Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): What you need to know
Kuala Lumpur has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
The average length of a direct Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport flight is 2 hours 45 minutes.
Chiang Mai International Airport is located in Chiang Mai. The city follows the UTC+7 timezone and is one hour behind Kuala Lumpur.
With 15 direct flights a week between the two airports, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the most popular route. AirAsia operates the earliest flight at 7am. If you're eager to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from KUL to CNX is with AirAsia at 3:05pm.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Kuala Lumpur to CNX.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Get there in one go from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) can be booked from here.
When departing from KUL, you can take a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport with AirAsia.
The majority of passengers choose to book seats with AirAsia between KUL and CNX.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival performance on this route is Malaysia Airlines.
Travelling from central Kuala Lumpur to KUL takes about 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 64 kilometres in 1 hour 5 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a comfortable hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport, these stays will put you a quick hop from check-in:
58.65% of flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
You can get to SZB from the centre of Kuala Lumpur in approximately 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 24 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Kuala Lumpur to CNX flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 67.97%.
About Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Have a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport? Don't let it rob you of real rest. Stay at one of these hotels near CNX and hit the lights earlier:
Travel at your own pace with a Chiang Mai International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Chic Car Rent, asap car hire or Hertz and experience more of Chiang Mai and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride around two weeks ahead of your Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport flight.
Getting from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to central Chiang Mai
Central Chiang Mai is about 3 kilometres from Chiang Mai International Airport. Journey times by car hire or cab will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do a little research before you go.
It'll take around 25 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport is R 784. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,973. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to CNX if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport tickets across every month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
You don't need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to CNX.
Lock in a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport by using filters. Select your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
February is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), while August is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Chiang Mai based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Kuala Lumpur to CNX plane ticket, consider what kind of weather works for you. April is the warmest month in Chiang Mai, with temperatures ranging from 22ºC (72ºF) to 42ºC (108ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport in January when temperatures are between 12ºC (54ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF).
More about Chiang Mai
Start your Chiang Mai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai International Airport, check out our range of hotels including:
You'll find plenty of fantastic things to do in Chiang Mai when you're ready to go sightseeing. Make your way to Songkran Festival Chiang Mai followed by Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) and Doi Suthep.
Explore more of Thailand
Chiang Mai has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of Thailand waiting to be discovered. Around 257 kilometres south-east of Chiang Mai, a visit to Phitsanulok will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Phra Si Ratana Temple (Wat Yai) and Wat Ratcha Burada Temple.
Around 153 kilometres north-east of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is another favourite stop in Thailand. Experience major highlights starting with Wat Rong Khun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Huai Pla Kung.