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, find everything you need to know about money exchange at Chiang Mai Airport - what money changers operate there and who is offering the best currency exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport.
Chiang Mai Airport receives an increasing number of international flights, and if you will be taking one, you might need some local currency right at the airport for getting a taxi, taking the Chiang Mai Airport bus, or buying a local SIM card.
You have 2 options for getting Thai Baht at Chiang Mai Airport:
- Withdraw cash from ATM;
- Exchange foreign currency.
Chiang Mai Airport ATM
Cash withdrawal might be the safer but definitely less cost-effective option, as you will not only lose on the exchange rate but also have to pay your bank’s foreign withdrawal fees and an additional fee for the local bank (all Thai banks charge 220 THB for every withdrawal from a foreign credit/debit card).
If you're not comfortable with carrying a large amount of cash to exchange in Thailand but still want to get a much better exchange rate on your payments and withdrawals than your regular bank card is offering, consider getting a Wise Card that lets you spend abroad with the real exchange rate and works well in Thailand.
Money Exchange at Chiang Mai Airport
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.
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 in the “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 at Chiang Mai Airport 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, and 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, and 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. It is worth looking around if you are looking for the best deal on money exchange at Chiang Mai Airport.
Currency Exchange at Chiang Mai Airport 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, and 0.2715 THB for 1 Japanese yen.
The rates at this branch of SCB are much better than at the domestic terminal, but still the exchange rate offered by this bank wasn’t the best that you can get for your money exchange at Chiang Mai 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, and 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 the 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, and 0.2724 THB for 1 Japanese yen.
As you can see, for most of the main currencies, Krungthai Bank was offering the best exchange rate at Chiang Mai Airport (with an exception of the Australian dollar).
Currency Exchange Rate 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 are currency exchange rates at Chiang Mai Airport 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 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. The euro exchange rate is worse than the 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 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 about 3.3% lower than the official rate. The 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 about 2% lower than the official rate.
Should you exchange money at Chiang Mai Airport?
Yes, if you are arriving on an 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 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
To enjoy the best THB exchange rate for your card payments and withdrawals, get a Wise Card that is offering a mid-market exchange rate with only a small conversion fee.
To stay connected 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 train 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.
You won't need to do a money exchange at Chiang Mai Airport if you book online a private transfer from CNX Airport to your hotel here: Private Chiang Mai Airport Transfers.
For more useful tips about CNX Airport, check the guide to Chiang Mai Airport (CNX).
For more details about currency exchange in Chiang Mai, check Best Money Exchange in Chiang Mai.
