How long does it take to motorbike from Chiang Mai to Pai or Mae Hon Song?

Question

I am only in Chiang Mai area for four days. I can choose to fly to Mae Hon Song or motorbike. I like to see the scenery of a country but worry about the timeframe.

Answer 1

The road from CM to Pai is pretty winding and treacherous, especially as Thai drivers do not concern themselves too much with staying in lanes... I think a minibus takes abt 4 hours to Pai from CM, so figure maybe 8 or 10 on a motorbike.. and you are risking your life.. - fly to MHS - only abt 30 minutes.. good luck

Answer 2

Pai is about an hour and half away from Mae Hong Son town centre, and about 3 hours away from Chiangmai. So depending on your travel speed, the time will vary. The area around Pai is rather hilly with many uphill and downhill stretches. And the many winding turns along the contours. So the going is not likely to be fast. Speed was averaging between 50-60kph most of the time.

Current weather before the rain season will be nice to motor-bike around that place. The mountain ranges and views are great, and I liked a stretch of pine trees along one of the mountain tops that exude a lovely pine scent along the way.

There was not much traffic across that place, mostly travelers on bikes and cars, and tour buses, and the local buses plying between the towns.

I will recommend a morning ride through that place. And then there are hot springs along the way too.

Write me if you like more info at [e-mail].

Have a good time.