Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Chiang Mai
The airport is very close to town: an official airport taxi or a Grab car reaches the Old City in about 15 minutes. There is no train, and public buses are limited.
Best for most people: Taxi. The official taxi counter offers a fixed, cheap fare and takes you to your door in about 15 minutes.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taxi Official airport taxi counter in Arrivals (pay at the desk, fixed price) | about 15–20 min | about ฿150–200 to the Old City or Nimman | 24 h | You get a ticket and are walked to the car. Prices for farther areas are listed at the counter. | |
| ride-hailing Grab and Bolt from the signed pick-up point | about 15 min | about ฿100–200 | 24 h | Often similar to or cheaper than the taxi counter. | |
| songthaew Red shared pick-up trucks (songthaew) on the road outside | about 15–20 min | negotiate; often about ฿50–150 per person | mainly daytime | Agree the price first; not ideal with large luggage. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Tips
- Have some Thai baht in small notes for the songthaew or tips.
- Nimman and the Old City are both close; traffic is the only real variable.
- Download Grab before you land; airport Wi-Fi works.
- Tell the driver your hotel's Thai name or show it on a map, as many lanes (soi) have similar names.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City?
The official taxi counter in Arrivals sells fixed-price rides; the Old City usually costs about ฿150–200. You pay at the counter and get a receipt. Grab is a similar price, sometimes less. The drive is short, around 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is there a bus or train from the airport?
There is no train. Public buses are limited and change often, so most visitors use the airport taxi, Grab or a red songthaew. Because the airport is only a few kilometres from town, these are cheap and quick, and you are dropped at your hotel.
Can I pay by card?
The official taxi counter may accept cards, but cash in Thai baht is the safest bet. Grab lets you pay with a card registered in the app. Songthaew drivers accept cash only, so withdraw some baht at the airport ATM before leaving.
How long does it take to get to Nimman?
About 10–15 minutes by taxi or Grab, as Nimman is on the airport side of the city. The Old City is about 15–20 minutes away. Allow more time in late afternoon rush hour or during big festivals such as Songkran and Loy Krathong.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.