The road itself
Route 1095 between Chiang Mai and Pai is locally famous for its curves — commonly cited as having over 700 turns across the roughly 135 km route. It's a genuinely scenic mountain drive, but it's also a real factor in trip planning: allow three to four hours each way, and know that motion sickness is common for anyone prone to it. Travelling earlier in the day tends to mean calmer traffic and better light for the views.
Minivans
Shared minivans are the most common way to make the trip, running multiple daily departures from Chiang Mai's Arcade bus station and other pickup points around the city. They're affordable and frequent, though the winding road in a shared van is exactly where motion sickness tends to hit hardest — sit toward the front if you're susceptible.
Private transfers
A private car or driver costs more but lets you set your own pace, stop at viewpoints along the way, and skip the shared-van experience if the road doesn't agree with you. It's a popular upgrade for exactly that reason.
Motorbike
Riding yourself is a rite of passage for some travellers, but it demands real riding experience — this is a mountain road with a well-earned reputation, not a gentle countryside cruise. Only attempt it with an appropriate licence and genuine experience on similar roads.
Is a day trip enough?
Given six to eight hours of round-trip travel time, a single day trip to Pai is a long day for not much time on the ground. Most visitors who make the journey stay at least one or two nights to make the travel worthwhile.