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.
Quick Links
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 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 website 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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
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) at the following scheduled times: 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. » 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 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 learn how to gain 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.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
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 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM. So, if you are stuck in the airport overnight, you should purchase water and snacks early.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Kai Sun (Thailand) Co. provides service on the 1st Floor. The rate is 200 baht per day for a locker.
Mobile Charging
Recharge your mobile devices at one of the seven charging points available in the airport, located in the airside departure areas at both the domestic and international terminals.
Showers
Showers are available inside the Coral Executive Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Chiang Mai Airports for two hours. Connect to the “@ AirportTrueFreeWiFi” Network.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: available in the International and Domestic Terminals.
Currency Exchange – Exchange services are available on-site. 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: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM. An assortment of convenience stores, gift shops, clothing stores, and more can also be found throughout the airport.
Information Desk – Need help finding your way? Two information desks are on the 1st Floor of the Domestic Arrivals.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them 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.
Postal Services – Send your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s post office. Location: Domestic Terminal, Arrivals, 1st Floor. Hours: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM.
Prayer Room – A Muslim Prayer Room is available. Location: 2nd floor towards the International Departures (near Burger King). Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM. No overnight sleeping allowed.
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: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM. Foot massages are offered by Charming Doo Foot Massage. Location: Unknown.
Bus
Buses 4 and 9 link CNX airport to the city center. The bus stop is 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 on-site: 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” offers shared transportation along a fixed route. While this is not the safest method of travel, it is a popular mode of travel among locals and an economical way to travel between the airport and town if travelling 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 three 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: 2024-08-26
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.