DocHolliday2006 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I'd like to get to Pai, and will probably be leaving on the 15th or 16th of this month. What's a convenient way to get there by road? Shuttle Bus? Where do I go to get one? Book in advance? Specific businesses offering good services would be great. Any advice welcome. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickthailand Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 for me the best way is: go to arcade busstation walk to the pai window buy a 1 ticket on the minibus (150 baht) they leave every 2 hours i think and it takes about 2.5 hours you can also use aya minibus service they will pick you up at your hotel i think 200 baht rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scd Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Did this trip last weekend. As mentioned above, though I think they're hourly and the trip is closer to 3 hours. You can take a larger bus for under 100 bht but it takes 4 hours. Am unsure of the frequency of that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudhopper Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Most of the local expats seem to use the Aya minibus service. Their office is near the train station in CM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainiain101 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I flew last year and on a clear day it is well worth the extra for the experience. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semper Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Did this trip last weekend. As mentioned above, though I think they're hourly and the trip is closer to 3 hours. You can take a larger bus for under 100 bht but it takes 4 hours. Am unsure of the frequency of that one. Not to mention the security of these vehicles/drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop50 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 If you get carsick soon, take a pil, there are 762 curves.... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrclough Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Off-road motorcycle track from the bottom of Samoeng and through the mountains. Takes a lot longer but it's great fun and the scenery is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocHolliday2006 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 Thanks guys. Very helpful. Off-road motorcycle track from the bottom of Samoeng and through the mountains. Takes a lot longer but it's great fun and the scenery is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkles Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Make sure you get the mini bus and not mini van or larger bus.As said leaves from the rear of Chiang Mai Bus Arcade.150 baht,seats about 18,leg room is ok unlike the vans.You stop half way and can get a decent cup of coffee.Stops right in the middle of town and an easy walk to a lot of resorts /Guest houses. Good idea to buy your return ticket when you arrive,get the seats you want, they can get busy at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) One Pointer... When you arrive in Pai make your return reservation... We showed up at the Pai Mini Bus office on Sunday morning to take one of the every two hour buses back to Chiang Mai and was told all slots were reserved/sold for that day!... Luckily there was another bus station just down the street that had two seats left on one of their buses Edited July 14, 2011 by sfokevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moe666 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Take the express van fromArcade make reservation in advance and choose the 2 front seats next to driver, a bit more but worth the comfort. These drivers are very good making this trip everyday to Mae Hong Song. I have never felt they were unsafe in there driving. As said earlier make the reservation for return upon arrival they have to either leave the seat empty from mae Hong Song or sch. a fare ending in Pai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJW Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Off-road motorcycle track from the bottom of Samoeng and through the mountains. Takes a lot longer but it's great fun and the scenery is much better. Off-road? Why, there is a road that goes there from Samoeng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaziBird Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Are any of the mini-buses or vans air-conditioned ? Thanks. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moe666 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) all have a/c except the old local bus but that takes about 5 hours to Pai Edited July 15, 2011 by moe666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaziBird Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 all have a/c except the old local bus but that takes about 5 hours to Pai Thanks moe666. Appreciated. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyMcCollum Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Souch a wonderful road, Use your motorbike, or if you don't have one rent one for about the same cost and go on your time table and not theirs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyknee Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I flew last year and on a clear day it is well worth the extra for the experience. Iain +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikis Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudhopper Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. Don't know how much safer they might be but anyone contemplating that trip this time of the year needs to be prepared to encounter heavy rain with reduced viz, temps and traction, strong winds with toppling trees and small landslides, in addition to the usual cows and other hazards.. We had some local flooding around the Pai valley today from the heavy rain in the mountains last night and more is forecast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyMcCollum Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. Don't know how much safer they might be but anyone contemplating that trip this time of the year needs to be prepared to encounter heavy rain with reduced viz, temps and traction, strong winds with toppling trees and small landslides, in addition to the usual cows and other hazards.. We had some local flooding around the Pai valley today from the heavy rain in the mountains last night and more is forecast. Sounds like fun compaired to the nut case drivers in the city out to get you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudhopper Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Sounds like fun compaired to the nut case drivers in the city out to get you Yeah I'd bet Ms. Cody would be the first to agree with that assessment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. But you and your tiny motorbike are on the same windy road as those crazy minivns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) I flew last year and on a clear day it is well worth the extra for the experience. Iain +1 +3 (Hubby and me) probably one of the most enjoyable commercial airline trips I've ever had. Edited July 15, 2011 by NancyL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudhopper Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 The flooded paddy fields look spectacular from the air. Pai is best experienced in the rainy season IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I like to visit Pai during cool season - not so much the rest of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikis Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. But you and your tiny motorbike are on the same windy road as those crazy minivns that's true, but at least i get the feeling that i'm controlling something and not just sitting in a minivan whose yabahead driver hasn't been sleeping for four days and drives off a cliff. yes, driving a motorbike is dangerous everywhere, but that is a risk worth taking. edit. and rain is not a problem if you have the right gear and you know your limits and drive at the right speed. i've done that trip couple of times in hard rain, it just slows you down. the road from chiang mai to pai is in very good condition anyway. have a nice trip!! Edited July 15, 2011 by ikis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJW Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 for me the only option is by motorbike. it doesn't matter what type of motorbike, automatic 110cc scooter or big bike, the road is suitable for all kinds of motorbikes. beautiful scenery, your own timetable, a lot safer than crazy minivan or busdrivers. But you and your tiny motorbike are on the same windy road as those crazy minivns that's true, but at least i get the feeling that i'm controlling something and not just sitting in a minivan whose yabahead driver hasn't been sleeping for four days and drives off a cliff. yes, driving a motorbike is dangerous everywhere, but that is a risk worth taking. edit. and rain is not a problem if you have the right gear and you know your limits and drive at the right speed. i've done that trip couple of times in hard rain, it just slows you down. the road from chiang mai to pai is in very good condition anyway. have a nice trip!! I agree with you, I would much rather go to Pai on a motorcycle rather than a van because in a van, you get thrown around the turns, but on a bike you just 'flow' around the turns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Fly with Kan Airways, over the mountains on a Cessna......excellent!! Then you can get the bus back, or vice versa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokay Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Fly. The last time I went we saw THREE vehicles plunge to what was probably their deaths off the edge off the mountains. That was in addition to the several accidents on the road and a work truck that broke down and jammed the road closed for a few hours. Fly. Fly. Fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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