1. Minivan – Chiang Mai to Pai
2. Taxi/Car – Chiang Mai to Pai
3. FAQ + Travel Tips + Info
🎫 Book Ticket / Taxi to Pai
From Chiang Mai to Pai you can get by minivan, taxi/car or motorbike.
-
- Embark on a scenic journey from Chiang Mai to Pai in Mae Hong Son Province, spanning approximately 130 km by road, offering the fastest route to this charming destination. Optimal transportation mode from Chiang Mai to Pai involves traveling by minivan or minibus. Minivans efficiently traverse the distance in approximately 4-4.5 hours, with one-way tickets priced at around $7/pp, conveniently accessible via mobile phone. Renowned for their speed and affordability, minivans stand out as the preferred mode of transport to Pai in Mae Hong Son. Alternatively, for larger groups, private taxis, cars, or minivans offer flexibility and comfort, boasting a travel duration of 3-4 hours.
- Pricing for private taxi/car from Chiang Mai to Pai ranges between $100-200 per vehicle, accommodating modern cars, SUVs, and minivans catering to up to 9 passengers. Adventurous souls can also opt for motorcycle travel to Pai. Return journeys from Pai to Chiang Mai seamlessly mirror arrival options, with minivans operating multiple times daily. Secure your minivan tickets or arrange private taxi/car transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai conveniently online in advance. Furthermore, from Chiang Mai, explore alternative routes to destinations such as Chiang Rai.
BOOK TICKETS / CAR with 12go.asia ➜
-
- Pai in Thailand (Mae Hong Son Province) beckons as an idyllic escape from Chiang Mai. Once a hidden gem primarily frequented by backpackers, Pai has transformed into a renowned tourist destination embraced by nature enthusiasts. Nestled amidst mountainous terrain, Pai offers a serene retreat albeit influenced by tourism. While it may not boast as many landmarks as Chiang Mai, its allure remains intact. Accommodation options in Pai range from budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses within the city to tranquil countryside bungalows and luxury resorts.
- Occasional city parties add vibrancy to the atmosphere, ensuring a lively ambiance year-round. With no direct train or flight connections between Chiang Mai and Pai in Mae Hong Son, road travel emerges as the sole option, encompassing buses, minivans, taxis, or personal motorbikes. Discover the detailed instructions for reaching Pai from Chiang Mai in this article. Additionally, from Pai, embark on journeys to bustling Bangkok.
| Transfer Mode – Chiang Mai to Pai: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Van / Minibus | 4-4.5 hours | $7/pp |
| Private Taxi / Car with a driver | 3-4.5 hours | $100-200 (car) |
| Motorbike | 5 hours | $10-15/pp |
How do you get from Chiang Mai to Pai?
1. MINIVAN / MINIBUS from Chiang Mai to Pai
The most used and cheapest ground transportation option from Chiang Mai to Pai is a minivan / minibus transfer. These minivans are actually smaller types of buses and are limited to a smaller number of passengers, usually they can carry a maximum of 14 passengers. Prem Pracha and AYA Service will offer you this transport option on this route.
I mainly operate both companies with smaller, modern, comfortable minivans, and they also mostly have good references from other travelers. Transportation by minivan from Chiang Mai to Pai takes about 4-4.5 hours, but the indicated travel time may vary slightly and there may be delays during the trip.
These minivans or small minibuses can depart from various places or stops in Chiang Mai, such as Chiang Mai Arcade 2, from company branches or provide city transfer from hotels. In Pai, they arrive, for example, at Pai Bus Station or other places and stops near the city. You will see this information about departure points in Chiang Mai and arrival points in Pai when searching for tickets online.
BOOK BUS / VAN TICKETS to Pai ➜
So take a look at everything carefully and also look at the map where the stops are located. Transportation by minivan or minibus from Chiang Mai to Pai costs around $7/pp, prices may vary slightly throughout the year. It is therefore a cheap transport option, which will be especially suitable for low-cost travelers who have a limited travel budget.
You can easily search and buy minivan tickets to Pai from Chiang Mai online in advance. There are plenty of these minivans running between these cities every day, and you’ll be sure to choose your suitable connection.
A transfer by these minivans is usually also a faster transport option in other places in Thailand than compared to larger classic buses for a larger number of passengers. This transport option can also be used for the return trip to Chiang Mai.
2. Private TAXI/CAR from Chiang Mai to Pai
Undoubtedly, the most convenient, fast, but at the same time the most expensive transport option to Pai from Chiang Mai is a transfer by private car/taxi with a driver. Several private companies such as Jed Yord, Glassflower, Smart En Plus, Go2Trip, Firstplan Transport Services, NNS Luxury Limousine, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Bangkok Taxi24 or Lanna Expert Driver will offer you this transport option between these cities.
These companies offer various modern smaller classic cars, SUVs and even larger minivans for more people traveling in a group. Multi-passenger minivans are suitable for group travel, and you can always calculate the fare for individual passengers afterwards. Another advantage of a private transfer is the fact that you can choose your departure point in Chiang Mai and your arrival point in Pai.
You can drive to Pai by private car directly from Chiang Mai Airport. The driving time of these cars may also vary accordingly. Transportation by private car with a driver from Chiang Mai to Pai takes about 3-4.5 hours, but the driving time may not be strictly observed. A private car/taxi transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai costs between $100-200/vehicle, but it depends on the type of car you choose.
Smaller classic cars for 1-3 passengers are a cheaper option than larger SUVs or minivans for more people. You can easily search, view photos and book your private car from Chiang Mai to Pai online in advance. Booking is very easy and fast. It is also advisable to read references about this transport option when searching for these cars.
Transfer by private car to Pai is mainly suitable for wealthier travelers who have more money for their travel, low-cost travelers probably won’t use this option of transport. You can also go back from Pai to Chiang Mai by private car, these companies will also provide you with return transfers.
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Chiang Mai to Pai:
1. How and where to book tickets or taxi/car from Chiang Mai to Pai?
-
- You can book tickets and private transport from Chiang Mai to Pai online on 12go.asia ➜.
- read all the information about the transfer and tickets, it is recommended to print the ticket
2. What is the travel time from Chiang Mai to Pai?
-
- To get by tourist minivan/minibus from Chiang Mai to Pai takes about 4-4.5 hours.
- To get by private taxi/minivan, car from Chiang Mai to Pai takes about 3-4.5 hours.
- Travel on motorbike from Chiang Mai to Pai takes about 5 hours (according to your stops, driving speed).
3. What is the travel distance from Chiang Mai to Pai?
-
- Travel distance from Chiang Mai to Pai is about 130 km by road (the fastest travel route).
4. How much does it cost to get from Chiang Mai to Pai?
-
- Travel by minivan/minibus from Chiang Mai to Pai costs about $7/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/minivan or car to Pai from Chiang Mai costs about $100-200 (vehicle).
5. What private transfers to Pai are available?
-
- Transport by private car, taxi or minibus is the most comfortable and fastest but the most expensive way of transfer to Pai from Chiang Mai. There are various minibuses or modern new cars and also SUV jeeps for 4 people. These cars from Chiang Mai city or airport can be booked online in advance.
6. Is it possible to travel by train to Pai from Chiang Mai?
-
- No, you can not travel by train to Pai because there is no railway between these cities.
7. Is there a direct flight to Pai from Chiang Mai?
-
- No, you can not take a direct flight because there are no flights between Chiang Mai and Pai.
8. What is the cheapest way of transport to Pai from Chiang Mai?
-
- The cheapest transport option to Pai from Chiang Mai is to travel by minivan / minibus, tickets cost $6/person.
9. How do you get back from Pai to Chiang Mai?
-
- From Pai to Chiang Mai you can get the same way you arrived in Pai. Throughout the day there are several minivans and the possibility is a private transport (taxi, car, minivan) or on your motorbike. Prices for minivan tickets are the same as for Pai.
10. How to go to Nan or Phayao from Chiang Mai?
-
- If you want to visit Nan or Phayao, you have to travel by bus, private car or motorbike. There is no other way how you can go to Nan town in Nan province. There are some buses from Chiang Mai, travel time is about 6.5-9 hours to Nan and about 3.5 hours to Phayao.
11. Where you can also travel from Pai?
-
- From Pai town you can also travel to Mae Hong Son town. It is also a popular mountain place, there is no railway, it is necessary to travel by minibus or private car or motorbike. Mae Hong Son town is about 110 km from Pai town.
12. Where you can also travel from Chiang Mai?
-
- From Chiang Mai you can also travel by minivan/car to Mae Hong Son or you can visit Nan. There is no railway between these cities, travel by train is not possible.
13. Where to stay in Pai, what are the possibilities?
-
- The offer in and around Pai has grown considerably and covers the needs of all travelers. There are therefore various cheaper hotels, guest houses in the city and in the surrounding countryside also nice bungalows or cottages, but also luxury modern resorts. Prices are adequate to the offer, cheaper and more expensive. It is better to choose accommodation further from the town center, see these best deals > Book Hotel/Resort or Bungalow in Pai.
🚍 Bus / Minivan Schedule – Timetable – Chiang Mai to Pai + Tickets:
Bus Schedule - Chiang Mai to Pai | Departs in Chiang Mai | Arrival in Pai |
|---|---|---|
Prem Pracha | 06:30 | 10:50 |
Prem Pracha | 07:30 | 11:50 |
Prem Pracha | 08:30 | 12:50 |
Prem Pracha | 09:30 | 13:50 |
Prem Pracha | 10:30 | 14:50 |
Prem Pracha | 11:30 | 15:50 |
Prem Pracha | 12:30 | 16:50 |
Prem Pracha | 13:30 | 17:50 |
Prem Pracha | 14:30 | 18:50 |
Prem Pracha | 15:30 | 19:50 |
Prem Pracha | 16:30 | 20:50 |
Prem Pracha | 17:30 | 21:50 |
AYA Service | 08:00 | 12:00 |
AYA Service | 09:30 | 13:30 |
AYA Service | 10:30 | 14:30 |
AYA Service | 12:30 | 16:30 |
AYA Service | 13:30 | 17:30 |
AYA Service | 14:30 | 18:30 |
🚕 Taxi Schedule / Timetable – Pai to Chiang Mai + Prices:
Taxi Schedule - Chiang Mai to Pai | Travel time | Prices (Car) |
|---|---|---|
Jed Yord | 03:50 | From $150.00 |
Smart En Plus | 04:00 | From $130.00 |
Freedom Tour | 03:00 | From $120.00 |
Glassflower | 04:30 | From $130.00 |
Firstplan Trans. | 04:00 | From $110.00 |
NNS Luxury | 03:00 | From $170.00 |
Lanna Expert | 03:00 | From $120.00 |
Bangkok Taxi24 | 04:00 | From $120.00 |
Go2Trip | 03:00 | From $120.00 |
BOOK your STAY / HOTEL in Pai ➜