Don Mueang Airport is one of the two international airports serving the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, the other being Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don Mueang was the first airport when it handled commercial flights in 1924. In 2006, the newly opened Suvarnabhumi replaced Don Mueang as Bangkok's main airport.
Suvarnabhumi is used for domestic and international flights across Asia, Europe, and Australia. Today, Don Mueang mainly serves budget airlines operating international flights from cities in Southeast Asia and East Asia, as well as domestic flights. Major regional carriers include AirAsia, Lion Air, and Nok Air.
If you're flying to Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport during your trip to Thailand and want to know how to get to the city, read this comprehensive guide. There are several ways or modes of transportation from Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok's city center. Which is best for you depends on your preference and budget.
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Brief About Don Mueang Airport
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Don Mueang Airport is 30 km (19 miles) north of Bangkok's city center. Operating commercial flights since 1924, the airport is one of the oldest in the world. Though considered Bangkok's second airport, it's still busy, handling 41 million passengers in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Don Mueang has two terminals. Terminal 1 is used for international and Terminal 2 for domestic flights. The two terminals are close together and connected by an elevated walkway. There are clear signs on both terminals showing directions to the walkway. It takes around 10 minutes to get from one terminal to the other.
The airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for passengers. Dining options include fast-food outlets, casual dining restaurants, and cafes. You'll find numerous shops, including duty-free outlets inside the international terminal. Besides, there are currency exchange counters, banks, medical services, and left-luggage services.
The road trip from Don Mueang to Bangkok's city center takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions. The boarding gates typically close 45 minutes before departure. If heading to the airport, arrive at least three hours before departure on international flights and two hours on domestic flights.
If you need a quick connection to the airport, there's the Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel. The four-star hotel is connected to the airport by a 5-10-minute walk on an elevated walkway. If you're looking for budget-friendly accommodations including hostels, there are several across the road from the airport.
By Regular Taxi
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Once you've landed and collected your luggage and cleared customs (for international flights), head to the Arrivals Hall and follow the "taxi" signs until you see several taxi desks. Walk to one of the desks to book a taxi. During peak hours, there can be long queues in front of the desks, but the line moves.
The staff attending the taxi desks are conversant in English. They will write down the name of your destination, the taxi driver's name, and the vehicle number on the slip. The staff will then inform the taxi driver of your destination, and the driver will usher you to your taxi. Keep the taxi slip, in case you have a complaint.
Taxis are metered, and there's a 50 THB (1.50 USD) surcharge for taxis from the airport. There's a 3 THB (0.08 USD) per minute charge if the taxi slows below 6 km (4 miles) per hour. The toll fees for expressways (if selected) are not part of the fare, the driver will ask you to pay at the toll booth, usually 70-120 THB (2.00-3.50 USD).
The total metered taxi fare, surcharges, and tolls from the airport to Bangkok depend on your destination in the city. Fares are usually in the range of 300 to 600 THB (8.50-17.00 USD). The journey to the city center can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the traffic condition.
Though not the cheapest mode of transportation, taxis are the most convenient way to get from Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok's city center. Book through the official taxi desks and not through touts loitering around the Arrivals Hall. This is likely a scam and will cost more than the metered taxis.
By Grab Taxi
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Besides the regular taxis, you can also use the Grab ride-hailing service, similar to Uber. Besides Thailand, Grab is the most popular ride-hailing service in Southeast Asia. You can download the app to your mobile device and create an account with Grab. Besides Thai, there's also an English version of the app.
To use the app, first key in your destination. The app will then show you the various vehicles available and their fares. Select your preferred vehicle with the driver. Once a driver accepts your request, you'll see the driver's name, photo, and vehicle number. You can track the vehicle coming your way on the app.
Grab drivers aren't allowed to pick up passengers at Don Mueang, but many travelers have no problem using the service. At the international terminal, meet the driver at the arrivals pick-up point in front of Gate 2 or 5. At the domestic terminal, meet at the arrivals pick-up point in front of Gate 12.
With the Grab app, you'll know the fare upfront before booking. There are usually multiple choices of vehicles for hire, and the following are the costs to get you from Don Mueang to Bangkok.
- Taxi service - 300-400 THB (8.50-11.50 USD)
- Standard car - 300-400 THB (8.50-11.50 USD)
- Premium car - 500-600 THB (14.50-17.00 USD)
- Spacious SUV - 500-600 THB (4.50-17.00 USD)
- Mini-van - 600-700 THB (17.00-20.00 USD)
Pay the fare in cash to the driver or via the app using your credit card. Note the fare displayed on the app excludes toll charges if you use the expressways. How much you'd have to pay for the tolls depends on the journey, varying from 50 to 120 THB (1.50-3.50 USD). The driver will ask you to pay when reaching the toll booth.
By SRT Train
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Located across the road from the airport is Don Mueang Railway Station. The station serves the SRT Dark Red Line, a commuter train traveling 26 km (16 miles) between Rangsit (a suburb of Bangkok) and Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (formerly Bang Sue Grand Station) in Bangkok.
The station also serves long-distance trains on the Northern Line, connecting Bangkok with Chiang Mai in the northern region of Thailand and the Northeastern Line in the northeastern region. Trains and the ticket office for the Northern and Northeastern Lines are at another area of the station.
At Terminal 1 (international arrivals), exit Gate 1 and take the covered pedestrian bridge to the station. If Terminal 2 (domestic arrivals), first head to Terminal 1. Follow signs showing directions to the commuter train. When buying a ticket, ensure it's for the SRT Dark Red Line, not the Northern or Northeastern Lines.
Trains run every 15-20 minutes, making seven stops before reaching Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, where most tourists to the city get off. The fare costs 33 THB (1.00 USD), and the ticket is a token purchased from a machine. The journey to the Central Terminal takes 15-20 minutes.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is the main railway station in Bangkok. From here, you can transfer to the MRT Blue Line, an underground commuter train connecting to many places of interest in the city. You can also catch a taxi outside the station, near Gate 7. Several bus lines also stop here.
By BMTA Airport Shuttle Bus
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Another option from Don Mueang Airport is the shuttle buses operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Like the trains departing from Don Mueang Railway Station, the buses are another cheap option to get into Bangkok, with four bus lines going to the city, including the A1, A2, A3, and A4 buses.
The pick-up points are immediately outside the two passenger terminals. At the international terminal (Terminal 1), you'll find the buses located near Gate 6. At the domestic terminal (Terminal 2), the buses are near Gate 11. Look for the buses near the BMTA Bus signpost.
The four bus lines operate daily from 7:30 AM to midnight, running every 30 minutes. The fare is an affordable flat rate of 30 THB (0.90 USD) for the A1 and A2 buses and 50 THB (0.90 USD) for the A3 and A4 buses. You can purchase the ticket from the driver when boarding the bus.
The buses have air-conditioning and comfortable seating. Take note, unless you're traveling light, there's limited space for your luggage on the A1 and A2 buses. That said, passengers on the A3 and A4 buses have a separate space for one luggage. Here are the major stops on the four lines.
Bus A1: The bus drops passengers at Chatuchak, which is within walking distance to Mochit BTS Skytrain Station and Chatuchak Park MRT Station. The final stop is the Northern (Mochit) Bus Terminal.
Bus A2: The bus also stops at Chatuchak for BTS Mochit Station and Chatuchak Park MRT Station. The last stop on the route is Victory Monument, which is close to Victory Monument BTS Station.
Bus A3: The main drop-off points are Pratunam (Airport Rail Link Ratchaprarop Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport) and Lumpini Park (near Silom MRT Station and Sala Daeng BTS Station) in Silom.
Bus A4: The bus stops at Democracy Monument and Sanam Luang (near the Grand Palace). Another drop-off point is near the famous backpacker destination of Khao San Road, which is a few minutes walk.
By Limo Bus Express
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The Airport Limo Bus Express is another shuttle service from Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok's city center. The service provides two distinct routes. One route takes passengers to Lumpini Park in Silom, and another travels to the popular backpacker destination of Khao San Road.
The Airport Shuttle Bus A3 and A4 (mentioned earlier) travel to the same destinations as the Limo Bus Express. Bus A3 goes to Lumpini Park, and the A4 to Khao San Road. Both services have air-conditioning and comfortable seating. But the A3 and A4 fares are three times less than the Limo Bus Express, which is 150 THB (4.50 USD).
So why use the Limo Bus Express? The Limo Bus Express makes fewer stops than the A3 and A4. Besides, the Limo Bus Express provides more storage space at the bottom of the bus. This is great if you've more than one luggage to carry. In addition, passengers enjoy free WiFi while on the bus.
The booking desks are near Gate 6 in Terminal 1 (international arrivals) and Gate 14 in Terminal 2 (domestic arrivals). You'll find the buses outside the terminals near the gates mentioned. The service operates from 9:30 AM to midnight, departing every 20-30 minutes, and the journey takes 45-60 minutes.
The stop at Lumpini Park in Silom is near the King Rama VI Monument. From here, it's a few minutes walk to the BTS (Skytrain) Sala Daeng Station and MRT (Subway) Si Lom Station. Vehicles are no longer allowed on Khao San Road from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, so the buses stop nearby.
By Public Bus
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Public buses are the cheapest option but are not for everyone. There's no separate storage for your luggage. It's a longer journey since they make multiple stops. They tend to be crowded during peak hours. And signs on the buses and bus stops are written in Thai, so you can only depend on the bus number.
Though the cheapest option, taking a public bus from the airport is only feasible if you're traveling is light and bold enough to take the chance. Besides, not all buses have air conditioning. Fares are slightly higher for the air-conditioned buses, and you'll know which are air-conditioned if the windows are closed.
The bus stop is across the road from the airport on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. Take the same pedestrian bridge from Terminal 1 (international arrivals) to Don Mueang Railway Station. If from Terminal 2 (domestic arrivals), head to Terminal 1 first. The bus stop is about 100 meters (350 feet) from where you exit the bridge.
Buses traveling to Bangkok are on the airport side of the road. Depending on the kind of bus and destination, fares cost 10 to 30 THB (0.30-0.90 USD) and are paid to the conductor after boarding the bus. These are some bus lines and their major drop-off points in Bangkok's city center.
- Bus 29 - Mo Chit, Victory Monument, Sam Yan
- Bus 59 - Chatuchak, Victory Monument
- Bus 504 - Pratunam, Silom, Lumpini Park
- Bus 510 - Mo Chit, Saphan Khwai, Victory Monument
- Bus 538 - Victory Monument, Rama Hospital
