Chiang Mai to Pai: Transport Guide
With beautiful nature, Pai is a perfect destination to visit after your trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
In this travel guide, you’ll find useful information about traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai, including timetable, ticket prices, and booking tips.
Getting from Chiang Mai to Pai
The distance between Chiang Mai and Pai is about 140 km (88 miles), and you can easily travel between the two cities by bus and taxi. At the moment, there is no direct flight or train to Pai.
The travel duration is about 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on your choice of transport. If you’re in a hurry, I suggest taking a taxi as it just takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to get to Pai.
| Type | Time | Cost | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 4h20m | $6 (€6) | Check bus |
| Taxi | 3h50m | $119 (€109) | Check taxi |
| Tour | 1 day | $112 (€100) | Check tour |
Pai travel tips
- Things to do: Hiking Pai Canyon and visiting Wat Phra That Mae Yen are must-do in Pai.
- Accommodation: I recommend booking hotels in Pai in advance. We enjoyed our stay at Pai village boutique resort.
- Tour: You can take a private day trip to Pai and enjoy a beautiful mountain view along the way.
Chiang Mai to Pai bus
The cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Pai is by bus, taking about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Prem Pracha offers several buses to Pai. The earliest bus leaves the station at 6:30 am, while the latest one departs at 5:30 pm.
You can easily book your bus tickets to Pai online. You only need to fill in the date and select your travel time. After payment, you’ll receive the confirmation by email.
| Bus info | |
|---|---|
| Journey time | 4h20m |
| Price | $6 (€6) |
| Distance | 140 km (88 miles) |
| Frequency | 22 buses per day |
| First bus | 6:30 am |
| Last bus | 5:30 pm |
| Departure station | Chiang Mai Arcade 2 |
| Arrival station | Pai |
| Operators | Prem Pracha |
| Provider | Departure | Arrival | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prem Pracha | 6:30 | 10:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 7:30 | 11:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 08:30 | 12:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 09:30 | 13:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 10:30 | 14:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 15:30 | 19:50 | Book from $6 |
| Prem Pracha | 16:30 | 20:50 | Book from $6 |
How long is the bus from Chiang Mai to Pai?
Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง) offers several buses daily from Chiang Mai to Pai, and the journey is about 4 hours 20 minutes. However, the time may vary depending on specific dates or traveling on weekends and holidays.
How much is the bus ticket from Chiang Mai to Pai?
The bus ticket to Pai costs $6 (€6). It’s the cheapest option.
What are the bus departure and arrival stations?
The departure station in Chiang Mai is Chiang Mai Arcade 2, and the one in Pai is Chai Songkhram Rd (near Pai walking street).
Please arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the departure.
How many bus services are there?
The average number of buses departing Chiang Mai for Pai is 22 per day. The bus schedules and services may vary between weekdays and weekends.
Chiang Mai to Pai taxi
Taking a taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai. You can book a cab and get to Pai at any time at around $119.
