Mae Hong Son and Pai on foot + day-long tuk-tuk trips

Hi there, I’m planning to stay in Mae Hong Son for 4 days and Pai for 3 or 4 days to explore both towns and their surroundings. I’m not renting a car or scooter—I like to travel at a relaxed pace...

I’d love to know if it’s possible to do quite a few walks on foot from both towns and if it’s easy to find a tuk-tuk for the day to go a bit further.

I’ve heard that biking is really only for brave cyclists, which definitely isn’t me!

Thanks for your tips

To get to Ban Rak Thai, it’ll make for a lovely walk on foot.

Not tuk-tuk, but motorbike taxi, yes. Use Grab—it’ll save you time haggling. Or hire a taxi for the day or half-day (even hotels can help you arrange it).

Hi there,

While it shares some similarities with Bangkok’s Khao San Rd (overcrowding and shops, for example), I don’t remember seeing tuk-tuks or motorcycle taxis in Pai. The trendy way for the large number of young tourists who meet up there to get around is renting motorbikes. The town itself is pretty flat, so it’s easy to explore on foot or by bike (though bike rental places are rare).

Tuk-tuks aren’t a big thing in Mae Hong Son either, even in the busier areas—you’ll find a few, but not many. The town is pleasant to walk around. If you want to venture a bit farther, look into the regular songthaews on certain routes (though they’re not frequent) or rent one for a half-day or full day.

Instead of Pai, I’d recommend considering a stay in Soppong/Pang Mapha—you’ll be right in the countryside, with beautiful walks far from the crowds of Western backpackers. It’s served by minivans running the Chiang Mai–Mae Hong Son route.

Thanks for your reply! I had actually spotted Sap Pong as a stop, but I was worried about getting a bit lost with transportation. Actually, you’ve really made me want to stop there if I can take some nice walks from there.

Thanks for your tips

For these two cities, the interesting things are mostly located a good distance from the urban areas. In your case, apart from Bolt or Grab for specific trips, I’d check with hotels to find a driver who’ll be paid a flat rate.