Bangkok Airports to the City — Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang by Rail, Bus and Taxi, and Transferring Between the Two Airports
Bangkok has two airports and they are 50 km apart. The Airport Rail Link, the SRT Red Line, taxis and buses from each, how long they take at different hours, and the free shuttle and rail options if your connection uses both airports.
Bangkok's two airports serve different airlines and sit on opposite sides of the city. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the main international airport to the east; Don Mueang (DMK) is the low-cost hub to the north. Knowing which one you are using, and how to move between them, avoids the most common Bangkok arrival mistake.
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to the city
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link | About 30 minutes to Phaya Thai | From the basement level; connects to BTS at Phaya Thai and MRT at Makkasan; runs roughly 6 am to midnight |
| Metered taxi | 45–90 minutes | Official rank on level 1; meter plus airport surcharge and tolls; heavy traffic in rush hours |
| Airport bus / shuttle | 60–90 minutes | Limited routes to Khao San and a few areas |
| Ride-hailing app | 45–90 minutes | Pick-up points signed on level 1 |
The rail link is the reliable choice at rush hour; a taxi is easier with luggage or late at night.
- Book airport transfers Suvarnabhumi–Bangkok: open 12Go
Don Mueang (DMK) to the city
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SRT Red Line | About 20 minutes to Krung Thep Aphiwat / Bang Sue | Station linked to the terminal by walkway; connect to MRT Blue Line |
| A1/A2 airport buses | 30–60 minutes | To BTS Mo Chit / Chatuchak and Victory Monument; cheap and frequent |
| Metered taxi | 40–80 minutes | Rank outside arrivals; surcharge and tolls apply |
Don Mueang is close to the northern train terminal, which makes it convenient if you are catching a long-distance train the same day.
- Book transfers Don Mueang–Bangkok: open 12Go
Between the two airports
Allow at least an hour and a half, more in rush hour.
Free inter-airport shuttle bus for passengers with a connecting boarding pass; runs regularly through the day, taking 50–90 minutes depending on traffic.
By rail: Airport Rail Link to Makkasan or Phaya Thai, MRT or BTS to Bang Sue / Chatuchak, then the SRT Red Line to Don Mueang; about 1.5 hours with two changes, immune to traffic.
Taxi: the simplest with luggage, about an hour outside rush hour.
Airport-to-airport transfer options: open 12Go
Which airport am I using?
Low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air use Don Mueang; Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Vietjet and most international airlines use Suvarnabhumi. Always check the three-letter code on your booking, and if you are connecting between a full-service international flight and a budget domestic flight, assume the two airports are involved.
Common mistakes
- Going to the wrong airport. BKK and DMK are an hour apart; check the code the night before.
- Booking a tight connection across airports. Three hours is a sensible minimum.
- Taking a taxi from the departures level to avoid the queue. Use the official rank; unofficial drivers overcharge.
Summary
From Suvarnabhumi use the Airport Rail Link or an official taxi; from Don Mueang use the Red Line or the A-buses. Between the airports, take the free shuttle if you have a connecting boarding pass, otherwise allow ninety minutes by taxi or rail, and never assume both flights use the same airport.