Chiang Mai Airport Bus is a public bus service connecting Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) with the city of Chiang Mai. Currently the airport is served by RTC Chiang Mai City Bus No. 24 that now consists of 3 different routes, 24A, 24B, and 24C. RTC airport bus is a cheaper way for getting from Chiang Mai Airport to Old City.
Chiang Mai Public Bus
Public transportation system in Chiang Mai depends on red songtaews (pickup trucks with seating for passengers).
Previously, a number of public bus routes, such as Bus B1 (route from Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Zoo), Bus B2 (route from Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Airport), Bus B3 (route from Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai Provincial Government Office), Bus R1 (route from Chiang Mai Zoo to Central Festival Mall), Bus R2 (loop route from/to Promenada Mall via Night Bazaar) and Bus R3 (loop route from/to Chiang Mai Airport via Old Town) were opened that made traveling around Chiang Mai on public transport much more convenient. However, they stopped operating during COVID-19.
While the old routes might not be reopened, a new public bus route RTC Chiang Mai City Bus 24 was launched recently instead of Bus R3 to connect Chiang Mai Airport with the Old City. Starting from 13 January 2024, 2 other routes changed the bus No. 24 and passengers can now use Chiang Mai bus No. 24A and 24B to get from the airport into the city. On 4 February 2024 the test run of one more Chiang Mai Airport bus line started with the introduction of bus No. 24C.
However, due to often changing schedules, very few departures and relatively high cost (especially after baggage charge was introduced), this bus is mostly suitable for single travelers or the ones traveling light and on a tight budget. If you are traveling as a couple or in a larger group and have larger bags, booking a private transfer from/to Chiang Mai Airport can be a cheaper option than taking a bus!
Chiang Mai bus routes can be found on the application ViaBus that is one of must-have apps when traveling in Chiang Mai. Other useful apps for traveling in Thailand can be found here: Best Apps for Thailand Travel.
To stay connected and use apps right after your arrival, make sure to book discounted SIM Card for Thailand and pick it up at Chiang Mai Airport before boarding the bus to the city center. Otherwise, if your mobile phone is eSIM compatible, you can get eSIM Thailand by instant email delivery and use it right after landing in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Airport Bus - RTC Bus 24
If you are looking for the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai Airport to the Old City, you can choose to get on one of the buses on RTC Chiang Mai City Bus 24 route. Buses operating on this route are comfortable and have plenty of space for passengers and their baggage.
Chiang Mai Airport Bus Routes
RTC Bus Chiang Mai service provides 3 different 24 bus routes 24A, 24B and 24C that are running to different areas of the city:
- Bus 24A (Red) - covering the area east of the Old City (passing Night Bazaar, Warorot Market)
- Bus 24B (Yellow) - covering the area west of the Old City (passing Suan Dok, Nimman)
- Bus 24C (Green) - covering the area east of the Old City and extending to Chiang Mai Railway Station, Chiang Mai Bus Terminal Arcade 2 and Central Chiang Mai shopping mall.
Bus routes 24A and 24B connect at Chang Phueak Gate, Chang Phueak Bus Terminal and Tha Phae Gate. However, make sure to choose the right bus for getting to your desired destination as otherwise you might need to waste lots of time before reaching your hotel.
If you are staying near Suan Dok Gate of Old City or on Nimmanhaemin Road, you should take Chiang Mai bus 24B from the airport as buses on this route pass these locations first. When heading from the airport to the hotel near Chiang Mai Gate, Chang Phuek Gate, around Night Bazaar or Thapae Gate, it’s best to choose Chiang Mai bus 24A. To get to Chiang Mai Railway Station for taking a train or to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal for taking a bus to your next destination, take Chiang Mai bus 24C.
Chiang Mai Airport Bus 24A (Red) Route
Main bus stops and important landmarks along RTC Chiang Mai Bus 24A (Red) Route:
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Far Eastern University
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center (close to Hop Inn Chiang Mai Airport)
- Wat Sri Suphan (drop off if staying at accommodation on Wua Lai Road such as a very well rated Casa VESPA at WUA LAI Boutique Hotel or Villa Oranje Chiang Mai)
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Wat Fon Soi
- Wat Jet Lin
- Wat Chong Toem
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Phantao (passing the popular Lamphu House Chiang Mai)
- Wat Samphao
- Tha Phae Gate (nearby Hotel M Chiang Mai, offering good value-for-money accommodation)
- Ratvithi Road (drop off for At Chiang Mai Hotel)
- Chiang Mai Vocational College
- Wat Mo Kham Tuang (with Mountain View Guesthouse next to the temple)
- Chang Phueak Gate
- Chang Phueak Bus Terminal (local bus terminal connecting central Chiang Mai to the northern parts of province)
- Wat Chiang Yuen
- Wat Pa Pao (next to an affordable Si Phum Heritage Boutique)
- Warorot Market
- Flower Market
- Wat Upakhut
- Night Bazaar (next to Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel)
- Suriwong Book Center (close to InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping)
- Wat Puak Chang
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Wua Lai Road
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
- Central Chiang Mai Airport
- Chiang Mai Immigration Office
- Chiang Mai Airport
Chiang Mai Airport Bus 24B (Yellow) Route
Main bus stops and important landmarks along RTC Chiang Mai Bus 24B (Yellow) Route:
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Far Eastern University
- National Library (Suan Dok Gate & Wat Phra Singh)
- Wat Suan Dok
- Nimmanhaemin Road (numerous great hotels such as Kantary Hills Hotel, U Nimman Chiang Mai, Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai and Kokotel Chiang Mai Nimman are located along this road)
- Huay Kaew Road
- Wat Lok Moli (next to Icon Park Hotel)
- Chang Phueak Gate
- Chang Phueak Bus Terminal
- BAAC
- Chiang Mai Technical College
- Wat Dob Pai
- De Charme Hotel
- Paraiso Hotel
- Wat Phra Singh
- Oasis Spa Lanna
- Le Naview Phra Singh
- Wat Puak Taem
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
- Central Chiang Mai Airport
- Chiang Mai Airport
Chiang Mai Airport Bus 24C (Green) Route
Main bus stops and important landmarks along RTC Chiang Mai Bus 24A (Green) Route:
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Far Eastern University
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
- Wat Sri Suphan
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Wat Sai Moon
- Moon Mueang
- Tha Phae Gate (nearby Hotel M Chiang Mai)
- Chang Moi Road
- Warorot Market
- Flower Market
- Chiang Mai Railway Station (book train tickets here - Train from Chiang Mai)
- Punna Residence Oasis
- Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (book bus tickets here - Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai or any other destination from the nearby bus terminal 3)
- Central Chiang Mai (stay at the nearby Nap In Fest hotel, if you need to take a bus from Chiang Mai early in the morning)
- Payap University
- Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai Railway Station
- Wat Upakut
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Wua Lai Road
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
- Central Chiang Mai Airport
- Chiang Mai Immigration Office
- Chiang Mai Airport
Chiang Mai RTC bus routes might be adjusted due to the closures of the street, important events in Chiang Mai or test results.
You should board Chiang Mai public bus at one of designated bus stops in the city.
Chiang Mai Airport Bus Fare
Chiang Mai Airport Bus fare is 50 THB per person.
The bus fare can be paid in cash or by Thai QR Payment on board the bus. If you are planning to pay in cash, make sure to have some small money with you as the driver might have no change.
Starting from November 2024, they've also introduced an additional baggage charge. Now only size S carry on suitcase (19-22") can be carried free of charge. Larger luggage (23-34") is additionally charged 30 THB per unit.
If you are traveling as a couple or in a larger group and have larger bags, booking a private transfer from/to Chiang Mai Airport might even be a cheaper option than taking a bus!
Chiang Mai Airport Bus Schedule
RTC Chiang Mai City Bus 24 is operating from 06:45 to 21:45. Departures from Chiang Mai Airport according to the schedule published in December 2024:
Bus 24A (Red) - 7 bus departures from 8:00 to 20:00, with a bus departing every 2 hours
Bus 24B (Yellow) - 7 bus departures from 7:30 to 18:30, with a bus departing every 1 hour 50 minutes
Bus 24C (Green) - 6 bus departures from 6:45 to 18:20, with a bus departing every 2-2.5 hours
Important Note! At the moment the schedule is adjusted frequently and these changes not always are published so to know the current schedule it is suggested to contact the call center 084 668 9125
Bus frequency at the bus stops on the way may vary significantly depending on traffic conditions.
On the app ViaBus you can see the current location of buses on the route to get an idea when one should be coming. Estimated departures currently are displayed for users of the paid version of the app only.
Estimated time of travel to the famous landmarks from Chiang Mai Airport:
- Suan Dok - 15 minutes
- Nimman - 20 minutes
- Chang Phueak Bus Terminal - 30 minutes
- Tha Phae Gate - 40 minutes
Chiang Mai Airport Bus Stops
Bus Stop at Chiang Mai Airport
From Chiang Mai Airport terminal building get out through the Exit 1 where airport taxis are found.
Walk straight by the road for about 50 meters and you will find a bus stop. Normally there's a bus parked at the bus stop so you shouldn’t miss it.
Bus Stops in Chiang Mai City
You should board Chiang Mai public bus at one of designated bus stops in the city. Bus stops in Chiang Mai normally are just the pole standing on the pavement that might be difficult to notice.
The best way for locating the nearest bus stop is by using ViaBus app as it displays the map with all the bus stops along the route clearly marked along.
Tips
To stay connected and use apps right after your arrival, make sure to book discounted SIM Card for Thailand and pick it up at Chiang Mai Airport before boarding the bus to the city center. By pre-booking your SIM card you can save a lot if compared to the standard prices of Thai SIM card for tourists. Otherwise, if your mobile phone is eSIM compatible, you can get eSIM Thailand by instant email delivery and use it right after landing in Chiang Mai.
You will need local currency (Thai Baht) for buying a bus ticket as only cash is accepted when paying bus fare. You will find plenty of banks offering currency exchange at Chiang Mai Airport and will be able to exchange your foreign currency there. However, exchange here just a bit of your money as you can get better rate in Chiang Mai City.
If taking a public bus seems not convenient enough for you, book a private transfer from/to Chiang Mai Airport and enjoy hassle-free traveling between the airport and the center of Chiang Mai.
