Chiang Mai International Airport
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai International Airport
Northern Thailand's premier gateway to Lanna culture.
- ›Operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), the state-owned airport authority.
- ›Located approximately 3 km southwest of Chiang Mai's city centre.
- ›One of the busiest airports in Thailand by passenger volume outside Bangkok.
- ›Serves as a key hub for domestic routes connecting northern Thailand to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
- ›The airport's proximity to the city limits runway length and expansion options.
Chiang Mai International Airport has served Thailand's second-largest city since 1922, making it one of the country's oldest active airports. Nestled just 3 kilometres from the historic old city, it functions as the primary hub for northern Thailand, connecting the region to Bangkok, international destinations across Asia, and popular trekking and cultural tourism circuits. The airport blends functional modern infrastructure with the warm hospitality characteristic of the Lanna cultural heartland.
- Terminal 1 (Domestic) — Handles all domestic flights within Thailand, including frequent services to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
- Terminal 2 (International) — Serves international routes connecting Chiang Mai to destinations across Asia, including China, Japan, Singapore, and regional hubs.
- Red Songthaew (shared pickup truck taxis) — affordable and widely available outside arrivals
- Metered taxis from the official taxi desk in the arrivals hall
- Grab app ride-hailing — reliable and price-transparent for the city centre
- Tuk-tuks available for short trips to nearby areas
- Car rental desks from Avis, Budget, and Thai agencies inside the terminal
- Private airport transfer pre-booked through hotels or online services
- Kantary Hills Chiang Mai
- Amora Hotel Chiang Mai
- Novotel Chiang Mai Nimman Suites
- Le Meridien Chiang Mai
- Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Inside the terminals, travellers will find a mix of Thai fast food chains, coffee outlets such as Doi Chaang and Amazon Café, and convenience stores offering local snacks. The airport's proximity to the city centre means most passengers prefer to eat at the vibrant Nimman Road dining district or the old city's night markets just minutes away. Street food stalls near the airport perimeter also offer authentic northern Thai dishes like khao soi at very low prices.
- Agree on a fare or confirm meter use with Songthaew drivers before boarding, as pricing can be negotiable.
- The airport sits just 10–15 minutes from the old city moat by taxi — no need for expensive transfers.
- During the Songkran festival in April and Yi Peng lantern festival in November, book flights and hotels well in advance as demand surges dramatically.
- Immigration queues at Terminal 2 can be slow during peak morning arrivals — carry printed copies of your hotel booking and onward travel details.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (26 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via CNX? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Thailand from official government sources.
Chiang Mai International Airport is an international airport in Suthep subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai province in Northern Thailand. It is a major gateway that links northern Thailand to the rest of the region and is currently the fourth-busiest airport in the country. It is managed by Airports of Thailand.
Read full article on Wikipedia