Compare: Bangkok→Chiang Mai (582 km) vs Bangkok→Phnom Penh (539 km). Bangkok → Phnom Penh wins by 43 km (7%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
582 km
362 miles · Flight: ~1h 14min · Drive: ~9h 27min
539 km
335 miles · Flight: ~1h 10min · Drive: ~8h 46min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 43 km (7%) · Flight time difference: ~4 min
Verdict
Bangkok → Phnom Penh is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 43 km (7%) shorter, saves about 4 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 11 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Bangkok → Chiang Mai only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Bangkok → Phnom Penh is the shorter route at 539 km, which is 43 km (7%) shorter than Bangkok → Chiang Mai. You would save approximately 4 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Bangkok → Chiang Mai | Bangkok → Phnom Penh |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 582 | 539 |
| Distance (miles) | 362 | 335 |
| Flight time | ~1h 14min | ~1h 10min |
| Driving time | ~9h 27min | ~8h 46min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~757 km | ~701 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 344° (NNW) | 116° (ESE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~148 kg | ~137 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~129 kg | ~120 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$76 USD | ~$70 USD |
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai produces roughly 148 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Bangkok → Phnom Penh flight emits about 137 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 11 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 1 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 129 kg and 120 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Bangkok to Chiang Mai route covers 582 km (362 miles), staying within Asia. Bangkok (population: 10,539,000) is located in Central, Thailand, while Chiang Mai (population: 127,240) is in Northern, Thailand.
The Bangkok to Phnom Penh route covers 539 km (335 miles), remaining within Asia. Bangkok (population: 10,539,000) is in Central, Thailand, and Phnom Penh (population: 2,129,371) is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes approximately 1h 14min, while Bangkok to Phnom Penh takes 1h 10min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 9h 27min for the first route and 8h 46min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Bangkok, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Chiang Mai and Phnom Penh as a destination.
The 43 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 757 km and 701 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 56 km of driving.
Chiang Mai (Thailand) has a population of 127,240 and is located in the Northern region of Asia. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia) has a population of 2,129,371 and is situated in Phnom Penh, Asia. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Chiang Mai (Thailand) — a city of 127,240 in the Northern region of Asia. Despite being the longer of the two at 582 km, it makes sense when Chiang Mai itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 757 km of road and a fuel cost band around $76 USD. The initial bearing is 344° (NNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Bangkok heading roughly NNW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) — a city of 2,129,371 in the Phnom Penh region of Asia. It is also the shorter of the two at 539 km, saving about 4 min of flying and around 11 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 701 km of road and a fuel cost in the $70 USD range. Departing Bangkok, the great-circle bearing toward Phnom Penh is 116° (ESE).
Bangkok (13.76°, 100.50°) and Chiang Mai (18.79°, 98.99°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Bangkok (13.76°, 100.50°) and Phnom Penh (11.56°, 104.93°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Phnom Penh is closer at 539 km, which is 43 km (7%) shorter.
582 km (362 miles). Flight: ~1h 14min.
539 km (335 miles). Flight: ~1h 10min.
Flying to Phnom Penh is faster at ~1h 10min, saving about 4 min compared to Chiang Mai.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.