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, which now consists of 2 different routes, 24L and 24R. The RTC airport bus is a cheaper way to get from Chiang Mai Airport to Old City.
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Chiang Mai City Bus
The 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 CNX 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.
Current Bus Routes
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. The bus route is often updated with new variations. Previously, there were Chiang Mai buses No. 24A, 24B, and 24C with different routes. In June 2025, the 24C bus was cancelled, and the bus routes 24A and 24B were renamed to be 24R and 24L (the right loop and the left loop).
However, due to often changing schedules, very few departures, and relatively high cost (especially after baggage charges were introduced), this bus is mostly suitable for single travelers or those 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, which is one of the 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 a discounted SIM card for Thailand and pick it up at the 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 the 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 2 different 24 bus routes, 24L and 24R, that are running in the opposite directions.
- Bus 24L (Red Line) - the left loop route with the bus at first going to the area east of the Old City (passing Night Bazaar, Warorot Market)
- Bus 24R (Yellow Line) - the right loop route with the bus at first going to the area west of the Old City (passing Suan Dok, Nimman)
If you are staying near Suan Dok Gate of Old City or on Nimmanhaemin Road, you should take bus 24R 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 24L.
Bus 24L (Red) Route
Main bus stops and important landmarks along RTC Chiang Mai Bus 24L (Red) Route:
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Far Eastern University
- Wat Sri Suphan (drop off if staying at accommodation on Wua Lai Road, such as the very well-rated Casa VESPA at WUA LAI Boutique Hotel or Villa Oranje Chiang Mai)
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Tha Phae Gate (nearby Hotel M Chiang Mai, offering good value-for-money accommodation)
- Warorot Market
- Wat Upakhut
- Night Bazaar (next to Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel)
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Three Kings Monument
- ONE Nimman
- Suan Dok
- Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
- Central Chiang Mai Airport
- Chiang Mai Airport
Bus 24R (Yellow) Route
Main bus stops and important landmarks along RTC Chiang Mai Bus 24R (Yellow) Route:
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Far Eastern University
- Wattano
- 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)
- Suk Kasem Road
- Chang Phueak Gate
- Chang Phueak Bus Terminal
- Three Kings Monument
- Tha Phae Gate (nearby Hotel M Chiang Mai, offering good value-for-money accommodation)
- Chiang Mai Gate (Saturday Walking Street)
- Central Chiang Mai Airport
- 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 the Chiang Mai public bus at one of the designated bus stops in the city.
Chiang Mai Airport Bus Fare
The Chiang Mai Airport bus fare is 50 THB per person for departures from the airport.
When taking the bus into the airport or between the other pick-up and drop-off points along the Chiang Mai City Bus route, the ticket price was recently reduced to 30 THB.
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 suitcases (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 07:15 to 19:10. Departures from Chiang Mai Airport according to the schedule published in June 2025:
Bus 24L (Red) - 07:15, 09:20, 11:25, 13:30, 15:35, 18:00
Bus 24R (Yellow) - 07:30, 08:10, 09:10, 09:50, 11:00, 11:40, 12:40, 13:20, 14:30, 15:00, 16:20, 18:10
Important Note! At the moment the schedule is adjusted frequently, and these changes are not always published, so to know the current schedule, it is suggested to contact the call center at 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 are currently 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 CNX Airport
From the Chiang Mai Airport terminal building, get out through Exit 2. Turn left and walk straight for about 40 meters, and you will find a bus stop before the Grab pick-up point. 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 the Chiang Mai public bus at one of the designated bus stops in the city. Bus stops in Chiang Mai normally are just poles standing on the pavement that might be difficult to notice.
The best way to locate the nearest bus stop is by using the ViaBus app, as it displays the map with all the bus stops along the route clearly marked.
Tips
Relax before your flight with access to the Coral Executive Lounge at Chiang Mai International Airport. Enjoy food and drink, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations, neck and shoulder massage, and more.
To stay connected and use apps right after your arrival, make sure to book a 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 compared to the standard prices of Thai SIM cards 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 unless you have a Thai bank account. 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 a 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.
