In short
Chiang Mai airport transfer is a luxury van for up to 4, waiting at arrivals, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours.
Included
- ✓ Our host at arrivals with a name sign
- ✓ Help with the bags, and the van at the kerb
- ✓ A private van and driver for 10 hours
- ✓ The van stays all day: the Old City, Doi Suthep or on to Pai
Not included
- The gate meet-and-assist, which runs only at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang
- Flights
How it works
- 1Ask TannerThe flight numbers, the dates and the group size.
- 2One priceOur host, the van and the rest of the trip, the same day.
- 3LandingOur host meets you at arrivals, and the van is at the kerb.
- 4OnwardThe hotel, Doi Suthep, or straight on to Pai or Chiang Rai.
Your van, and the drive after
Land, find our host with your name, and the van is at the kerb. Drop the bags, then the day is yours: the bars of Nimman tonight, or the road to Pai or Chiang Rai, with the same driver waiting.
One person with a small bag? The airport shuttle buses run 7am to midnight from International Arrivals, ฿40 to Nimman and the moat or the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai Airport says. The taxi counter near Gate 1 does the short hop too.
Give Tanner your landing time, and the van is at the kerb when you walk out.
AIWho meets you at arrivals?
Our host meets the group with a name sign, helps with the bags and walks everyone to the van at the kerb.
CNX is small and quick to walk through, so the host at arrivals is all you need.
Connecting through Bangkok? At Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang we offer a private meet-and-assist service: our host meets you at the gate, using the priority lane where your ticket or status allows, ฿2,400 a guest. See airport fast track.
Ask Tanner to add it to the Bangkok leg.
- 10 to 15 minutes by car
- Not needed at CNX; our host meets you at arrivals
- A VIP car at arrivals, yours for 10 hours
- About 3 hours by private car, best in daylight
Plan it with Tanner
How far is the Old City?
Chiang Mai International (CNX) sits right on the edge of town, so the airport run is short (Google Maps, checked 2 Nov 2026).
Flying up from the capital? See Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
The ride into town is over in minutes. The real drives head north, to Pai and Chiang Rai.
Which flight are you on? The pickup is timed to it.
Tha Phae Gate, Old City
- Distance:
- 5.5 km
- Time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
The Night Bazaar
- Distance:
- 7.6 km
- Time:
- About 15 minutes
Pai
- Distance:
- About 132 km, 762 curves
- Time:
- About 3 hours by car
Chiang Rai
- Distance:
- About 184 km on Route 118
- Time:
- About 3 hours 25 minutes by car from the Old City
Planning a group? Have the car waiting
Do you need to book ahead?
Yes, for 8 or more, a landing after the buses stop, or a van going straight on.
The van is booked to your flight number, so a late landing changes nothing.
A group of 8 with bags needs at least two taxis; one van keeps everyone together.
Book a few days before you fly, and it's settled.
Four of you, landing at 10
Land at 10, check in by 11, and the same van takes you up the mountain road to Pai after lunch.
For four, that's one van and one driver for the whole day: the luxury van for up to 4.
Insider tip: the curves to Pai are best done in daylight, so a late landing is when a private car pays off.
Hold the van for the whole day.
Where to stay after you land
The Old City is the easy first base, and Nimman is where the bars and cafés are.
See where to stay in Chiang Mai and things to do in Chiang Mai for the rest of the trip.
Ask Tanner which base suits your group.
Planning a group? Have the car waiting
Can the van go on to Pai?
This is where the van earns it: the mountain road to Pai, or the run up Route 118 to Chiang Rai with the White Temple just off the road.
- For the drive to Pai, see Chiang Mai to Pai.
- For Chiang Rai, see Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
A party van takes up to 10 with the bags, and Tanner matches the cars to your plan.
Staying in town? See our Chiang Mai nightlife guide. Going on to Pai? Hold the van while the mountain road is still light, and Tanner times the pickup to your flight.
AIChiang Mai airport transfer in short
- Your own van and driver at arrivals, and the same van all day.
- For groups with bags, late landings, or a drive straight on to Pai or Chiang Rai.
- From ฿6,500 for 10 hours for up to 4, and a party van takes up to 10.
- Book a few days before you fly, and the van is booked to your flight number.
- The Old City is 10 to 15 minutes away, and Pai about 3 hours.
- Checked: November 2026
What to send Tanner
Your flight number, date and landing time
How many of you, and the bags
Your hotel: the Old City or Nimman
Staying in town, or straight on to Pai or Chiang Rai
The van: luxury van for up to 4, or party van for 10
Connecting via Bangkok? Add the meet-and-assist there
See it
The gallery
AIPhoto: AI-generated image
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AIPhoto: AI-generated image
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AIPhoto: AI-generated image
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AIPhoto: AI-generated image
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AIPhoto: AI-generated image
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AIPhoto: AI-generated image
Some pictures are AI ideas of the day; Tanner sends real photos of your boat or villa.
Build your day
3 × Luxury van with driver · 10 hours
฿19,500
Price each฿1,950
A party van for up to 10 is quoted for your group.
Plan it with Tanner
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Before you land in Chiang Mai
Which airport is near Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), on the edge of town, 10 to 15 minutes by car from the Old City and about 10 minutes from Nimman.
Is it cheaper to book a taxi in advance or at the airport?
Book ahead for a big group, a late landing or a trip straight on to Pai. For a short hop to the Old City, the airport counter or an app is cheaper and quick.
How much is a taxi from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City?
A fixed fare at the taxi counter near Gate 1, priced by the counter. Confirm the fare at the desk before you get in, and for a group, a van is simpler.
How long is the drive from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City?
10 to 15 minutes to Tha Phae Gate in the Old City, 5.5 km, and about 10 minutes to Nimman. Rush hour and weekend evenings sit at the top end.
Is there a bus from Chiang Mai airport?
Yes. Airport shuttles run 7am to midnight from International Arrivals: A1 to Nimman and the moat and A2 to the Night Bazaar for ฿40, A3 for ฿60. The R3 city bus is ฿30 a trip.
Is there fast track at Chiang Mai airport?
No, and it isn't needed: Chiang Mai is a small, quick airport. Our host meets the group at arrivals with your name and walks everyone to the van.
Can a van take us from the airport straight to Pai?
Yes. Pai is about 3 hours by private car, best driven in daylight. The luxury van takes up to 4 and a party van up to 10, and either stays with you for the whole drive.
Does Chiang Mai have an international airport?
Yes. Chiang Mai International (CNX) takes flights from Bangkok and abroad, and it sits on the edge of town, 10 to 15 minutes from the Old City.
Is Grab or Bolt better in Chiang Mai?
Both work at the airport, you pick your pickup gate in the app, and prices move in real time. For a group with bags, one van at arrivals beats two app cars.
Tanner's offer
Our host, the van and the trip north, one price, the same day.
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Sources
Credits: top photo AI-generated image.