Chiang Mai Airport to the City: Taxi, Grab, Bus
Flat-rate taxis and metered taxis both start at Entrance 1 of the Main Terminal, floor 1. Grab uses a designated pick-up point in the car park, floor 1. The RTC city bus restarts on 10 October 2026, free until 19 October and then THB 50 per ride. Airport shuttle routes A1 to A3 cost THB 40 to 60.
On this page
Your first choice is a taxi at Entrance 1 or a bus outside the terminal, and both are within a short walk of the baggage belt. This page lists each option with the hours the airport operator (AOT) gives. Rides inside the city are covered in getting around Chiang Mai.
Your options at a glance
There are five ground options at Chiang Mai International Airport. The table gives each fare as published.
| Option | Pick-up point | Fare | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi (flat rate) | Entrance 1, floor 1 | flat rate | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Taxi Meter | Entrance 1, floor 1 | meter + THB 50 | 07:00 to 23:00 |
| Grab | Car park, floor 1 | in the app | 00:00 to 23:59 |
| RTC city bus | Outside the terminal, floor 1 | THB 50 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Shuttle A1 to A3 | Shuttle stop, floor 1 | THB 40 to 60 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
Taxis: flat-rate counter or meter
AOT runs two taxi services from the same entrance. Both are at Entrance 1 of the Main Terminal, floor 1.
Airport Taxi counter (flat rate)
The Airport Taxi is flat-rate transport, so the fare is known before you ride. The counter is open 07:00 to 00:00, and its phone is 053-201-307.
AOT does not publish zone prices online. Ask the counter for the printed fare to your address before you walk to the car.
Taxi Meter point
The Taxi Meter service uses a fare meter that calculates the charge. An additional THB 50 is collected as a gratuity for the driver, under a Ministry of Transport announcement. Budget for it as part of the fare.
The meter point is open 07:00 to 23:00, an hour shorter than the flat-rate counter. Its phone is +66 53-271-371. If you land after 23:00, use the flat-rate counter (open until 00:00) or Grab, which is available all day. After midnight, Grab is your option.
Grab, city bus and shuttle
Grab pick-up point
Grab rides can be requested from anywhere in the airport, but pick-up and drop-off happen at designated points. AOT’s entry names the car park on floor 1, with a terminal label of Domestic. The point is listed open from 00:00 to 23:59.
Compare both quotes in the apps before you book.
The Grab taxis at the airport are certified by the Department of Land Transport. For how Grab compares with Bolt in town, see Grab vs Bolt in Chiang Mai.
RTC city bus
The RTC city bus restarts at the airport with its first two buses on 10 October 2026. They run free from 10 to 19 October, then the fare is a single THB 50 for the whole route. AOT’s own page still lists THB 30 per trip, so AOT’s figure looks out of date.
The stop is outside the terminal on floor 1, and it runs 07:00 to 00:00. Buses will come every 20 minutes per direction. Hours extend to 06:00 to 22:00 from December.
Route 24 loops in two directions through Nimman, Chang Phueak, Warorot Market, Tha Phae Gate and Wualai Road. AOT labels the loops R3. The Red Line runs via Wualai Road, Chiang Mai Gate, Tha Phae Gate, Chang Phuak Gate, Nimmanhaemin and Suan Dok. The Yellow Line runs the other way, via Suan Dok, Nimmanhaemin, Chang Phuak Gate, Tha Phae Gate, Night Bazaar and Chiang Mai Gate.
AOT asks passengers to verify the fare and routes again before travelling.
Airport shuttle routes A1 to A3
The shuttle is a route to the city centre with set departure times, aimed at budget travellers. It runs 07:00 to 00:00, from a stop on floor 1.
- Route A1 costs THB 40 and serves Nimmanhaemin Road, Huay Kaew Road and the City Moat.
- Route A2 costs THB 40 and serves Mahidol Road, the Night Bazaar and hotels around Chang Klan Road.
- Route A3 costs THB 60 and serves Second Ring Road and the 700th Anniversary Stadium.
Red trucks are covered in songthaew red trucks in Chiang Mai.
Before you land, and help at the airport
Since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai national entering by air, land or sea completes the TDAC online, within 3 days before arrival. It is filed for every entry, is free, and is not a visa. Details are in the TDAC guide.
The airport address on the operator site is 0 Mahidol Road, Suthep Sub-district, Mueang District, and its call centre number is 1722. A Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud Center sits at the airport, tel. +66 53 281 438-9. For scams, see Chiang Mai safety and scams.
60 ถนน มหิดล Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
For your first seven days after landing, follow the first week in Chiang Mai checklist.
Photo credits
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Chiang Mai International Airport on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Google Maps contributor, Jordan Kuo, Gaga Bichon.
Step by step
- Complete the TDAC before you flyFile the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival.
- Walk to Entrance 1 for a taxiThe flat-rate counter and the metered taxi point are at Entrance 1 of the Main Terminal, floor 1.
- Or choose Grab, bus or shuttleGrab uses its designated point in the car park. The RTC bus is THB 50 and shuttle routes cost THB 40 to 60.
- Confirm the price firstTake the printed fare at the taxi counter, check the meter plus THB 50 at the meter point, or read the quote in the app.
Not confirmed: Taxi fares: AOT publishes no fare table, so ask the counter for the printed fare before you leave. Blog ranges for the Old City are THB 150 to 200. Shuttles A1 to A3: only opening hours were found, no departure times. Bus: the fare is THB 50, though AOT's own page still shows THB 30.
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Common questions
Where is the airport taxi counter at Chiang Mai airport?
At Entrance 1 of the Main Terminal, floor 1, open 07:00 to 00:00.
How much is a taxi from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City?
AOT publishes no fare table. Ask for the printed fare at the counter before you get in.
Is there a metered taxi at Chiang Mai airport?
A Taxi Meter point at Entrance 1 uses a fare meter. An extra THB 50 is collected as a gratuity for the driver. Count it as part of the fare.
Can I use Grab at Chiang Mai airport?
Rides can be requested from anywhere in the airport, but pick-up and drop-off are at the designated points. Compare both quotes in the apps before you book.
How much is the city bus from the airport?
The fare is THB 50 for the whole route, and the first buses run free from 10 to 19 October 2026. AOT's page still lists THB 30. The stop is outside the terminal on floor 1.
Which shuttle goes to Nimmanhaemin Road?
Route A1 serves Nimmanhaemin Road, Huay Kaew Road and the City Moat for THB 40.
Do I need an arrival card before landing?
Non-Thai nationals complete the TDAC online within 3 days before arrival, and it is free.
Where do I report a tourist scam at the airport?
A Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud Center sits at Chiang Mai International Airport, tel. +66 53 281 438-9.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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