How to travel from Pattaya City to Pai, Thailand
The distance between Pattaya City and Pai is around 869km (540 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 10m.
10 routes found
We've found 10 different ways to get from Pattaya City to Pai by bus, plane, train, taxi and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Pai → Pattaya City if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Utapao (UTP) to Chiang Mai (CNX) then take the bus to Pai.
- Duration6h 10m
- Flight time1h 30m
- Typical costTHB 3,595($100)
Multiple operators
5 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Lampang then Chiang Mai and then to Pai.
- Duration14h 15m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costTHB 1,345($37)
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Taxi
Take the train to Hua Lamphong and then to Chiang Mai then take a taxi to Pai.
- Duration17h 10m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costTHB 2,505($69)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Pattaya City and Pai
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Pattaya City to Pai by bus, plane, train, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around THB 1,345 ($37) and will take around 14h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 6h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately THB 3,595 ($100).
The distance between Pattaya City and Pai is around 869km (540 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 760km (472 miles)
It takes around 6h 60m to get from Pattaya City and Pai by bus and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 12h 55m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Pattaya City to Pai is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6h 10m and will set you back approx THB 3,595 ($100).
The cheapest way to travel between Pattaya City and Pai, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around THB 1,345 ($37) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Pattaya City and Pai. We recommend that you fly from Utapao (UTP) to Chiang Mai (CNX) then take the bus to Pai. instead which will take 6h 10m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Pattaya City and Pai. It typically takes around 14h 15m and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Pattaya City to Pai. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Lampang and Chiang Mai. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 14h 15m.
Nakhonchai Air, Phetprasert Tour, Prem Pracha, Pannipa Pattaya Tour and Sombat Tour run regular bus services between Pattaya City and Pai. Buses run once daily and take around 14h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Pattaya City to Pai. We recommend that you take the bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport then fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Chiang Mai (CNX) then take the bus to Pai. instead which will take 6h 60m.
The closest major airport to Pai is Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) (CNX) which is approximately 86km (53 miles) from Pai. Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) (CEI) and Lampang Airport (LPT) (LPT) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
Yes it is possible to drive from Pattaya City and Pai. The distance is around 942km (585 miles) by road and it will take around 12h 55m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Pattaya City to Pai is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 60m and will usually cost around THB 1,635 ($45).
Compare travel optionsbetween Pattaya City and Pai
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 5 similar | 6h 10m | THB 3,595($100) | twice daily | 904km (562 miles) |
| Bus and Plane | 6h 60m | THB 1,635($45) | 5 times a day | 869km (540 miles) |
| Bus to Bangkok Ekkamai, plane | 7h 10m | THB 3,450($95) | every 3 hours | 954km (593 miles) |
| Bus to Bangkok Ekkamai, plane | 7h 55m | THB 2,105($58) | every 3 hours | 901km (560 miles) |
| Bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport, plane | 8hrs | THB 4,720($130) | 5 times a day | 891km (554 miles) |
| Bus to Bangkok Ekkamai, plane | 8h 40m | THB 3,380($95) | every 4 hours | 923km (574 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 14h 15m | THB 1,345($37) | once daily | 960km (597 miles) |
| Bus via Bangkok Mochit New Van Terminal | 21h 10m | THB 1,490($41) | once daily | 1,140km (709 miles) |
Train and Taxi | 17h 10m | THB 2,505($69) | once daily | 1,043km (648 miles) |
Drive | 12h 55m | THB 3,050($84) | on demand | 942km (585 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Pattaya City and Pai
Bus companies
Airport Pattaya Bus
Prem Pracha
Roong Reuang Coach
Phetprasert Tour
Nakhonchai Air
Airlines
Thai Vietjet Air
Thai AirAsia
Thai Smile
Bangkok Airways
Thai Lion Mentari
Train operators
State Railway of Thailand
Airports near Pai
The following major airports near Pai offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Thailand and internationally.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
- Distance
- 86km (53 miles) from Pai
Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)
- Distance
- 165km (102 miles) from Pai
Lampang Airport (LPT)
- Distance
- 165km (102 miles) from Pai