By air The journey from the Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes about one and a half hours flying time and there are daily flights to/from both centres. There are also daily flights from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and upon arrival taxis from the airport into Chiang Rai make access simple.

By road From Bangkok it is 785 km to Chiang Rai. There are overnight or day coaches from the northern Buses Terminal at New Mor Chit in Bangkok and the journey takes about 12 hours.

From Chiang Mai it is only 182 km to Chiang Rai and takes about 3 hours by road. There are buses from many other nearby towns as well so transport to/ from Chiang Rai is a simple process.

By Boat By far one of the more popular ways to travel to or from Chiang Rai is by boat along the Mae Kok River. Travelling to/from the village of Tha Ton the trip lasts three days and one meanders along the river on sturdy rafts which are fitted out like small floating hotels. These stop at various hill tribe villages along the route and one gets to experience the 'real' jungle at close quarters.

Tuk-tuks, small mini-vans, are a common mode of transport. These like the rest of the public transport in the area, can be hailed anywhere along a particular route. Within the city fares vary but are never more than a few Baht and generally there is a set price from one point to another. Outside the town, the price is negotiable and it's a good idea to agree on the fare before you climb in.

Motorcycle taxis are everywhere. Easy to find, they hang around most of the busier intersections and along most roadsides in the area. Again it is wise to sort out the price before departure.

Car and jeep rental is reasonably priced and readily available. It is one of the best ways to see the area. Check that the vehicle you are hiring is covered by insurance. Unless hiring from a reliable source you may find it isn't and as it is the driver's responsibility to pay all damages if there's an accident, you may be in for a nasty surprise.

Motorbike rental shops are easy to find and the bikes cheap to hire. Insurance cover is not available for motorcycles and any damages incurred along with medical bills are your responsibility. Renting a bike in Chiang Mai may cost you your life rather than a few Baht though as the accident rate in Thailand is EXTREME to say the least!.