Chiang Mai International Airport
Chiang Mai is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and its international airport caters well to visitors, receiving 250 flights a week from Bangkok, Phuket and Samui as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Laos. The airport is seldom crowded and has a full range of facilities on offer.
Located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the city centre, Chiang Mai International Airport has both international and domestic terminals, conveniently close to each other. Ongoing renovations to the old domestic terminal means that all check in and arrival takes place in the new adjacent international terminal, with departures on the upper level. They are seldom crowded with this arrangement and construction is due for completion by mid 2010.
There is a travel agent at the airport and customer service desks for Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, and all the budget airlines, offering on the spot tickets. The check-in area is seldom crowded. At least one exchange bureau is found in the terminal, offering reasonable rates, with several ATMs on hand, where you get the most efficient rates.
Most visitors use Chiang Mai Airport Domestic terminal, which has several food outlets, including two coffee shops, a deli and a fast food outlet, these include Pizza Company, Diary Queen, and Black Canyon. A proper dining restaurant and sports bar are located on the mezzanine level, while light snacks are available in the departures lounges. There are also a number of small shops selling silk, handicrafts, fresh produce and souvenirs. On the mezzanine level, you will find a bookshop selling English language books and magazines. A basic internet café is offered, and wireless access is available by purchasing usage time from Black Canyon Coffee.
Getting from Chiang Mai Airport to the city is painless, there are plenty of metered taxis outside (insist on the meter), as well as a more expensive airport limo service offered in the terminal. 100 baht is a the average fare for a journey to most places in central Chiang Mai.
There is adequate, safe parking outside Chiang Mai Airport, costing 10 baht per hour. Hire cars can also be arranged from the airport.
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