Private car transfer
from Pai to Chiang Mai

Overview: car trip from Pai to Chiang Mai

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, you’ll 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 can’t 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 world’s 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.

<show-more> 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 “Rose of the North.” 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 you’re planning a Pai to Chiang Mai transfer, it's one of the few things you can’t 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. </show-more>

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 shouldn’t encounter too many jump scares. Below, we’ve shared a few tips worth following to ensure your experience in Thailand is enjoyable. <show-more>

Chiang Mai is also a province

Chiang Mai is a city in Thailand, but did you know it’s 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 you’ll need to keep this in mind when booking accommodation or transportation to avoid any mishaps or confusion.

Plan to eat generously

Now, we’re not saying travel on an empty stomach if you’re 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 you’ll end them full after you enjoy a verifiable feast in Chiang Mai that won’t 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 ‘politely’ by covering your shoulders, chest, and thighs, and wear socks when you wander around temples to avoid going barefoot. </show-more>

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 aren’t well-connected public transportation routes. However, just because travel is a little trickier than you might be used to doesn’t mean you should panic.

Below, we’ve shared a few of the more reliable transportation options available during your trip, especially the private car transfer option with Daytrip. <show-more>

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 you’re 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, you’re 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. You’ll 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. </show-more>

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, we’ve 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 Mai’s 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. We’ve found that the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary is one of the best in Thailand, and you can visit the elephants when you tour Chiang Mai. You’ll find the elephants healthy, happy, and very affectionate. </show-more>

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 everyone’s 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.