By bus it takes 4 hours to travel from Chiang Mai to Phrae. The alternative to travelling the whole way by bus is to travel by train from Chiang Mai to Den Chai Railway and then to take a bus to Phrae.
Bus Timetable from Chiang Mai to Phrae
Click on the Chiang Mai – Phrae link in the timetable below for more information and to buy tickets.
| Chiang Mai - Phrae āļŋ 282–397 4h 10m | |
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| Chiang Mai - Phrae āļŋ 4,180–9,081 3h 20m – 4h 50m | |
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Bus Stop in Chiang Mai
Bus services to Phrae depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000.
Arrival in Phrae
Bus services from Chiang Mai terminate at Phrae Bus Station, 172/25-26, Yantrakit Kosol Road, Tambon Nai Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Phrae, Phrae, 54000, Tambon Thung Kwao, Amphoe Mueang Phrae, Chang Wat Phrae 54000.
About Phrae
Phrae is charming small town in the Northern Region of Thailand with a permanent population of under 20,000. Phrae is a moderately popular destination for Thai holiday makers, and a relatively small number of foreign visitors. Foreign visitors tend to overlook Phrae in favour of visiting better known destinations in the Northern region particularly nearby Chiang Mai. Phrae has much of a small town feel to it than Chiang Mai and a lot less modern development. If you have already visited Chiang Mai then perhaps try Phrae for something completely different.
Wat Phong Sunan in PhraePhrae has existed as a settlement since the 9th Century and has a temple, Wat Luang, which is believed to have been constructed in this period. The next oldest structure in Phrae is most likely Wat Prathat Cho Hae which was founded at some point during the 13th or 14th Centuries. Most of the historic buildings in the town, however, date back to the late 19th Century and early 20th Century when Phrae became prosperous from the teak logging trade. These buildings are largely made from teak, and the town has two teak mansions (Wongburi House and Khum Chao Luang) which have been opened to visitors. Phrae also lots and lots of other smaller old teak houses located in and around the town centre which local people still live in or have opened up as cafes or guesthouses. A popular activity for visitors to Phrae to walk or cycle around the area looking at these very old wooden houses.