Traveling from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong is a popular day trip into the mountains east of the city.
Van transport to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
The journey is usually made by private car, taxi, or minivan, with travel time depending on traffic and road conditions. Mae Kampong is known for its traditional village, forest scenery, coffee shops, and cool mountain atmosphere. Before booking, confirm your pickup location, departure time, and drop-off point. The village has winding roads, so arranging transport in advance can make your visit easier.
The standard way from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong is a JOIN shared minivan from Warorot Market (Kad Luang), operated by Hotspring Van Transport (the only SmartEnPlus operator on this route). Three daily SmartEnPlus departures run at 07:40, 09:30, and 11:40, all arriving Maekampong village about 1h 40m later. The trip is ~50 km east into Mae On District. The departure lounge (Hot Springs Van Lounge) is near Chiang Mai Municipal Hospital across from Wat Upakhut, with luggage storage and air-conditioning. No flights or trains serve this route. For door-to-door pickup, private taxi charter runs ฿2,000-3,000 per vehicle (KKday, Jed Yord).
SmartEnPlus lists the JOIN van at ฿220 per adult (single fare, no child rate exposed). This is Hotspring Van Transport, the sole SmartEnPlus operator on the Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong route. Walk-up and aggregator prices are lower (฿150-200 on busonlineticket.co.th and 12Go, ฿180 / ฿350 round-trip on Trip.com), but those are cash rates at the Warorot Market counter. The ฿220 SmartEnPlus rate is the bookable online fare, valid through 2027-05-31. No infant or child ratecard is exposed; travelers with young children should confirm the operator policy before booking.
The SmartEnPlus JOIN van drops passengers at Maekampong village itself, in Huai Kaeo, Mae On District (Chiang Mai Province, postal code 50130). The village sits at 1,300 m elevation, ~1 km from the 7-tier Mae Kampong Waterfall. There is no formal bus station; the operator drops at the village square. The return van departs from the Mae Kampong Learning Center, with four daily return trips at 09:20, 11:20, 13:20, and 16:30. The village charges a small entry fee (cash). The single arrival point means travelers do not need to choose between piers or stations — one drop-off, one pick-up point.
