Bangkok's Airport Options: How Many And What To Know

Bangkok, Thailand, has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport, which opened in 2006, is the larger and newer of the two airports. It is located 16 miles east of downtown Bangkok and handles international arrivals and domestic flights. Don Mueang International Airport, which is smaller and older, is located 15 miles north of downtown Bangkok and is primarily used by low-cost and budget carriers.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's international airport, handling most international travel to and from Thailand

The airport is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25km from downtown Bangkok. It covers an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres) and is spread over several floors, with lifts and elevators connecting each level.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's primary hub for airlines like Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile Airways, and Thai VietJet Air. It also serves as a regional gateway and connecting point for foreign carriers travelling to and from Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.

The airport was officially opened on 28 September 2006 and has three terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 receive international flights, while Terminal 3 is for domestic flights. It is one of the busiest airports in Asia, handling 60 million passengers in 2017.

Suvarnabhumi Airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers, including hotels, lounges, medical centres, banks, ATMs, money exchange services, car rental services, and a variety of shopping and dining options.

The airport can be accessed by car, taxi, bus, and train. It has five main access routes, with the most convenient being the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). The airport also has several car park zones, with Zones 2 and 3 offering direct access to the departure and arrival terminals.

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is Bangkok's former global gateway, now primarily serving low-cost carriers

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Don Mueang was Bangkok's international gateway until 2006 when it was replaced by Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don Mueang is now primarily a hub for low-cost airlines, serving domestic and regional international destinations.

Don Mueang International Airport is one of the world's oldest international airports and one of Asia's oldest operating airports. It officially opened as a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) base in 1914, with commercial flights beginning in 1924. The airport is located around 14 miles from central Bangkok and is accessible by train, bus, taxi, car, town car, or shuttle.

Don Mueang consists of Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic flights, with Terminal 3 being abandoned since 2011. The airport has undergone renovations and expansions over the years, with Terminal 2 reopening in 2015, increasing the airport's capacity to 30 million passengers per year. Don Mueang is currently the main operating base for several low-cost carriers, including Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, and Thai Lion Air.

In 2015, Don Mueang became the world's largest low-cost carrier airport and remains the second busiest airport in Thailand after Suvarnabhumi. The airport has a range of facilities, including duty-free shopping, lounges, and spa services. It also offers currency exchange, car rentals, and medical assistance.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is 25-30km from Bangkok city centre

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 25-30km from Bangkok city centre. It is Bangkok's main airport, and one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. It is also the busiest airport in Thailand, serving as the primary hub for airlines like Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile Airways and Thai VietJet Air.

The distance from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city centre means that the journey will take around half an hour by taxi. Taxis are readily available at the taxi terminal, and will take passengers to the city centre in 30-40 minutes. The average price for a Bangkok taxi service is about THB 350-500 for the metered fare, THB 50 for the airport fee, plus THB 100 for highway tolls.

The Airport Rail Link is another option for travellers to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city centre. The train station is located on the basement level of the airport. The total trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and costs around THB 45. The Airport Rail Link is the best value-for-money option, but it can be very crowded, especially during peak hours.

Travellers can also take a bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city centre. The local bus, public minivan, or private shuttle are all options, but buses are the slowest way to reach the city centre. The bus line S1 operated by BMTA takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to reach the city centre, and costs THB 60. The public minivan is the cheapest option, costing only THB 20, but it will take about 1 hour to reach the BTS station On Nut, where travellers will need to transfer to a train. The airport shuttle operated by Airport Limo Bus Express costs THB 180 per traveller, but it may not be the best option during peak hours when it can get very crowded.

Don Mueang International Airport is 22-26km from Bangkok city centre

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). They are in completely different parts of the city and are separated by a distance of dozens of kilometres.

Don Mueang International Airport is located 22-26km from Bangkok's city centre. It is one of Asia's oldest airports and was Thailand's primary international airport until Suvarnabhumi Airport opened in 2006.

There are several ways to travel from Don Mueang International Airport to Bangkok's city centre. The fastest way is by train, which takes around 18 minutes and costs $1-27. Alternatively, you can take a bus, taxi, town car, or shuttle.

If you opt for a metered taxi, follow the signs to the designated taxi stand when you exit the airport. Note that there is a 50 baht surcharge on top of the fare. It is also recommended to have smaller bills to pay the driver, as they may not have enough change. During peak traffic times, you can take the Toll Way/Express Way to save time.

For a more affordable option, you can take the A1 bus from Don Mueang International Airport to Mo Chit, and then the BTS or MRT into Bangkok city. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and costs 30 baht, while the train will cost you an additional 16-59 baht, depending on your stop.

If you are staying near Khao San Road, you can take the A4 bus directly from the airport for 50 baht.

For added convenience, you can also book a private transfer or rent a car to travel from Don Mueang International Airport to Bangkok's city centre.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is accessible via the Airport Rail Link, which connects it to Bangkok's MRT subway system and BTS Skytrain

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is accessible via the Airport Rail Link, which connects it to Bangkok's MRT subway system and BTS Skytrain. This makes it easy for passengers to get to their final destination by subway or overhead skytrain.

The Airport Rail Link runs between Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai Station in downtown Bangkok, with a total of eight stations. The stations are: Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK A1, Lad Krabang A2, Ban Thap Chang A3, Hua Mak A4, Ramkhamhaeng A5, Makkasan A6, Ratchaprarop A7, and Phayathai A8. The City Line station is located on the basement level of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The Airport Rail Link operates daily from 05:30 to midnight, with commuter City Line trains departing every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends. The journey from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai Station takes approximately 26 minutes, making it the quickest and most convenient way to travel in and out of central Bangkok.

The Airport Rail Link offers two types of tickets: single-trip tokens and pre-paid Smart Passes. Single-trip tokens can be purchased from automatic token dispensers located at every station or from the ticket booth. The machines accept both coins and bills, and it is recommended to print out the receipt. Pre-paid Smart Passes can be purchased online in advance, offering a small discount.

The standard fare for the City Line ranges from 15 to 45 baht, depending on the distance. The fare from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai Station (BTS skytrain interchange) is 45 baht, while the fare to Makkasan Station (MRT subway interchange) is 35 baht. Children under 12 years of age and under 90 cm in height travel for free.

Frequently asked questions