Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) to the Old City and Nimman

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is just south-west of the Old City

A Chiang Mai trip starts at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). When you book, check which airport is on your ticket and make sure it says Chiang Mai (CNX).

Chiang Mai airport is just south-west of the Old City, so town is close. There are four main ways out: a car booked through a ride-hailing app (about 15-20 min to the Old City or Nimman, about 150-250 THB), an airport taxi from the official counter (about 15-20 min to town, flat fare confirmed at the counter), a shared red songthaew truck (about 20 min to town depending on stops, about 100-200 THB, negotiable) and the airport shuttle bus (time varies by route, about 40 THB, check official).

Below we cover each option, how to reach each hotel area and what to check before you ride. All times and fares are approximate, so double-check them with official information.

• Full Chiang Mai travel guide →
• Incheon → Chiang Mai flights →

Ride-hailing app or airport taxi: the fare is set before you ride

With a ride-hailing app, the fare is fixed in the app, so there is no haggling. It takes about 15-20 minutes to the Old City or Nimman and costs about 150-250 THB. Fixed fares make app cars easy, especially with family or luggage, or late at night.

For an airport taxi, tell the official taxi counter in arrivals where you are going and confirm the set fare before you get in. The ride to town takes about 15-20 minutes. Check the flat fare amount at the counter.

Songthaew or airport shuttle bus: agree the fare or check the route

Songthaews are shared red pickup trucks. You can find them outside the airport, but always agree on the fare before you get in. The ride to town takes about 20 minutes, depending on stops, and costs about 100-200 THB, negotiable. Tell the driver your destination first, then settle the fare.

Airport shuttle buses run from the airport to key points in town. The fare is about 40 THB and the time varies by route. Check routes and hours on the official airport site and see whether a stop is near your hotel.

Once you have dropped your bags, songthaews also roam the city. Short rides in town are about 30-50 THB per person.

Getting to each hotel area

The airport is just south-west of the Old City. Here are the main hotel areas and how to reach them from the airport. Where no time is given, check your hotel's location before you land.

• Old City (inside the walls): the area inside the moat and walls, packed with temples, guesthouses and restaurants. About 15-20 min by ride-hailing app car from the airport, and very walkable once you are there
• Nimmanhaemin (Nimman): a stylish neighborhood north-west of the Old City, handy for the airport and Doi Suthep. About 15-20 min by ride-hailing app car
• Night Bazaar and the Ping River: east of the Old City, with a market every night and many riverside hotels. Check the time from the airport against your hotel's location
• Santitham: a quiet residential area between Nimman and the Old City with cheap eats and budget stays
• Out-of-town resorts (Mae Rim, Hang Dong): quiet resorts with views of rice fields and hills, 30+ minutes by car to town. Check the time from the airport against your hotel's location

At a glance

All times and fares below are approximate. Double-check them with official information before you travel.

• Ride-hailing app car: about 15-20 min to the Old City or Nimman, about 150-250 THB, fare fixed in the app, no haggling
• Airport taxi: about 15-20 min to town, flat fare (confirm at the official counter in arrivals)
• Songthaew (red truck): about 20 min to town (depends on stops), about 100-200 THB, agree on the fare first
• Airport shuttle bus: time varies by route, about 40 THB, check routes and hours on the official airport site

What to check before you ride

Before you leave the airport, check these points.

• Ticket: check which airport is on your ticket and make sure it says Chiang Mai (CNX)
• Ride-hailing app: the fare is fixed in the app, so there is no haggling
• Airport taxi: confirm the set fare at the official counter before you get in
• Songthaew: tell the driver your destination and agree on the fare before you get in
• Airport shuttle bus: check routes and hours on the official airport site
• Arriving late at night: ride-hailing app cars are handy late at night, and with family or luggage
• Heading back to the airport: leave town with plenty of time

Arrival-day checklist

A good first-day plan is check-in, an afternoon temple walk in the Old City (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang), then the Night Bazaar in the evening. Sort out the items below and the trip from the airport to that first walk will be easy.

• Check that the arrival airport on your ticket is Chiang Mai (CNX)
• Know which area your hotel is in (Old City, Nimman, Night Bazaar, Santitham or out of town)
• Carry small cash: night-market street food is cheap, so bring small notes
• At temples, cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes before entering halls
• Midday is very hot, so bring a hat and water for walking in the Old City
• Entry rules and procedures can change, so check official information before you leave

• Full Chiang Mai travel guide →
• Incheon → Chiang Mai flights →
• Chiang Mai in 4 days →
• Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai →

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