Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the largest airport in Northern Thailand. If you are planning to fly to Chiang Mai and will need Thai Baht (THB) there, check what money changers operate and who is offering the best currency exchange rates at Chiang Mai Airport.
Chiang Mai Airport receives an increasing number of international and if you will be taking one, you might need some local currency right at the airport for getting a taxi, taking a public bus (R3 or B2) or buying local SIM card.
You have 2 options for getting Thai Baht at Chiang Mai Airport:
- Withdraw cash from ATM;
- Exchange foreign currency.
Cash withdrawal might be the safer but definitely less cost effective option as you will not only loose on exchange rate but also have to pay your bank’s foreign withdrawal fees and an addition fee for local bank (all Thai banks charge 220 THB for every withdrawal from foreign credit/debit card).
Currency exchange normally is a better option even if foreign exchange rates at Chiang Mai Airport are not the best you can get in the city. However, the exchange rates are still better than the same banks are offering at the airports in Bangkok.
Money Changers at Chiang Mai Airport
All currency exchange counters at Chiang Mai Airport are operated by the banks and there are no independent money changers such as SuperRich at the airport.
Chiang Mai Airport’s currency exchange booths are located on the first floor at “Domestic Arrivals” and “International Arrivals” areas. Areas are not far from each other, so you can easily walk and look around for getting the best deal. Quite surprisingly, during our visit the banks at “International Arrivals” were offering significantly better rates than the ones at “Domestic Arrivals”.
Currency Exchange Counters at Domestic Arrivals
Kasikornthai Bank
Kasikornthai Bank branch at Chiang Mai Airport is open Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 to 23:00 (except bank holidays).
During our visit, Kasikornthai Bank at Chiang Mai Airport was offering 28.91 THB for 1 US Dollar, 31.94 THB for 1 Euro, 36.90 THB for 1 British Pound, 19.56 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, 0.261 THB for 1 Japanese Yen.
Currency exchange rates at the airport were worse than you could see on the website of Kasikornthai Bank. Better rates are offered by other money changers at Chiang Mai Airport so we would recommend skipping the green bank.
Siam Commercial Bank
During our visit, Siam Commercial Bank at domestic arrivals of Chiang Mai Airport was offering 28.91 THB for 1 US Dollar, 31.91 THB for 1 Euro, 36.86 THB for 1 British Pound, 19.50 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, 0.2607 THB for 1 Japanese Yen.
Currency exchange rates at this branch of SCB were the worst at Chiang Mai Airport. Even another branch of the same bank found at international arrivals was offering significantly better rates.
Currency Exchange Counters at International Arrivals
Siam Commercial Bank
At the same time Siam Commercial Bank at international arrivals of Chiang Mai Airport was offering 29.78 THB for 1 US Dollar, 32.9225 THB for 1 Euro, 37.88375 THB for 1 British Pound, 20.095 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, 0.2715 THB for 1 Japanese Yen.
The rates at this branch of SCB are much better than at domestic terminal but still the exchange rate offered by this bank isn’t the best that you can get for your money at CNX Airport.
Bangkok Bank
During our visit, Bangkok Bank at Chiang Mai Airport was offering 29.78 THB for 1 US Dollar (50 & 100 USD notes only), 32.96 THB for 1 Euro, 38.07 THB for 1 British Pound, 20.10 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, 0.2717 THB for 1 Japanese Yen.
Currency exchange rates offered by Bangkok Bank were close to the best that you can find at Chiang Mai Airport. We didn’t check all currencies but at least Australian Dollar exchange rate was the best at this bank.
Krungthai Bank
Krungthai Bank branch at Chiang Mai Airport is open daily, from 7:00 to 21:00.
During our visit, Krungthai Bank at Chiang Mai Airport was offering 29.81 THB for 1 US Dollar (50 & 100 USD notes only), 32.99 THB for 1 Euro, 38.13 THB for 1 British Pound, 20.03 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, 0.2724 THB for 1 Japanese Yen.
As you can see, for the most of main currencies Krungthai Bank was offering the best exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport (with an exception of Australian Dollar).
Currency Exchange Rates at Chiang Mai Airport
Currency exchange rates offered by money changers at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) are not very bad, considering that the banks are the only players here.
How good or bad currency exchange rates at Chiang Mai Airport are in general? Let’s see!
USD exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport
The mid-market USD exchange rate at the time was 30.25 THB for 1 US Dollar, so the best rate offered at the airport (29.81 THB/USD) was by 0.44 THB lower than the market rate. For every dollar exchanged here you’re losing about 0.015 USD or 1.5 USD per 100 USD. It’s not the best deal you can get in Thailand but quite acceptable. However, lower rates are offered for smaller notes.
EUR exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport
The mid-market EUR exchange rate at the time was 33.64 THB for 1 Euro, so the best rate offered at the airport (32.99 THB/EUR) was by 0.65 THB lower than the market rate. For every euro exchanged here you’re losing about 0.019 EUR or about 1.9 EUR per 100 EUR. Euro exchange rate is worse than USD exchange rate offered here so if you have a choice, stick to exchanging US Dollars.
GBP exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport
The mid-market GBP exchange rate at the time was 38.93 THB for 1 British Pound, so the best rate offered at the airport (38.13 THB/GBP) was by 0.80 THB or by about 2.1% lower than the market rate.
AUD exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport
The mid-market AUD exchange rate at the time was 20.79 THB for 1 Australian Dollar, so the best rate offered at the airport (20.10 THB/AUD) was by 0.69 THB or by about 3.3% lower than the official rate. AUD exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport is less than attractive as you can easily find better deals elsewhere.
JPY exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport
The mid-market JPY exchange rate at the time was 0.2778 THB for 1 Japanese Yen, so the best rate offered at the airport (0.2724 THB/JPY) was by 0.0054 THB or by about 2% lower than the official rate.
Should you exchange money at CNX Airport?
Yes, if you are arriving on international flight to Chiang Mai and need Thai Baht for getting into the city. However, you can get better rates in the city so it’s best to exchange just a bit of your money at the airport. More competitive exchange rates are offered by Super Rich Chiang Mai and various other money changers operating in Chiang Mai.
At the airports in Bangkok the same banks offer significantly worse rates than in Chiang Mai. Banks at Don Mueang Airport (DMK) set exactly the same rate that is not as good as you can get at Chiang Mai Airport. If you are choosing between currency exchange at DMK and CNX, then keep your money until you will reach Chiang Mai.
Banks at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) are even greedier but at least there’s an exchange zone where you can get some of the best rates in the city. If you will be flying from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport, better exchange your money at Bangkok Airport.
Tips
For more useful tips about the airport check Chiang Mai Airport (CNX).
For more details about other currency exchange options in Chiang Mai check Currency Exchange in Chiang Mai – Best Money Changers.