1. Bus/Van – Pai to Chiang Rai
2. Taxi/Van – Pai to Chiang Rai
3. FAQ + Travel Tips + Info
🎫 Book a Tour in Chiang Rai
🎫 Book Ticket to Chiang Rai
From Pai to Chiang Rai you can travel by van / minivan or taxi / car.
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- The travel distance from Pai to Chiang Rai spans approximately 300 kilometers by bus or taxi via Chiang Mai. In northern Thailand, options abound for your journey from Pai to Chiang Rai. You can opt to travel by van or minivan catering to tourists, or arrange for a private taxi or car service. Vans and minivans stand out as the most popular choice, with a travel duration of about 6.5-8 hours and ticket prices ranging from $15 to $18 per person. Alternatively, booking a private transfer or taxi service typically costs between $170 and $280 for the vehicle, making it an attractive option for groups, with the capacity to accommodate up to 9-10 passengers and including hotel transfers.
- For added convenience, consider the combination of van transportation from Pai to Chiang Rai, followed by a tourist bus operated by Greenbus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Note that air and rail travel options between these cities are not available. Chiang Rai is equipped with an airport offering direct flights to Bangkok. Secure your travel arrangements by searching and booking tickets or private taxi/car services to Chiang Rai from Pai effortlessly online. From Chiang Rai, you can further explore travel options, including direct flights to Bangkok or connecting flights via Bangkok to destinations such as Krabi in southern Thailand.
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- Chiang Rai, nestled amidst the mist-clad northern landscapes of Thailand, beckons travelers to its realm near the borderlands of untamed Myanmar and Laos. A mere stone’s throw away from the illustrious Chiang Mai, often hailed as the unofficial „capital“ of northern Thailand, Chiang Rai exudes its own unique charm, drawing visitors with its breathtaking mountain vistas, mysterious caves, and distinctive temples that stand as testaments to its rich cultural heritage. Delve into the instructions elucidating your journey from Pai to Chiang Rai in Thailand below. As you prepare for your arrival in Chiang Rai, familiarize yourself with pertinent information in our article: Weather in Chiang Rai.
| Transfer Mode – Pai to Chiang Rai: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Van + Bus via Chiang Mai | 7.5-8 hours | $14-22/pp |
| Minivan / Minibus | 6.5-7 hours | $18/pp |
| Private Taxi/Car with a driver | 6 hours | $170-280/car |
How do I get from Pai to Chiang Rai?
1. VAN / MINIVAN from Pai to Chiang Rai
The most used and cheapest option of land transfer from Pai to Chiang Rai is a trip by minivan or minibus. This transfer option is mainly offered by the Terminal Green Pai company on this route, and it offers you comfortable smaller minivans for a limited number of passengers. Other companies with similar minibuses also run through Chiang Mai, a description of this option is below.
Transportation by minivan or minibus from Pai to Chiang Rai takes about 6.5-7 hours, but the indicated travel time may change and there may be delays during the journey. Minivans depart from Terminal Green Pai, from the company’s branch and or from other locations, in Chiang Rai they arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Termianal 3.
You will always see this information about departure and arrival points when searching for tickets online. Minivan tickets from Pai to Chiang Rai cost around $18/pp, but the quoted price may change during the year or seasons. If you travel with a transfer in Chiang Mai, the price may also vary.
The disadvantage of this transfer option is the more limited schedule of minivans of the Terminal Green Pai company, more minivans and minibuses then travel with a transfer in Chiang Mai. You can easily search and buy tickets for a minivan / minibus transfer to Chiang Rai from Pai online. If you would like to travel with a transfer in Chiang Mai, you need to look for 2 tickets separately for each route.
When booking a ticket, also read the transfer information and instructions and follow the terms and conditions of the transport company. Luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg can also be transported in a minivan, but these conditions may change depending on the company. Transport by minivan to Chiang Rai directly from Pai is a sought-after option mainly among ordinary solo and low-cost travelers who have a rather limited budget for their travel.
2. TAXI / MINIVAN / CAR from Pai to Chiang Rai
The most convenient but at the same time the most expensive way to get to Chiang Rai from Pai is a private car/taxi transfer with a driver. Companies such as Freedom Tour Taxi Service and Glassflower will offer you this option of transportation between these cities. These companies offer modern and comfortable smaller classic cars or SUVs and minivans for larger groups of people for transfer to Chiang Rai.
Mainly larger minivans and minibuses are suitable for those looking for group travel, such an option can sometimes be advantageous, because you can budget the fare for individual passengers. The advantage of this option is that you can choose your departure point in Pai and your arrival point in Chiang Rai, so you can also use the transfer directly between your hotels.
This way you can also save your time. Transportation by private car/taxi from Pai to Chiang Rai takes about 6 hours, but this time may vary depending on your specific travel route. It is also possible to use this transfer option with a change in Chiang Mai, such an option may have different travel times, but there may be more cars of different companies on offer.
BOOK TAXI / CAR to Chiang Rai ➜
Transfer by private car/taxi with driver from Pai to Chiang Rai costs between $170-280 (car, vehicle), these prices vary by car type, smaller cars are usually cheaper than larger minivans or SUVs for more people. You can search and book your private car/taxi with driver to Chiang Rai online well in advance.
When booking, you will also see photos of the vehicles and you can choose your suitable option accordingly. Also read all the information and instructions for the private transfer when booking and follow the terms and conditions of the transport companies. A private transfer from Pai to Chiang Rai in Thailand will not be a suitable transport option for low-cost travelers due to a more limited travel budget.
3. VAN + BUS from Pai to Chiang Rai (via Chiang Mai)
Another option, and also similar to the previous ones, is again a ground transfer by minivan / minibus with a transfer in Chiang Mai. This transport option is mainly suitable for those who want to visit the popular city in the north of Thailand – Chiang Mai. The advantage of this option is the fact that if you travel with a transfer, you can choose from more companies and vehicles.
Transportation from Pai to Chiang Rai by minivan and bus with a transfer in Chiang Mai takes about 7.5-8 hours, but the indicated travel time may vary, depending on your transfer in Chiang Mai. Minivan and bus transportation from Pai to Chiang Rai via Chiang Mai costs between $14-22/pp, so it can be a little cheaper than using a direct transfer.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai there are mainly modern Greenbus buses, and from Pai to Chiang Mai there are minivans from Prem Pracha and Aya Service. Minivans and minibuses can depart from various places in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, and in Chiang Rai they usually arrive at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 or Mae Sai, or at other places as well.
Again, you will see this information when searching for tickets online, so read everything carefully. If you choose this option with a transfer in Chiang Mai, you have to search and buy tickets for each route separately, so you will have 2 tickets. Transport with a transfer to Chiang Rai with a transfer in Chiang Mai is usually the cheapest transport option and will therefore be suitable mainly for low-cost travellers.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Pai to Chiang Rai:
1. How to book tickets or private taxi/car from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- You can search and book tickets + taxi, car from Pai to Chiang Rai with 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also book another tickets, e.g. Pai > Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai > Bangkok…
2. What is the travel time from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- Travel by van/bus from Pai to Chiang Rai takes about 6.5-8 hours.
- Travel by private taxi/minivan, car from Pai to Chiang Rai takes about 6 hours.
- Travel by van + tourist bus from Pai to Chiang Rai (via Chiang Mai) takes about 8-9 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- Travel distance from Pai to Chiang Rai is about 300 km by road (bus, minivan, taxi).
4. How much does it cost to get from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- Transfer by van/bus to Chiang Rai from Pai costs about $18/pp.
- Transfer by private taxi/minivan, car to Chiang Rai from Pai costs about $170-280 (vehicle).
- Transfer by van + tourist bus to Chiang Rai from Pai (via Chiang Mai) costs about $15-20/pp.
5. Is it possible to book private car, vehicle to Chiang Rai from Pai?
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- Yes, it is possible to search and book your private car, vehicle, taxi or minivan for a group of people. There is a private company – Glassflower, and this company offers private minivans or modern comfortable cars.
6. Is it possible to travel by train from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- No, you can not to travel by train to Chiang Rai from Pai because there is no railway between these cities. There is also no railway between Chiang Mai – Pai and Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai. The only way is to travel by van/bus or private car, teoretically you can travel on motorbike.
7. Is there a direct flight from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- No, there is no direct flight to Chiang Rai from Pai, it is not possible to travel by plane.
8. What is the cheapest way of transfer from Pai to Chiang Rai?
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- The most cheapest option how you can reach Chiang Rai from Pai in northern Thailand is to travel by modern minivan, minibus. The most cheapest tickets to Chiang Rai start already at $12-15/pp.
9. Where to stay in Chiang Rai? Hotel, resort, bungalow?
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- Chiang Rai in Thailand offers various types of accommodations. You can stay in the hotel in the city center, resort or you can book your private bungalow in the nature out of the town.
- Check out the best deals (discount up to 60%) > The best hotels / resorts in Chiang Rai ➜.
10. How to explore Chiang Rai Province?
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- The best option how you can explore this province is to travel on motorbike. But it is a good way of transport only for the most experienced drivers. You can rent you motorbike in Chiang Mai with Bikesbooking ➜..
11. How to travel and get from Chiang Rai to Bangkok?
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- If you want to travel to Bangkok from Chiang Rai, you have a few ways of transport. The most fastest way is to take a direct flight, another option are travel by van/bus, bus+train of Thai Railways via Chiang Mai or private taxi/car. Read this article > How to get to Bangkok from Chiang Rai?
12. How to travel solo in Thailand?
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- Embark on a solo adventure in Thailand by researching destinations, ensuring personal safety, trying local experiences, connecting with fellow travelers, and savoring the diverse landscapes and attractions the country has to offer. Traveling on your own in Thailand is very popular by travelers. Read this article: Solo Travel in Thailand.
13. What is the weather and climate in Thailand?
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- Weather in Thailand varies across three main seasons, creating a tropical climate. The hot season typically spans from March to June, with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C). During this period, the weather is characterized by intense heat and occasional brief showers. The rainy season occurs from July to October, bringing heavy monsoon rains and increased humidity. Average temperatures remain high, ranging from 77°F to 88°F (25°C to 31°C). The cool season, from November to February, is marked by milder temperatures and lower humidity. Average temperatures range from 64°F to 86°F (18°C to 30°C), making it a popular time for tourism.
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