Getting to Nan
flights, buses & mountain roads

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The first thing to get your head around before planning a Nan trip is that Nan has two very different zones. The first is Nan town — flat, small, and easy to spend a whole day exploring temples and cafes on foot or by bicycle. The other is the mountain side — Pua, Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha and the sky road — which sits 60–100 km from town along winding mountain roads and needs a car. So planning your trip really comes down to two questions: how do you get to Nan, and how do you get up the mountains once you're there?

Flying into Nan Airport (NNT)

The fastest way in is to fly. Nan Nakhon Airport (code NNT) is only about 3 km from the town centre, so a taxi or hotel shuttle gets you in within a few minutes. There are currently only a handful of direct Bangkok–Nan flights a day, mostly out of Don Mueang, taking around 1 hour 20 minutes. The two airlines on this route are Thai AirAsia and Nok Air, with one-way fares starting around 1,250–1,300 THB if you book ahead. Prices climb a lot during holidays and the peak cool season.

• From the airport into town — many hotels run shuttles, or you can grab a ride through an app or a taxi outside the terminal. It's a very short trip.
• Pick up a hire car at the airport — some rental companies have a counter or will meet you at Nan Airport, so you can grab the car and head straight for the mountains. Handy if your main plan is Pua and Bo Kluea.
• Flights can be delayed by the weather — some cool-season mornings get very foggy, so leave some buffer and don't schedule anything tight for your arrival day.

Buses from Bangkok

If you're not in a rush and want to save money, the overnight bus is a popular option. They leave Mo Chit 2 bus terminal in the evening and arrive in Nan the next morning, taking around 10–11 hours. The main operators on this route are Sombat Tour and Nakhonchai Air, including VIP coaches with wide reclining seats. Fares vary by class, roughly 500–750 THB one way. An overnight departure makes the best use of your time since you sleep on the bus and wake up right as you arrive.

From Chiang Mai and other northern towns

Plenty of people are already in Chiang Mai and tack Nan onto the trip. The Chiang Mai–Nan route has both minivans and buses, taking around 6 hours, and it's mountain road almost the whole way — bring something if you get carsick. If you'd rather drive your own hire car from Chiang Mai you can; it's about 300 km, a relaxed 5–6 hours including stops. There are also easy connections from Phrae, Phayao and Den Chai, since Nan is where several routes come together.

Car and motorbike hire in Nan

Once you're in Nan, you'll need your own wheels to explore the mountain side, because public transport up to Pua and Bo Kluea is limited and inflexible. Nan town has several rental shops, both self-drive and with a driver. A small sedan like a Yaris or City starts around 670–800 THB a day, with bigger cars costing more by model, and some shops charge extra if you drive out of the province. Motorbike hire starts around 200–300 THB a day, good for getting around town and the nearby areas.

• Bring your driving licence + ID card / passport — most shops ask for a copy or a deposit.
• Photograph the vehicle before you take it — existing scratches, fuel level and the odometer, to avoid disputes when you return it.
• Ask about insurance — check what it actually covers, especially if you'll be driving in the mountains.
• Fill up before heading into the mountains — petrol stations on the Bo Kluea–Doi Phu Kha route are far apart, so top up in town or in Pua first.

Cycling the old town

One of Nan's charms is that the town is small, flat and not crowded with traffic, which makes it the most relaxing place to explore by bicycle. Key temples like Wat Phumin, the Khuang Mueang square and the Nan National Museum are all within a few minutes of each other, so half a day of cycling around the old town covers almost everything. The mood is laid-back, and it suits slowly taking the town in far more than driving past it.

• Where to borrow or rent a bike — many hotels and guesthouses in the old town lend bicycles for free or rent them cheaply, and some have them specifically for guests.
• Nan Municipality Tourist Information Centre — on Pha Kong Road, a good starting point with route information and old-town maps.
• The popular loop — Wat Phumin → Khuang Mueang → the museum → Wat Phra That Chang Kham, then loop back to a cafe in the old town.
• Ride in the morning or evening — midday sun is harsh, while early mornings have nice weather and emptier streets.

Driving up to Pua, Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha and the 1256 sky road

This is the highlight most people come to Nan for, but it's also the part that needs the most planning, because it's far out and all mountain road. From Nan town to Pua district is about 60 km, just over an hour on a good road. From Pua up to Doi Phu Kha National Park is another 25 km or so, and getting to Bo Kluea via the 1256 sky road is around 50 km further on from Pua — gorgeous winding road along the ridge. That's a lot of driving in one day, so we'd suggest staying a night in Pua or Bo Kluea so you're not rushing.

• The main route — Nan town → Pua (Route 1080) → Doi Phu Kha / → Bo Kluea via the 1256 sky road, with stretches of beautiful mountain and mist views.
• Leave early — if you want to do Pua–Bo Kluea as a day return you need an early start, because driving mountain roads at night is dangerous.
• Watch for slippery roads in the rainy season — Jun–Oct rain makes the roads slick and brings fog, so drive slowly, use your lights and keep your distance.
• The cool season is busy — Nov–Jan has the best views but the most traffic, and accommodation in Pua and Bo Kluea fills up fast, so book ahead.