From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the quickest way into Bangkok is usually the Airport Rail Link, which runs from 05:30 to midnight from the station under the main terminal. A metered public taxi is the better door-to-door choice for groups, heavy bags, or late arrivals, and it runs 24 hours. If you land at Don Mueang (DMK), the low-cost airline airport, your main options are the SRT Red Line train, the airport buses, or a taxi.
Bangkok has two big airports, and the right transfer depends on which one is on your ticket and where your hotel is. This guide covers both, matches each option to the main hotel areas, and explains what to do if you land late. Hours, locations, and fixed charges come from the official Airports of Thailand and train operator pages linked below. Road times and taxi totals are approximate because they depend heavily on traffic.
Which Bangkok airport are you landing at?
Check your booking before you plan anything else. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) handles most full-service international flights, while Don Mueang (DMK) is a major base for low-cost carriers. Our Flights to Bangkok guide explains how the two airports split airlines and routes.
The transfer options are completely different at each airport. The Airport Rail Link only serves Suvarnabhumi, and the SRT Red Line only serves Don Mueang, so advice written for one airport is no use at the other.
How do you get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city?
You have five practical choices from BKK. The details in this table come from the airport’s official Ways to transport page unless noted.
| Option | Where to find it | Hours | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link (train) | Level B1, main terminal | 05:30 to 24:00 | Low, distance-based fare (check the machine) | Solo travelers and couples heading to Sukhumvit, Pratunam, or Siam |
| Public taxi (metered) | Level 1, between Gates 4 and 7 | 24 hours | Meter fare plus a THB 50 airport surcharge plus any tolls | Groups, families, heavy bags, late arrivals |
| Grab (ride-hailing) | Level 1, Gate 4, outer curb | App-based | Shown in the app before you confirm | Travelers who want a fixed in-app price |
| AOT Limousine | Counters on Level 2 | 24 hours | Starting rates from THB 550 to THB 1,300 by vehicle type | A pre-agreed price in a larger or premium car |
| Bus S1 to Khao San Road | Level 1, Gate 7, inner curb | 06:00 to 20:00 | About THB 60 | Budget travelers staying in the Old Town |
The S1 fare is listed as approximate on the airport’s BMTA bus page, which also notes that fares can change. Road journey times are not fixed: the drive into central Bangkok can be quick late at night and much slower in weekday rush hours.
Is the Airport Rail Link the best option?
For most solo travelers and couples with manageable luggage, yes. The train avoids Bangkok’s road traffic, which is the biggest variable in any airport transfer here. The station is on Level B1, below the main terminal, and the airport lists operating hours of 05:30 to 24:00.
The line runs from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai. Three stops matter to most visitors:
- Makkasan: interchange with the MRT Blue Line at Phetchaburi station, useful for Sukhumvit (via MRT Sukhumvit) and for Silom.
- Ratchaprarop: the closest stop for Pratunam.
- Phaya Thai: the end of the line and the interchange with the BTS Skytrain for Siam and Sukhumvit.
The full ride to Phaya Thai takes roughly half an hour, though this is an approximate figure rather than an official timetable. The fare rises with distance and stays low compared with a taxi; the ticket machines show the exact amount for your stop. The drawback is the last stretch: you will usually need one more train, a walk, or a short taxi ride to your hotel.
Should you take a taxi from Suvarnabhumi instead?
A taxi makes sense for groups, families, travelers with large bags, and hotels that are awkward to reach by rail, such as the Riverside or the Old Town. It is also the fallback after the last train.
According to the airport, public taxis wait 24 hours a day on Level 1 of the main terminal, between Gates 4 and 7. The taxi service counter there has automatic ticket machines, so take a queue ticket before you join the line. The official public taxi page and the transport guide set out how the fare works:
- The meter starts at THB 35 or THB 40, with metered fares set by the Department of Land Transport.
- A THB 50 airport surcharge applies, paid directly to the driver, under a Ministry of Transport announcement.
- Baggage fees may also apply under Ministry of Transport regulations.
- Expressway tolls are paid by passengers. The driver may ask if you want to take the expressway, which is usually faster.
Ask the driver to use the meter when you get in. Premium electric taxi services also operate from Level 1 with higher starting fares, and the airport lists them separately. If you prefer to know the price before you leave, Grab picks up at Gate 4 on the outer curb of Level 1, and the AOT Limousine counters on Level 2 sell fixed-price transfers.
How do you get from Don Mueang Airport to the city?
Don Mueang is in the north of Bangkok and has no Airport Rail Link. Your choices are:
- SRT Red Line: Don Mueang station is linked to the airport, according to the operator, S.R.T. Electrified Train Company. Trains run south to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, where you can change to the MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue for central Bangkok. The official Red Line timetable shows departures from roughly 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the operator publishes fares on its fare information page.
- Airport buses A1 to A4: these run to key city points for a flat fare per line (see the table below).
- Taxi or Grab: use the official taxi queue in the arrivals area or book in the app. An airport surcharge and any tolls are typically added to the meter, so confirm the charges at the counter.
The airport’s official transport page lists these bus routes:
| Bus | Route | Listed hours | Fare (whole line) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Don Mueang Airport to BTS Chatuchak and Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal | 06:50 to 23:59 | THB 30 |
| A2 | Don Mueang Airport to BTS Chatuchak and Victory Monument | 05:00 to 22:00 | THB 30 |
| A3 | Don Mueang Airport to Pratunam, Ratchaprasong, and Lumpini Park | 07:00 to 23:00 | THB 50 |
| A4 | Don Mueang Airport to Democracy Monument, Khao San, and Sanam Luang | 07:00 to 22:40 | THB 50 |
That page dates from 2021, so boarding points and hours may have changed since. Treat it as a guide and check the signs in the arrivals hall on the day.
What is the easiest route to your hotel area?
Bangkok is large and traffic is heavy, so the best transfer depends on your base. This table pairs the main areas from our guide to where to stay in Bangkok with the simplest route from each airport.
| Hotel area | From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | From Don Mueang (DMK) |
|---|---|---|
| Sukhumvit | Airport Rail Link to Makkasan for the MRT, or to Phaya Thai for the BTS | Red Line, then MRT; or a taxi |
| Pratunam | Airport Rail Link to Ratchaprarop, then walk | Bus A3 |
| Siam | Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then BTS | Bus A3 to Ratchaprasong, or a taxi |
| Silom and Sathorn | Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, then MRT Blue Line; or a taxi | Red Line, then MRT Blue Line; or a taxi |
| Riverside | Taxi is simplest with luggage | Taxi is simplest with luggage |
| Old Town and Khao San | Bus S1 (daytime) or a taxi | Bus A4 (daytime) or a taxi |
A useful rule: if your hotel is one easy rail hop from the airport line, take the train. If it needs two changes plus a long walk with bags, a taxi usually saves energy on arrival day, especially after a long flight.
What if you land late at night?
Late arrivals are where plans fall apart. At Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link’s listed hours end at midnight, and you still need time for immigration, baggage, and the walk down to Level B1. If your flight lands late in the evening, plan on a taxi, which runs 24 hours, or the 24-hour AOT Limousine counters.
At Don Mueang, the Red Line timetable and the airport buses also wind down in the late evening, so a taxi or Grab is the realistic option after about 11 p.m. Save your hotel address as a map pin to show the driver. If you still have energy, our guide to Bangkok at night covers easy evening areas.
Can you transfer between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang?
Yes, but it takes real time. Suvarnabhumi runs a free shuttle bus to Don Mueang from Level 2, Gate 3 (inner curb), every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 24:00. It is only for passengers connecting between flights at the two airports. You need your onward flight ticket and your passport or national ID card, and the airport says members of the public who are not connecting cannot use it.
If your two flights are on separate tickets, you are responsible for making the connection, and missing it can cost you the second flight. Read our guide to self-transfer flights before booking an airport change, and allow a generous gap; our layover length guide explains how to size it.
What should you sort out before you land?
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): from 1 May 2025, non-Thai visitors must complete the TDAC online before arriving. It is free and opens three days before your travel date, according to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Dubai. Submit it only on the official TDAC website. The TDAC is not a visa, so check visa rules for your passport separately.
- Cash for the first ride: taxi drivers expect the airport surcharge and tolls in baht, so have some small notes before you join the taxi queue.
- Your onward plans: if Bangkok is the first stop on a longer trip, decide on how many days to spend in Bangkok before you book the hotel, so your base fits your plans.
Compare Bangkok flights with the arrival in mind
Your arrival airport and landing time decide which transfer you can use. When you compare fares, check whether the flight lands at BKK or DMK, and whether it arrives before the trains stop running. A slightly cheaper fare that lands at the far airport after midnight can cost more once you add a taxi and a lost evening. If you are flying from India, our Flights from India to Bangkok guide covers routes and timing.
Bangkok airport transfer FAQ
Is there a train from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi?
There is no direct train between the two airports. Connecting passengers can use the free airport shuttle bus; everyone else usually takes a taxi or Grab. Allow plenty of time either way.
Do Bangkok airport taxis use the meter?
Public taxis from the official Suvarnabhumi queue charge the meter fare plus the THB 50 airport surcharge and any tolls. The airport’s taxi page notes that drivers may agree a price instead of using the meter for long-distance hires, so confirm before you set off.
What should a first-time visitor do on arrival day?
Keep it light: check in, eat nearby, and save the big sights for the next morning. Our guide to the best things to do in Bangkok groups the city by area.
Final takeaway
At Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link is the fastest and most predictable way into Bangkok during its 05:30 to midnight hours, and a metered taxi from Level 1 is the better choice for groups, heavy bags, and late arrivals. At Don Mueang, use the Red Line or the A-series buses by day and a taxi at night. Check your airport first, then match the transfer to your hotel area.