Pai to Chiang Mai

Pai to Chiang Mai

Pai
Chiang Mai
Thu, Nov 27
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Pai to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

TS
The driver was very nasty and aggressive. A couple from Belgium behind me; the girl was being sick. The driver just through a sick bag at her. The boy politely asked the driver to slow down - the driver responded aggressively saying along the lines of “you can either get out here, or carry on, and I’m not slowing down”. We got to the half way point (toilet stop). The Belgium couple decided to get a grab back from there, all the way to Chiang Mai. The driver was also very aggressive towards myself and others. He was also driving like a complete maniac as well. I felt sorry for the Belgian couple the most, but myself and others did feel uneasy the whole drive too.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 23, 2025
EH
The bus ended not being full so I had the back row to myself. The driver made some questionable overtakes on corners which resulted in us needing to brake heavily in the middle of the road. He also kept stopping to pick up his personal shopping, which was fine, just a bit confusing when you don't know what's going on!
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 20, 2025
CF
I tried to cancel my ticket but this was virtually impossible. Not easy to navigate and unclear directions about how to do it. No clear link in the website.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Nov 18, 2025
A
The driver were driving really fast and we didn’t feel save.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 16, 2025
AG
Great service, definitely will continue to use for my travel around Thailand.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 13, 2025
TB
Nice & safe driver on a crazy windy road. It wasan on time pick up in a clean car. Would use them again!
Pai to Chiang Mai, taxi Economy 2pax, Torch, Nov 12, 2025
VA
The driver drove a little wild
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 10, 2025
MS
Van was on time and got us to our destination on time, that’s the main thing. Old van which broke down for 10 or 15minutes early in our journey. Driver was erratic and doing some of the craziest driving I’ve experienced in South East Asia. I appreciate they drive differently here, and also that the driver knows the road well, however we were passing all of the other mini vans which also have drivers which know the road. We were passing them on blind corners, down hills, in some of the wettest driving conditions I have seen. So dangerous. It was an experience, that’s for sure
Pai to Chiang Mai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Nov 5, 2025
CE
On time, even earlier ! Although the many turns
Pai to Chiang Mai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Nov 2, 2025
D
Driver was good. The drive was good but the air-conditioning in the van was t so good. That aside, Ive read so many reviews about how bad this trip can be. Honestly, all things considered, the road isn't that bad.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 30, 2025
4.4
1674 customer reviews
5
57%
4
26%
3
11%
2
6%
1
0%

Pai to Chiang Mai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Go2Trip
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
$101.87
  4.0
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
07:00
10:55
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
08:00
11:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
08:30
11:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
09:00
12:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
09:30
12:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
10:00
13:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
10:30
13:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
11:00
14:55
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
11:30
15:25
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
12:00
15:55
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
13:00
16:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
13:30
16:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
14:00
17:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
14:30
17:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
15:00
18:55
$4.94
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
15:30
18:50
$5.25
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
16:00
19:55
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
17:00
20:55
$4.94
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
17:30
21:25
$4.94
  4.3

Public transportation: Pai or Chiang Mai?

Pai has limited public transportation options, primarily relying on scooters and bicycles for getting around. Scooter rentals typically cost around 150-200 THB per day ($4.50-$6).

Chiang Mai, on the other hand, offers more extensive options, including red songthaews (shared taxis) with fares starting at 30 THB ($0.90) within the city. Tuk-tuks are also available, with negotiated fares usually around 60-150 THB ($1.80-$4.50) depending on distance. Additionally, Chiang Mai has a limited bus system with fares around 20-30 THB ($0.60-$0.90).

Both cities have rental car services, but Chiang Mai's larger scale offers more choices. For longer distances, buses and vans connect Chiang Mai to Pai, with fares approximately 150-200 THB ($4.50-$6), and the journey takes about 3-4 hours.

Is it cheap to visit Chiang Mai right now?

Visiting Chiang Mai can be budget-friendly. Accommodation ranges from 300-1,000 THB per night ($8-$28) for budget hotels or guesthouses. Street food is affordable, with meals around 40-80 THB ($1-$2). Restaurant dining might cost between 150-300 THB ($4-$8) per meal.

Public transport is inexpensive; songthaews (shared taxis) charge about 30-50 THB ($0.80-$1.40) per ride, while tuk-tuks can range from 60-150 THB ($1.70-$4.20) depending on distance. Entrance fees for popular attractions, like temples, are usually under 100 THB ($3).

Overall, travelers can experience Chiang Mai economically by choosing local food and accommodations and using public transport.

What is famous in Chiang Mai to drink?

Chiang Mai is known for its distinctive café culture and locally grown coffee. The region's high-altitude climate supports coffee plantations, making Arabica coffee a popular choice. Additionally, try the local herbal teas, such as butterfly pea tea, known for its vibrant color and health benefits.

For something unique, sample Cha Yen, a traditional Thai iced tea made with black tea, spices, and condensed milk. Local craft beers are also gaining popularity, with several microbreweries offering tastings. While tap water is not recommended for drinking, bottled water is widely available and affordable.

Transportation from Pai to Chiang Mai

Facts about the transport from Pai to Chiang Mai

Cheapest Transport$8
Fastest Transport1h 25m
Earliest Departure7:00 AM
Latest Departure5:00 PM
Departures per day110
Distance71 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAEC 168 Transport and Travel, Andaman Shuttle, Aya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Easyride Services, Firstplan Transport Services, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Glassflower, Go2Trip, Gosafe Transport, Jed Yord, Khamkhun Tour And Travel, Lanna Expert Driver, Naiyai 654 Service, North Ride Go, Prem Pracha, Smart En Plus, Smile On Transport, T Buddy Service Chiang Mai, Torch

How to get from Pai to Chiang Mai

When you want to get from Pai to Chiang Mai, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Bus
  • Van
  • Taxi

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Taxi. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Taxi ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A taxi ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 209.45. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 7.41.

How far is Pai from Chiang Mai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Pai to Chiang Mai. Your trip will be a total of 45 miles (71 km). The flying distance is 45 miles (71 km).

How long does it take to get from Pai to Chiang Mai?

The travel time from Pai to Chiang Mai can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 2 to 5 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Pai to Chiang Mai?

The cost of the trip from Pai to Chiang Mai varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as USD 7.41 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a taxi - a one-way taxi ticket can cost as much as USD 209.45.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Pai to Chiang Mai:

  • Bus tickets - USD 7.41 to USD 9.11;
  • Van price : USD 7.72 - USD 10.80;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 73.84 to USD 209.45.

How many trips per day are there between Pai and Chiang Mai?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Vans from Pai to Chiang Mai depart during the day - there are approximately 42 departures a day.
  • Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 17:00. There are 12 available bus trips every day.
  • Taxis are a good option to consider for this route, too. Book a cab to take you from Pai to Chiang Mai any time of the day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Pai to Chiang Mai is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Taxi

Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.

Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 73.84.

Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Pai to Chiang Mai. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai.

Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..

The most popular transport from Pai to Chiang Mai

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Pai to Chiang Mai? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 73% decided to go for a bus.
  • 14% decided to catch a taxi.
  • 13% opted for a van.