Lois Larson
Bangkok, Thailand, is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport, located about 30 km east of Bangkok's city centre, is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. Don Mueang International Airport, located north of the city, is the former primary international gateway and primarily serves low-cost carriers for domestic and regional international destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport until 2006) |
| Airport codes | IATA: BKK, ICAO: VTBS |
| Location | Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province |
| Distance from Bangkok city centre | 26-30 km |
| Distance from Siam Station | 28 km |
| Area covered | 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres) |
| Year of opening | 2006 |
| Number of passengers handled | 60 million (2017) |
| Ranking | 17th busiest airport in the world, 11th busiest airport in Asia |
| Airlines | Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Air Asia |
| Facilities | Excellent facilities, daily flights to every continent, bright and airy arrival and departure halls, duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, car rental |
| Transportation | Limousine services, taxi, Airport Rail Link, Airport Shuttle Service, bus, train |
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What You'll Learn
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's main international airport
- Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is Bangkok's former primary airport
- Suvarnabhumi is one of the busiest airports in the world
- Suvarnabhumi Airport is 30km east of downtown Bangkok
- Bangkok's airports are in different parts of town, separated by traffic-filled kilometres
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's main international airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport is a modern, sprawling international hub, having opened for most domestic and all international commercial flights in September 2006. It is the newer, more convenient, and more globally connected Bangkok airport compared to the city's former primary airport, Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi is linked to the current main terminal via an underground automated people mover (APM) system, with the new satellite terminal featuring 28 gates, eight of which are for the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 super jumbo jet. The airport is accessible from Bangkok's city centre via the Airport Rail Link, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes.
The name Suvarnabhumi is Sanskrit for "land of gold", chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes Bhūmi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom thought to have been located somewhere in Southeast Asia. The airport's main terminal roof is designed with structural elements and bays placed in a cantilevered, wavelike form, giving the impression of "floating" over the concourse below. Suvarnabhumi has been recognised as one of the coolest transportation hubs in the world, with excellent facilities and daily flights to every continent.
The airport offers a range of transportation options, including an Airport Shuttle Service that is available free of charge for passengers commuting within the airport. Metered taxis are also available, with a typical fare of 350-400 baht for a 40-minute ride to downtown Bangkok. For a more luxurious experience, exclusive limousine services are available, providing transportation to downtown areas and surrounding tourist destinations. Fast-track services are also offered at Suvarnabhumi Airport, ensuring a swift and convenient journey through immigration and customs.
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Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is Bangkok's former primary airport
Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is Bangkok's former primary airport and one of Asia's oldest airports. It is located 22 km from Siam Station, which is generally regarded as the centre of modern Bangkok.
Don Mueang Airport is an ageing facility that primarily serves low-cost carriers and domestic and regional international destinations. It is located in a crowded district north of the city, accessible by an expressway that is often congested. The airport's facilities are worn and tired, and delays and bureaucracy are common. Don Mueang struggles with long queues due to a lack of checkpoints.
Despite being the former primary airport, Don Mueang remains useful for travellers. It is the only airport serving certain cities within Thailand, such as smaller cities in Isaan and southern airports like Chumphon or Ranong. It is also technically closer to Bangkok's city centre than Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is located about 26-30 km outside the city.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's newer, more modern, and globally connected airport. It is located about 30 minutes east of Bangkok's city centre and is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. The airport is a major cargo hub and serves as a regional gateway for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is also the main hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai AirAsia.
Suvarnabhumi Airport officially opened for limited domestic flight service in September 2006 and has since become the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand.
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Suvarnabhumi is one of the busiest airports in the world
Bangkok, Thailand, is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking 17th globally and 11th in Asia. It is the busiest airport in Thailand, handling 51.7 million passengers in 2023, an increase of 80% from the previous year. The airport is a major international gateway and a regional hub for aviation, serving as a connecting point for various foreign carriers to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located about 25-30 kilometers east of Bangkok's city center in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. It covers an area of 3,240 hectares (32.4 square kilometers or 8,000 acres), making it one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. The airport is accessible via the Airport Rail Link, express buses, taxis, and limousine services.
The airport features three large terminals built side by side, with the main passenger terminal spanning 563,000 square meters, making it one of the largest single-building airport terminals in the world. The airport's air traffic control tower, standing at 132.2-135 meters tall, was the tallest in the world from 2006 to 2014. Suvarnabhumi Airport offers daily flights to every continent and is served by 95 airlines, making it a major aviation hub.
Suvarnabhumi Airport provides a range of amenities and facilities for passengers, including comfortable lounges, rest zones with reclining chairs, observation decks, 24-hour restaurants, duty-free shops, free Wi-Fi, lockers, mobile charging stations, and nearby hotels. The airport also offers fast-track services for expedited immigration and customs clearance.
In addition to its role in passenger transportation, Suvarnabhumi Airport is also a significant cargo air freight hub, ranked 20th busiest in 2019. It has a designated Airport Free Zone and road links to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on Motorway 7, facilitating manufacturing exports from Thailand's heavily industrial eastern seaboard.
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Suvarnabhumi Airport is 30km east of downtown Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. The airport is located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) east of downtown Bangkok, in the Samut Prakan province. This places it in a strategic position regarding access to and from the city center. The distance ensures a quick connection to the heart of Bangkok while also providing a more spacious and modern facility, compared to the older Don Mueang International Airport, which is closer to the city center.
The airport's location 30 kilometers east of downtown Bangkok offers several advantages. One of the key benefits is the ease of transportation to and from the airport. Passengers have a variety of options, including taxis, airport rail links, and private transfers. The distance also ensures that the airport has ample space for its expansive terminals and runways, accommodating the high volume of passengers and flights that the busy airport handles.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is a major hub for several airlines, including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, and Nok Air. It serves as a convenient gateway to not just Bangkok but also to other popular tourist destinations in Thailand, such as Pattaya and Rayong. The airport's location provides easy access to the nearby motorway network, including the Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway, which connects to the popular beach resort town of Pattaya.
For those traveling to and from downtown Bangkok, the airport's location provides a balance between convenience and a more peaceful setting. Being situated outside the immediate hustle and bustle of the city center offers a more relaxed arrival and departure experience. At the same time, the efficient transport links ensure that the vibrant streets of Bangkok are never too far away.
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Bangkok's airports are in different parts of town, separated by traffic-filled kilometres
Bangkok, Thailand, has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). These airports are in completely different parts of the city, separated by dozens of kilometres that often see heavy traffic.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, located mostly in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, is about 30 kilometres east of Bangkok's city centre. It is the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand's capital. Suvarnabhumi is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. It is also a major cargo air freight hub, serving as a regional gateway and connecting point for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. The airport is linked to the city via the Airport Rail Link, with the journey from the city centre taking around 15-18 minutes. However, it is important to be aware of traffic jams during weekday rush hours.
Don Mueang Airport, on the other hand, is located north of the city in a crowded district accessible by an expressway that often experiences standstills. It is one of Asia's oldest airports and was Thailand's primary international gateway before Suvarnabhumi Airport opened in 2006. Don Mueang primarily serves low-cost carriers for domestic and regional international destinations. While it is technically closer to Bangkok's city centre, with a distance of 22 kilometres compared to Suvarnabhumi's 28 kilometres, the traffic-filled kilometres between the two airports can make for a lengthy commute of at least one hour.
The choice between the two airports depends on your origin and destination, as well as your personal preferences and budget. Some smaller cities in Thailand, such as those in Isaan or southern airports like Chumphon or Ranong, can only be reached from Don Mueang. On the other hand, for destinations like Sukhothai or Samui, Suvarnabhumi is the only option.
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Frequently asked questions
Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
The IATA airport code for Suvarnabhumi Airport is BKK.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located about 26-30 km outside of downtown Bangkok.
