Chiang Mai Airport to The City: Bus, TukTuk, Taxi, Or Walk?

Trying to figure out how to get from Chiang Mai Airport to the city? Here’s what to know about taxis, tuk-tuks, buses, private transfers, and which option is actually worth choosing.

Like anywhere, chances are you may wonder how to get from the airport to your accommodation, extra points if you plan on doing it on a budget! Luckily, it is pretty damn easy to travel from Chiang Mai Airport to the city.

Chiang Mai is one of my favorite places in Thailand and I’ve spent more than a month here on various trips. This of course, means I’ve traveled to and from the airport and been able to test out different transport methods.

Chiang Mai Airport is just 3 kilometers from the Old City, though, because of all the traffic, plus the heat, it’s not really walkable.

The easiest option is booking a private airport transfer on Get Your Guide, which charges $20.00 for a 4 seater car, otherwise they also have vans if you have a lot of luggage!

Now let’s break down all your options, from the shuttle bus and private transfers to taxi and bus services, so you can enjoy your time in my favorite city in Thailand!

1. Take A Taxi From The Chiang Mai Airport

No matter where you are in the world, taking a prepaid taxi is always the easiest way to travel between the airport and your accommodation. Of course, the same goes here.

To take one, you’ll need to visit one of the prepaid taxi counters just before you exit the arrivals hall. Once here, you have two types of taxi options: fixed-price taxis or metered taxis.

There isn’t a major price difference. The fixed-price taxis cost 150 THB / $4.20, and the metered taxi usually costs around the same amount.

Prepaid taxis are generally my go-to option when arriving in a new country. They mean I don’t have to stress about arguing with a driver to avoid getting ripped off, making my first hour somewhere much more enjoyable.

2. Book A Grab Taxi When You Arrive

Grab has a pickup area at Chiang Mai Airport, which is perfect if you don’t have cash or don’t want to risk getting scammed,

I personally love using Grab when traveling Southeast Asia. It’s essentially the same as Uber, where you can set your pick-up and drop-off points, pay via card, and get estimates in advance, which makes life so much easier. This is my go to option and no doubt I’ve taken hundreds of rides throughout the years.

As a traveler who doesn’t speak the local language and is worried about common scams in Thailand, this saves a lot of headaches!

You can catch a Grab from the dedicated pickup and drop-off point. It’s located by the taxi stands and the bus stop. Prices do surge depending on demand, though you can expect to pay 150 THB / $7.80.

3. Chiang Mai Airport Transfer

The easiest way to get to the city is certainly by booking a private transfer. However, when something is easy, it is often never cheap. On my recent trip, I decided to check out this option, and I can confirm it is super straightforward.

You can book an airport transfer easily over on Get Your Guide with prices starting from $20.00 for a 4-seater car. For our trip, we booked for 3 people at $7.70 each, and ended up with a massive van! It was pretty nice with plenty of space to stretch out.

They’ll be standing in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name. Talk about fancy.

Another option is you can contact your accommodation in Chiang Mai, and they should be able to organize a private transfer for you. You’ll just have to pay for this once you arrive.

4. Travel With The Locals In A Songthaew

Why not embrace local life and take a songthaew into the old city? This is one of the main ways to travel within Chiang Mai, and you’ll constantly see them driving around during your stay. It’s essentially a public bus in the back of a cute little red pickup truck.

To take a songthaew, pass through immigration and the arrivals hall until you find yourself outside the main exit.

Once here, you’ll see a lineup of bright red pickup trucks, aka Songthaews. All you need to do is let the driver know where you are going. If he is not going in that direction, he may say no, though there will be plenty more to choose from.

The standard rate for the journey is 40 THB / $1.10. Though it is quite common to be offered to leave early for an extra cost of not filling up the rest of the songthaew with passengers.

This extra fee can cost from 100 THB to 200 THB / $2.80 to $5.60. Just don’t be scared to haggle and if you don’t want to pay ext simply wait for more passengers.

5. Embrace The Thai Tuk-Tuk

There’s something about a tuk-tuk that is just unbeatable. Whether that’s embracing the tourist life, feeling the wind in your hair, or smelling the street food.

It’s also the perfect introduction to Chiang Mai, and everyone loves the famous Thai tuk-tuks.

There will be plenty of tuk-tuks to choose from outside the arrival exit. If you can’t see one, just wait a few minutes, and one should park up.

The one downside is that tuk-tuks are not the most spacious. So if you have several bags, this won’t be the best option.

The standard rate is between 100 THB – 120 THB / $2.80 – $3.30. However, most drivers will happily tell you there is a fixed rate of 150 THB / $4.20. So be prepared to haggle, and yes, I’ve fallen for that one before.

6. Jump On The Airport Bus *BUDGET FRIENDLY*

Like most places, taking the bus is definitely the cheapest option when backpacking Chiang Mai. Though this can seem quite daunting when you are arriving somewhere new. Nevertheless, this is what you need to know.

There are three different bus routes to choose from. All of them head to central Chiang Mai and at least circle some part of the moat around the old town.

• 24A Yellow Bus: The first bus is the 24A Yellow bus, which goes to Nimman Road first before Saun Dok Gate.
• 24B Red Bus: The second bus, 24B Red, goes in the opposite direction, first heading to Chiang Mai Gate and Tha Pae Gate, then inwards to the old town and out to Chang Puak Gate.
• 24C Green Bus: The third bus, 24C Green, also goes to both Chiang Mai Gate and Tha Pae Gate. After that, it heads out of the main center to the flower market and train station.

The fare is 30 THB / $0.90, and they run every 30 minutes from 6.30 am to 11.30 pm.

To catch these buses, just head out the main exit from the arrivals hall. Once outside, you should see a white sign for the bus stop. For a map of these routes, check out the RTC website.

Where To Stay In Chiang Mai?

Now, one thing I love about Chiang Mai is the accommodation. Whether you want a hostel in the city, a romantic stay in the countryside, or a luxe 5-star hotel, you’ll easily be able to find that and everything in between.

I always stay within the Old City, right amongst all the action and highlights. This is the best location if you’re there for a short period, or if this is your first time visiting. The Old City is within walking distance of many beautiful temples, excellent shopping, delicious restaurants, and the famous Sunday Night Market.

On my most recent visit, I stayed at De Lanna Hotel, which was an excellent modern hotel, but still affordable. The location was fantastic, and having a pool to enjoy during the afternoon heat was perfect.

Things To Do In Chiang Mai

Make sure you don’t fall into the relaxing, slower pace of life here, and still head out and do things. If you’re looking for some inspiration, I’ve written a whole Chiang Mai itinerary which is worth checking out!

Explore The Old City: It’s likely you are going to be staying in this area, so when you step outside, you’ll be right in the action. Wander out without a plan and get lost down the alleys, check out the many temples, and stop for a cold drink in a cute cafe.

Visit Doi Suthep: Chuck on your sneakers as it’s a bit of a walk up 300+ stairs to reach the top, but oh so worth it! Doi Suthep has epic views over the city and is one of the most sacred temples in Thailand.

Make Friends With Elephants: One of the most popular things you absolutely HAVE to do here is an elephant sanctuary. Just make sure to research which are the ethical sanctuaries in Chiang Mai.

Eat All The Incredible Foods: Seriously, you’d better come hungry, Chiang Mai is known for its amazing food scene, and honestly, I just EAT EAT EAT when I visit! The night markets are the best way to try new foods, my favorite is the Sunday Night Market.

Wrap Up: Travel From The Chiang Mai Airport To City

Now, as you can see, there are HEAPS of ways to get to the city center from the airport in Chiang Mai. Though let’s be honest, the last thing you want is to negotiate with taxi drivers after a long flight.

Luckily, there are plenty of options, such as a taxi, Grab, songthaew, tuk-tuk, or bus.

However, if you still aren’t 100%, sure just go ahead and book that private transfer over on Get Your Guide. For $20.00 for a 4 seater car, it’s a good deal, which will quickly get you out exploring this gorgeous city.

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