Lampang→Chiang Mai

From Lampang to Chiang Mai you have three main options:

• Private van (SmartEnPlus) — the fastest door-to-door option. Both Chokdee Tour and Smart En Plus operate a 9-seat VAN Standard from Lampang Airport (LPT) to any hotel in Chiang Mai town, taking about 1h 30m for ฿3,000–3,500 per vehicle (up to 9 passengers).
• SRT Northern Line train — the cheapest option. State Railway of Thailand runs Local, Express, and Special Express trains between Lampang Railway Station and Chiang Mai Railway Station, journey time 2h–2h 17m, fares from ฿23 (3rd class) to ฿753 (1st class air-con Special Express #10).
• VIP Bus — Phetprasert Tour and Orsuksa Tour run direct buses from Lampang Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station, journey 1h 30m–2h 42m, fare ฿95–190.

Pick the private van for door-to-door comfort and luggage, or the train for the lowest cost with a scenic ride.

On SmartEnPlus, a private transfer from Lampang to Chiang Mai is priced per vehicle, not per passenger — one VAN Standard 9-seat covers up to 9 travelers:

• Chokdee Tour — ฿3,000 per vehicle (cheapest SmartEnPlus option)
• Smart En Plus — ฿3,500 per vehicle

The price is fixed whether you travel solo or fill all 9 seats, making the van excellent value for couples, families, or small groups. The van includes pickup at Lampang Airport (LPT) and drop-off at any hotel in Chiang Mai town. For comparison, public VIP bus costs ฿95–190 per person but only goes station-to-station, and the SRT train starts at ฿23 per person for 3rd class — both require additional transfer from your hotel or Lampang city center to Lampang Airport for the van pickup.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Northern Line connects Lampang Railway Station with Chiang Mai Railway Station several times a day, with journey times ranging from 2h to 2h 17m and fares from ฿23 in 3rd class up to ฿753 for the air-conditioned Special Express. The cheapest is the Local train #408 at ฿23–50; the Express #52 departs Chiang Mai at 15:30 and arrives in Lampang at 17:47; the Special Express #10 (18:20 Chiang Mai → 20:21 Lampang, return 2h 01m) is the most expensive first-class option with air-conditioning and assigned seating. Lampang Railway Station is located in Sop Tui, Mueang Lampang, while Chiang Mai Railway Station is in Rot Fai Soi 1, Tambon Wat Ket — both city-center locations with no airport transfer required. Tickets can be bought at the station on the day; booking in advance is recommended for Special Express during cool season (Nov–Jan).