Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 to Pai: Schedules & Prices 2026
| Mode | Time | Cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus | 15h+ | ฿1,000 | ★★★★☆ |
| VIP Bus | 15h 52m | ฿800 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Minivan | 12h | ฿1,200 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Bus Terminal 2, also called Arcade Bus Station sits on Kaeo Nawarat Road near the Ping River. Most departures to Pai involve a transfer or long haul from Bangkok. Direct minivans leave late at night. VIP buses are cheaper but take forever. The train-bus combo is most reliable if you book both legs early.
You walk into Arcade Terminal. Counters for Nakhonchai Air are on the left. Pai Bus Company vans board from Gate 3 or 4, depending on the day. Drivers yell destinations. Chaos at 6am. Heat in April feels brutal while you wait.
Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable Options
Cheapest is the VIP bus at ฿800. You sit 16 hours. Fastest is the minivan at 12 hours, but you pay ฿1,200 and your knees suffer. Most reliable? Train-bus combo scores a 9. The sleeper train rarely cancels. The bus from Chiang Mai to Pai runs hourly. You’re covered.
Minivans fill up fast during Songkran and Christmas. Book 2–3 days ahead on 12Go. VIP buses have more seats but still sell out weekends. The train? Reserve berths a week early or you’ll stand 11 hours to Chiang Mai.
If you’re heading to Chiang Rai after Pai, same terminal works. Different platform. Check the boards.
Comfort & Amenities Comparison (Minivan vs Bus)
VIP buses give you a reclining seat, a blanket, free snacks, and a toilet. Legroom is decent. The minivan? Tight. You sit bolt upright. The toilet stop is a random gas station 4 hours in. WiFi works for 20 minutes then dies. AC blasts cold. Bring a hoodie.
Train sleeper berths are the comfiest. You lie flat. Meals come around 7pm. The bus leg from Chiang Mai to Pai is standard, no recline, hard seats, loud Thai pop music. But it’s only 3–4 hours of that pain.
How to Book Tickets Online + Scam Avoidance
Book VIP buses and minivans on 12Go. Prices match official counters. You skip the queue at Bus Terminal 2. Train tickets? Use the SRT app or 12Go. Don’t buy from touts near Old City guesthouses, they mark up ฿200.
At Arcade Terminal, official ticket windows have printed rate boards. Pai Bus Company counter is near Gate 4. Nakhonchai Air is by the main entrance. If someone approaches you outside offering “special express service,” walk away. It’s a scam or a sketchy shared taxi.
Print your e-ticket or show the QR code on your phone. Staff barely speak English. Point at your ticket, point at the gate number. That works.
Road Conditions, Travel Tips & Luggage Rules
The highway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is smooth. The mountain road from Chiang Mai to Pai? Rough. Potholes after rain. Hairpin turns. Fog in the morning. Drivers know the road but still brake hard on blind curves. You’ll feel every bump.
Luggage rules: VIP bus allows one large bag plus hand luggage. Minivans limit you to one medium bag. If you’re hauling a giant backpack, strap it to the roof rack. Drivers charge ฿50 extra and don’t secure it well. Bring a rain cover.
Pack snacks. The bus stops once at a highway rest area with instant noodles and stale sandwiches. Bring water. The AC dries you out. If you need motion sickness meds, buy them at a pharmacy near Nimmanhaemin before you leave. They’re ฿40 for a pack of 10.
Rainy season (June–October) delays happen. Landslides block the road past Mae Taeng. Drivers reroute or wait 2 hours. No refunds. Plan extra time if you’re catching a flight out of Chiang Mai later.
15h+
