Major city · Thailand
Mae Hong Sonแม่ฮ่องสอน
Stay 2 nights in town, 3 if you rent a scooter: the lake and Doi Kong Mu take half a day, the rest is the province around it.
Mae Hong Son is a small provincial capital of about 7,000 people in a mountain valley near the Myanmar border, 924 km from Bangkok and 5–6 hours by road from Chiang Mai. The town itself is a lake, a temple on the ridge above it and a night market; the reason to come is the surrounding province — Pang Ung, Ban Rak Thai, Fish Cave and the Mae Hong Son Loop. Two nights is the minimum, three is comfortable. There are no flights as of 2026, so you arrive by road.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–Apr (smoke and heat), Aug–Sep (wettest)
- Airports
- HGN · CNX
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mae Hong Son191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mae Hong Son, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyThe town is calm and low-crime; the real risks are the road (curves, scooters, no licence cover), smoke-season air from Feb–Apr…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHGN Mae Hong Son Airport (No scheduled flights as of 2026; the runway sits at the edge of town.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealKhao soi or a noodle bowl฿50–90 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerdraught / can at a shop฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk, bus station to the lake฿80 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse fan room, a night, per room฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedAir-con double room, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedAir-con double room, a night, per room฿2,000 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HGN Mae Hong Son Airport (No scheduled flights as of 2026; the runway sits at the edge of town. Check before planning around it.) · CNX Chiang Mai International (The practical gateway: 5–6 h by road to Mae Hong Son.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (24 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mae Hong Son: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Mar
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
23 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
24 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. Bicycles and scooters rent in town; a scooter is what makes the caves, waterfalls and villages reachable. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis wait at the bus station — about ฿80 to the centre, or a 10–15 min walk. Songthaews and tour vans cover the standard day-trip circuit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw)
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Scooter or car on Hwy 1095 north, then the border road; tour vans from town
Yunnanese village by the reservoir; combine with Pang Ung on the same loop.
Pang Ung (Ruam Thai)
goDoor to door: About 1 h from town
Turn off at Na Pa Paek, then about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) to the reservoirTurn off at Na Pa Paek, then about 3.4 mi (5.5 km) to the reservoir
Shan village and reservoir; cold mornings in Dec–Jan. Pair with Ban Rak Thai.
Fish Cave (Tham Pla)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Hwy 1095 towards Pai, about 17 km (11 mi)Hwy 1095 towards Pai, about 11 mi (17 km)
Short shaded walk to the cave pool; a good midday stop.
Pha Sua Waterfall
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Hwy 1095 towards Pai, about 26 km (16 mi)Hwy 1095 towards Pai, about 16 mi (26 km)
Best in and just after the rains; thin flow in the dry months.
Pai
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h by minibus
Minibus from Pai bus station or the Mae Hong Son bus station, or your own vehicle on Rte 1095
The curves make this a tiring return trip; sleep a night in Pai instead.
Mae Sariang
overnightDoor to door: About 3–4 h
Rte 108 south via Khun Yuam
The easier, straighter road; a natural stop on the southern loop.
Pangmapha
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Hwy 1095 towards Pai
Caves and Shan villages; a half-day if you have your own wheels.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around the lake (Nong Chong Kham)
Guesthouses and mid-range rooms within a few minutes' walk of the night market and the morning alms route. Best for a first visit without a vehicle.
Khunlumprapas Road and the main road
Restaurants, shops and a few hotels along the spine of town; walkable to the lake in 5–10 min.
Out of town (towards Pang Mu and the Pai road)
Resorts with gardens and space; you need a scooter or a shuttle to reach dinner.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿700–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,200–2,500 (≈ US$40–80) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,500 (≈ US$80)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Air-con double room1 × 2 nights × ฿1,200 | ฿2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × ฿250 · check | ฿500 |
| Minibus Chiang Mai → Mae Hong Son, one way2 × ฿250 · check | ฿500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿350 | ฿700 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,130 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,108 per person per day, bed included | ฿12,430≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in baht; transport to Mae Hong Son excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Khao soi or a noodle bowl | ฿50–90 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Northern Thai set with sticky rice | ฿80–180 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Coffee | ฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer: draught / can at a shop | ฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Scooter rental, one daycheck | ฿200–300 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Tuk-tuk, bus station to the lake | ฿80 (≈ US$3) |
| Guesthouse fan room | ฿300–600 (≈ US$10–19) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Smoke season: late Feb–Apr can bring unhealthy air from field burning; check AQI before booking.
- Route 1095 from Pai has 1,864 curves — motion-sickness tablets if you are prone.
- Rent a scooter only with a licence and a helmet; police checkpoints on the loop ask for both, and your travel insurance may not cover you without them.
- Border areas near Myanmar: stay on marked roads and trails; do not cross unofficial crossings.
- Guesthouses change hands often — look at the room before you pay.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Mae Hong Sonแม่ฮ่องสอน
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Mae Hong Son; the nearest consulates are in Chiang Mai and embassies in Bangkok.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Chiang Mai → Mae Hong Son: about ฿250 (≈ US$8), 5.5 h (check)
- Minibus Pai → Mae Hong Son: about ฿150 (≈ US$5), 3 h, cash only (check)
- Tuk-tuk, bus station → centre: about ฿80 (≈ US$3)
- Scooter rental, one day: ฿200–300 (≈ US$7–10) (check)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (thao rai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
- จอดตรงนี้ — Stop here, please (jot trong nee)
Bus station is a 10–15 min walk from the lake; tuk-tuks wait there.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mae Hong Son. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–Apr (smoke and heat), Aug–Sep (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HGN and CNX: confirm current flight status, minibus and bus cutoffs, and a Chiang Mai overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the lake and night market, Doi Kong Mu, Khunlumprapas Road, and the bus station approach.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Doi Kong Mu, Fish Cave, Pha Sua, Pang Ung, Ban Rak Thai) and eat pages with last orders.
- Smoke-season and wet-road fixtures so gates A–D can go green.