BlaakLane.com operates chauffeur service in Chiang Mai for Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) transfers, hotel runs in the Old City, Nimmanhaemin and along the Ping River, retreats in Mae Rim and Hang Dong, and full-day trips to Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Chiang Rai and Pai. Your fixed fare appears before you confirm. Trips are driven by a vetted local affiliate, and the confirmation names the operator and chauffeur.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): pickup and waiting
CNX is one of the most convenient airports in Thailand, about 4 km south-west of the Old City. A single terminal building has separate domestic and international arrival halls; flights come mainly from Bangkok's two airports, plus regional services from across Asia. Standard pickup is at the designated pre-arranged vehicle area outside arrivals, where the chauffeur meets you with the car after sending the plate number. A meet and greet inside the hall with a name board is an add-on. Add-ons are only available in selected locations.
The chauffeur is timed to your actual landing through flight tracking. Included waiting: 60 minutes on international arrivals, 30 minutes on domestic, 15 minutes on other pickups, then 15-minute blocks. See airport transfers. The terminal is operated by Airports of Thailand.
Booking in three steps
- Enter your flight number or pickup address in the booking engine here or at /book/.
- Choose the vehicle and add any child seats, free on request.
- Confirm the fixed fare, which covers the chauffeur, fuel and the included waiting time.
The 24/7 reservations desk in Toronto sends the job to a vetted Chiang Mai affiliate working to the BlaakLane.com written standard. Retreat groups, wedding guests and conference delegations are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing.
Journey times from the airport and the city
| Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| CNX to the Old City (Tha Phae Gate) | 4-6 km | 15-20 min |
| CNX to Nimmanhaemin | 5-6 km | 10-20 min |
| CNX to the riverside and Night Bazaar | 6-7 km | 15-25 min |
| City to Mae Rim resorts | 15-25 km | 25-40 min |
| City to Doi Suthep temple | about 15 km | 30-40 min |
| City to Doi Inthanon National Park summit | about 100 km | 1 h 45 min-2 h 15 min |
| City to Chiang Rai | about 190 km | 3-3 h 30 min |
| City to Pai | about 130 km | 3-4 h |
Old City, Nimman and the riverside
The Old City is the square inside the moat and the remains of the brick walls, packed with temples such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang and with small boutique hotels on quiet lanes; traffic runs one-way around the moat. Nimmanhaemin, west of the Old City near Chiang Mai University, is the café, co-working and condominium district, with the One Nimman and Maya malls. The riverside along the Ping, and the Chang Klan area with the Night Bazaar, hold many of the larger hotels. North of town, the Mae Rim valley has resort estates, and Hang Dong to the south has villas and furniture workshops.
Where visitors stay and meet
Notable addresses include 137 Pillars House near the river, the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort on the Ping, the Shangri-La Chiang Mai on Chang Klan Road, the Raya Heritage in the north of the city, and the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai among the rice terraces of Mae Rim. The Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, north-west of the city near the mountains, hosts conferences and trade shows; the 700th Anniversary Stadium nearby hosts sports events and concerts. For multi-day conferences, corporate accounts give monthly invoicing and traveller profiles.
Day trips into the mountains
Doi Suthep: the gilded temple on the mountain above the city, reached by a steep road and a staircase of over 300 steps. Doi Inthanon: Thailand's highest peak, with twin royal pagodas and waterfalls, and much cooler air at the top. Chiang Rai: a long day to the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle, or a one-way intercity transfer if you are flying out of Chiang Rai. Pai: famous for its hundreds of bends on Route 1095; motion-sickness tablets help, and a slower, steadier driver helps more. Elephant sanctuaries in the Mae Taeng valley are another common booking. Plan the day with city tours and day trips or an hourly chauffeur service.
Festivals and the burning season
- First weekend of February, usually: the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, with a parade through the city.
- February to April: the burning season, when agricultural fires and forest fires can push PM2.5 air pollution to unhealthy levels. Car air filtration helps; check air quality before long outdoor days.
- 13 to 15 April: Songkran, celebrated with city-wide water fights around the moat; expect slow traffic and wet cars.
- November, usually: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, with lanterns and candlelit floats on the Ping River and major road closures near Nawarat Bridge and Tha Phae Gate.
- November to February: cool, dry and the peak visitor season.
Dates vary with the lunar calendar; the Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes them.
Traffic and roads
Thailand drives on the left. Chiang Mai's traffic is lighter than Bangkok's, but the moat roads, Nimman and the approach to Superhighway 11 slow down at rush hour and when schools finish. Red shared trucks, called songthaew, stop anywhere to pick up riders, so chauffeurs keep a careful distance. Mountain roads are steep and winding, and in the rainy season, roughly May to October, landslides can close minor roads.
Rail from Bangkok
Chiang Mai Railway Station, east of the river, is the northern end of the main line from Bangkok, with overnight sleeper trains taking around 11 to 13 hours. The chauffeur meets you at the station forecourt. Timetables are on the State Railway of Thailand site.
Entry requirements
Foreign nationals submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival, free of charge, on the official TDAC portal; if you connect in Bangkok, you do it before that first arrival. Since 15 September 2026, visa-exempt stays for most eligible passports, such as those of the US, UK, Canada and Australia, are 30 days, extendable once at immigration.
Vehicles, fares and cancellation
Standard Sedans for the airport, executive SUVs for mountain days with three passengers, Standard Black SUVs and Sprinters for families and retreat groups, and coaches for conferences. Every vehicle is four model years old or younger (the fleet). Cancellation: more than 72 hours before pickup, no charge; 72 hours or less, 10%; 48 hours or less, 50%; 24 hours or less or a no-show, 100%. See rates. Also in Thailand: Bangkok and Koh Samui.
