Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
- Planes
- Chiang Mai is served by dozens of regional airlines from cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Mandalay, Singapore, Hong Kong, Luang Prabang and Kunming. Thailand’s northern capital is also a major hub for domestic flights.
- Trains
- The train trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the most gorgeous rail journey in the country (www.railway.co.th). Six trains a day rattle along this route, which takes 10 to 12 hours. Daytime trains will give you a chance to absorb the changing landscape, but the sleeper services are excellent – private two-berth cabins in first class. The train food is poor, but many hotels in Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be happy to pack you a picnic.
- Automobiles
- Chiang Mai’s compact centre can easily be navigated on foot, but if you want to venture further afield, it’s best to rent a car. For a luxe ride, book through the Limousine Express Group, which offers both set tours and a day rate (www.limousinethailand.com).
