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You are here: Home / Travel / The Chiang Mai Airport Guide: International & Domestic Flights

The Chiang Mai Airport Guide: International & Domestic Flights

Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) receives over 2 million passengers each year, and 130 flights a week.

This 24-hour, international airport is conveniently located near the city center and acts as gateway to many northern provinces such as Chiang Rai, Pai, and Nan, though these places also have smaller airports of their own.

The airport is fairly small, with just two floors. But it's so easy to navigate and to get to, and flying in and out is always a pleasure.

If you're planning a trip to Chiang Mai, perhaps flying directly or coming in from Bangkok or one ofthe islands, you've probably got a few questions like:

Can I fly directly from my country into CMX, and from where in Thailand can you fly domestically to Chiang Mai?

All this is answered, and more, in my quick-fire Chiang Mai Airport guide.

chiang-mai-airport

Which airlines operate out of Chiang Mai Airport?

The airlines in operation are as follows:

  • Thai Airways
  • EVA Air
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Bangkok Airways
  • AirAsia
  • Nok Air
  • Thai Lion
  • Cathay Dragon
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • China Southern Airlines
  • Sichuan Airlines

Which international flights operate from Chiang Mai?

From Chiang Mai, you can fly to the following international locations:

  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Chicago (ORD)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Luang Prabang (LPQ)
  • Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
  • Mandalay (MDL)
  • Shanghai (PVG)
  • Beijing (PEK)
  • Kunming (KMG)
  • Changsha (CSX)
  • Guangzhou (CAN)
  • Xian (XIY)
  • Nanning (NNG)
  • Kaohsiung (KHH)
  • Hong Kong (HKG)
  • Macau (MFM)
  • Yangon (RGN)
  • Hanoi (HAN)
  • Seoul (ICN)
check-in-cnx

Air Asia check in.

Where can you fly domestically from Chiang Mai?

From Chiang Mai, you can fly to the following domestic locations:

  • Bangkok (DMK)
  • Krabi (KBV)
  • Phuket (HKT)
  • Khon Kaen (KKC)
  • Surat Thani (URT)
  • Udon Thani (UTH)
  • Hat Yai (HDY)
  • Utapao (UTP)

Note: if you're going to Samui, you can fly to Surat Thani and then catch the ferry across. More on that in this getting to Koh Samui post.

rice-paddies-chiang-mai

Picturesque terraced paddy fields are used widely in rice farming in Chiang Mai.

What is the code for Chiang Mai Airport

Airport codes arose out of the convenience that it brought pilots for location identification in the 1930s. In case you need the codes for CMA, here they are:

  1. Chiang Mai airport's IATA code is CNX
  2. Chiang Mai airport's ICAO code is VTCC

How do I get to Chiang Mai Airport?

I presume you mean from Bangkok? You can fly from Don Muang (DMX) in Bangkok, or take a mini-van. To get there from Chiang Mai city center, simply take a taxi.

How much does a taxi cost to the airport or city?

A public taxi via the Super-Highway will set you back around 100-150 Baht. First though, check with your hotel to see if they provide a transfer; it's usually free.

You can also take a private car, or limousine. This will obviously be more expensive, probably in excess of 500 Baht.

How far is the airport from the city center?

Chiang Mai Airport is 4 kilometers southwest of downtown Chiang Mai. The airport is just 10 minutes drive from the city centre.

How long before my flight do I need to get to the airport?

For domestic flights, you need to arrive 1-hour before departure, and for international flights the standard 2-hours before departure rule applies.

wat-phra-chiang-mai

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. No visit is complete without a trip here.

Chiang Mai Airport Map

Here's a Google map of the location. Use the plus and minus cursor to zoom in and out.

Can I store my luggage at Chiang Mai Airport?

Yes. If you have a long wait you can go to bag deposits on the first floor. See below for more information on the floor plan.

Are there restaurants and cafes at CNX?

Yes. The airport has two coffee shops and a number of food outlets, including a Burger King that opens at 6AM on the 2nd floor (yuk!).

You will also find a handful of shops selling fresh produce, handicrafts,  and souvenirs.

The departure lounge has additional food outlets and shops selling bits and bobs.

Tip: I you have time to spare, there's a Central Plaza Mall near the airport, with 5 floors of shopping and plenty of eats.

Can I rent a car from Chiang Mai Airport?

Yes, though during busy periods such as high holiday season and Songkran you will need to book in advance.

The local and international car rental companies operating at Chiang Mai International Airport, include Budget, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Thai Rent A Car, Chic Car Rent and Bizcar Rental.

What other amenities does the airport have?

There's two floors at CMX. You'll find the following things on each:

Floor 1:

  • Bag deposits
  • Drug stores
  • Tourist desks
  • Travel agents

Floor 2:

  • Emergency medical care (08:00 – 23:00)
  • Book shops (1st and 2nd floors)
  • Food

Can I get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok by bus or train?

Yes. It's a 9 hour drive and 11-13 hours by train. Read this Bangkok to Chiang Mai post.

In Summary

It's pretty small and isn't highly rated, no doubt because it is dated (unintentional rhyming skills – still got it!) But I've only ever had good experiences flying out of CNX.

It's so easy to get to from town, which makes a huge difference if you're running late. And it has a mall close by for shopping if you are super early for your flight.

There's places to eat, shop for small gifts, and a massage service on offer. What more do you want?

Tips to Start Planning Your Trip Now:

Book Your Flight

Find a cheap flight to Thailand using Momondo. This is my go-to search engine.

Book Your Accommodation

Best hotel rates are found at Agoda, Booking.com, and Hotels.com.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never travel without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for 15 years. You should too.

Want Tips On Guesthouses/hostels in CM?

Check out the best 21 Guesthouses here.

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Laurence Mabileau says

    July 1, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    I’m flying to Chiangmai from Bangkok and have 2 big suitcases 25 kg , and a small one 7kg , I’m allowed to get the small one for free . Any idea how much it will cost for the other 2 suitcases ?
    Thank you
    Reply

    Jul 01, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      July 1, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      It depends on the airline. Each carrier will have its own charge. You can check this on the carrier's website.
      Reply

      Jul 01, 2021 at 4:18 pm

  2. Laurence Mabileau says

    June 29, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Hello Peter
    I have 2 passports French and USA , I enter Thailand with my USA passports on an exemption tourist visa . Is it possible to fly to Chiangmai from Bangkok with my French passports? Doing a visa right now with my USA passport .
    Thank you
    Reply

    Jun 29, 2021 at 10:53 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      June 29, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      You can use your French passport, but you must enter and leave Thailand on the same passport.
      Reply

      Jun 29, 2021 at 5:30 pm

  3. Jack says

    March 13, 2020 at 7:04 pm

    I find Chiang Mai to be one of the most annoying airports anywhere in the world because of a uniquely stupid and inconvenient security system that you have to pass through just to enter the terminal.

    For as long as I can remember, Chiang Mai has scanned checked in luggage as you enter the terminal. OK - that wasn't much of an inconvenience. But now they do a full security check that is duplicated again as you enter air-side, but without the conveniences that a proper security set-up has (such as racks that allow you to lay out the plastic trays prior to taking off your belt, pens, mobile etc. etc.)

    One of my least favourite airports in the world, and I've been to some real dogs!
    Reply

    Mar 13, 2020 at 7:04 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      March 13, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      It could do with an upgrade in many ways, but the runway still works :)
      Reply

      Mar 13, 2020 at 7:05 pm

  4. David hall says

    March 13, 2020 at 1:00 am

    Chang mai offers Qatar flights direct to doha
    From there doha to Edinburgh.

    I found it great way to get directly to chang mai last year rather than uk to Bangkok via Dubai then up to Chiang mai from there
    Reply

    Mar 13, 2020 at 1:00 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      March 13, 2020 at 1:03 am

      That's good to know for those traveling from areas in Scotland close enough to get to Edinburgh. Cuts out that haul up from BKK.
      Reply

      Mar 13, 2020 at 1:03 am

  5. James E says

    February 8, 2020 at 3:59 am

    EVA is also now flying to Chiang Mai. Several trips a week, if memory serves. (They've also started service into Phuket recently as well.) There are Bangkok Air and RTA flights from Suvarnabhumi, too. I'll try to take one of these as Don Meuang is just so... Don Meuang. A good option for going into town is to walk out to the main road and snag a song thaew for 30 baht (although, as I learned, when you're by yourself the 30 baht bus becomes 100...)
    Reply

    Feb 08, 2020 at 3:59 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      February 8, 2020 at 11:55 pm

      Ah, I didn't know that. I'll add EVA to the list. I quite like Don Meuang :)
      Reply

      Feb 08, 2020 at 11:55 pm

      • TheThailandLife says

        February 17, 2020 at 7:03 pm

        There are some a few good flights from the US. It's a shame they haven't opened a UK route again.
        Reply

        Feb 17, 2020 at 7:03 pm

        • James E says

          February 17, 2020 at 11:10 pm

          EVA: LHR - CNX Daily service, 14 hours. They partner with BKK Air so you don't have to go through TPE first in either direction.
          Reply

          Feb 17, 2020 at 11:10 pm

          • TheThailandLife says

            February 17, 2020 at 11:15 pm

            Not direct though. It stops in Bangkok.
            Reply

            Feb 17, 2020 at 11:15 pm

            • James E says

              February 17, 2020 at 11:22 pm

              Whine, whine, whine... *Everything* from Seattle to *Anywhere* stops "Someplace*... I can't even fly cross country direct unless I want to go to Newark, New Jersey. (Actually, almost true...)
              Reply

              Feb 17, 2020 at 11:22 pm

              • TheThailandLife says

                February 17, 2020 at 11:36 pm

                Haha. One does not do stopovers, dear James.
                Reply

                Feb 17, 2020 at 11:36 pm

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