Mae Hong Son province is one of those places that we mark with phosphor on a map . One of those that inadvertently become a “must visit” (according to our taste) above many other much better known places in Thailand such as Pai or Chiang Rai and it is that Mae Hong Son achieved something in us, and it is to leave us speechless with its landscapes of mountains, rice fields, crops and its villages.
Getting to Mae Hong Son by plane
It sems incredible, but this small city has an airport. It receives direct flights from Chiang Mai , but I don’t know if it’s worth it because of the proximity of the cities.
If you want to fly from Bangkok or another city, it will stop in Chiang Mai, so it’s not worth it either.
In any case, if you are far away, it is best to land in Chiang Mai, and wish to move there by land. It operates Bangkok Airways.
Get to Mae Hong Son by bus or minivan
In mini van it is undoubtedly the best option in relation to time / price . We are going to explain how to get to and from the most popular points: Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Sot and Bangkok.
All the routes between these cities can be consulted on the Premprachawebsite , which is the one who has the monopoly of transport in the area.
Getting to Mae Hong Song from Chiang Mai (Arcade Bus Terminal)
You have mini vans practically every hour.
The fastest route is Chiang Mai – Pai – Mae Hong Son. They leave every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Approximate price 400 bahts. It is about 6 hours away.
You can buy the ticket directly at your hostel and they will take you free to the Arcade Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai.
By bus, the journey is a little slower and the price difference is not that high, since the bus can cost 300 or 350 bahts.
Exit Mae Hong Son towards Chiang Mai.
From 7am to 5pm, minivans depart daily from Mae Hong Son bus station to Chiang Mai. The price is 250 baht. The journey takes about 6 hours.
You also have the cheap option of the minibus with a fan (a kind of semi-closed pick-up). It leaves at 8:30 a.m. The price is 133 baths. The journey takes about 8 hours.
Get from Pai
Getting to Mae Hong Son from Pai is very easy. You just have to go to the small Pai bus station and reserve your seat in the minivan. They leave every hour from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To go to Pai, minivans leave daily every hour from 7 am to 5 pm, for 150 baht.
You have the cheap option of the pick up (fan bus) for 66 bahts. A little more uncomfortable, and it takes an hour longer.