Chiang Mai International Airport serves Thailand's main northern city, just approximately 4 km southwest of the Old City.
Gateway to historic Buddhist temples, surrounding mountainous nature and the region's ethical elephant sanctuaries.
How to get to Chiang Mai International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CNX
Parking near Chiang Mai International Airport
The multi-story parking stands right next to the terminal.
Fares are in line with the standards of a regional tourist hub.
How to get to Chiang Mai from CNX
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Chiang Mai Airport: Private Transfer with Meet & Greet
Between Chiang Mai and Pai: Private One-Way Car Transfer
Chiang Mai Airport: Private Transfer to Chiang Rai Hotels
Chiang Rai: Transfer Service
Car rental at Chiang Mai International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the mountainous region.
A driving license, passport, credit card, and almost always an International Driving Permit: these are the required documents.
Hotels near Chiang Mai International Airport
Airport area
About 3 km, 6 minutes by car or Grab; metered taxis wait outside arrivals with a fixed 50 THB surcharge.
Best for: Short layovers or very early morning flights, when you want the shortest possible transfer time.
- The shortest possible transfer to and from the terminal, handy for a morning flight
- Lower rates than the hotels in the old city or Nimman
- An area of through roads and residential blocks, nothing to do on foot in the evening
- For any temple, market or restaurant you still need a taxi or Grab
Old city and Night Bazaar
About 4 km from the moat: taxi or Grab 10-20 minutes outside peak hours (150-250 THB plus 50 THB surcharge), shared songthaew 20-30 THB; during peak hours (7-9 and 16-19) it can take 30-40 minutes.
Best for: Those who want to visit the temples around the moat and the Night Bazaar on foot, with a transfer from the airport that is still short.
- Temples, markets and the old city moat reachable on foot from the hotels in the area
- Metered taxis queuing at arrivals, with no need to book a transfer
- The one-way streets around the moat make pick-ups slower than the actual distance suggests
- During peak hours the journey can more than double compared with the theoretical 10 minutes
Recommended hotels
- 99 The Heritage Hotel On Samlan Road, right opposite Wat Phra Singh, in the heart of the old city: everything from Tha Phae Gate to the Night Bazaar can be reached on foot. View availability
- InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping by IHG On Sridonchai Road, 5-10 minutes on foot from the Night Bazaar but tucked away enough to stay quiet; pool with cabanas and six in-house restaurants. View availability
Nimman
About 3.5 km from the airport, 6-15 minutes by car or Grab depending on traffic on Huay Kaew Road.
Best for: Those looking for the trendiest neighbourhood in the city, among design cafés and boutiques, accepting to stay a little further from the temples.
- Cafés, galleries and design shops reachable on foot, with a younger atmosphere than the old city
- The Maya shopping centre is 5 minutes on foot for anyone needing anything at the last minute
- Temples and the old city still require a taxi or Grab, they cannot be reached on foot
- A pricier and more touristy area than other spots near the airport
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, the main hub for northern Thailand, handles domestic connections and some direct international routes.
It's better to be at the airport 2.5–3 hours in advance if traveling on international flights.
Map of Chiang Mai International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How far is Chiang Mai's Old City from the airport?
About 3-5 km from the Old City, a 15-20 minute taxi ride.
Q. What are songthaew?
Shared taxis on red pickup trucks, typical of Chiang Mai, an inexpensive and local alternative to traditional taxis.
Q. Is Chiang Mai a good base for elephant sanctuaries?
Yes, numerous ethical sanctuaries that don't offer elephant riding can be reached on a day trip from the city.
Q. Does Chiang Mai have direct international flights?
Yes, a few direct routes, plus an extensive network of domestic connections to Bangkok and other cities.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
