How do you get to Chiang Mai?
Getting There8.9/10Easier to reach than about 90% of cities
- Main airport
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: sg.trip.com, backpackerswanderlust.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Chiang Mai airport is exceptionally close (4 km), making arrivals stress-free compared to Bangkok or Phuket. Most transfers take 15–25 minutes to Old City or Nimmanhaemin.
- For budget travelers, Grab/Bolt are legitimate, often cheaper than official taxis (฿80–฿120 vs ฿150–฿200).
- Avoid solo songthaew for airport transfers unless very budget-conscious and traveling light; shared rides extend journey 20–30 minutes.
- RTC Smart City Buses (฿20 flat fare) are excellent for getting around once in the city; CM TRANSIT app tracks real-time arrivals.
- Long-distance buses are efficient and affordable. Arcade Bus Terminal and Chang Puak Station cover most of Northern Thailand.
- No direct train from airport or central city; rail access requires taxi/Grab to Chiang Mai Train Station (~3 km). Buses faster for most Northern Thailand routes.
- Day trips abound: nearby temples (Doi Suthep, 30 min), waterfalls (Sticky, 1 hr), national parks (Doi Inthanon, 2 hrs), and charming towns (Lamphun, 1 hr).
- Burning season (March–May) may affect air quality; November–February has clearest skies and is peak travel season.
- Late-night arrivals: pre-book private transfer or use Grab/metered taxi; fewer songthaew options after hours.
- Avoid unmarked taxis at terminal; use official desk only for metered or flat-rate taxis.
Airport Transfers
- Cost
- THB 150
- Details
- Flat rate to city center. Desk inside arrivals hall. Sedan seats 3 adults.
- Notes
- No surcharge for midnight arrivals. Do not negotiate with drivers outside terminal.
Larger car fits up to 6 passengers. Fixed rate to city.
- Cost
- THB 200
Bolt generally cheaper than Grab.
- Cost
- THB 100
- Details
- Grab and Bolt both operate at airport. Often cheaper than taxis (fares to Old City ฿80–฿120). Pickup points just outside terminals.
Best for solo budget travelers with minimal luggage.
- Cost
- THB 100
- Details
- Direct trip ฿80–฿120 per person or negotiate private ฿200. Can pick up other passengers, extending travel time 20-30 minutes.
Budget option. Operates from airport to city.
- Cost
- THB 35
- Cost
- THB 359
- Details
- 4-seater sedan via GetYourGuide, Klook, or hotel concierge. Professional driver with personalized sign.
Long Distance Buses
- Luggage
- Left luggage storage available at Arcade Terminal 3.
- Overview
- Multiple operators from Arcade Bus Terminal (terminals 2 & 3) and Chang Puak Bus Station.
- Operators
- Green Bus Co. (recommended), Prempracha Transport, others. Book via CheckMyBus or directly at terminals.
Major Routes
Pai
- Distance
- ~120 km
- Travel Time
- 3 hours
- Notes
- Road features 762 turns; problematic for motion sickness.
Chiang Rai
- Distance
- ~190 km
- Travel Time
- 3 hours
- Notes
- Gateway to White Temple and Golden Triangle.
Bangkok
- Distance
- ~700 km
- Operators
- Multiple overnight and daytime services
- Travel Time
- 9-11 hours
Lampang
- Travel Time
- 2.5 hours
- Cost Example
- THB 60
Lamphun
- Distance
- ~26 km south
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hours
Green Bus Co. Recommended
- Destination
- Mae Sai
- Travel Time
- 4 hours
Day Trip Destinations
Doi Suthep (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep)
- Type
- Half-day trip
- Distance
- 15 km from city center
- Travel Time
- 30-45 minutes
Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong Waterfalls)
- Type
- Day trip
- Distance
- ~1 hour north
- Travel Time
- 1 hour
Doi Inthanon National Park
- Type
- Full day trip
- Distance
- ~2 hours southwest
- Travel Time
- 2 hours
- Note
- Highest mountain in Thailand; best sunrise viewing requires 4 AM departure.
Mae Sa Valley
- Type
- Half-day or full day
- Distance
- 20 km northwest
- Attractions
- Waterfalls, gardens, adventure activities.
- Travel Time
- 45 minutes
Huay Tung Tao Reservoir
- Type
- Half-day or full day
- Distance
- 25-30 km
- Travel Time
- 25-30 minutes
Pai
- Type
- Overnight or full day trip
- Distance
- ~120 km
- Travel Time
- 3 hours
- Note
- Accessible by bus or hire private transport. Winding mountain roads.
Chiang Rai (White Temple, Golden Triangle)
- Type
- Full-day or overnight trip
- Distance
- ~190 km north
- Travel Time
- 3 hours by bus
Lamphun
- Type
- Half-day or full day trip
- Distance
- 26 km south
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hours
- Note
- One of Thailand's oldest cities; ancient temples.
Lampang
- Type
- Day or overnight trip
- Distance
- 100 km southeast
- Travel Time
- 2.5 hours by bus
- Note
- Ceramic factories, temples, Elephant Conservation Center.
Mae Rim District
- Type
- Half-day or full day
- Distance
- 20-45 km north
- Attractions
- Mae Sa Waterfall, botanical gardens, orchid farms.
- Travel Time
- 30-60 minutes
Chiang Dao
- Type
- Full day or overnight
- Distance
- ~80 km north
- Attractions
- Hot springs, limestone caves, temples.
- Travel Time
- 1.5-2 hours
Mon Jam
- Type
- Half or full day
- Distance
- ~40-50 km
- Features
- Hilltop views, flower gardens, quiet retreat.
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hours
Rail
- Access
- Songthaew, taxi, or Grab from airport or city center to station.
- Routes
- Northern Line to Bangkok (Hualamphong), southbound to Phitsanulok and central Thailand.
- Overview
- No direct rail connection from Chiang Mai to city center. Main railway stops are at Chiang Mai Train Station (~3 km east of Old City).
- Note
- Limited compared to buses; bus is typically faster and more convenient for nomads.
Airport
- Name
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
- Travel Time To Center
- 15-25 minutes
- Distance From City Center
- 4 km southwest of Old City
Car Rental
- Overview
- International and local rental agencies at airport arrivals.
- Ideal For
- Mountain exploration, Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, independent driving.
- Requirement
- International Driving Permit (IDP) and valid insurance required. Police checkpoints common.
City Buses
- Details
- Flat fare regardless of distance. Apps: CM TRANSIT (RTC) and CM Transit by RTC for real-time tracking. Languages: Thai, English, Chinese.
- Overview
- RTC Smart City Buses (colored lines) and Municipality Buses (white aircon minibuses, B-series).
- Cost Per Ride
- THB 20
- Route To Airport
- B2 route connects Arcade Bus Station to Airport
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.sg.trip.com
- 2.backpackerswanderlust.com
- 3.chiangmaitraveller.com
- 4.secretflying.com
- 5.southeastasiasimplified.com
- 6.chiangmai.airportthai.co.th
- 7.chiangmaitraveller.com
- 8.slice-of-thai.com
- 9.hobomaps.com
- 10.checkmybus.com
- 11.global-gallivanting.com
- 12.anadventurousworld.com
- 13.lonelyplanet.com
- 14.elephantjunglesanctuary.com
- 15.chiangmaihub.com
- 16.frommers.com
More About Chiang Mai
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.