Chiang Mai to Pai Thailand

The city of Chiang Mai is a stepping stone to the town of Pai, a place renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and spectacular mountain scenery.

Pai sits in a picturesque valley in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province and is one of the best places in Northern Thailand to see hill tribe communities and tranquil rural landscapes. 

If you are visiting the region, a trip from Chiang Mai to Pai should be on your list of places to visit in Thailand.

Getting from Chiang Mai to Pai

Pai is around 3 ½ hours’ drive northwest of Chiang Mai. The road from Chiang Mai to Pai twists its way around 762 curves as it makes its way up into the mountains.

Getting to Pai from Chiang Mai is easy as there are a choice of transport options which include Chiang Mai to Pai tours, bus, taxi, car and motorbike.

Chiang Mai to Pai Tours

If you are stretched for time or just like the convenience of a tour, Pai offers a broad selection of tours to please a variety of age groups and interests.

There is a choice of day trips and multi day tours that will allow you to experience the best of the region.

Chiang Mai to Pai Day Tour

A Pai day tour allows you to see the natural wonders of Pai Canyon and the Sai Ngam Natural Mineral Spring. Learn more about Pai’s history at the Pai Memorial Bridge, visit the Wat Phra That Mae Yen Buddhist Temple and stop off for lunch in the town of Pai.  

• Pai Memorial Bridge
• Pai Canyon
• Lunch in Pai
• Santichon Village
• Sai Ngam Natural Mineral Spring
• Wat Phra That Mae Yen Buddhist Temple

This Pai day trip includes all admission fees to attractions and round-trip pickup and drop off at your hotel in Chiang Mai city centre.

Click here to book Chiang Mai to Pai Day Tour

Chiang Mai to Pai 2 Days/1 Night Tour

A Pai two-day tour includes overnight accommodation and a range of activities. On this tour you can go bamboo rafting in Lod Cave, visit Mok Fa Waterfall, learn the history of Pai Memorial Bridge and shop for bargains at Pai Walking Street.

• Pai Canyon
• Mok Fa Waterfall
• Pai Memorial Bridge
• Wat Nam Hoo & Chinese Village
• Wat Phra That Mae Yen Buddhist Temple
• Pai Walking Street
• Lod Cave Bamboo Rafting

This Pai 2 day/1night tour includes all admission fees to attractions and round-trip pickup and drop off at your hotel in Chiang Mai city centre.

Click here to book Chiang Mai to Pai 2 Day/1 Night Tour

Chiang Mai to Pai Bus

There are a couple of bus companies that travel between Chiang Mai and Pai, they are Prem Pracha and AYA Service Pai. Tickets for both bus companies can be prebooked online before you leave home to take the hassle out of getting to Pai from Chiang Mai.

Prem Pracha

Prem Pracha minivans leave from Chiang Mai Arcade 2 and arrive at Pai Bus Station in the heart of Pai. The bus company allots a journey time of 4 hours and 20 minutes, but it can be shorter depending on traffic. For example, on our last visit to Pai with Prem Pracha, the trip took 3 ½ hours including a 10-minute comfort stop.

Click here to book a Prem Pracha bus from Chiang Mai to Pai

AYA Service Pai

The AYA service Chiang Mai to Pai, offers a hotel pick-up and drop off service for hotels in the centre of Chiang Mai. This is a great option for anyone staying in the city as you do not have to make your way to the bus station to catch your bus.

The AYA Service Pai office is in the centre of Pai, steps from Pai Bus Station and within short walk to most hotels.

Click here to book a AYA service Pai bus from Chiang Mai to Pai

Top Tips for Catching the Pai – Chiang Mai Bus

When booking your bus ticket, keep in mind that the buses are not luxury coaches. The minivans have limited space inside and can get cramped.

The winding roads are notorious for causing motion sickness. Picking up some motion sickness tablets from the chemist before you go is advisable.  

Chiang Mai to Pai by Car or Motorbike

Many like to experience the freedom of the Chiang Mai to Pai motorbike or car drive. Before hiring a car or motorbike take time to consider the following.

The distance from Chiang Mai to Pai is 135km not a great distance but one made longer by the 762 curves. Travel from Chiang Mai to Pai needs a great deal of concentration and you can quickly become fatigued as you tackle the mountainous terrain.

Where to stay in Pai Thailand

There is a wide range of accommodation styles in Pai. You will find something for every budget including resorts, hotels, homestays, hostels, and farm stays.

Our top Pai hotel picks are:

The Road to Pai from Chiang Mai

After leaving Chiang Mai city limits, get ready to be immersed in the lush green vegetation of Northern Thailand. As you make your way up into the mountains you will pass small villages and roadside stalls selling fresh fruit and snacks.

If you are taking the bus, there will be a 10-minute break at a rest stop along the route. Here you can buy snacks and use the bathroom. There is a small fee to use the bathroom so make sure you have loose change. Keep spare tissues on hand as the bathroom may not provide paper.

The second half of the trip becomes more arduous as you coil your way through the tight twists and turns of the road to Pai.

Things to do in Pai

When planning what to see in Pai you have the choice of enjoying the easy-going vibe of the town or getting out and exploring the countryside. If you are looking for adventure, you are well catered for with a range of activities that include rafting, swimming, and tubing.

Click here for Pai Jungle Tubing

If relaxation is more your style, you can indulge with a massage and nail treatment or shop until you drop at one of the boutiques and shops that line the street.

Pai Walking Street

As night falls, Pai comes alive with light and colour as you make your way down Pai Walking Street. The walking street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir, bite to eat or shop for local arts and crafts.  

Pai Restaurants and Bars

When it comes to restaurants Pai caters to a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan options. Here you can try local delicacies or Western cuisines such as Italian and Mexican or you can sample the best hamburger in town at Maya the Burger Queen.

Pai is a party town which specialises in fun times and live entertainment. In the evening kick back with a cocktail or icy cold beer at one of the bars and enjoy being entertained with your favourite music.

Day trips from Pai

There are many attractions to visit from the town of Pai. For anyone looking for where to go in Pai a popular option is to take a day tour or hire a local songthaew or taxi to explore the incredible sights of Mae Hong Son Provence.

Keep in mind, that if you plan to hire a songthaew or taxi for the day, you will have to pay additional entrance fees to many of the attractions.

Bamboo Bridge

The Bamboo Bridge is an attraction in Pai which is connected to Pambok Village. The Bamboo Bridge meanders through the rice fields, passing Pambok temple along the way.

Here you can get a glimpse of village life as you watch locals work their fields. The walk is peaceful, butterflies flutter from plant to plant and small crabs burrow into the mud of the rice paddies.

At the fishpond, you can have fun feeding the fish, knowing that your donation will be helping the local Shan, Karen, and Lisu school children.

Yhun Lai Viewpoint (Pai Viewpoint)

On the trip up to Pai Viewpoint, you will drive through small Thai villages. As you make your way along the road you may see local farmers working their fields. Cattle munch on the fresh green grass and chickens scuttle across the road.

Once you brave the steep mountain roads you come to Pai Viewpoint. From here you will see awe inspiring views that plunge deep into the valley and rise high into the mountains.

The coloured checkerboard of rooftops stands out against a backdrop of emerald-green as the landscape stretches out to the horizon.

Lod Cave Rafting

Lod Cave is divided into three separate caverns filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites which hang from the floor and ceiling.

The entrance to the cave looks like a wide cathedral door with the Nam Lang River flowing through it. The highlight of the tour is bamboo rafting through the cave. Once inside the cave you can observe the thriving bat and catfish population.

Pam Bok Waterfall & Morpong Waterfall

During the summer Pai is known for its hot steamy days. One way to escape the heat is to cool off at one of Pai’s local waterfalls. Popular places to visit are the Pam Bok Waterfall and the Morpong Waterfall.

As you walk to the waterfalls, feel the temperature lower as you are engulfed by lush tropical forest. Once you arrive have fun using the rocks as waterslides and be instantly refreshed as you take a dip in the natural rock basins.

Pai Hot Springs

Take a walk through the forest to a natural hot spring. There is more than one pool with varying degrees of heat. Immerse yourself and feel your muscles relax in the heat of the water or join the locals and boil an egg in the hottest pool.

Pai Canyon

A short distance from Pam Bok Waterfall is Pai Canyon. After walking up the hill you will get your first glimpse of Pai Canyon and the surrounding mountains.

This alien like landscape was created by erosion and features narrow red ridges that rise thirty metres above the canyon floor. Pai Canyon is a popular spot for watching a Pai sunset.

Coffee in Love

Unwind with a coffee or freshly squeezed fruit shake at Coffee in Love. This charming café is the perfect place to admire the gardens and sweeping views of the mountains and valley.

Wat Phra That Mae Yen – White Buddha Pai

The gleaming white Buddha at Wat Phra That Mea Yen sits on the mountain overlooking the town of Pai. Walking up the 350 steps you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the valley below and get a chance to buy souvenirs from the little stalls at the bottom of the steps.

Last Words on Chiang Mai to Pai Thailand

Along with Chiang Rai, Pai is one of the most visited destinations from Chiang Mai. If you are visiting Chiang Mai and love natural wonders a trip from Chiang Mai to Pai should be on your list of places to visit in Northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group

Also be sure to check out our Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it’s a great resource to enable you to ask any questions about visiting Chiang Mai Thailand. Many experts are on hand to help.

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