TLDR
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) sits 4 kilometres south west of the Old City. Official taxi desk charges a fixed 150 baht to the city, Grab quotes 120 to 180 baht, the RTC public bus B2 costs 20 baht, and songthaews charge 40 baht per person once the truck fills. Total transfer time is 15 to 30 minutes.
Insider Tip
The airport taxi desk inside arrivals is the fastest, simplest option. Pay the fixed 150 baht fare, get a slip, and walk out to the taxi bay where a driver meets you. No negotiation, no surge pricing, no waiting for a Grab match. It wins for first time arrivals.
Planning your stay? Check current rates at The Twenty Lodge, an 11 minute taxi from Chiang Mai International Airport to the Old City.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Chiang Mai International Airport carries the IATA code CNX. It sits 4 kilometres south west of the Old City in the Hai Ya district, next to Chiang Mai Zoo and the Huay Kaew Road corridor. It handles domestic flights to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai and Pattaya, plus direct international routes from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, Yangon, Macau and seasonal charters from Chinese second cities. See our chiang mai district travel tips for the wider picture.
The terminal is small and easy to navigate with a single arrivals hall and a single departures hall. Wait times are short compared with Bangkok; domestic arrivals typically clear baggage in 15 minutes, international arrivals in 20 to 30 minutes. Free wifi is available throughout the terminal (passport required for access code).
Construction on a planned terminal expansion is scheduled for completion in 2028, which will increase capacity to 18 million passengers a year from the current 8 million. Until then, peak morning domestic waves can cause short queues at check in and security, so allow 90 minutes before domestic departures and 2.5 to 3 hours for international.
Airport Taxi (Fixed Fare)
The official airport taxi desk sits inside the arrivals hall to the left as you exit customs. Fares are government fixed and posted on the board: 150 baht to the Old City, Nimman, Chang Phueak or the Night Bazaar area, 200 baht to further out areas like Nong Hoi or the outer ring road. Pay at the desk, receive a slip with the cab number, and walk out to the taxi bay where a driver meets you with the matching slip.
This is the fastest and simplest option for first time arrivals. No negotiation, no surge pricing, no waiting for a Grab driver to accept the airport pickup. Cars are metered fleet taxis with the airport logo, all drivers have identification badges visible, and the process is identical 24 hours a day. Late night arrivals after midnight still pay the same fixed 150 baht.
The taxi desk also offers fixed fares to Pai (2,500 baht, 3 hours), Chiang Rai (3,500 baht, 3 hours), Doi Suthep (500 baht return with wait) and Elephant Nature Park (2,800 baht return with full day wait). These are useful for early flight arrivals that want to head directly to an out of town destination without returning to the Old City first. The Chiang Mai Airport official live flight info page has the latest official details.
Grab and Bolt Ride Apps
Grab and Bolt operate at CNX with pickup bay B outside the arrivals hall (signposted from the exit). Quoted fares run 120 to 180 baht to the Old City or Nimman, 150 to 220 baht during peak surge (evening rush, late night). Wait time for a driver match is typically 5 to 10 minutes. Pay by card preset in the app or cash on arrival; most drivers prefer cash at the airport.
Grab is the established option with more drivers and wider English support; Bolt runs 10 to 20 baht cheaper but with longer wait times and less English polish. Download both apps before landing and register with a credit card during the wifi window at the terminal, which saves fiddling with sign up at the pickup bay.
Drivers occasionally cancel airport rides if they get a longer trip offer while waiting. Be patient if the first match cancels; the next driver usually arrives within 5 minutes. If you are arriving after midnight, the airport taxi desk is more reliable than waiting for a Grab match.
RTC Public Bus
The Chiang Mai RTC (Regional Transit Corporation) runs the B2 public bus from the airport to Chiang Mai Gate on the south side of the Old City, via Chiang Mai Zoo, Nimman and Warorot Market. Fare is a flat 20 baht cash, buses run every 30 minutes from 6am to 10pm, and travel time is 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
This is the cheapest option from the airport but significantly slower than a 15 minute taxi ride. It is best for solo budget travellers with minimal luggage and no time pressure. Buses stop at well marked shelters along Huay Kaew Road and Phra Pokklao Road, letting off passengers near Kad Suan Kaew, Maya Mall and the Old City south gate.
Luggage space on the bus is limited; large suitcases may have to sit on your lap or in a standing area. If you have more than a large backpack or one checked bag, take the taxi instead. The RTC also operates B1 and B3 routes across Chiang Mai but only B2 directly links the airport to the tourist zones.
Songthaew and Tuk Tuk
Red songthaews stop at the airport if flagged at the main road outside the terminal (200 metres from arrivals). They charge 40 baht per person to the Old City or Nimman, but you share the truck with other passengers and the driver leaves only once full. This adds waiting time and multiple drop-offs to your route, typically 45 to 60 minutes door to door.
Tuk tuks do not normally work the airport (the taxi fleet has an exclusivity arrangement). If you do see a tuk tuk driver approaching you in the car park or arrivals terrace offering transport, skip it; these are unofficial drivers and prices are negotiable and usually 200 to 400 baht, higher than the fixed taxi rate.
Songthaews are the option to pick only if you are a budget traveller with light luggage and flexible timing. For most visitors with checked bags, the 150 baht fixed taxi or the 20 baht RTC bus makes more sense than waiting for a songthaew to fill.
Car Rental and Driving
Car rental desks inside CNX arrivals include Budget, Avis, Sixt, Thai Rent A Car and Hertz. Daily rates run 800 to 1,800 baht for a compact, 1,500 to 3,000 baht for an SUV. Full insurance is 400 to 600 baht a day extra and strongly recommended; Thai driving and the kamikaze scooter population make basic collision damage waiver essential.
Licence requirements are strict. You need either a Thai driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country. A regular home country driving licence alone is not accepted; checkpoints are common, and the fine for driving without the right licence is 500 to 2,000 baht. Car rental desks will ask for your IDP at pickup.
Driving in Chiang Mai itself is manageable but parking is tight in the Old City and traffic slows after 4pm. Car rental makes sense if you plan to cover Pai, Chiang Rai, Doi Inthanon and the Mae Hong Son loop on your own. For city stays only, taxis and Grab are easier and cheaper than rental plus parking.
Timing and Practical Tips
Outside rush hour, the transfer from CNX to Tha Phae Gate or Nimman takes 15 minutes by taxi. Morning rush (7.30am to 9am) and evening rush (5pm to 7pm) slow Huay Kaew Road noticeably and the journey stretches to 25 to 35 minutes. Flights before 7am and after 9pm are the easiest transfer windows.
For departures, allow 90 minutes before domestic flights and 2.5 to 3 hours for international. The Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet check in queues get long at peak morning waves (6am to 8am domestic push). International immigration outbound takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on wave timing. Airport tax is already included in your ticket price.
ATMs from Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, SCB and Krungsri are in arrivals and near baggage claim, all charging the standard 220 baht foreign card fee. SuperRich and Vasu currency exchange booths offer better rates than the bank ATMs for cash exchange. AIS and TrueMove SIM counters are right after customs; pick up a tourist SIM before leaving the terminal.
You might also find these useful: Chiang Mai District Travel Tips, Where to Stay in Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai on a Budget.
“Landed at CNX around 9pm, used the official taxi desk inside arrivals for a fixed 150 baht to Tha Phae Gate and the ride took 15 minutes on quiet roads. Airport felt small and easy, ATMs working and the Grab option was available at pickup bay B.”
“Comfortable room and handy for Old City temples and the Night Bazaar. Would return to Chiang Mai and stay here again.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Which airport serves Chiang Mai District?
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) sits 4 kilometres south west of the Old City in Hai Ya. It handles domestic Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi flights plus direct international routes from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo and Yangon. A ride into the Old City takes 15 minutes outside rush hour.
How do I get from CNX airport to the Old City?
The official airport taxi desk inside arrivals charges a fixed 150 baht to the Old City or Nimman. Grab and Bolt usually quote 120 to 180 baht and pick up at bay B outside arrivals. The cheapest option is the public songthaew at 40 baht per person but you wait until the driver fills the truck.
Is there a public bus from CNX?
The Chiang Mai city bus RTC route B2 runs from the airport to Chiang Mai Gate and Warorot Market every 30 minutes from 6am to 10pm for 20 baht. It is the cheapest option but slowest, with trips taking 45 to 60 minutes versus 15 minutes by taxi. Luggage space is limited on the bus.
How much is an airport taxi at night?
The airport taxi desk keeps the 150 baht fixed fare 24 hours a day. Grab and Bolt may surge to 200 to 280 baht after midnight when fewer drivers are active. If your flight lands after 11pm, the fixed desk taxi is usually the most reliable pickup.
How far in advance should I arrive for departures?
For domestic flights allow 90 minutes before departure, for international allow 2.5 to 3 hours. The terminal is compact but Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet check in queues can be long at peak morning and evening waves. Immigration for international outbound takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Are there ATMs at Chiang Mai Airport?
Yes, ATMs from Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank, SCB and Krungsri are inside arrivals and near baggage claim. All charge the standard 220 baht foreign card fee, with a 10,000 or 20,000 baht withdrawal cap. SuperRich and Vasu currency exchange booths offer better rates than the bank ATMs for cash exchange.
How long does the airport transfer take?
Allow 15 minutes from CNX to Tha Phae Gate or Nimman outside rush hour, 25 to 35 minutes during morning and evening traffic. The Canal Road (Route 121) and Huay Kaew Road slow down notably between 7.30 and 9am and 5 to 7pm on weekdays. Flights before 7am and after 9pm are easiest for transfers.
Can I walk out of the airport?
Technically yes, the airport is only 4 kilometres from the Old City, but the Route 1141 feeder road has no pavement past the terminal and the walk takes over an hour in heat. Grab, taxi or songthaew are all better options. If you want to stretch, walk to the RTC bus stop 500 metres from the terminal and take the 20 baht bus.