Arriving in Chiang Mai: the 30 Baht City Bus and the Airport Shuttle

How to get from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City and Nimman: the RTC city bus at 30 baht a trip, the airport shuttle routes, the red songthaew, and the Tourist Police number.

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✓ Checked and fact-checked November 4, 2026

A Chiang Mai street beside the old city moat in early morning, an old brick wall, a red songthaew on the road and misty mountains beyond

Chiang Mai International Airport sits on the city’s edge, and both the city bus and the airport shuttle run from the terminal to the Old City. File the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly. If you are staying longer, the Chiang Mai retirement extension has its own guide.

Infographic, step 1 of 4. Landing in Chiang Mai? Two cheap ways to the Old City. RTC city bus: 30 baht a trip, any distance, 06.00 to 23.30. Airport shuttle: from 40 baht, from the international terminal Gate 12, flat fare per route. File the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before you land. — Step 1 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

The RTC city bus: 30 baht

Airports of Thailand (AOT) says of the RTC Chiang Mai City Bus: “The fare is only 30 baht per trip, whether for short or long distances.” It stops outside the terminal, on the first floor of the international side, and AOT lists service from 06.00 to 23.30.

Two loops run from the airport:

R3 Red Line (left loop): Wualai Road, Chiang Mai Gate, Pantip Plaza (Night Bazaar), Anusarn Market, Tha Pae Gate, Chang Phuak Gate, Kad Suan Kaew, Nimmanhaemin, Suan Dok and Central Airport.
R3 Yellow Line (right loop): the same circuit in the other direction.

Infographic, step 2 of 4. The R3 city bus, 30 baht, two loops. R3 Red Line stops: Chiang Mai Airport, Wualai Road, Chiang Mai Gate, Night Bazaar, Tha Pae Gate, Chang Phuak Gate, Nimmanhaemin, Central Airport. The R3 Yellow Line runs the same loop the other way. — Step 2 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

The airport shuttle

AOT’s Chiang Mai page also lists airport shuttle routes from the international terminal, Gate 12, at a flat fare for the whole route:

A1: Nimman, Huay Kaew and the moat area, 40 baht.
A2: Mahidol Road, the Night Bazaar and the Chang Khlan hotels, 40 baht.
A3: Ring Road 2 and the 700th Anniversary Stadium, 60 baht.

The page carries a 2021 copyright line, so check the fare when you board.

Infographic, step 3 of 4. Airport shuttle routes from Gate 12, flat fare. A1: 40 baht, Nimman, Huay Kaew and the moat area. A2: 40 baht, Mahidol Road, Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan hotels. A3: 60 baht, Ring Road 2 and the 700th Anniversary Stadium. The airport page dates from 2021, so check the fare when you board. — Step 3 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

Chiang Mai usually comes after Bangkok or another country. With Saily, the eSIM you used on the first leg keeps working: add Thailand to the same Saily profile instead of buying a new SIM, and you are online for a ride-hail app as you leave the terminal.

Red songthaews and taxis

AOT says the red songthaew, the shared pickup truck Chiang Mai calls “rot daeng”, runs to and from the airport, but it gives no fare. We found no official page listing taxi or ride-hail fares from the airport, so agree the price before you set off.

Emergency numbers

Thailand’s Tourist Police hotline is 1155. For an ambulance, dial 1669, as set out in what to do if you get sick in Thailand.

Infographic, step 4 of 4. Songthaews and help: agree the price first. Red songthaews run to and from the airport, with no official fare published. Taxis and ride-hail: no official fares found, so agree the price before you go. Tourist Police: 1155. Ambulance: 1669. — Step 4 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.

Saily, a data eSIM you install before you fly and top up per country Our full write-up. (affiliate link)