Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son
In short
Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son is about 5 hours over the mountains in your own van, via Pai.
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- About 5 hours driving, or split over 2 days
- How often
- Door to door, with a night in Pai
- Booking
- Groups
Best by group size
Up to 4
- Best way:
- A luxury van for up to 4, with a night in Pai
Up to 10
- Best way:
- A party van for up to 10, quoted
20 and more
- Best way:
- A coach for 20 and more, quoted
Every way there, side by side
All roads to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai climb over the mountains, and Pai is the natural halfway stop on Route 1095. Google Maps puts the drive from Chiang Mai's Old City to Mae Hong Son town at about 5 hours 5 minutes (242 km) before any stops, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Ask Tanner which way suits your days.
Your own van
- Time:
- About 5 hours driving, or split over 2 days
- Route:
- Via Pai, or back via Mae Sariang
- Best for:
- Groups
Prempracha minivan
- Time:
- A long day, one rest stop
- Route:
- Via Pai
- Best for:
- One or two
Flight
- Time:
- None scheduled
- Route:
- No current route
- Best for:
- Not an option now
Can you fly to Mae Hong Son?
Not right now. There's no Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son flight, and a planned new route was cancelled in October 2026 before it started.
Some booking sites still show those flights, so don't book one. Coming from Bangkok? Fly to Chiang Mai and drive from there.
Ask Tanner to meet your Chiang Mai flight with the van.
- Through the day from the Arcade terminal, via Pai
- About 5 hours 5 minutes, 242 km (Google Maps)
- None scheduled now
- About 4 days with a driver
The minivan
The Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son bus is really a minivan: Prempracha runs two roads, its own site shows, route 612 via Pai and Soppong and route 170 via Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam, and asks riders to confirm the times and fares with its staff.
Take a morning van to arrive in daylight, and book ahead from November to February.
See every route on Getting around Thailand, and ask Tanner if a seat or a van suits your group.
What is the Mae Hong Son Loop?
It's the circuit out of Chiang Mai through Pai to Mae Hong Son and back via Mae Sariang, famous for its curves. Four days with a driver is the usual pace.
The 762 curves to Pai come first, so take a motion-sickness tablet 30 minutes before and sit at the front.
Ask Tanner to plan the stops and the rooms.
AIWhy the group goes by private car
Your own van leaves the Chiang Mai hotel on Route 1095, stops in Pai to split the drive, about 5 hours of driving by Google Maps, then carries on to Mae Hong Son.
No luggage limits, no early start to catch a seat: a luxury van for up to 4, a party van for up to 10, or a coach for 20 and more.
Plan it with Tanner.
Two days, with a night in Pai
The Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son drive is best in two halves: Chiang Mai to Pai on day one and a night in town, then the second half over the mountains the next morning.
Stop at the viewpoints; the driver waits.
Tanner's call: go out via Pai and come back via Mae Sariang, so you never drive the same road twice. Ask Tanner to plan the loop.
When to go
November to February is dry and cool, the best time for the mountain road. From mid-February to April the burning season brings smoke, and May to October brings rain and the odd landslip.
Drive the curves in daylight and in dry weather. Riding a scooter is only for experienced riders with a motorcycle licence.
Ask Tanner to time the trip for clear skies.
Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son in short
- What it is: the mountain road from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, about 5 hours of driving (Google Maps), with a stop in Pai.
- Prempracha minivans leave Chiang Mai Arcade through the day.
- No scheduled flights right now.
- The Mae Hong Son Loop goes out via Pai and back via Mae Sariang.
- The Mae Hong Son Loop takes at least 4 days with a driver.
- Best months: November to February; skip mid-February to April for the smoke.
Checked November 2026.
Which part of Thailand is Mae Hong Son in?
The far northwest, on the Myanmar border, past Pai at the end of the mountain road.
Misty valleys and a quiet pace after dark. Start the trip with a big night in Chiang Mai first.
See Chiang Mai to Pai and Chiang Mai nightlife, and ask Tanner to start the trip with a party in Chiang Mai.
Before you travel
Book minivans ahead from November to February
Minivans leave Chiang Mai's Arcade terminal, via Pai
Confirm minivan times and fares with Prempracha's staff
No flights right now: don't book one on booking sites
Take a morning van to arrive in daylight
For the curves: a motion-sickness tablet 30 minutes before
Checked Nov 2026
AITanner's offer
Over the mountains with a driver
From your Chiang Mai hotel through Pai to Mae Hong Son, or the whole loop with the same driver.
See the private option →
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions groups ask about Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son
How long does it take from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son?
About 5 hours of driving, 242 km, Google Maps shows, before stops. Prempracha's minivans take a long day via Pai. With your own van, split it over two days with a night in Pai.
Can you fly from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son?
Not right now. There are no scheduled flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, and a planned new route was cancelled in October 2026. Fly to Chiang Mai and drive the rest.
How long is the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Out via Pai and back via Mae Sariang, the loop is a long circuit of mountain roads. Four days with a driver is the usual pace, with nights in Pai and Mae Hong Son.
What is the best way from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son for a group?
Your own van via Pai, with a night there to split the drive, and the same driver for the whole loop. A luxury van for up to 4 is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours.
Is the Mae Hong Son Loop worth it?
Yes, for the mountain roads, the misty valleys and a night in Pai on the way. Give it about four days with a driver and go between November and February.
Is the road to Mae Hong Son winding?
Very. It's mountain road all the way, and the 762 curves to Pai come first. With a driver who knows it, you sit at the front and just enjoy the views.
Is it safe to drive the Mae Hong Son Loop?
With a local driver, yes. Ride a scooter only if you're experienced and licensed, drive in daylight and dry weather, and skip the rainy months when landslips happen.
How do you get from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son?
Fly to Chiang Mai, then drive about 5 hours over the mountains via Pai, or split it with a night there. There are no scheduled flights to Mae Hong Son itself right now.
Plan it
Plan it with Tanner
Are you in Thailand now?
Last checked 4 November 2026
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Mae Hong Son transport
- Google Maps: Chiang Mai Old City to Mae Hong Son, about 5 h 5 min, 242 km (checked 2 November 2026)
- Prempracha Transport: Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, route 612 via Pai and Soppong, route 170 via Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam; times to be confirmed with staff (checked 4 November 2026)
- Matichon: planned Pai and Mae Hong Son flights cancelled (15 October 2026)
Credits: top photo by Photo: Mr.Peerapong Prasutr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.