Pai to Chiang Mai

Pai to Chiang Mai

Pai
Chiang Mai
Wed, May 14
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Pai to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews

DV
A very BAD experience with the shuttle from Pai to Chiang Mai – avoid booking with this company unless you have absolutely NO other options... Bus registration number: 2568 (Pictures attached to prove I was a passenger) 1. The driver was extremely unprofessional and aggressive. He looked at passengers in a threatening way and swore at me in Thai just for asking (four times) to stop for a toilet break. He refused to stop, kept lying by saying “a bit further” or “at the petrol station,” and only pulled over much later when we arrived in Chiang Mai for fuel—not for passengers to get a break. It's completely unacceptable... what a clown 2. He was constantly on his phone, distracted, and not focused on the road. I have no idea how someone like this got hired to drive a passenger vehicle. He gave off the impression of being completely untrained and connected to the company through something else other than merit. Definitely not a professional driver... but rather a random peasant that should have been left selling coconut on the roadside instead of driving a bus.. 🤣 3. When I finally insisted on stopping, so i can wee on the side of the road, he pulled over and pretended to drive away as I exited the bus, as if he was going to leave me behind. He stopped after a few meters, but the attitude and childish games were absolutely unnecessary and dangerous. Total wan**r... 4. He behaved in a very confrontational way, staring at me (rather than the road), clicking his fingers, and clearly trying to provoke me into a conflict. That’s not how a driver should treat passengers. Absolutely disgraceful... complete animal... 5. At the final stop before the airport, he made a show of stepping on passengers’ luggage and throwing it around the boot, while sarcastically asking if we “needed to go somewhere” – as if he didn’t know we were supposed to be dropped at the airport. Completely rude, careless, and disrespectful lady boy, clown 🤡 6. When we finally arrived at the airport, he once again stepped on my luggage and acted aggressively. This kind of behaviour is beyond belief. Drivers like this should be nowhere near customers, let alone driving public transport.. better selling coconut on the roadside. In conclusion: horrible service, completely unfit driver, and an awful experience from start to finish. I strongly recommend avoiding this company. If possible, rent a car, take a scooter, or choose any other operator. This was not safe, respectful, or professional in any way.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), May 9, 2025
MH
We arrived very ahead of time
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), May 2, 2025
SW
We waited for more than 15 minutes after we arrived at the airport. The driver arrived with a car that was not very nice. She had to stop for fuel once we were en route, while we waited in the hot car. She was on her phone the entire time. She didn't provide us with any information at all about the area. We would not recommend this experience.
Pai to Chiang Mai, taxi Comfort 3pax, Go2Trip (Go2Trip), May 1, 2025
HL
It was a good trip.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Apr 28, 2025
AF
very windy roads. TAKE TRAVEL SICKNESS MEDICINE
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Apr 27, 2025
TS
Was a little so cold but seats were nice and so was staff service
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Apr 1, 2025
LM
Driver was driving crazy, taking the turns very fast and changing speeds. We were getting thrown around in the car. Everyone was sick when we stopped half way. There was no need for the driver to be going so fast. The car was also very hot, the air conditioning was not strong enough.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Mar 13, 2025
JA
Journey was fine. Driver was miserable
Pai to Chiang Mai, Van Standard, Aya Service (Aya Service), Mar 7, 2025
BG
Snooth Ride
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Feb 10, 2025
GH
Sometimes the drivers may drive quite fast but this driver was on time but was not reckless or speeding/overtaking.
Pai to Chiang Mai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Feb 9, 2025
4.4
1468 customer reviews
5
54%
4
27%
3
12%
2
7%
1
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Pai to Chiang Mai Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Go2Trip
Comfort 3pax
Any time
+3h
$100.12
  4.0
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
07:00
10:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
08:00
11:55
$4.85
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
08:30
11:50
$5.16
  4.2
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
09:00
12:55
$4.85
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
09:30
12:50
$5.16
  4.2
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
10:00
13:55
$4.85
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
10:30
13:50
$5.16
  4.2
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
11:00
14:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
12:00
15:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
13:00
16:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
13:30
17:25
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
14:00
17:55
$4.85
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
14:30
17:50
$5.16
  4.2
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
15:00
18:55
$4.85
  4.3
Van
Aya Service
Standard
15:30
18:50
$5.16
  4.2
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
16:00
19:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
17:00
20:55
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
17:30
21:25
$4.85
  4.3
Bus
Prem Pracha
Minivan
18:30
22:25
$4.85
  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 Transport2h 40m
Earliest Departure7:00 AM
Latest Departure5:30 PM
Departures per day70
Distance134 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAya Service, BangkokTaxi24, Freedom Tour Taxi Service, Go2Trip, Prem Pracha, Shine Exclusive, Smart En Plus, Than Car Service

How to get from Chiang Mai to Pai

When you want to get from Chiang Mai to Pai, 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 184.92. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as USD 7.28.

How far is Chiang Mai from Pai?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Chiang Mai to Pai. Your trip will be a total of 84 miles (134 km). The flying distance is 84 miles (134 km).

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

The travel time from Chiang Mai to Pai can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 3 to 4 hours.

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

The cost of the trip from Chiang Mai to Pai 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 7.28 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 184.92.

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

  • Bus tickets - USD 7.28 to USD 7.28;
  • Van price : USD 7.58 - USD 10.62;

You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 90.20 to USD 184.92.

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

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 17:30. 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 90.20.

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 Chiang Mai to Pai

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Chiang Mai to Pai? 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:

  • 85% decided to go for a bus.
  • 14% opted for a van.
  • 1% Other