BUS: Most people arrive in Chiang Rai via Chiang Mai. The ride is around 3 and a half hours and buses are operated by a company called Greenbus. A couple of buses leave every hour and there are different classes, with the most expensive buses going for just 260 baht. There’s not a major difference between the different classes so just pick whatever bus leaves at the time most convenient for you.
Tickets are technically available online, but the Greenbus web site is confusing and many people have complained that their bookings did not get logged in the system, even after payment. Therefore, you might just want to show up at the Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal (across from Central Festival Mall) and purchase your ticket in person.
There are two bus stations in Chiang Rai. If you’re staying somewhere near the city center, be sure to get off at the second stop, and not the newer bus station in the outskirts of the city.
PLANE: Chiang Rai also has its own airport which is serviced by many of the local and budget airlines in the region, such as Air Asia and Nok Air. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs 200 baht.