Landed InFrom the airport to the city center
EasiestGrab from the airport
฿100 to ฿200 ($3 to $6)
10 to 25 min
Grab from the airport
฿100 to ฿200 ($3 to $6)
10 to 25 min
- 1Collect your bags and clear immigration and customs, then walk out to arrivals.
- 2Connect to airport Wi-Fi or your eSIM and open Grab.
- 3Set your drop-off to your hotel in the city center and check the fare.
- 4Follow the in-app pickup point instructions and match the plate number before getting in.
FastestOfficial airport taxi
฿150 to ฿250 ($4 to $8)
10 to 25 min
Official airport taxi
฿150 to ฿250 ($4 to $8)
10 to 25 min
- 1After baggage claim, look for the official airport taxi counter in the arrivals hall.
- 2Tell staff your hotel or the city center area and pay the fixed fare at the counter.
- 3Take the slip to the taxi queue outside and hand it to the driver.
- 4Skip drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
CheapestSongthaew (red shared truck)
฿30 to ฿60 per person ($1 to $2)
20 to 40 min
Songthaew (red shared truck)
฿30 to ฿60 per person ($1 to $2)
20 to 40 min
- 1Exit arrivals and look for red songthaew trucks near the taxi area, or walk to the main road.
- 2Tell the driver your hotel area in the city center and agree the price before you get in.
- 3Expect stops for other passengers. Negotiate a private ride if you have lots of luggage.
Want a driver waiting for you?
Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.
- Welcome PickupsA driver waiting in arrivals with your name
- KiwitaxiFixed-price airport transfers worldwide
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Money
Thai baht
THB
$1 is about ฿33 to ฿36
Cards
Cards work at hotels, malls, and many restaurants. Markets, street food, songthaews, and small shops are cash only.
Tipping
Not expected. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving ฿20 to ฿50 for good restaurant or massage service is appreciated.
Cash
- Carry small notes and coins for songthaews, markets, and temple donations.
- Break large ฿1,000 notes at 7-Eleven or malls. Small vendors often lack change.
- Exchange at city booths such as SuperRich, which usually beat airport rates.
ATMs
- Thai ATMs charge a fee of about ฿220 per withdrawal for foreign cards.
- Withdraw the maximum amount to cut down on repeat fees.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in baht.
Apps to download
Stay connected
Coverage in Chiang Mai is good and data is cheap. An eSIM set up before you fly gets you online as you land.
- Install an eSIM such as Airalo or Holafly before departure and activate it on arrival.
- Buy a tourist SIM at the AIS, True, or dtac counters in the arrivals hall.
- Use free Wi-Fi in cafes and hotels as a backup.
Get your eSIM before you fly
Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.
- AiraloCheap data packs for 200+ countries
- HolaflyUnlimited data plans
- SailySimple plans from the makers of NordVPN
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Good to know
- Dress modestly at temples. Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off before entering buildings.
- Never touch a person's head or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Insulting the monarchy is a serious crime in Thailand. Avoid the topic.
- Be wary of tuk-tuk or songthaew drivers offering cheap tours that end in gem or tailor shops. Say no politely.
- Agree the price before any songthaew or tuk-tuk ride, or use Grab for a fixed fare.
- If you rent a scooter, photograph it first, check your insurance, and wear a helmet. Accidents are common.
- Air quality can be poor from roughly February to April because of burning season. Check an AQI app before you go.
Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.