The Guide to Bangkok's two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang
First time in Bangkok? Navigating its two airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang, can be daunting. Discover essential tips for a smoother arrival or departure experience.
Bangkok and its two airports
Like many other capital cities, Bangkok has two airports:
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the most recent one and is located in the east of Bangkok.
Don Mueang Airport is the oldest one and is located in the north of the city.
There are many ways to get to both airports or to travel from the airports to the city centre.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Suvarnabhumi is the airport where most westerners will land first, so let’s start with this one: see here Out of the two airports, it is undoubtedly the most practical one. You have two options to get to Bangkok where you are in Suvarnabhumi:
Shuttles from Suvarnabhumi Airport
The shuttles are easy to use and cheap. They connect the airport to the main touristic spots like Khao San Road. For more information, read the complete article: The shuttles between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports
Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport
The Airport Rail link is the cheapest, the quickest and the most practical way to travel from the airport to Bangkok. This overground train runs all day. There are trains often so you never need to wait very long. The Airport Rail link station is located in the basement of the airport. It goes to several stations and to the Phetchaburi MRT station and reaches the city centre in 30 minutes. You can find the timetable here
Taxis & Suvarnabhumi Airport
You also have the option to take a taxi but it will cost you a few hundred baht. Please note that taxis in Bangkok run on natural gas, not petrol. They keep the bottle in the boot of the car which means that they don’t have much room for luggage. If you’re a group of more than four people and you carry a lot of luggage, you should ask for a “limousine” taxi which is basically a regular taxi, only larger and more expensive.
Car hire at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Car reservations: various car rental agencies (Avis, Budget, etc.) are present at the airport. To save time and compare prices, use the search engine below. For those arriving for the first time to get around the sprawling megalopolis, the GPS option or a mobile application is highly recommended.
It is advisable to use the big rental agencies. Their terms of hire and, above all, insurance are very clear.
Grab at Suvarnabhumi airport
Since the beginning of April 2024, Grab taxi services have been available at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The new Grab service centre is located at Gate 4, on the first floor of the airport’s passenger terminal. Grab taxis are available 24 hours a day for all passengers using the application.
Good to know:
Grab taxi services are available at Don Mueang, Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.
Buses from Suvarnabhumi airport
This is not the most convenient or relaxing way to travel, especially after a long journey. We don’t recommend it, although the bus is cheap, but depending on traffic, it can take a long time to get to Bangkok city centre or the nearest bus station.
Detailed Suvarnabhumi Airport plans:
Bangkok Don Mueang Airport
This is the airport you’ll need to go if you’re flying within Thailand or to neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam etc. with low-cost companies such as Airasia or Nok Air: see here.
Detailed Don Mueang Airport plans:
Shuttle service to Don Mueang Airport
The shuttles are fast and cheap. A few of them will take you from the airport to the city centre or the BTS stations. For more information on this please read the full article.
Train from Don Mueang Airport
An even cheaper option is to take the train. Next to the airport is located the Don Muang station that a colony of rats has made its home… There is a little bridge across the expressway that will take you to the station. It is easy to find but only choose that option if you need to get to the Hua Lampong train station (close to Chinatown) and you’re not in a hurry. The trains are rather slow, sometimes late and not that frequent.
Taxi from/to Don Mueang Airport
There is always the possibility to catch a taxi but they can be a little more expensive, unless you’re a group of people, in which case the price can be quite cheap. It should cost you between 130 and 150 bhats to get from the airport to the Mo Chit BTS station, depending on the traffic. Rates can be found here
Little tip:
To avoid spending too much and wasting time : Take a taxi to BTS 11th Infantry Regiment Station.
Grab at Don Mueang Airport
You can take a taxi from Don Mueang Airport using the Grab application. To do so, go to exit 2 (arrival level) where the pick-up point is located.
Car rental from Don Mueang Airport
Lastly, it is also possible to rent a car in both airports, but driving for the first time in Bangkok can be an intense experience given the size of the city and the hecticness of the traffic. It is highly advised to use the GPS.
The shuttle between Bangkok’s two airports
There are shuttles connecting the two airports. They run between 5 am and midnight. They leave every hour from 5 am till 10 am and every 20 minutes after 10:40 am.
Express solution between Bangkok’s two airports
To go faster, there is the possibility to book a vehicle here
It is a vehicle with driver. It takes 25 minutes. from airport to airport. Very fast, it is the solution to avoid stress. The cost is not expensive when you compare it to the prices of European taxis …
Estimated car journey times
| Destinations | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport | 47.5 km | Between 45 min to 2 hours |
| Central Bangkok (Siam Area) | 23 km | Between 30 mins to 1 hour |
| Mo Chit (BTS & MRT) | 14 km | Between 30 – 45 mn |
| Silom | 26 k | Between 30 min to à 1 hour |
| Sanam Luang (Grand Palace) | 27 km | Between 30 min to 1 hour |
| Phra Khanong (Sukhumvit) | 27 km | Between 40 min to 1.30 hours |
| Hua Lamphong (Old train station - Chinatown) | 25 km | Between 30 min to 1 hour |
Hotels near or in the airport
Don Mueang Airport hotels
Suvarnabumi Airport Hotels
Booking.com
Arriving in Thailand
Nowadays, flying to a different country has never been so easy and comfortable, but it can still be a little overwhelming or even stressful to land in Bangkok or another major Thai city.
Tiredness, the climate, the city and its dynamism can quickly transform the first day of your trip into a not-so-enjoyable experience. It is probably a good idea to book at least the first night in a hotel to have somewhere to go to and to avoid unnecessary stress.
Bangkok: Hotel Selection by District
Explore a concise guide to 8 districts in Bangkok, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. We’ve curated recommendations for hotels, guesthouses, and resorts to streamline your search. Find all the information here.
Booking other transport in Thailand
Not to stress and have a place … in trains, minibuses, buses and even ferries! You can always book or buy your ticket here directly!
