Pai, nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand, is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. This mountain backpacker haven is a beloved spot near the Burmese border, known for its challenging access. Traveling from Bangkok to Pai can be a daunting task if you’re not familiar with the route.
The distance between Bangkok and Pai is over 800 kilometers, with only one road leading to this northern town, renowned for its winding curves. Therefore, the best way to travel to Pai from Bangkok is to first reach one of the major northern cities and then continue the journey by road.
We generally recommend making a stop in either Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son before heading to Pai, but here we’ll guide you on the quickest way to get from Bangkok to Pai if you’re looking to travel as directly as possible.
The fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Pai is via a flight to Mae Hong Son, although this method is quite costly and requires some flexibility in your schedule. It is, however, the quickest way to reach the mountain town from Bangkok with a stop in Mae Hong Son.
Flights used to be available to Pai Airport via Kan Air, but since it ceased operations, the fastest alternative from Bangkok to Pai is to fly with Bangkok Airways to Mae Hong Son. This airline is relatively expensive but offers some flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son.
Once you arrive in Mae Hong Son, you’ll need to take a van to Pai. These vans follow the same route, Highway 1095, which leads to Chiang Mai and is known for its many curves. The journey from Mae Hong Son to Pai is shorter than traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai.
The drawbacks of this route are twofold: First, the flight to Mae Hong Son usually costs around 100 euros each way. Second, you’ll need to travel with Prem Pracha Transport, which operates hourly vans from Mae Hong Son to Pai between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for around 150 baht. Unfortunately, these tickets are not always available online on their website or 12GoAsia, so we recommend calling the phone number listed on theis site.
An alternative that you can book online is a private taxi ride from Mae Hong Son to Pai, which can be shared and costs more than 70 euros on 12GoAsia.
While this is the fastest way to reach Pai from Bangkok, it’s not the most recommended due to the high costs and limited availability of van tickets.
The most efficient way to travel from Bangkok to Pai is via Chiang Mai. Although the distance from Mae Hong Son to Pai is shorter, Chiang Mai offers more travel options and is a more popular route.
First, you’ll need to reach Chiang Mai, which we’ve detailed in our guide on traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. There are three main transport options: plane, bus, or train. If you choose to travel by bus or train, it’s best to travel overnight to arrive in time for the morning buses to Pai.
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai is straightforward, with several options available, all of which take Highway 1095, the same route to Mae Hong Son. The journey takes around four hours and costs about six euros, with buses departing from sunrise until just before dusk. Tickets can be booked on 12GoAsia.
Among the various options to get from Chiang Mai to Pai, you’ll find both buses and vans. While vans might be slightly faster, they can be more uncomfortable due to the winding roads. If you’re prone to motion sickness, the bus might be a more tolerable choice.
Now that you know how to get from Bangkok to Pai, we highly recommend that if you have the time, you spend at least a day in Chiang Mai. You won’t regret it.
