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LUA to CEI: distance & flight time
Lukla (Lukla Airport) → Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai International Airport)
987 mi
1,589 km · 858 nm
2h 37m
estimated nonstop flight time
+1.3h
time difference · heading southeast
See live LUA→CEI fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
987 miles nonstop takes roughly 2h 37m gate to gate, flying southeast. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 1.3-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- LUA — Lukla Airport · Lukla, Nepal
- CEI — Chiang Rai International Airport · Chiang Rai, Thailand
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near LUA
- SYH · Syangboche Airport9 mi away
- PPL · Phaplu Airport15 mi away
- RUM · Rumjatar Airport29 mi away
- LDN · Lamidanda Airport30 mi away
Near CEI
- THL · Tachileik Airport37 mi away
- HOE · Ban Huoeisay Airport42 mi away
- MOG · Mong Hsat Airport56 mi away
- KET · Kengtung Airport95 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is LUA from CEI?
The flight distance from Lukla (LUA) to Chiang Rai (CEI) is 987 miles (1,589 km, 858 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from LUA to CEI?
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 37m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Lukla and Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai is 1.3 hours ahead of Lukla.
What is the cheapest way to fly from LUA to CEI?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on LUA–CEI that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.