Transport to go to Pai / leave Pai
To go to Pai ?
To go to Pai, you will first have to go to Chiang Mai and then get to Pai by local bus or passenger van from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal. There are vans leaving very regularly. It is advisable to book your seat in advance if you want to be sure to leave at a specific time (see below).If Pai has a small airport, there are no more any commercial airline that offer flights to Pai since Kan Air ceased operations. Only Air Asia offers a formula combining a Bangkok - Chiang Mai flight with a transfer by van to Pai (better to book it directly on the airline's website). The road to pai through the mountains is very winding so take your precautions if you are car sick. Every time I went there, people vomited.
And to go to Chiang Mai by transport, you can choose between the train, the plane or the bus depending on your departure city and your budget. Passenger minivans also regularly connect Mae Hong Son to Pai as well as a local bus.
Buses and minivans to Pai
WARNING: many buses can only be booked 30 days before depature tops. They won't be displayed in the results on our transportation booking partner's website if not bookable yet.
Leave Pai ?
To leave from Pai except if it is to get to Mae Hong Son, the best way is to go first to Chiang Mai and from there choose between train, plane or bus to continue your trip depending on where you want to go and the money you are willing to spend. It is best to book your minivan seat in advance, places sell quick, especially if you go to Mae Hong Son (online booking possible here). There are no commercial flights to or from Pai airport anymore.Buses and minivans from Pai
WARNING: many buses can only be booked 30 days before depature tops. They won't be displayed in the results on our transportation booking partner's website if not bookable yet.
Transportation in Thailand
Travelling by train in Thailand
The train is the cheapest way to travel in Thailand especially in 3rd class. This is also where the contact with the population is the most interesting and incredible...
Domestic flights in Thailand
Taking the plance to travel in Thailand is often not that much more expensive than the bus especially with the numerous specials offers and it is so much faster !
Travelling by bus in Thailand
The train does not go everywhere in Thailand. It does not serve some destinations tourists love. But by bus you can get almost anywhere in Thailand...
Boats to the islands of Thailand
Thailand has many many islands with beautiful beaches and except for Koh Samui and Phuket, the boat is the only option to get on the islands.
