Chiang Mai is Singapore’s easy gateway to northern Thailand — temples, night markets and cool mountain air just over three hours away. There is one non-stop option on this route, plus a wide choice of cheaper one-stop itineraries through Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return fare looks like in Singapore dollars, and when to book.
Route: Singapore Changi (SIN) → Chiang Mai (CNX)
Distance: approximately 1,660 km (1,030 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 3h 05m
Direct flights: Yes — Scoot flies non-stop from Changi. One-stop itineraries with AirAsia, Jetstar, Thai and others (usually via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur) are often cheaper.
Fares from Singapore to Chiang Mai (SGD)
This is a short-haul leisure route, so fares stay reasonable most of the year. Thailand’s cool, dry high season (November–February) and the Christmas/New Year and Songkran peaks are the priciest; the green season (June–October) is the cheapest. Note the northern “burning season” (roughly late February to April), when farm smoke haze settles over Chiang Mai — fares can dip, but the air quality is poor. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | medium-high |
| March | — | medium (haze season) |
| April | — | high (Songkran) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (school holidays) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | high (Loy Krathong) |
| December | — | very high |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 3 hours):
- Scoot — the only non-stop, roughly daily from Changi Terminal 1; a low-cost fare, so bags and seats are extra.
One-stop (often the cheapest, about 6–10 hours total):
- AirAsia via Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok (Don Mueang) — frequent budget connections, usually a competitive headline fare.
- Thai Airways / Thai carriers via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi — full-service one-stops with a short domestic hop up to Chiang Mai.
- Jetstar and other regional carriers via Bangkok — handy if the timing suits, and sometimes cheaper than the non-stop.
The non-stop wins on time and simplicity; the one-stops win on price when Scoot’s fare is high or sold out. If you are travelling with checked bags, price the full fare including baggage before deciding — a full-service one-stop can end up close to the budget non-stop once extras are added.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–10 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares; last-minute seats on a single daily non-stop can be pricey.
- Avoid the peaks: Christmas/New Year, Songkran (mid-April) and Loy Krathong/Yi Peng (November) are the busiest and dearest — and the November lantern festival sells out early.
- Green season (June–October) is the cheapest; rain comes in short bursts and the hills are lush.
- Weigh the haze: late February to April can be cheap, but Chiang Mai’s smoke season means poor air — a trade-off worth knowing about.
- Watch the extras on Scoot: the base fare excludes checked bags and seat selection, so add those when comparing against a full-service one-stop.
Arriving in Chiang Mai
Flights land at Chiang Mai International (CNX), unusually close to the city — only about 4 km from the Old City moat. A metered airport taxi or ride-hailing car costs roughly THB 150–200 (around S$ 6–8) and takes 10–15 minutes; the airport also has a fixed-price taxi counter. Many hotels offer free or cheap airport pickups, and songthaew (red truck) shared rides are cheaper still if you are not in a hurry.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Singapore to Chiang Mai?
The non-stop flight with Scoot takes about 3 hours 5 minutes. One-stop itineraries through Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur typically take 6 to 10 hours in total, depending on the length of the connection.
Are there direct flights from Singapore to Chiang Mai?
Yes. Scoot flies non-stop from Singapore Changi to Chiang Mai, roughly daily. If Scoot is full or expensive, one-stop flights with AirAsia, Thai Airways or Jetstar via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur are widely available and often cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from Singapore to Chiang Mai?
A typical economy return runs about S$ 190–S$ 480 depending on the season. The best low-season deals dip to around S$ 190–S$ 230 (June, September and October), while December and Songkran sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Singapore to Chiang Mai?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid December, mid-April (Songkran) and November’s lantern-festival week, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Singapore to Chiang Mai?
Scoot is the only non-stop carrier. For one-stop options, AirAsia (via Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok), Thai Airways (via Bangkok) and Jetstar connect the two cities, often at lower fares than the non-stop.
Which airport do I fly into in Chiang Mai?
All flights use Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), the city’s single airport. It sits only about 4 km from the Old City, so transfers are quick and cheap — usually 10–15 minutes by taxi.
How far in advance should I book Singapore to Chiang Mai flights?
Aim to book 6 to 10 weeks ahead. There is only one daily non-stop, so seats on the best-priced flights go early, especially around the November–February high season and the Christmas and Songkran peaks.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save S$ 20–S$ 60 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
