Chiang Mai to Pai

The fastest way and the easiest way

Your own van is the fastest and the easiest: about 2 hours 55 minutes from the Old City, Google Maps shows (checked November 2026), with one booking, the bags in one place, and stops at the viewpoints.

The minivan suits one or two. Ask Tanner which works for your group.

Why is the road to Pai famous?

Its 762 curves. Route 107 runs north to Mae Malai, then Route 1095 turns west and climbs through Huai Nam Dang National Park, about 129 km in all from the Old City.

Vans make one rest stop, roughly halfway. For motion sickness, take a tablet 30 minutes before you leave, sit near the front, eat lightly and watch the road.

Insider tip: the curves are best done in daylight, so leave in the morning. Ask Tanner to set the pickup early.

Is there a minivan to Pai?

Prempracha's Chiang Mai to Pai minivans leave the Arcade terminal through the day on its route 612, via Mae Malai, and take about 3 hours. Prempracha's own site asks riders to confirm the times and fares with its staff before travel.

A group with bags books its own van. Ask Tanner for a private one.

Can you fly to Pai?

No. Pai has no scheduled flights, and a planned new route was cancelled in October 2026 before it started.

Flying into the north? Fly to Chiang Mai first: see Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Ask Tanner to meet the flight in Chiang Mai.

Your own car, door to door

The Chiang Mai to Pai private car takes about 3 hours and stops whenever you want: Mok Fa Waterfall, the Pong Deuat geyser field, or Pai Canyon, 7 km before town on Route 1095, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says (checked November 2026).

Bags loaded once, hotel door to guesthouse, leaving when the group is ready. Ask Tanner and the van is outside at your time.

Should you ride a motorbike?

Only if you're an experienced rider with a motorcycle licence. Ride the Chiang Mai to Pai motorbike route in dry weather, leave Chiang Mai by 8am, and skip it in the rain or on your first ride.

The easy way: take the van up, and hire a scooter in Pai for local trips. Ask Tanner to have one waiting.

What to do in Pai

Give it 2 or 3 nights. A day trip means about six hours on the road, there and back, so stay over.

• Pai Canyon: the sunset spot, 7 km before town, then 200 metres on foot from the car park.
• Mok Fa Waterfall: on the way up, about 54 km out of Chiang Mai.

See our Pai nightlife guide, and ask Tanner to book the guesthouse.

How much is the minivan to Pai?

A Prempracha seat is the cheapest way up. Its old timetable is no longer current, so check the fare at the Arcade counter or with its staff on the day. A private car is priced by the car.

A group with bags is better off in its own van, with the cars matched to your plan.

Insider tip: the minivans can sell out in high season, so book the day before.

Ask Tanner for your own van at the hotel door.

Chiang Mai to Pai in short

• Pai is about 129 km from Chiang Mai's Old City on Routes 107 and 1095, with 762 curves.

• It takes about 2 hours 55 minutes by car, Google Maps shows, and about 3 hours by minivan, with one stop.
• Prempracha's minivans leave through the day from the Arcade terminal.
• Pai has no scheduled flights, and there's no train.
• From Chiang Mai airport it's about 3 hours, 132 km, by car (Google Maps); a group goes in its own van, stopping at the viewpoints.
• November to February is dry and cool; mid-February to April brings smoke.

Checked November 2026.

When to go

November to February is dry and cool, the easy months.

Mid-February to April brings smoke from the burning season, and May to October is rainy, with landslips and a slick road. See every route on Getting around Thailand. Ask Tanner for the best week to go.