Buses from Chiang Mai to Pai

Buses from Chiang Mai to Pai

Chiang Mai
Pai
Mon, Nov 16
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2 Travelers
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Chiang Mai to Pai Destination Reviews

SK
Sofie K
The staff at the terminal were very uncomfortable and difficult to talk to. The driver was mad and uncomfortable and yelled at one of the passengers. The driver should not drive anymore. Me and my boyfriend was scared the whole time and he drove too fast and not safe. We will never drive with them again
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 12, 2026
BP
Bodille P
Set off 30 minutes late but was kept informed by staff at the office, smooth trip, helpful driver.
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minibus, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Nov 12, 2026
M
Marinus
Crazy Driver 🤯
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 11, 2026
GO
Gonzalo O
All perfect
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Nov 5, 2026
CD
Celine D
Chiang Mai -> Pai + : one stop to go to the toilet, operator on time - : vehicle was not comfortable at all, no A/C, no space, seats could not be reclined. A 3 hours trip felt like 7 hours.
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 27, 2026
L
Luca
The driver went way to fast, so for everyone with motion sickness, be prepared!
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 26, 2026
SM
Shaanouk M
The driver was not really kind.
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 22, 2026
T
Tina
A very good driver
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 8, 2026
SB
Stanley B
Arrived 2 minutes late but bus was still there and started the engine, we waved at them with phones to show we have tickets and they went off anyway when they hadn’t even selected
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 8, 2026
K
Katharina
Overall, everything worked well and the journey was well organized. The van was only about half full, so we had enough space to spread out and the ride was quite comfortable. If the van had been completely full, however, I think it would have felt quite cramped, as there isn’t much space between the seats. One thing I found a little strange was that the driver stopped during the journey to do some personal shopping. The road between Chiang Mai and Pai has a lot of curves, and unfortunately some passengers became sick during the ride. I was a bit surprised that the driver didn’t slow down much or stop briefly when this happened, but instead continued driving quite fast through the curves. Apart from that, everything went smoothly and we arrived without any problems.
Chiang Mai to Pai, Bus Minivan, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง), Oct 8, 2026
4.4
2787 customer reviews
5
56%
4
28%
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11%
2
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Chiang Mai to Pai Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Prem Pracha
Minivan
06:30
10:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
07:30
11:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
08:30
12:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
09:30
13:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
10:30
14:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
11:30
15:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
12:30
16:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
13:30
17:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
14:30
18:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
15:30
19:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
16:30
20:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
17:30
21:50
$4.72
  4.3
Prem Pracha
Minivan
18:30
22:50
$4.72
  4.3

How to get from Chiang Mai to Pai by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Chiang Mai to Pai by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Chiang Mai to Pai a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Chiang Mai from Pai?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 140 km between Chiang Mai and Pai.

How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Pai by bus?

Buses normally need between 4h 20m and 4h 20m hours to get to Pai from Chiang Mai. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง) offers the fastest service. Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Chiang Mai to Pai by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Chiang Mai and Pai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง) and costs USD 9.74. A Prem Pracha (เปรมประชาขนส่ง)'s ticket will set you back USD 9.74 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Chiang Mai to Pai

Facts about the bus from Chiang Mai to Pai

Cheapest Bus$10
Fastest Bus2h 30m
Earliest Bus6:30 오전
Latest Bus5:30 오후
Daily Bus Routes0
Distance140 kilometers
Bus CompaniesNorth Ride Go, Prem Pracha, Tara Tour and Travel