Bangkok, Thailand, is served by two international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is the newer, larger, and more modern of the two airports. It is located about 30km from Bangkok's city centre and serves as a regional hub and gateway for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. Don Mueang Airport, on the other hand, is older, smaller, and located about 22km from the city centre. It is primarily served by low-cost airlines and carriers based in Thailand or Southeast Asia.

Airports in Bangkok, Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a modern, efficient facility that is easily accessible from Bangkok's city centre. It is located about 30 minutes east of the city centre, and can be reached via the Airport Rail Link (ARL) from Phaya Thai station. The airport has five main access routes, with the most convenient route being via the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). Another main airport entrance is in Samut Prakan Province via the expressway from Bang Na to Bang Pakong. The airport has seven different car park zones, with zones 2 and 3 having direct access to the departure/arrival terminal.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has plenty of staff and space, and the interior design seamlessly blends architecture with Thai art, with each floor decorated differently. The airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, as well as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia. It serves as a regional gateway and connecting point for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.

The Midfield Satellite 1 (SAT-1) Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) is an important international airport of Thailand, serving as a primary gateway for visitors from around the world. It has 28 contact gates, eight of which can accommodate Code F aircraft (such as A380 and B747-8), and 20 others for Code E aircraft (such as B-747 and A340). It is a four-storey building with two underground floors, covering an area of approximately 251,400 square metres.

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

DMK is primarily served by low-cost airlines, and only by airlines that are Thai or based in Southeast Asia. It is the world's largest low-cost carrier airport and the second-busiest airport in Thailand. In 2015, it handled 7.2 million passengers, with a projected increase to eight million in 2012.

The airport is accessible via the Airport Rail Link (ARL) from Phaya Thai station, and it is the closest airport to northern parts of central Bangkok, including Victory Monument, Chatuchak Market, Lat Phrao, and Rama IX areas. Travellers can also take a taxi or public bus to the airport or opt for a hotel near the airport for added convenience.

DMK ceased international commercial flights in 2006 when Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) opened, but it was later reopened due to higher operating costs and safety concerns at BKK.

Airport transport options

Bangkok has two international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Located about 30km from downtown Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Don Mueang Airport, on the other hand, is the country's former global gateway and is located about 25km from downtown Bangkok.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi Airport has five main access routes, with the most convenient route being via the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). The airport also has road links to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on Motorway 7. The Airport Rail Link (ARL) connects the airport to the city centre, stopping at six stations before reaching Phaya Thai Station. The total trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the fare depends on your destination. The Airport Rail Link is the best value-for-money option, but it can get very crowded, especially during peak hours.

Another option is to take the public bus, which is a good value-for-money option but is also the slowest. There is an up to 30-minute wait for the bus, and you will need to navigate to your final destination after disembarking. However, the bus is a better option than the train if you are carrying multiple pieces of luggage, as there is more luggage space.

You can also take a metered taxi from the airport to the city centre. Taxis are available 24/7 in front of the Arrival Halls of both International and Domestic Passenger Terminals. The average cost of a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre is about THB 500, including the airport fee.

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang Airport is located north of the city in a crowded district accessible by an expressway. The Red Line Train Service, which started operations in 2022, connects the airport to the city. The train connects Don Mueang Airport to the Krungthep Apiwat Station north of the city centre, from where commuters can transfer to the MRT Blue Line to reach other parts of the city. The trip costs THB 33 and takes around 17 minutes.

You can also take a metered taxi from Don Mueang Airport to the city. The dedicated taxi pickup areas are in Terminals 1 and 2. The billing method is the same as for taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a metered fee plus an airport fee of THB 50 and highway toll. The average price for a ride is about THB 300-400.

Alternatively, you can drive yourself from Don Mueang to Bangkok city with a car rental. Car rental services are available at the counters near the exit.

Airport facilities

Bangkok, Thailand, has two international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Both airports offer a range of facilities for travellers.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's main international airport and the busiest and largest airport in Thailand. It is located about 30 kilometres from Bangkok city and covers an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), making it one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. The airport is a regional hub for aviation and a major Cargo Air Freight Hub. It is also the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways and serves as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia.

Suvarnabhumi Airport offers a variety of facilities for travellers, including:

• Luxurious lounges: The airport is known for its famously luxurious lounges, many of which belong to specific airlines and require premium cabin tickets to enter. However, day passes are available at Miracle Lounges, pending capacity limitations.
• Hotels: There are hotels available at the airport, such as the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, which offers high-end amenities like a spa and swimming pool.
• Food and beverage options: A variety of restaurants, eateries, and fast food joints are available on the third and fourth floors of the airport, as well as near the Airport Rail Link Station.
• Shopping: The airport features a wide range of shopping options, including branded stores like Bvlgari, Swarovski, and Cartier, as well as souvenir shops, accessory shops, and pharmaceutical stores. There is also a large duty-free store called King Power Duty Free.
• Transportation: The airport has five main access routes, with the most convenient being the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). It also offers car rental services, with various car rental brands available through the Sawasdee by AOT Application.
• Other amenities: The airport provides amenities such as ATMs, currency exchange centres, rest zones, and a 24/7 VAT refund office to assist passengers in claiming VAT. Free cell phone SIM cards from major telephone carriers are available on Level 2 of the airport.

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang Airport is Bangkok's former primary international gateway and is now primarily served by low-cost airlines, mainly Thai or based within Southeast Asia. It is located north of the city and is about 22 kilometres from Siam Station. While the airport facilities are older and less modern, it still offers some essential services for travellers:

• Transportation: Don Mueang Airport is accessible by the Airport Rail Link (ARL) from Phaya Thai station, and there are also shuttle bus services available.
• Car rentals: Car rental services are available at the airport for travellers with international driving licenses.
• Food and beverage: There are fast food joints available near the Airport Rail Link Station.
• Shopping: The airport offers some shopping options, although the details are limited.

In summary, both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport offer essential facilities for travellers, with Suvarnabhumi being the larger, more modern, and offering a wider range of amenities and services.

Airlines operating from Bangkok's airports

Bangkok, Thailand, is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK).

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's main international airport, located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia, serving as a regional aviation hub and a major cargo air freight hub. The airport is a regional gateway and connecting point for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is also the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, as well as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia.

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang Airport is located north of Bangkok's city centre and is one of Asia's oldest airports. It is primarily served by low-cost airlines that are Thai or based in Southeast Asia. It is also used by travellers flying to certain cities within Thailand, such as smaller cities in Isaan or southern airports like Chumphon or Ranong.

Bangkok Airways, a regional airline based in Bangkok, Thailand, operates from Suvarnabhumi Airport, offering scheduled services to destinations in Thailand and other countries in the region, including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, the Maldives, and Singapore.

Thai Airways International, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai AirAsia also operate from Suvarnabhumi Airport, with Thai Airways providing various ground services and catering at the airport.

Other airlines that have operated from Don Mueang Airport include Nok Air, One-Two-GO, and Orient Thai Airlines, although some of these airlines have ceased operations or relocated to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Frequently asked questions