Have you ever wondered how many airports are in Bangkok? There are two airports in Bangkok, Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
Both airports are international airports and offer domestic flights, so it’s important to know which airport you are flying to and from to avoid any confusion.
In this guide, we’ve shared what you need to know about each airport, how to get to them, and what facilities you have available at each.
Don Mueang International Airport
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is the closest airport to the city center of Bangkok and is also the oldest airport in the city.
It’s located approximately 26km from the center of Bangkok and consists of two terminals; Terminal 1 for International flights and Terminal 2 for domestic, both of which are connected by a glass walkway.
It’s considered one of the oldest airports in the world, as well as being Asia’s oldest airport. It was officially opened in 1914 as the Royal Thai Air Force base, and started operating commercial flights in 1924.
When the second international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, opened in 2006, Don Mueang was closed, but was reopened a year later after undergoing renovations.
Today it is more popular as a regional airport and budget airline hub, so if you are planning on taking internal flights around Thailand, it’s more likely that they will leave from Don Mueang Airport.
As of 2023, Don Mueang International Airport is the primary base for Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air.
How To Get There?
There are several convenient ways to get to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. The most popular option is to take a taxi, or a ride-sharing app such as Grab or Bolt, which will get you to and from the airport quickly and efficiently, though this is the most expensive way.
The second option, and one that’s ideal for budget travelers, is to take the metro and Sky Train.
You must first take the metro to Bang Sue or Mo Chit Station, depending on which is closer to you, and then walk for about 10 minutes to the sky train platform. The route is well marked with signs telling you where to go.
Then, you should get the Red Line to Don Mueang Station, which takes around 20 minutes from Bang Sue or Mo Chit Station. The Sky Train starts at 5.30am and runs until midnight, and costs 33 baht per person. The Sky Trains run approximately every 15 minutes.
You can also get the A1 Bus to Mo Chit Station, and get the skytrain from there. The A1 bus runs from 6.15am until midnight, and comes every 5 minutes. You can take the bus from outside Lat Phrao Central Mall or from Chatuchak, which takes 15-20 minutes to Mo Chit Station.
Alternatively, you can take the A2 bus from Victory Monument to Don Mueang Airport, which runs from 6.30am until 22.30pm. The bus runs every 30 minutes and takes approximately one hour, but it’s the best option for those leaving from Khao San Road which is 20 minutes walk from the metro.
Buses cost around 30 baht per person.
If you are looking to get from Don Mueang Airport to the city, then you’re best option is to take the Sky Train followed by the metro or Bolt/Grab.
Related Reading: Is there Uber in Thailand?
Facilities at Don Mueang International Airport
Don Mueang International Airport has a wide range of facilities, including restaurants and food options, as well as numerous shops and stores available for duty-free shopping.
Additionally, the airport features ATMs and currency exchange counters for convenient financial transactions, as well as SIM card kiosks. For those traveling with children, there are baby care facilities inside the toilets, as well as a playground on the third floor of Terminal 2.
The airport also provides essential services such as a pharmacy in Terminal 2, as well as a lost and found and medical services inside Terminal 1, to ensure the well-being of passengers.
Baggage storage facilities are available at both terminals, on the fourth floor of Terminal 2 or first level of Terminal 1, for those who need to store their luggage temporarily.
There are several lounges, such as Miracle Lounge and The Coral Executive Lounge, which can be found in both terminals.
There are also water fountains inside the departure lounges as well as VAT refund counters.
Don Mueang International Airport also offers facilities for disabled travelers, including accessible toilets, lifts, and an electric car for transportation within the terminal.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), is also sometimes referred to as simply Bangkok International Airport, is the main international airport in Bangkok.
It’s located 36km from the city center and is one of the biggest airports in Southeast Asia, spanning 32.4 km2 in size.
It opened in 2006, and is the main airport for Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways International, Thai Smile, Thai VietJet and Thai AirAsia X.
It’s the 17th busiest airport in the world and 11th busiest in Asia, and is primarily where International flights land and depart from.
How To Get There?
Suvarnabhumi Airport is also easy to reach, with the opening of the Phaya Thai – Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link. The train connects Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai BTS station or Makkasan MRT Station, allowing you to get to the city center quickly and conveniently.
The Rail Link runs from 6.00am until midnight and runs every 10-15 minutes. It costs 35 baht to Makkasan and 45 baht to Phaya Thai.
Another option is taking a taxi, which can be easily hailed from various locations in the city, or by using Bolt or Grab – a ride-sharing app in Bangkok.
If you are flying after midnight, your best option is to take a bus which operates 24 hours.
The buses to and from Suvarnabhumi are as follows:
- Bus 549 to Minburi via Ladkrabang Road
- Bus 550 to Happy Land via Ladkrabang Road
- Bus 551 to Victory Monument via New Bangkok
- Bus 552 to On Nut BTS station
- Bus 553 to Samut Prakan via Ladkrabang Road
- Bus 554 to Don Muang Airport
- Bus 555 to Rangsit
- Bus 556 to Southern Bus Terminal
- Bus 557 to Wongwien Yai
- Bus 558 to Central Rama 2
- Bus 559 to Future Park Rangsit
- Bus 389 to Pattaya
- Bus 390 to Talad Rong Kluea
- Bus 825 to NongKhai
Facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport provides various amenities, including free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building and internet kiosks for those who need to stay connected.
Passengers can enjoy a wide variety of dining options at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with restaurants and cafes serving both local and international cuisine. There are also numerous shops and stores offering duty-free shopping.
For passengers in transit or those with long layovers, the airport provides transfer passenger lounges where they can rest and freshen up, as well as an Airport Hotel for longer layovers.
FAQs About Airports in Bangkok
What is the difference between DMK and BKK airport?
DMK is Don Mueang Airport and BKK is Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is primarily used for domestic flights and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) for international flights, however some international flights still operate from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) so it’s always best to check your tickets before heading to the airport.
Is DMK or BKK closer to Bangkok?
DMK/Don Mueang Airport is slightly closer to Bangkok city center in terms of distance, however both airports take roughly the same amount of time to reach via public transport.
Which is better Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Don Mueang Airport is smaller and easier to get around, whereas Suvarnabhumi Airport is modern and feels busier. Both airports have modern amenities and are comfortable airports, but Don Mueang feels less chaotic.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, Bangkok has two airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang International (DMK), which both offer a multitude of facilities and services to enhance the travel experience for those who visit.
They are both easy to get to by Sky Train/Rail Link, as well as buses and taxi services.
Each airport provides modern amenities to make the travel experience more convenient and comfortable for those who visit, from free WiFi to Airport Lounges.
Whether you’re arriving, departing, or transiting through Bangkok, rest assured that these airports will provide an easy and enjoyable journey from start to finish.