Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Chiang Mai Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
CNX Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Chiang Mai International Airport.
What to Expect
Chiang Mai Airport (code: CNX) has two small but connected terminals, divided for international and domestic flights. Facilities include a few eateries, cafes, and shops. Three eateries are open 24 hours in the International Terminal. WiFi is free for two hours. For added comfort, economy class passengers can pay to enter one of two airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Chiang Mai Airport
The airport is open 24 hours, but you may have to sleep landside while security checkpoints close for the night. A few armrest-free cushioned benches are located near the main entrance. The lights are bright and the air conditioning may get chilly, so bring along an eye mask and a sweater or blanket. For uninterrupted sleep, hotels are nearby. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Chiang Mai Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Coral Executive Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Airside, 2nd Floor. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Coral Executive Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, 2nd Floor, near Gate 8. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
- Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge Membership Program.
- Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Landside, Domestic Departures, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access: Lounge Membership Program.
- Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Airside, 2nd Floor.
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, 2nd Floor.
Related Pages: Chiang Mai Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Chiang Mai Airport:
- Airport Resident – This hotel has two buildings: AR1 has cheaper, smaller rooms. AR2 is newer, with larger rooms. Free airport shuttle is available (to the airport) on the following scheduled times 8:00AM, 9:00AM, 3:00PM, 6:00PM and 10:00PM. » Check Rates
- Hotel Noble Place – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- TL Residence – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Chiang Mai Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Chiang Mai Airports for two hours. Connect to the “@ AirportTrueFreeWiFi” Network.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: available in both International and Domestic Terminals.
Currency Exchange – Exchange services are available onsite. Locations: Bangkok Bank (International Departures) • Kasikorn Bank (Domestic Departures) • Krung Thai Bank (International Departures) • Siam Commercial Bank (Domestic Departures • International Departures • International Arrivals).
Duty Free & Shopping – King Power Duty Free offers duty-free shopping. Location: International Departures, Airside, 2nd Floor. Hours: 6:00AM – 11:00PM. An assortment of convenience stores, gift shops, clothing stores, and more can also be found throughout the airport.
Food & Drinks – The airport offers a variety of restaurants and coffee shops. Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options, however most are open from 6:00AM – 12:00AM. So, if you are stuck in the airport overnight you should purchase water and snacks early.
Information Desk – Need help finding your way? There are two information desks: both are located on the 1st Floor of the Domestic Arrivals.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Kai Sun (Thailand) Co. provides service on the 1st Floor, rate is 200 baht per day for a locker.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Services are provided in both Terminals, 1st Floor. Rates: starting at 150 Baht per piece.
Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, a medical center can be found in the Domestic Terminal, 2nd floor. Hours: 24 hours.
Mobile Charging – Recharge your mobile devices at one of the seven charging points available in the airport located in the airside departure areas in both the Domestic and International Terminals.
Postal Services – Send your last minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s post office. Location: Domestic Terminal, Arrivals, 1st Floor. Hours: 8:30AM – 8:00PM.
Prayer Room – A Muslim Prayer Room is available. Location: 2nd Floor towards the International Departures (near Burger King). Hours: 7:00AM – 10:00PM. No overnight sleeping allowed.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Showers are available inside the Coral Executive Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Permitted in the smoking room, 2nd floor, international departures, next to Black Canyon Coffee.
Spa – If you would like to relax and unwind before your flight, enjoy an airport massage at Pa Kaew Massage Shop. Location: Domestic Terminal, Landside, 2nd Floor. Hours: 6:00AM – 12:00AM. Foot massages are offered by Charming Doo Foot Massage. Location: Unknown.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Chiang Mai airport is served by the following airlines: Air Asia • Air China • Asiana Airlines • Bangkok Airways • Cathay Dragon • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern Airlines • EVA Air • Hainan Airlines • HK Express • Jeju Air • Juneyao Airlines • Korean Airlines • Lao Airlines • Lucky Air • Nok Air • Qatar Airways • Ruili Airlines • Scoot • Shandong Airlines • Sichuan Airlines • Spring Airlines • Thai Airways • Thai Lion Air • ThaiSmile • T’way Airlines • VietJet Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Buses 4 and 9 link CNX airport to the city center. The bus stop is located about 100m to the left of the airport terminal. This is not the most comfortable or reliable way to travel to and from the airport, but it’s the cheapest.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Asap Car • Avis • Budget • Chic Car Rent • Drive • Hertz • National • Sixt • Thai Rental.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we were unable to find any hotels that provide airport shuttle service. See also Airport Hotels above.
Shared-Ride Vehicles
“Songthaews” offer shared transportation along a fixed route. This is not the safest method of travel, but a popular mode of travel among locals and an economical way to travel between the airport and town if you’re traveling with others.
Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses to the city centre are available from Exit 9, 1st Floor of the International Terminal. Buses depart every 30 minutes and provide 3 destination options.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available at Exit 1. There is a taxi stand available to assist you, 24 hours a day.
Last updated: 2024-01-31
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.