Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang: what changes
Suvarnabhumi handles most flights from Europe, including those of Thai Airways and the big Gulf carriers. Its Airport Rail Link station lies beneath the main terminal: it is the easiest airport to leave by train. Don Mueang, the older airport, mostly serves domestic and regional low-cost flights. A walkway links it to the Red Line's Don Mueang station, and direct buses run to the centre.
Before choosing, check where your hotel is. The Airport Rail Link ends at Phaya Thai, on the BTS Sukhumvit Line: handy for Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom. The Red Line ends in the north, at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, from where the MRT heads down to Chinatown and Silom. For the old town and Khao San, no train goes to the door: take a bus or a taxi. Choosing a neighbourhood according to your airport is covered at the end of this guide.
From Suvarnabhumi to the centre by train
The Airport Rail Link station is on level B1 of the main terminal: go down from the arrivals hall, on level 2, following the Airport Rail Link signs. Trains run daily from 5:30 am to midnight.
Airport Rail Link: Phaya Thai in half an hour
The Airport Rail Link (City Line) serves 8 stations between the airport and Phaya Thai, over 28 kilometres. Every train stops at every station; the full journey takes about 26 to 30 minutes. Trains run roughly every 10 to 15 minutes.
- Fares range from 15 to 45 THB depending on distance: 35 THB to Makkasan, 45 THB to Phaya Thai.
- You buy a token from the ticket machines or at the station counter.
- The train also carries commuters from eastern Bangkok: it can be packed at rush hour, which makes the trip awkward with large suitcases.
The line is run by Asia Era One until 31 January 2027 under a temporary agreement; SRT Electrified Train (SRTET), the Thai railways subsidiary that already runs the Red Line, is due to take over operations on 1 February 2027. Service continues as normal during the transition.
Connections with the BTS and MRT
At Phaya Thai, a walkway leads to the BTS Sukhumvit Line station: two stops to Siam, the city's shopping hub, home to the Siam shopping malls. At Makkasan, a walkway reaches the MRT's Phetchaburi station (Blue Line), for Sukhumvit, Silom or Chinatown. You need a new ticket each time you change networks. How the BTS, MRT and boats work is explained in our transport guide, listed below.
From 1 January 2027, the government plans a common ticket for all of Bangkok's rail lines, at 17 to 45 THB per journey, with no second fare to pay when changing networks.
From Suvarnabhumi by bus
BMTA bus S1, run by Bangkok's public bus company, links the airport with Khao San Road and Sanam Luang, near the Grand Palace, for about 60 THB. It runs from 6 am to 8 pm. It leaves from outside the main terminal, level 1, gate 7. It is the most direct option if you are staying in the old town, around Khao San Road, where no train goes. Road journeys depend heavily on traffic: allow plenty of time in the late afternoon.
Other routes leave from the airport's Public Transportation Center, reached by a free shuttle: they mostly serve the outskirts and are of little use to visitors.
Metered taxis, Grab and limousines
Suvarnabhumi's public taxis wait 24 hours a day on level 1 of the main terminal, between gates 4 and 7. Take a ticket from the automatic kiosk: it shows the number of the bay where your taxi is waiting. The fare is metered, starting at 35 or 40 THB depending on the vehicle, plus a 50 THB airport surcharge paid to the driver. Expressway tolls are paid by you: the driver will ask you to pay them at each toll booth, so keep small notes handy.
At Don Mueang, taxis wait on level 1, at gate 8 of Terminal 1 (international) and gate 15 of Terminal 2 (domestic), with the same 50 THB surcharge and tolls paid by the passenger. Airport rules allow a luggage charge: up to 20 or 21 THB per suitcase depending on its size, and 100 THB for bulky sports equipment.
- Insist on the meter: turn down a flat price quoted at the start, which is almost always higher. Ignore touts who approach you in the hall. Our advice on scams to avoid in Bangkok covers these traps.
- Grab: with the ride-hailing app, the pick-up point at Suvarnabhumi is on level 1, gate 4, outer curb. The price is fixed when you book.
- AOT Limousine: at Suvarnabhumi, the counters on arrivals level 2 sell chauffeur-driven cars at fixed prices, starting from 550 to 1,300 THB depending on the vehicle.
To get cash and cards ready before you land, read our guide to paying in Bangkok.
From Don Mueang to the centre
SRT Red Line: to Krung Thep Aphiwat
The Red Line's Don Mueang station (SRT Dark Red Line) is linked to Terminal 1 by a covered walkway. Trains head south to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in about twenty minutes, running roughly from 5 am to midnight, every 10 to 15 minutes. The Don Mueang – Krung Thep Aphiwat trip costs 33 THB; fares on the line range from 12 to 42 THB depending on distance.
At Krung Thep Aphiwat, take the MRT Blue Line from Bang Sue station: it serves Chatuchak, Sukhumvit, Silom, Chinatown and Sanam Chai, near the Grand Palace. On the way, the Red Line's Chatuchak station is close to the Chatuchak Market, open at weekends.
Buses A1 to A4
Four BMTA bus routes leave from Terminal 1, level 1, gate 6, and from outside the Service Hall building.
- A1 to the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal: from 5:45 am to midnight, every 15 minutes, 30 THB.
- A2 to Victory Monument: from 6 am to 11 pm, every 15 minutes, 30 THB.
- A3 to Lumphini Park: from 6 am to 11 pm, every 30 minutes, 50 THB. Lumphini Park connects with the MRT and is close to Silom.
- A4 to Sanam Luang: from 6 am to 11 pm, every 30 minutes, 50 THB. It serves the Khao San Road area and stops near the Grand Palace.
Shuttle between the two airports
A free shuttle links Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang for connecting passengers who show their boarding pass. The trip is by road and depends on traffic: if you are changing airports, leave a wide margin between your two flights.
Summary: prices and timetables
| Route | Transport | Price | Journey time | Hours and frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi – Phaya Thai | Airport Rail Link | 45 THB | 26 to 30 min | 5:30 am-midnight, every 10 to 15 min |
| Suvarnabhumi – Makkasan (MRT) | Airport Rail Link | 35 THB | under 30 min | 5:30 am-midnight, every 10 to 15 min |
| Suvarnabhumi – Khao San, Sanam Luang | Bus S1 | about 60 THB | depends on traffic | 6 am-8 pm |
| Suvarnabhumi – centre | Metered taxi | meter + 50 THB + tolls | depends on traffic | 24 hours |
| Don Mueang – Krung Thep Aphiwat | SRT Red Line | 33 THB | about 20 min | about 5 am-midnight, every 10 to 15 min |
| Don Mueang – Mo Chit 2 | Bus A1 | 30 THB | depends on traffic | 5:45 am-midnight, every 15 min |
| Don Mueang – Victory Monument | Bus A2 | 30 THB | depends on traffic | 6 am-11 pm, every 15 min |
| Don Mueang – Lumphini Park | Bus A3 | 50 THB | depends on traffic | 6 am-11 pm, every 30 min |
| Don Mueang – Sanam Luang | Bus A4 | 50 THB | depends on traffic | 6 am-11 pm, every 30 min |
| Don Mueang – centre | Metered taxi | meter + 50 THB + tolls | depends on traffic | 24 hours |
Prices checked in October 2026; bus fares are indicative and may change at the operator's discretion.
Our tips for arriving
- Daytime arrival at Suvarnabhumi: the Airport Rail Link if you are staying near the BTS or MRT, bus S1 for Khao San and the old town.
- Several of you with luggage: a metered taxi or Grab becomes worthwhile from three or four travellers, especially outside rush hour.
- Late arrival: after midnight, only taxis and Grab remain, plus limousines at Suvarnabhumi.
- At rush hour: on weekdays, in the morning and late afternoon, traffic jams make road journeys much longer; the train is then more reliable.
- On departure: the first Airport Rail Link leaves Phaya Thai around 5:30 am; for a very early flight, book a taxi or a Grab.
Further reading
For your first day, follow our itinerary what to do in Bangkok in one day. Once settled in, the Skytrain, the metro and the boats are explained in our guide to getting around Bangkok. And to choose your accommodation according to your airport, read where to stay in Bangkok.
