Chiang Mai to Lamphun: Train, Bus, Taxi, Scooter (2026 Guide)
Lamphun is about 30 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. Most travellers get there in 30 to 50 minutes for under 100 baht, but how you choose to do it changes the trip more than you’d think.
The slow train through longan orchards is a different experience to a Grab on the highway, even though they arrive at the same place.
This guide covers every option in 2026: how much they actually cost, how long they actually take, where to catch them and which one we’d recommend depending on what you want from the day.
Quick comparison
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | ~25 min ride | ฿5–50 | Slow scenic ride, cheapest, most photogenic |
| Blue songthaew | 45–60 min | ฿30–50 | Most local, low cost, no schedule |
| Direct bus from Arcade | 45–60 min | ฿100–150 total | Air-con, more comfortable |
| Grab or Bolt | 35–45 min | ฿300–500 | Door-to-door, no planning |
| Scooter | 30 min | Rental cost | The yang tree avenue ride |
Prices are 2026 Thai baht. The direct bus figure includes a Grab to Arcade Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai.
Take the train
The old diesel train from Chiang Mai station to Lamphun runs several times a day. The ride itself takes about 22 to 25 minutes, costs as little as 5 baht in 3rd class ordinary up to about 50 baht in higher classes, and runs through longan orchards, rice paddies and small villages on the way.
It’s not fast. You’re not in a hurry. The windows open. Get a seat on the right side leaving Chiang Mai for the better view.
Trains depart from Chiang Mai Railway Station, about 3 km east of the old city moat. A Grab from the moat to the station costs around 80 baht. Buy the ticket at the counter, no booking needed.
The schedule changes seasonally so check at the station the day before, or ask your hotel to call ahead. The most useful options are the late morning departure and one in the afternoon.
You arrive at Lamphun Railway Station, a sleepy single-platform stop with a red corrugated roof and a station name board in Thai script. The station sits about 2.5 km northeast of central Lamphun, so plan a short songthaew (around 30 baht) or a 30 minute walk to the old town and Wat Phra That Hariphunchai.
Catch a blue songthaew
The blue songthaew is the most local option. These are the shared pickup trucks with bench seats in the back, and they run between Chiang Mai and Lamphun all day, every 15 to 30 minutes.
There are two main pickup spots. The Iron Bridge (Nawarat Bridge) on the east side of the old city moat is the central one. Chang Phueak Bus Station, just north of the moat, is the other. Either works. Stand at the corner, flag one going south, tell the driver “Lamphun.” It costs 30 to 50 baht per person and they leave when full.
The ride takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and how often it stops. There’s no fixed schedule. They start running before 7am and stop in the early evening.
Songthaews drop you at the bus terminal in Lamphun town, a 1.1 km walk from Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. Cheapest option after walking and feels properly Thai.
Direct bus from Arcade Terminal
If you want an air-conditioned bus, the direct service to Lamphun departs from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal (Bus Terminal 2 / 3), east of the old city. Tickets are around 30 to 50 baht and the ride takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
Add a Grab to Arcade from the old city (80 to 100 baht) and the total comes to roughly 100 to 150 baht.
A common mistake worth flagging: some online journey planners route you onto bus line 874, which only stops at Doi Ti, a junction roughly halfway to Lamphun, then expect you to taxi the rest. Skip that. Book the direct service from Arcade or take the songthaew instead.
The Lamphun bus terminal is on the west side of town, about 1.1 km from Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. You can usually catch a moto-taxi from the terminal for 30 baht.
Grab or Bolt
A Grab or Bolt direct from Chiang Mai’s old city to central Lamphun costs 300 to 500 baht depending on traffic and which app you use. The journey takes 35 to 45 minutes on the highway.
This is the door-to-door option. You pick the exact pickup spot, the exact drop-off, and you don’t have to think about anything. If there’s three or four of you splitting it, the per-person cost is roughly the same as the songthaew.
Bolt is usually slightly cheaper than Grab in Chiang Mai. Worth installing both apps and checking each before booking.
For the return trip, Grab works fine from Lamphun town, though you may wait 5 to 10 minutes longer for a car since there are fewer drivers there. Don’t try to book one at the temples in the late afternoon without giving it some buffer time.
Ride a scooter down Highway 106
If you have a scooter or motorbike licence, the most beautiful way to get to Lamphun is the old Highway 106. It takes about 30 minutes and runs through the famous yang tree avenue, a 12 kilometre stretch lined with 30-metre tall yang trees that form a natural tunnel.
It’s one of the most scenic short rides in northern Thailand. Easier to feel than to describe.
A scooter rental in Chiang Mai runs 200 to 300 baht a day. You need an international driving permit with a motorcycle endorsement, and you absolutely should wear a helmet even though enforcement is patchy. Police set up roadside checks on the weekends and the fine for a foreign rider without a proper licence is 500 to 1,000 baht.
Stop along the way for coffee. There are a few decent cafes on the route, and the trees are at their best on a sunny morning before the heat haze rolls in.
What about getting back?
All the same options run in reverse.
Trains back to Chiang Mai mostly leave in the late afternoon and early evening. Check the timetable at Lamphun station when you arrive so you know your options before committing to the day’s plan.
For songthaews back, walk to the Lamphun bus terminal or wave one down on the main road heading north. They run until early evening, then they don’t.
Grab is the easiest evening return. Less waiting than the train and less walking than the bus.
When to go
If you’re doing Lamphun as a day trip, leave Chiang Mai by 9am. The temples are most peaceful in the morning and the heat builds quickly after 11.
Friday is the best day if you want to catch the Lamphun walking street market. It runs from 5pm in front of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. Plan the day so you wrap the temples by 4pm and have time for the market before catching the evening train back.
Avoid the burning season (late February through April). The haze ruins both the train ride and the temple photos.
Once you’re there
Lamphun’s old town is small enough to walk end to end in about 15 minutes. Most of what’s worth seeing is within that radius.
For what to actually do once you arrive, see our guide to the best things to do in Lamphun. It covers the temples, the food, the cafes and the lesser known spots.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Lamphun?
Between 25 minutes and an hour depending on the option. The train ride itself is the fastest at 22 to 25 minutes, plus the time to reach Chiang Mai station. Grab or Bolt is 35 to 45 minutes door to door. Songthaews and the direct Arcade bus are 45 to 60 minutes.
How much does the train from Chiang Mai to Lamphun cost?
As little as 5 baht in 3rd class ordinary, up to about 50 baht in higher classes. There’s no advance booking for the local trains, just buy at the station counter on the day.
Where do I catch the blue songthaew to Lamphun?
Either at the Iron Bridge (Nawarat Bridge) on the east side of the old city moat, or at Chang Phueak Bus Station just north of the moat. Both work. Flag any blue songthaew heading south and tell the driver “Lamphun.” Around 30 to 50 baht per person, leaves when full, every 15 to 30 minutes.
Is Grab cheaper than a taxi in Chiang Mai?
Usually yes. Grab and Bolt both run on metered fares without the haggling. From the old city to Lamphun town centre runs 300 to 500 baht depending on traffic. Bolt is often a bit cheaper than Grab.
Can I do Lamphun in one day from Chiang Mai?
Yes, easily. Lamphun is small and most of the highlights are walkable once you’re in the old town. A full day from 9am to 6pm gives you time for the main temples, lunch, a cafe stop, and the walking street if it’s a Friday.
Do I need a Thai driving licence to rent a scooter for the ride?
You need an international driving permit with a motorcycle endorsement. Police set up roadside checks on weekends. The fine for foreigners without proper documentation is 500 to 1,000 baht and they may ask to inspect the rental paperwork too.
Is the Chiang Mai to Lamphun train scenic?
Yes. It runs through longan orchards and rice paddies past small villages. It’s not fast and not luxurious, but the windows open and the right side has the better view leaving Chiang Mai. Properly photogenic in the morning before the heat haze.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Lamphun?
The 3rd class ordinary train, which can be as cheap as 5 baht plus the cost of getting to Chiang Mai station. The blue songthaew is the next cheapest at 30 to 50 baht per person.