.

A booking saying “Phitsanulok” does not necessarily tell you how far the bus station is from your next train or hotel.

Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son

Minivans connect Chiang Mai with Mae Hong Son through mountainous western Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Province.

The journey currently takes roughly six hours.

The road is winding.

Passengers who experience motion sickness should prepare before leaving.

Mae Hong Son and Pai are both mountain-road journeys where distance on a map poorly indicates travel comfort.

A slightly longer scheduled journey with a reputable operator can be preferable to choosing solely by fastest advertised time.

What About Pai?

Pai transport arrangements deserve separate treatment because pickup points and operators have changed over time.

Current booking services still offer Chiang Mai–Pai minivans, but use the boarding location listed on your current ticket confirmation.

Do not rely on an old article saying every Pai van departs Arcade every hour for 150 baht.

Current listings can show:

• different departure points;
• fewer published departures;
• fares around 240 baht.

The road trip generally takes around four hours.

If Pai is the destination, verify the pickup location before travelling to Arcade.

Buying Tickets at Arcade

Numerous bus companies operate counters inside Terminals 2 and 3.

Tickets can generally be purchased at the terminal, but booking is recommended for:

• Bangkok overnight buses;
• Chiang Rai during busy periods;
• Thai public holidays;
• Songkran;
• New Year;
• Friday and Sunday travel.

When buying at the station, check:

• operator;
• destination;
• departure time;
• terminal;
• platform or bay;
• seat number;
• bus class.

Do not assume all counters sell tickets for every company.

Booking Online

Major operators increasingly offer direct online booking.

Established transport platforms also aggregate multiple companies.

Online booking is particularly useful because it allows passengers to compare:

• times;
• prices;
• vehicle classes;
• trip durations.

After booking, read the voucher carefully.

A ticket may require:

• showing a QR code;
• exchanging the voucher at a counter;
• arriving a specified period before departure.

Screenshot the ticket before leaving the hotel.

This avoids problems if mobile data becomes unreliable at the terminal.

How Early Should You Arrive?

Around 30 minutes before departure is a sensible minimum for most pre-booked trips.

Allow more time if:

• buying a ticket onsite;
• collecting a paper ticket;
• travelling during a holiday;
• unfamiliar with which terminal to use.

The arcade is not difficult once you understand the layout, but dozens of bus-company signs can make the first visit look chaotic.

An extra 15 minutes is more useful than trying to identify a company while the bus is already boarding.

Luggage

Long-distance coaches normally place large luggage in compartments underneath the passenger cabin.

Some minivans have much less storage space.

This matters for travellers carrying large suitcases.

Before booking a minivan, check luggage rules if travelling with:

• oversized cases;
• bicycles;
• sports equipment;
• several bags.

Keep valuables in the passenger cabin.

If a luggage tag or receipt is provided, keep it until you collect the bag.

Food and Drinks

Both terminals have basic food and drink options.

Expect:

• small restaurants;
• snack stalls;
• convenience-style shops;
• bottled drinks.

The terminal is functional, not somewhere worth arriving several hours early to explore.

For an overnight trip, buy water and anything else you need before boarding.

Some premium bus services include a drink or snack, but this varies.

Do not assume a meal is included unless the booking specifically says so.

Toilets and ATMs

Basic facilities include:

• toilets;
• seating;
• ATMs;
• ticket counters.

Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 each have their own passenger facilities.

Cash remains useful because not every small shop or operator counter necessarily accepts every foreign card.

There are also convenience stores and businesses in the surrounding Arcade area.

Arcade Bus Station vs Chiang Mai Train Station

The railway station is relatively close to Arcade.

Both are east of the Old City.

The two serve very different transport networks:

Arcade
Long-distance bus and minivan services.

Chiang Mai Train Station
Rail services south towards Bangkok.

A taxi or app-based car between them normally takes around 5–15 minutes, depending on traffic.

If connecting between a train and bus booked separately, leave enough time for possible railway delays.

Getting to Arcade from the Old City

Arcade is around 3 kilometres east/northeast of Chiang Mai’s Old City.

From Tha Phae Gate, allow roughly 10–20 minutes by road.

Options include:

• red songthaew;
• tuk-tuk;
• Grab;
• Bolt;
• taxi.

Traffic around Kaeo Nawarat Road can slow the journey at busy times.

Don’t plan your departure around the minimum possible driving time.

Red Songthaews

Red songthaews regularly travel through the Arcade area.

Tell the driver:

Arcade Bus Station

and, ideally:

Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.

A shared trip from central Chiang Mai can be inexpensive, with current central-city fares generally starting around 30 baht per person.

A driver taking you directly without other passengers may quote more.

If a fixed departure time matters, app-based transport provides greater predictability.

Tuk-Tuks

Tuk-tuks are commonly available around Arcade.

They can be useful for reaching:

• Old City;
• Night Bazaar;
• railway station;
• riverside hotels.

Agree on the fare before leaving.

For two or three travellers, the total price can compare reasonably with individual shared transport fares.

Large suitcases may not fit easily.

Grab and Bolt

App-based transport is one of the simplest options for visitors.

Enter the destination as:

Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2

or

Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3

rather than just “Arcade Bus Station”.

This reduces the chance of being dropped at the wrong building.

The same applies when arranging pickup after arriving by bus.

Check the driver’s registration before entering the vehicle.

From Chiang Mai Airport

Chiang Mai Airport is southwest of the centre, while Arcade is east of the city.

Allow roughly 20–35 minutes, with longer possible during heavy traffic.

A taxi or app-based car is generally easiest with luggage.

If connecting directly from a flight to a bus, include time for:

• aircraft arrival;
• immigration if international;
• baggage collection;
• road travel;
• bus check-in.

A tight separately booked flight-to-bus connection offers no protection if the flight is delayed.

Accessibility

The terminal buildings themselves are relatively straightforward transport facilities, but accessibility differs between the terminal and the bus.

A passenger may be able to move through the station in a wheelchair but still encounter a coach with several steep boarding steps.

Long-distance Thai coaches are not consistently wheelchair accessible.

Travellers requiring assistance should contact the bus operator before booking rather than relying only on terminal access.

Arcade Bus Station FAQs

What is Arcade Bus Station?
It is Chiang Mai’s main long-distance bus complex, consisting primarily of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

Are Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 in the same place?
Yes. They are opposite one another across a road within the Arcade complex.

Is Terminal 1 at Arcade?
No. Terminal 1 refers to the separate Chang Phuak Bus Terminal north of the Old City.

Which terminal does GreenBus use?
GreenBus currently sells tickets at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Check the exact departure information on your ticket.

Can you travel from Arcade to Chiang Rai?
Yes. Frequent services operate between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Can you travel from Arcade to Bangkok?
Yes. Multiple companies operate daytime and overnight long-distance coaches.

Can you buy tickets at the station?
Yes. Bus-company ticket counters operate in both terminals.

Should you book in advance?
Booking is useful for popular routes, premium buses and Thai holiday periods.

How far is Arcade from the Old City?
It is roughly three kilometres east/northeast of the Old City and normally around 10–20 minutes by road.

Is Arcade Bus Station open 24 hours?
The complex handles buses from early morning through late-night and overnight operations, but individual ticket counters have their own hours.