Discover the historical beauty of Wat Chedi Luang, a prominent temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) · Thailand

24-Hour Layover in Chiang Mai: What To Do

By AirConnect Editorial

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Tours, tickets & day trips

Browse Chiang Mai

Photo: Guillaume Meurice on Pexels.

Rest near the airportHotels near Chiang Mai International Airport on Expedia Leave your bagsLuggage storage in Chiang Mai

Quick answer

Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Chiang Mai?

Entry

Thailand visa-on-arrival 60+ nationalities (no fee for many Western passports up to 30-60 days). E-visa available at Thai immigration website.

Into town

Songthaew (red truck taxi): 20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2).

Time outside

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip

Times from CNX arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.

Top Chiang Mai: Where to Go

The sights in Chiang Mai worth leaving the airport for.

neighbourhood

Old City (walled town)

Square 1.5x1.5 km medieval moated old town. Walk Wat Chedi Luang (THB 50) + Wat Phra Singh (free). Free walking 360°.

market

Sunday Walking Street Market (Tha Phae Gate)

Sundays only 4pm-10pm — Old City closes to cars for an iconic Thai night market. Street food + crafts + free.

Doi Inthanon National Park (full-day) (Doi Inthanon National Park)4

Doi Inthanon National Park (full-day)

Thailand's highest peak (2,565m) + twin pagodas. 2-hour drive from CNX. THB 300 entry. For 12+ hour layovers: full-day excursion.

Photo: Swhemma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Itinerary ideas for Chiang Mai

Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.

A spacious airport terminal with travellers waiting by the windows

3 hours in Chiang Mai

Stay airside — 3h is too tight

See the 3-hour plan

Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.

6 hours

6 hours in Chiang Mai

4–5 hours in the city (stay close)

See the 6-hour plan
12 hours

12 hours in Chiang Mai

6–8 hours exploring

See the 12-hour plan
24 hours
You are here

24 hours in Chiang Mai

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip

Insider tip

CNX is 4km from Old City — songthaew (Chiang Mai's shared red-truck taxi) is the cheapest option (THB 40-80 / €1-2) but multi-stop. Grab is the standard tourist choice. For Doi Suthep temple: hire songthaew at Chang Phueak gate (THB 250 return for the day).

Into Chiang Mai

Getting to Chiang Mai City Centre

ModeCostTime
Songthaew (red truck taxi)THB 40–80 (€1–2)20–30 min
Grab / InDriverTHB 80–150 (€2–4)15–25 min
Taxi (official airport)THB 150–250 (€4–7)15–25 min
Eat like a local

Eat Like a Local in Chiang Mai

Khao soi (Northern Thai curry noodle soup, the city's signature dish) at Khao Soi Khun Yai. Sai oua sausage at any Northern Thai restaurant. Mango sticky rice at Pa Daeng.

24 hours in Chiang Mai

24-Hour Itinerary

1

Day 1 — Arrival

Into Chiang Mai and check in to your hotel

Take Songthaew (red truck taxi) (20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2)). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.

2

Day 1 — Afternoon

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Iconic gold-roofed mountain temple (1383). 309-step Naga staircase. THB 50 entry. Best Chiang Mai panorama. 40 min from city.

3

Day 1 — Evening

Dinner like a local

Khao soi (Northern Thai curry noodle soup, the city's signature dish) at Khao Soi Khun Yai. Sai oua sausage at any Northern Thai restaurant. Mango sticky rice at Pa Daeng.

4

Day 2 — Morning

Old City (walled town)

Square 1.5x1.5 km medieval moated old town. Walk Wat Chedi Luang (THB 50) + Wat Phra Singh (free). Free walking 360°.

5

Day 2 — Late morning

Sunday Walking Street Market (Tha Phae Gate)

Sundays only 4pm-10pm — Old City closes to cars for an iconic Thai night market. Street food + crafts + free.

6

Day 2 — Departure

Back to Chiang Mai International Airport

Head back to Chiang Mai International Airport by Songthaew (red truck taxi) (20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2)). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.

Your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Chiang Mai?

Thailand visa-on-arrival 60+ nationalities (no fee for many Western passports up to 30-60 days). E-visa available at Thai immigration website. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.

Is 24 hours enough to leave Chiang Mai International Airport?

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into Chiang Mai by Songthaew (red truck taxi) takes 20–30 min each way.

How do I get from Chiang Mai International Airport to Chiang Mai centre?

Songthaew (red truck taxi): 20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2). Grab / InDriver: 15–25 min, THB 80–150 (€2–4). Taxi (official airport): 15–25 min, THB 150–250 (€4–7).

A made-up hotel bed with white pillows and warm bedside lamps

Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.

Hotels near Chiang Mai Airport

With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.

Find hotels in Chiang Mai

Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com

Search hotels

Also useful for your Chiang Mai trip

eSIM for Thailand

No roaming · instant activation

Chiang Mai Airport Transport

Bus · metro · taxi costs

Thailand Visa Checker

Do you need a visa to enter?

Luggage Storage

Store bags near Chiang Mai airport

Airlines that fly to Chiang Mai

See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from CNX.

Flights to Chiang Mai from 16 cities: fares and airlines →

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Airport lounges at Chiang Mai Airport

Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.

Chiang Mai travel deals

Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.

How a layover in Chiang Mai works

Passport and a phone with a booking on a red suitcase

01

Check you can leave

Thailand visa-on-arrival 60+ nationalities (no fee for many Western passports up to 30-60 days). E-visa available at Thai immigration website.

Photo: Jacob on Pexels.

A car on a country road heading towards the mountains

02

Head into town

Songthaew (red truck taxi): 20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2).

Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.

03

Back in time for your flight

Head back to Chiang Mai International Airport by Songthaew (red truck taxi) (20–30 min, THB 40–80 (€1–2)). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.

Ready for Chiang Mai?

Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.

Browse Chiang Mai

Other connection lengths in Chiang Mai

More layovers in Thailand