Getting There

Car / Motorcycle

One of the best ways to visit Mae Hong Son, providing you with maximum freedom and independence, is by rented car or motorcycle. There are many places to rent all sorts of 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles to tour the loop with. The best selection of vehicles can be found in Chiang Mai and as well as the usual Budget, Avis, Hertz, Sixt offices in town, you could also try Thai companies North Wheels or Thai Rent-a-Car. To access some of the more remote parts of Mae Hong Son province you will certainly need a 4X4, or off-road equipped bike.

To rent a vehicle in Thailand you will need a valid driver’s license, either an international one or those with a Roman script are usually accepted. When choosing a rental company it is best to pay the extra cash for the reputable ones which offer full insurance cover.

The quality of the road surface on the Mae Hong Son loop is generally very good, although motorcyclists are advised to read further on the motorbiking forum websites, www.gt-rider.com and www.rideasia.net, for more detailed information. The road surfacebetween Mae Sariang and Mae Sot – as recommended by some as another route option at the southern end of the loop, is less good.

Air

You can fly to either Mae Hong Son town or Pai from Chiang Mai International Airport. Flight time from Chiang Mai is around 30 minutes. This is well worth doing if you just want to visit locally – the views from the aircraft window across the mountains and valleys below are stunning.

Flight Information:

  • Nok Air fly from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son airport three times a day.
  • Kan Air fly three times a day from Chiang Mai to both Mae Hong Son and Pai.

Bus

A number of bus routes run between Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang. There are three types of bus to choose from: ordinary bus, air-conditioned bus (see below), and air conditioned mini-vans operated by a number of private companies.

  • Chiang Mai – Pai (134km – three to four hours)

Ordinary (80B) and Air Con (142B) run 5 times a day each, departing from Arcade bus station.

  • Chiang Mai – Mae Hong Son (270km – seven to eight hours)

 Ordinary (142B) and Air Con (200B) run 4 times a day each, departing from Arcade bus station.

  • Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang (188km – four hours)

 Ordinary (100B) and Air Con (180B) run 4 and 3 times a day respectively, departing from Arcade bus station.

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