Nan bus station to downtown. How?

[AyG]

I'm going to be arriving in Nan by long distance bus later this month. I'll be staying near the Post Office/City Hall.

What's the best way to get from the bus station to the centre of town? I understand it's too far to walk, and with luggage a motorcycle taxi is going to be a problem.

Any advice?

[mike2011]

yes the new bus station is a bit out of town but not too much (e.g. Ubon, Chiang Rai). Last time I arrived there I got mobbed by the providers on arrival. Ridiculous prices asked. I went through the 'back door' the street to the back and not on the main road and prices dropped significantly. You do not seem to be a backpacker, thus you will have to put up with them.

A songtaew should be ok as the distance is not that far. It is walkable without much stuff in the morning or late afternoon. Having said that, you will be tired on arrival. So swallow the extra 100 baht and dont worry.

[Seligne2]

AyG, I think you will find tuk-tuks available at the bus station.

[AyG]

Thanks for the reassurance.

'Tis true I'm no longer a backpacker. Those days are long behind me. Last time I visit Nan I was and took motorcycle taxis everywhere. Don't remember there being any tuk-tuks in town. Perhaps things have changed.

[AyG]

Well, arrived in Nan just after 8:30 p.m.. The bus station was deserted. No songthaew, no tuk-tuk (I don't think Nan actually has them), no motorcycle taxi. Nothing. Had to walk the 3 km to my hotel which (since I've recently had surgery on both my feet) was quite literally a pain.

Incidentally, the motorcycle taxis which seemed to be everywhere on my last visit back in 2008 seem completely to have disappeared.

I subsequently discovered that Nan does now have a couple of taxi operations, but they're very popular and it's nigh on impossible to get one.

And totally off topic, but may be of interest: the National Museum is closed until September.

[Seligne2]

I told you there were tuk-tuks. Mea culpa. Were they available the next day? 20:30 may be late in a provincial town. How did other passengers go where they were going?

[AyG]

I didn't see any tuk-tuks about town at all.

All the other passengers had cars waiting for them - presumably friends and relatives.

For my return trip I was fortunate that my hotel provided a free minivan to the airport. They didn't actually advertise this, but when I asked it was offered.

Nan is a charming town, but its lack of decent public transport and the lack of decent restaurants are, I suspect, going to hinder its development as a tourist destination.