Your driver will drop you off at your address in Chiang Mai.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
131 km2 h 50 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Pai to Chiang Mai
What is the fastest way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai?
The fastest way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai is to drive with Daytrip. Unlike when you travel by bus or taxi, you can get to Chiang Mai in a little under three hours, making the trip time efficient and cost-productive, considering booking fees start at only $23.
How many hours from Pai to Chiang Mai?
If youâre traveling by road, it is pretty far from Pai to Chiang Mai, with a trip taking between three and four hours unless you travel with Daytrip. Then your trip will only take about two hours and 50 minutes if you drive directly between the two cities and don't stop and sightsee.
Can you do a day trip from Pai to Chiang Mai?
You can do a day trip from Pai to Chiang Mai. However, itâs important to note that the travel time is three to four hours each way in general, so your time in Chiang Mai will be limited. If you're comfortable with a long day of travel, itâs possible, but staying overnight might be more enjoyable.
What is the easiest way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai?
The easiest way to get from Pai to Chiang Mai is to take a private door-to-door transfer service like Daytrip. When you book with Daytrip, you can rest assured your private English-speaking driver will pick you up at the predetermined time you give and drop you off in Chiang Mai with no hassle or fuss. You can also easily choose when to travel, and you can cancel if needed.
Can you fly from Pai to Chiang Mai?
No, you cannot take a flight directly from Pai to Chiang Mai. Pai has a small airport that primarily serves private flights and chartered services. No commercial flights from major airports are operating between Pai and Chiang Mai. The most common ways to travel between the two destinations are by bus, taxi, or private car transfer.
How do you get from Pai to Chiang Mai?
To get from Pai to Chiang Mai, you must take a bus or taxi. Alternatively, you can book with Daytrip, the area's best and most affordable private door-to-door car services. Booking with Daytrip is easy, convenient, and flexible too!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,600+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries theyâre visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
Pai in Thailand is a truly mesmerizing place with spectacular natural surroundings, including scenic canyons, waterfalls, and hot springs. When you travel from Pai to Chiang Mai by car with Daytrip, youâll leave this behind for magnificent historical temples, scenic views, gorgeous mountains, vibrant markets, and a rich cultural atmosphere.
Along the road from Pai to Chiang Mai, you can stop in a few incredible locations and sightsee. The first place you canât miss is Botanical Tweechol, one of Thailand's biggest gardens. It is intricately manicured to be an outdoor oasis with exotic fauna and flora. After traipsing through these gardens, you can tour Wat Chamthewi, bare sandstone chedis that showcase the ancient Dvaravati style.
Afterward, you can visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai before traveling the last leg of your trip toward Chiang Mai. This revered temple is one of the last places in Thailand where you can see Mon-style architecture. It also has the worldâs most enormous gong!
About Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is more than 400 miles (644 km) north of Bangkok. It is a city set in a lush valley on the banks of the beautiful Ping River. According to historical accounts, the city was founded in 1296 as the captivating capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. It's one of Thailand's biggest cities, so, unsurprisingly, it has everything, with something for everyone to enjoy when they visit.
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Today, the city still proudly displays its distinctive culture and long history, seen through its architecture and ancient buildings. However, the city has become more modernized, with new architectural buildings alongside ancient temples. The latest and the old seamlessly blend to create an inviting atmosphere that engages an individual's interest and makes it difficult for anyone to stay only a few days in the city.
When you visit Chiang Mai, you will understand why it is called the âRose of the North.â The city is famed for its lively markets, ancient temples, and incredible nature. It is also home to many local restaurants and bars serving authentic cuisine and beverages that will have you salivating for more before you even finish a meal. If youâre planning a Pai to Chiang Mai transfer, it's one of the few things you canât not do. You cannot visit Nimmanhaemin Road without trying specialty food dishes from Northern Thailand while you have the chance.
We also recommend that you scour Thapae Walking Street for handmade products to take home. You should also wander through the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens and Rajapruek Royal Park to see foreign plant species. Although this part of Thailand might not have beaches to laze upon, you can absorb the beauty of the rice fields. Then, while you feel a cool breeze ruffle your hair, you watch the giant tiger flower bloom at Doi Ang Khang.
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From Pai to Chiang Mai: travel tips
Traveling the road from Pai to Chiang Mai is an experience that can be daunting with the lively nature of Thailand and its fast-paced but relaxed atmosphere, a study of contrasts that can be confusing.
Fortunately, if you remember a few travel tips for your journey, you shouldnât encounter too many jump scares. Below, weâve shared a few tips worth following to ensure your experience in Thailand is enjoyable.
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Chiang Mai is also a province
Chiang Mai is a city in Thailand, but did you know itâs also a province? This is something typical of Thailand. It's a country that often names its cities after its provinces. For example, the island of Phuket is also part of Phuket Province. So youâll need to keep this in mind when booking accommodation or transportation to avoid any mishaps or confusion.
Plan to eat generously
Now, weâre not saying travel on an empty stomach if youâre planning a Pait to Chiang Mai transfer, but since you should plan to eat generously, it might be ideal.
Along the way between these two cities are many markets, food stalls, and restaurants, offering ample opportunities to enjoy Thailand's world-famous cuisine. So begin your travels hungry, knowing youâll end them full after you enjoy a verifiable feast in Chiang Mai that wonât cost you more than a few dollars.
Consider dressing relatively modestly
It may be difficult to believe, but when you travel from Pai to Chiang Mai, it's best to dress modestly. Of course, it's unlikely anyone will call you out for wearing what you want, but it's often best to be mindful of and respect the cultures of the places you visit. So dress modestly or âpolitelyâ by covering your shoulders, chest, and thighs, and wear socks when you wander around temples to avoid going barefoot.
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How to get from Pai to Chiang Mai
Unfortunately, as is often the case when traveling around Thailand, getting from Pai to Chiang Mai can be challenging since there arenât well-connected public transportation routes. However, just because travel is a little trickier than you might be used to doesnât mean you should panic.
Below, weâve shared a few of the more reliable transportation options available during your trip, especially the private car transfer option with Daytrip.
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From Pai to Chiang Mai by bus
For many people, the bus is the most used transportation from Pai to Chiang Mai. The bus is not only affordable, with tickets costing between $6 and $10, but it's also incredibly scenic. If you want to travel by bus, you should book with Prempracha Transport or the Green Bus.
On average, the journey by bus will take between three and four hours, depending on weather conditions and traffic. You can expect the buses to be air-conditioned and there to be space for your luggage but not much. Unfortunately, the seating can also be uncomfortable, and some find traversing the winding roads by bus annoying and a little scary.
From Pai to Chiang Mai by taxi
Taking a taxi is another option to travel from Pai to Chiang Mai. However, taxi travel can involve price negotiations, which every traveler does not want to deal with. If you don't mind negotiations, you can expect the trip to cost between $70 and $100 each way.
If you plan to take a taxi, you must also book in advance. It's often best to book through your hotel or accommodation so that you know youâre using a trusted service. Most will book this trip with Pai. You should also expect the trip to take about three hours to complete.
From Pai to Chiang Mai by private car transfer service
Many travelers find the best way to travel from Pai to Chiang Mai is to book with a private door-to-door car service like Daytrip. When you travel with a service like Daytrip, youâre guaranteed a safe travel experience with an English-speaking driver who knows the route. Plus, Daytrip is nowhere near as expensive as you might think.
Typically, a trip with Daytrip along this route costs about $23, much cheaper than taking a taxi and slightly more expensive than the bus. Youâll also get to stop and sightsee when you travel with Daytrip and pick your driver's brain for tips and travel insights surrounding the places you want to visit. If you don't want to stop and sightsee, completing the trip will only take about two hours and 50 minutes.
Travelers also won't need to worry about handling their luggage, as your driver will do it. You can even bring along your beloved pet. In addition, if life happens and your trip needs to be postponed, Daytrip allows you to cancel for free within 24 hours before your departure date. This is convenient.
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Things to do when you get to Chiang Mai
A Pai to Chiang Mai transfer is an experience you will not soon forget, and neither is your tour of the city itself. However, where should you visit when you get to Chiang Mai? To help narrow your travel itinerary, weâve shared a few of the best things to do in this Thai city.
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The Night Bazaar
If you only visit one market during your trip to Chiang Mai, let it be the Night Bazaar. This night market is always bustling with activity. It showcases some of the city's best-handcrafted souvenirs and offers local street food and live music, so you can sate your hunger, shop, and be entertained all in one evening. If you try street food, we recommend enjoying some mango sticky rice, pad thai, or crispy spring rolls, Northern Thai specialties.
Just be prepared. The Night Bazaar is possibly Chiang Maiâs biggest, so it's easy to get lost for hours while you culturally immerse yourself in the market and become a local for a few hours. And if you have time to roam around longer, don't miss out on visiting the nearby Kalare Night Bazaar.
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Those who love to explore ancient, crumbling ruins that are still functional should plan a trip to Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara. This temple was built over 600 years ago and is believed to have once housed the precious Emerald Buddha.
Despite being half destroyed by an apparent earthquake, this temple is still grand and worth a tour, considering monks still use it. When you visit, you might catch a glimpse of the resident monks, and depending on your luck, you might even get to strike up a conversation with them.
Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
Thailand is famed for its elephant sanctuary, but unfortunately, not all of them are what they seem to be, so it's best to do your research before touring one. Weâve found that the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary is one of the best in Thailand, and you can visit the elephants when you tour Chiang Mai. Youâll find the elephants healthy, happy, and very affectionate.
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When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The very best time to visit Chiang Mai is between October and April. During this time, the weather is cool and pleasant, and you can expect light breezes and less humidity, making traveling significantly better. So book with Daytrip for this period if you want to travel from Pai to Chiang Mai. However, this is peak tourist season, so it might not be everyoneâs cup of tea.
Alternatively, you can visit Chiang Mai during the festival season. You can catch the Loi Krathong festivities in November, and in February, you can enjoy the Chiang Mai flower festival. Both are incredible to witness firsthand and worth attending.
Visit these sights on the way
Botanical Tweechol
One of the largest gardens in Thailand is a pleasantly manicured oasis filled with topiaries and exotic flora and fauna. The Big GreenÂ
Wat Chamthewi
Pillaged of their gold leaf finish, these bare sandstone chedis are exemplary examples of the ancient Dvaravati style. A Topless TreasureÂ
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai
This venerated temple is one of the last places in Thailand to see Mon-style architecture - and it has the worldâs largest gong! Bang Me Gong, MonÂ
âI used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.â
âWe were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, weâd especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.â
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traveler Daydream20046758137
âWe absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. Itâs worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. Itâs 5 star rating is well deserved.â
âWe traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortableâ
âGonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.â
âWe were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.â
âUsed the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.â
âUsed Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.â
âWe did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.â
âWe used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.â
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traveler Omar
Good to know
Children
If youâre traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isnât included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If youâre traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Donât worry if you donât know your exact address at the time of booking - youâll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select âReturnâ when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select âOne Wayâ or âReturnâ to change the type of trip you need. Itâs a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you donât see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
