Home SERRA Chiang Mai 2023 Getting to Chiang Mai, Thailand

Getting to Chiang Mai, Thailand

372
0
A tourist in Chiang Mai with the city's airport in the background
A tourist taking photos in Chiang Mai with the city's airport in the background. (Photo by Cheese Yang)

While there are some direct flights from countries in southeast Asia to Chiang Mai International Airport (Airport Code: CNX), most international travellers arrive in Chiang Mai via the Thai capital, Bangkok, where there are two international airports: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Airport Code: BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (Airport Code: DMK).

Most international flights arrive and depart at the more modern Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). The other international airport, Don Mueang (DMK) is about one hour by car on the other side of the city. DMK airport mostly serves domestic flights, with some international flight departures and arrivals to Asian cities. BKK airport also hosts domestic flights, although fewer in number and frequency than DMK airport.

Most participants flying in from North and Latin America, Europe and Africa will arrive at BKK airport, which is spread over several floors that you can access through lifts or escalators. The Arrivals Hall is on the 2nd floor of the terminal building. Luggage trolleys can be found everywhere and are free of charge. After immigration and customs clearance, simply go up to the 4th floor for international and/or domestic departures. Several banks offer exchange services and ATMs can be found in all airports in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

The following airlines provide domestic service at BKK airport: Thai Smile Airways, Thai Air Asia, Thai VietJet Air and Bangkok Airways. Thai Smile Airways, Thai Air Asia and Thai VietJet Air are low-cost airlines, while Bangkok Airways is a full-service boutique airline. The low-cost airlines are inexpensive and are much faster than travelling by land transport.

If difficulties during airport transfers is a concern, please ensure that your onward domestic flight departs from BKK airport and not DMK airport. However, if you plan to stay a day or two in Bangkok, pre-convention, DMK would be a good choice as it is more accessible from Bangkok’s city center, while the airport hosts flights between DMK and Chiang Mai every hour.

Flights from BKK airport to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) takes about one hour.

Previous articleVenue – The Empress Convention Centre
Next articleRegistration: 80th SERRA International Convention