Mae Hong Son is located northwest of Chiang Mai and borders the Shan, Kayah, and Karen States of Myanmar. There are two ways to travel from Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Transportation mostly starts from Chiang Mai and is better from Bangkok directly. You can choose travel options within your budget and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
From Chiang Mai by road
You can choose the type of vehicle according to your travel style and choose a route to Mae Hong Son from the suggestion or plan a trip around Mae Hong Son.
Travel by road to Mae Hong Son is the only option remaining. Because of the uncertainty of traveling by plane over the years.
Of course, it will take more time, taking 6–8 hours along the 3 main routes each and starting from Chiang Mai only.
Road to Mae Hong Son Loop
Road trips to Mae Hong Son start from Chiang Mai and loop back out. Here, we recommend only 3 main routes for touring by both car and motorcycle.
The article below will link to a new window, which you can read later. I have written a blog describing 3 routes as follows:
This route includes visiting Doi Inthanon National Park and staying one night in the village or going down to Mae Chaem District with plan your trip further.
The longest route and a popular loop in the past, passing through Mae Sariang district, a popular destination with plenty of restaurants and accommodations.
Route 1095 is more popular for private cars than buses or minivans because it allows for many stops along the way. And Pai is the destination of new backpackers.
You can start your journey on the first day, arriving in Chiang Mai, either at the airport or at the train station, allowing you to plan your visit to Chiang Mai before or after.
Note: The other route is an off-road route, which is a conservation area. We reserve it for locals. We do not recommend any off-road vehicles or enduros for personal pleasure.
Which vehicle is best?
Mae Hong Son is 95% mountainous with winding roads, some steep and narrow. You should have good driving skills. Of course, a car with a diesel engine is best suited for the trip.
But for a small group, a B-segment car should suffice. It’s also more suitable for Chiang Mai, where the roads are narrow, there’s no parking, and traffic is congested.
A C-segment car seems like a good option, and the rental prices aren’t significantly different. You should also check if your hotel has sufficient parking.
However, overloaded luggage might slow down the journey, or you might need to use the technique of turning off the air conditioning while going uphill.
What about a motorbike?
For motorcycles, we recommend a 125cc or newer model for solo riding. If you have a passenger, a 150cc or higher is better. Where you can easily find rentals or hire from Chiang Mai.
And you should learn how to tie luggage to the rear of the motorcycle; don’t carry it on your shoulder while riding.
Note: There are many types of fuel available in the country. You should choose the best type, which may be more expensive but definitely worth it.
Advice: We drive on the left and the steering wheel is on the right. You should have driven experience, be familiar with driving techniques, and understand the rental terms and conditions.
Get in the minivan
Prempracha Transport is only one van service for the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route. Vans are leaving every hour, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 2:30 pm. The duration takes 6 hours, using route 1095 through Pai District.
Okay, you could travel halfway to Pai and then continue on to Mae Hong Son, but booking tickets is very difficult, especially during high season.
It also has a night bus from Chiang Mai, but they will arrive too early, around 4 a.m. Yes, there is no taxi and no reception to check in early, and I’m sure you could not sleep on the bus.
Follow them on Facebook for news and schedule updates and book tickets online in advance on their website.
Private car with driver
This is a great option, especially for family trips and those with limited time, often involving a loop of at least 4 days. You’ll get a reasonable price and a worthwhile trip.
Therefore, we recommend traveling combined with sightseeing. The service is available from Chiang Mai on the 3 routes for multiple days to the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Fly to Mae Hong Son
No flights to Mae Hong Son. Both flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been cancelled for a long time.
If there are other airlines operating in the future, they will likely be small 12-seater aircraft. These have been used in the past but were unsuccessful.
No Train to Mae Hong Son
You can only travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, and train number 9 is the best, offering comfort and a dining cabinet.
Ayutthaya station is a popular starting point for boarding this train. When you arrive, start the trip to Mae Hong Son before/after Chiang Mai is planned.
From Bangkok
You should plan your trip carefully, as flight tickets are quite expensive and the bus journey takes over 14 hours.
By air
There used to be direct flights from Bangkok, but they were quite expensive and not popular. Most tourists would continue their journey in Chiang Mai.
Flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, which were previously offered by several airlines, have been cancelled due to losses.
By bus
Sombat Tour is only one service provider. There are 2 trips per day. The other trip is a destination in Mae Sariang.
You will need to start the bus from Mochit 2 Bus Terminal (Northern). Alternatively, at Sombat Stations located outside the main station.
Please check the bus schedule and buy ticket in advance here Sombat Tour.
If you are solo traveling, we recommend the single seat on the left side of the Supreme Class, which is a 1st Class Air-Conditioned Bus, Special Type (VIP).
Optional from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
The train is the best option, although it takes up to 13 hours, and you will need to board the train at Bangkok Apiwat Railway Station (Bang Sue).
Please check the train schedule and book in advance here. [SRT Timetable / D Ticket]
Select 2nd Class Air Coach Type | Sleeping Coach and then pick Lower Berth 1,038 THB or Upper Berth 938 THB if traveling with a buddy.
Flying to Chiang Mai is a great option if you’re on a budget, but you can book in advance for a great price. By now, there are no more airlines.
For the bus, it is the last option if necessary. If you are staying around Khao San Road, look for a special bus that is only for backpackers.
