Chiang Mai Airport: Transport, Services and Travel tips

Off to the "Rose of the North": Chiang Mai! Before you explore the golden temples, night markets, and mountains of Chiang Mai, your journey will take you through CNX International Airport, which is located just 4 km from the city centre. A real advantage when you consider the often long distances at other Asian airports.

Trip.com has put together a comprehensive travel guide for you to ensure your holiday gets off to a perfect start: information on terminals, transport options to the city centre, the latest entry requirements, VIP lounges, and useful addresses.

All the important information for a relaxed arrival.

About Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Chiang Mai Airport is the fourth-largest airport in the country, behind Bangkok's two airports and Phuket Airport. While it may be smaller than many other international airports, with 9 million passengers a year, it is certainly not to be underestimated!

27 airlines fly to this airport, connecting it to around 30 destinations in 12 countries. Its biggest plus point? The simplicity! No endless walks, no shuttles between terminals, no reason to rush: in short, an airport with a personal touch!

Here is all the important information you should keep in mind:

• Distance to city centre: 4 to 5 km south-west, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi (except in heavy traffic)
• The terminal: a single building with two areas (one for domestic flights and one for international flights)
• Thai airlines: Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet
• International airlines: EVA Air, China Airlines, Korean Air, AirAsia, Scoot, Etihad, Starlux, Malaysia Airlines …

Check Chiang Mai airport terminal maps

The airport spans just two levels. Here’s how they’re laid out:

Many travellers wonder upon arrival which area is relevant to them. But don't worry, there is only one terminal. Here you can find out how it works in practice.

The domestic area

This is the busiest part of the airport. With around 178 flights per week, the Chiang Mai–Bangkok Don Mueang route is one of the most frequently travelled connections in all of Southeast Asia. A plane takes off for Bangkok every 20 to 30 minutes!

• Check-in desks: Level 2 (Departures)
• Airlines: Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Vietjet, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways
• Destinations: Bangkok (Don Mueang AND Suvarnabhumi, careful, don't mix them up), Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Pattaya (U-Tapao)

The international area

International flights mainly head to neighbouring countries, with a few connections to the Middle East.

• Check-in desks: Level 2 (Departures)
• Airlines: AirAsia, EVA Air, China Airlines, Korean Air, Scoot, Starlux, Etihad
• Destinations: Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka, Hanoi, Abu Dhabi (seasonal) as well as several cities in mainland China

💡 An important point to factor in: If you arrive in Chiang Mai on an international flight and then take a domestic flight (e.g. to Bangkok or Phuket), you must leave the international area, pass through immigration, collect your luggage, go through customs, and only then proceed to the domestic area to check in. For safety, allow at least 1.5 hours between the two flights.

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Transport to and from Chiang Mai Airport

The big advantage of CNX is its immediate proximity to the city centre! You can be in the Old City, Nimman, or at the Night Bazaar in just 10 to 15 minutes.

Here are the options available to you.

🚨 Important points you should know:

• The official taxi for 150 THB is the most practical option due to its straightforward process. You pay at the counter, receive a ticket with the vehicle number, and reach your destination without any haggling or nasty surprises.
• Apps like Grab and Bolt work brilliantly in CNX (and as of 2026, there is now an official pick-up area signposted). Our tip: Bolt is often a little cheaper than Grab from the airport, sometimes costing 30 to 40 THB less.
• Be careful with the tuk-tuks right outside the exit. They often charge tourists significantly higher prices. It's better to use an official taxi or Grab instead.
• Forget Uber, the app doesn't work in Thailand!

Arrival requirements in Chiang Mai: visa and regulations

Thailand's entry requirements have changed significantly in recent years. Don't worry, we'll explain everything below.

Important update: On 19 May 2026, the Thai government decided to end the 60-day visa exemption introduced in July 2024. The regulation is returning to a 30-day visa-free entry for 54 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and most countries in the European Union. The exact date of entry into force has not yet been officially announced.

• No prior application required: You don't need to take any steps at the consulate before you depart. Your passport will be stamped with an entry visa directly upon arrival at the airport.
• Duration of stay: 30 days visa-free entry for tourism purposes
• Extension possible: another 30 days for 1,900 THB (~£42), can be applied for at a local immigration office (maximum of 60 days in total)
• Passport: valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Proof required: confirmed return flight ticket and sufficient funds (10,000 THB per person, i.e. approx. £220)

The TDAC, mandatory since May 2025

Here is the update you definitely shouldn't forget. As of 1 May 2025, the old TM6 paper form (which many travellers used to fill out on the plane just before landing) has been replaced by the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card). It is now mandatory for all foreign travellers without exception.

• Where to fill it out: exclusively on the official website tdac.immigration.go.th (free of charge)
• When: within the 3 days before your arrival in Thailand
• What details are required: Passport details, flight number and the address of your accommodation in Thailand
• Result: a QR code that you need to show upon entry (on your smartphone or printed out)

What you can bring (and what you can't)

• ✅ Allowed: personal items up to a total value of 20,000 THB, 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, as well as foreign currency equivalent to up to 20,000 USD (amounts above this must be declared)
• ❌ Strictly prohibited: Drugs (the penalties are extremely harsh, so it's best to steer clear), e-cigarettes and vapes (completely banned since 2014, confiscation + fine), certain fresh fruits and meat products, as well as ivory and coral

Services & facilities at Chiang Mai Airport

An overview of all the important services at Chiang Mai Airport

• Free Wi-Fi: Network “AOT Wi-Fi”, unlimited access throughout the airport
• ATMs and currency exchange: Bangkok Bank, Krungthai and SuperRich (often offering some of the best exchange rates on the market)
• Luggage storage: Level 1, domestic area, ~100 THB per suitcase per day
• SIM/eSIM on-site: AIS and TrueMove kiosks in the arrivals hall
• Tourist information: TAT Kiosk (Tourism Authority of Thailand) with free city maps
• Duty-free: mainly in the international area (alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, souvenirs)

Where can you grab a bite to eat at the airport?

While the selection is more modest than at the airports in Bangkok or Singapore, it’s still perfectly adequate for enjoying a good meal before your flight:

Airport lounges and premium areas in Chiang Mai

Are you early or facing a long wait? Then a lounge visit could be a great option. Most accept Priority Pass, DragonPass, or direct purchase at the entrance.

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