Rome2Rio

How to get fromChiang Rai to Luang Prabangby plane, bus, car, or ferry

Find Transport to Luang Prabang

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by plane, bus, car, or ferry

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly

    best
    1. Fly from Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) to Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ)plane plane CEI - LPQ
    5h 21m
    $166–318

  2. Bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai Transfer to Huay Xaibus bus Chiang Rai Transfer - Huay Xai
    2. Take the ferry from Huay Xai to Luang Prabangferry ferry
    11h 45m
    $34

  3. Bus, drive, Local Speedboat

    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 to HouayXai Border Control Immigration Officebus bus
    2. Drive from HouayXai Border Control Immigration Office to Pakbengcar car
    3. Take the ferry from Pakbeng to Luang Prabangferry ferry
    8h 59m
    $54–65

  4. Drive  428.4 km

    1. Drive from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabangcar car 428.4 km
    7h 5m
    $77–111

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai Town Transfer to Luang Prabang stationbus bus Chiang Rai Town Transfer - Luang Prabang station
    12h 30m
    $63–69

  6. Local Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang khongbus bus
    2. Take the ferry from Chiang Khong Border to Luang Prabang Slow Boat Terminalferry ferry Chiang Khong Border - Luang Prabang Slow Boat Terminal
    21h
    $52

Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration12h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$63Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 252.2 km
  • Duration: 5h 21m

What companies run services between Chiang Rai, Thailand and Luang Prabang, Laos?

Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and three other airlines fly from Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) to Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) 5 times a day. Alternatively, Yortdoy Travel operates a bus from Chiang Rai Town Transfer to Luang Prabang station twice daily. Tickets cost $59–63 and the journey takes 11h. Mekong Transfer also services this route twice daily.

Airlines
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including 4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia, Italian Lakes: Getting around by train, and How to get from Stansted Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Booking & Getting There