After exploring Bangkok for four days, it was time for me to go on an adventure in Chiang Mai, located in Northern Thailand.
I had several options for travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, including the train, bus, or plane, but I ended up choosing the VIP bus. I stumbled upon it while browsing online, and the moment I saw the wide, comfortable seats and the overall ambience, I told myself that I had to experience it.
I first saw the VIP bus on 12Go Asia while checking different booking options. Flying would have been more convenient, but honestly, I wanted a little more adventure. Initially, I planned to travel to Chiang Mai by sleeper train, but then I realised I could simply try that on my way back to Bangkok.
In the end, I decided to take the VIP bus, and the price was quite reasonable too, just around 1,000 baht.
There are several types of buses travelling to Chiang Mai, including regular, first-class, and VIP buses. Of course, the VIP bus is the most expensive option. When I saw the photos on 12Go Asia, I immediately decided to book it. Yes, it was the most expensive of all the bus options, but it was definitely worth the splurge.
As I began my VIP bus journey, I couldn’t help but admire the comfortable and spacious seats. It felt like travelling in business class, but on wheels! – BOOK THE VIP BUS HERE
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Going to the Bus Station
The bus station is called Sombat Tour Viphavadee 13 Station. Based on Google Maps, it is located in the northern part of Bangkok. It is quite far from the nearest train station, so I think the best way to get there is by using Grab, which is what I did. You can also take a taxi.
I paid around 275 baht for the trip from my hostel in downtown Bangkok to the bus station.
I arrived very early, so I had to kill some time by eating at a nearby local eatery and buying more food from 7-Eleven.
Once you arrive at the bus station, here are a few things you need to do.
Exchange Your Online Booking Confirmation for the Actual Bus Ticket
One important thing to do when you arrive at the bus station is to proceed to the ticket counter. Please note that the document you receive from 12Go Asia is only a booking confirmation. You still need to exchange it for the actual bus ticket at the counter.
The process took less than two minutes, and the staff at the counter were nice and friendly.
Of course, you can also go to the bus station without booking a ticket in advance and try to buy one there. However, I suggest purchasing your ticket online because bus trips to Chiang Mai can easily sell out.
The Waiting Area
Once again, I arrived very early for my bus trip. My departure was scheduled for 7:20 PM, but I was already at the bus station by 5 PM. Haha! You know, when I’m travelling in a different country, I always make sure to arrive early. That way, if there is a problem, I still have enough time to fix it.
I waited for more than an hour. There is a small café at the bus terminal where you can have coffee or grab something to eat. In my case, I bought some microwavable Thai noodles. Haha! It seems like I’m always hungry whenever I’m in Thailand. I just can’t get enough of Thai food. It’s so delicious!
About 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, I moved to the main waiting area with the other passengers. At first, I could only see Thai passengers. However, a few minutes before departure, more foreign travellers suddenly appeared in the waiting area.
It was a nice experience smiling at and sometimes talking to the locals. Because of the way I look, some of them thought I was Thai. Others seemed confused and were probably wondering whether I was a foreigner or a local. Haha! It was a fun experience.
The Bus Journey
The bus finally arrived, and we started boarding. The entire process was smooth, and a staff member assisted us in finding our seats.
Oh man, when I finally saw my seat, I was blown away by how wide and comfortable it was. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was very spacious and came with plenty of amenities, including charging ports and a monitor with movies and music. There was also a toilet on board. What an experience, right? – BOOK VIP BUS HERE
Free snacks were also provided during the trip. During our stopovers, we could even present our tickets to receive free food. Amazing, right? The 1,000 baht I paid for the VIP bus was definitely worth it because of the free food and the incredible comfort.
Overall, it was a very comfortable ride. I was able to sleep well, which was quite surprising because I don’t usually sleep comfortably during bus trips. I think the spacious seat helped a lot, or perhaps it was the free blanket and linen they provided.
I also enjoyed looking at the Thai countryside along the way. After about nine hours, I woke up to an announcement saying that we had arrived at Chiang Mai Bus Station. I quickly gathered my bag and belongings before getting off the bus.
Arriving at Chiang Mai Bus Station
One thing you need to prepare for when arriving in Chiang Mai is the cold morning temperature. It can get surprisingly chilly early in the morning. I think it was around 13 degrees Celsius, so I quickly put on my jacket.
Chiang Mai Bus Station can be very quiet in the early morning. I was still trying to figure out how to get to my hostel when I decided to use the toilet.
The toilet was a little different because you had to pay and insert coins before entering. At that time, I was not yet familiar with Thai coins. I knew I had the right coins, but I couldn’t tell which ones were worth 5 baht or 10 baht. Haha! Fortunately, an elderly man helped me figure it out.
After using the toilet, I saw the same man waiting outside. He probably knew that I wasn’t Thai and that I needed to get to the city centre. He then offered to take me to my hostel in his tuk-tuk.
Since he had helped me with the coins and the toilet, I thought it was my chance to return the favour. So I hopped into his tuk-tuk and began a very cold journey towards the city centre. He charged me 150 baht, which I thought was reasonable.
I knew that my hostel would not open until 8 AM, so I decided to look for somewhere to eat. Fortunately, my hostel was located near Tha Phae Gate, on the eastern side of Chiang Mai’s walled city. I sat nearby and enjoyed the cool Chiang Mai morning.
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