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THAILAND → LAOS · MINIVAN ROUTE GUIDE

Pai
↳ Huay Xaiby minivan.

Minivan services from Pai to Huay Xai are listed on 12Go, where you can compare operators, departure times and prices for your date. The road distance is about 414 km. By car that is roughly 6 h 30 min without stops; buses usually take longer once pickups and rest breaks are included.

414 km by road~6 h 30 min by carBorder crossing
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LAOSTHAILANDChiang RaiChiang MaiVientianeBangkokPaiHuay Xai414 km by roadFrom To Onward buses
Illustrative map: lines show connections, not the road taken. Outlines: Natural Earth.

THE SHORT VERSION

Pai to Huay Xai at a glance.

From
Pai ปาย
To
Huay Xai ຫ້ວຍຊາຍ
Road distance
About 414 km
Straight line
230 km
Car time, no stops
~6 h 30 min buses take longer
Return route
Not listed as direct
Border
Thailand → Laos. Passport and visa rules apply
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THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Right place. Right bus. Better start.

1

Leaving Pai

Pai is a small town in the mountains north-west of Chiang Mai. Minivans run from Chiang Mai along a famously winding road with hundreds of bends.

  • Pai bus station
    In the town centre. Minivans to Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
2

Arriving in Huay Xai

Tuk-tuks run between the stations, the border and town.

  • Keo Champa (Bokeo) Bus Station
    Domestic long-distance buses.
  • Phet Aloune Bus Station
    Including buses from Chiang Rai via the Friendship Bridge.
Huay Xai
Huay Xai. Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3

Keep the essentials offline

Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.

↗
Good to know in Huay Xai
  • Touts may claim VIP buses are sold out. Buying at the station yourself can save money.

KEEP GOING

From Huay Xai, the road continues.

All buses from and to Huay Xai

Other ways to reach Huay Xai

More buses from Pai

GOOD QUESTIONS

Before you take your seat.

How far is Pai from Huay Xai by road?+

About 414 km by road (230 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.

How long does the bus from Pai to Huay Xai take?+

We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 6 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.

Where does the bus leave from in Pai?+

It depends on the operator. Main options in Pai include Pai bus station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.

Is there a bus back from Huay Xai to Pai?+

12Go's public route list doesn't include Huay Xai to Pai as a direct route. You may need to change in another town.

Where does the bus from Pai arrive in Huay Xai?+

It depends on the operator. In Huay Xai, services use Keo Champa (Bokeo) Bus Station, Phet Aloune Bus Station. Tuk-tuks run between the stations, the border and town.

How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Huay Xai?+

Tuk-tuks run between the stations, the border and town.

What kind of vehicle runs from Pai to Huay Xai?+

12Go lists minivan (shared van) services on this route rather than full-size buses. Vans are usually quicker but have less luggage space, so check the luggage allowance for your departure before you book.

Can I book the Pai to Huay Xai bus online?+

Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.

Where can I go next from Huay Xai by bus?+

Direct buses from Huay Xai include Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Bangkok and more. See all connections on our Huay Xai bus page.

Do I need a visa to take the bus from Pai to Huay Xai?+

This journey crosses from Thailand into Laos. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.

Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.

Book Pai → Huay Xai on 12Go

FOLLOW THE INFORMATION

Clear sources. Better decisions.

Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.

12Go: Pai to Huay Xai bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Pai (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Huay Xai (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →