I'm in Bangkok and looking to do a border run at the end of May. I was thinking of flying to Chiangrai in the morning, going up to Maesai and catching the return flight which leaves around 17:10.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on transport. Does anyone know a tour company who could arrange it or could I just come to some arrangement with a waiting taxi driver? Or would it be simple enough to do by public transport? I'll have just under six hours from landing to take off which seems ample.

Thanks for any advice.

Just check the pinned thread on airport taxis and it doesn't look too promising. Is that 800 baht to Maesai? That's almost as much as the airfare.

Indeed it is, but they seem to have you by the short hairs at Chiang Rai Airport.

The cheaper alternative would be a taxi into town then get the bus.

Six hours could be cutting it a bit fine though.

There are no freelance taxis there, your best bet would be to negotiate a return fare with one of the airport car companies.