Getting Around Tak
Buses, Flights & Car Hire

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Before you plan, get the lay of the land in Tak. Tak town sits on the Ping River, around 426 km from Bangkok. Mae Sot is a border town next to Myanmar, on the far side of Doi Musoe, about 86 km from Tak town. And Umphang (home of Thi Lo Su Waterfall) is tucked further south of Mae Sot along Highway 1090, a road with plenty of curves that takes another 4-5 hours to drive. Once you picture this, it's much easier to pick the right way to get around.

Reaching Tak by bus

Buses are the cheapest option and have the most departures to choose from. Most leave from Mo Chit 2 bus terminal (Chatuchak), with both the state-run Transport Co. and private lines. Picking a drop-off point that matches the zone you'll be exploring saves a lot of time.

• Bangkok-Tak — Departs from Mo Chit 2 and takes around 6 hours. Tickets start at about ฿362 for a standard bus, with VIP/gold-curtain coaches costing more. Lines like Transport Co. 999 and Sombat Tour run several times a day.
• Bangkok-Mae Sot — If your target is Mae Sot and Umphang, pick a line that runs all the way to Mae Sot so you're dropped closer to where you want to be. It takes a little longer because the bus has to cross Doi Musoe, and costs more than a Tak-town service in line with the extra distance.
• Return, Tak-Bangkok — Tickets start at around ฿410-460 depending on the bus class. Book ahead over long weekends, as seats fill up fast.
• Booking online — You can book through sites like BusOnlineTicket or 12Go, choosing your seat and departure yourself instead of gambling at the counter.

Fly into Mae Sot to save time on a short trip

If your time is limited and your destinations are on the Mae Sot side, flying straight into Mae Sot Airport (MAQ) cuts almost a full day off the road. There are direct flights from Don Mueang (DMK), with a flight time of around an hour and a half.

• Airlines — Nok Air and Thai AirAsia run direct Don Mueang-Mae Sot flights. Check the schedule for your dates, as there aren't many flights per day.
• Price — One-way tickets start at around ฿2,680 depending on the dates and how far ahead you book. Book early for better fares.
• Airport to town — Mae Sot Airport is close to the centre, just a few minutes' drive to the hotel area. Car hire and transfer services are available at the airport.
• Who it suits — Travellers short on holiday who want to cover Mae Sot and Umphang without losing a day to an overnight bus.

Driving yourself: the routes and what to watch for

Driving yourself gives you the most freedom, since Tak's sights are spread out and local public transport is limited. The main route from Bangkok is an easy drive, but the mountain crossings need your full attention.

• Bangkok-Tak town — Take Highway 32 onto Highway 1, passing Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet into Tak town. It's a major road and takes around 5-6 hours including rest stops.
• Tak town-Mae Sot — Highway 105 over Doi Musoe is a winding, steep mountain climb of about 86 km. Drive slowly and check your brakes before you head up.
• Mae Sot-Umphang — Highway 1090, nicknamed the "1219-curve road," is one long stretch of mountain driving that takes 4-5 hours. If you're prone to car sickness, bring medication and drive during daylight.
• Fill up in advance — Petrol stations get sparse on the way into Umphang, so always fill the tank before leaving Mae Sot.

Renting cars and motorbikes in Tak and Mae Sot

If you arrive by plane or bus and then want your own wheels, there are rentals to choose from locally — cars, cars with a driver, and motorbikes for getting around town.

• Car hire — Both Tak town and Mae Sot have car rental services, starting at around ฿550 a day for a small car. You can pick a car up at Mae Sot Airport too — good if you're comfortable driving mountain roads.
• Car with driver — If you'd rather not drive the mountain roads yourself, you can charter a car with a driver for airport transfers from Mae Sot and day trips. Good value if there are a few of you to split the cost.
• Motorbike rental — Mae Sot town has shops renting motorbikes, handy for getting around town, visiting temples and Rim Moei Market. But riding a motorbike on the Umphang road isn't recommended — it's too far and too twisty.
• Have your documents ready — Bring your driving licence and ID, and read the insurance terms carefully. Picking cover that includes damage gives more peace of mind when you're driving mountain roads.

How to reach Bhumibol Dam, Mae Sot and Umphang

Tak's three most popular destinations are each in a different zone, and you get to them in different ways. Here's a clear summary of where each one starts from and how long it takes.

Getting around town without your own vehicle

• Songthaew — Both Tak town and Mae Sot have songthaews running the main routes. Fares are cheap, but departures are limited and they don't reach sights outside town.
• Motorbike taxis — Found at various points around town, good for short hops. Agree the price before you get on, every time.
• Taxi/charter car — There are taxi stands and charter-car-with-driver services, handy if you're covering several spots in one day or heading to another district.
• Motorbike rental in Mae Sot — The easiest option for getting around Mae Sot town itself, running between temples, markets and cafés as you please.

The short version: if you arrive without your own vehicle, songthaews and motorbike taxis are enough for getting around town. But if you're heading out to Bhumibol Dam or another district, hiring a car or chartering one with a driver is far more worthwhile and comfortable. For Thi Lo Su, use a local tour that already includes transport.