What to expect when visiting Bangkok
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!
Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.
Don Muang Airport (DMK)
Don Muang Airport (DMK) is considered to be one of the oldest international airports in the world. It is one of the two international airports in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. DMK Airport is a very busy airport and is a hub for Nok Air, NokScoot, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, and Thai Lion Air.
TIP: If you need to catch a connecting flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), there is an airport shuttle bus outside Gate 6 at Don Muang Airport. It’s free of charge if you show the staff your flight ticket and a valid ID. The bus trip between the two airports will take about 1 hour.
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3 ways to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre
There are three ways to travel the distance of 25 km (16 miles) from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre: by bus (30-60 minutes), taxi (30-60 minutes) and train (20m-50m). The journey takes between 20m - 1h and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from 5 THB ($0.10) for the train.Where to stay in Bangkok?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Bangkok at the bottom of this page.
Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre by Train
Don Muang Airport is accessible from Bangkok by train. You can choose between the SRT Dark Red Line train (new commuter train) and the Northern or Northeastern Line train (old ordinary train).
If you’re staying on Khao San Road, you can take either train to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. From this station, it’s a 15-minute taxi or tuk-tuk ride to the backpacker district.
Both train stations are connected to the airport building, just a 5 to 10-minute walk. The walk involves sets of stairs, which is a hassle if you have luggage. But it definitely beats being stuck in Bangkok traffic, especially during peak hours.
– SRT Dark Red Line
The SRT Red Line is a new commuter train line in Bangkok. Its last stop is Bang Sue Station, the largest railway station in Southeast Asia. This station houses both the SRT line and the MRT line, which runs on a loop around Bangkok centre.
This train line is new and much faster than the ordinary train line. From Don Muang Airport, you can get to Bang Sue Station in just 20 minutes. Tickets start from 12 THB ($0.30).
Here’s the train schedule:
- Every 20 minutes from 05:30 to 24:00
- Every 12 minutes during peak hours (05:00-07:00 and 17:00-19:00)
Departure and arrival station
The airport is accessible from Don Mueang Train Station through the air-conditioned skywalk. It takes about 10 minutes by foot between the train station and Terminal 1.
This new train line operates between Bang Sue Station and Rangsit Station. The SRT line is on the 2nd floor of Bang Sue Station. You need to go to the underground level to take the MRT line that stops at Hua Lamphong station.
If you’re travelling from central Bangkok to Don Muang Airport, you can take the MRT to Bang Sue station first and then the SRT to the airport.
– SRT Northern or Northeastern Line
The trains on both the northern and northeastern lines make a stop at Don Muang Airport. Note that these lines use ordinary trains, so you can expect a very slow journey. They are available throughout the day, but some trains have a few hours intervals between them.
Between Bangkok and Don Muang Airport, the train ticket is extremely cheap at 5 THB ($0.10).
The train ride to Bangkok will take about 50 minutes, and you will likely need to take the MRT/BTS, a taxi, or a tuk-tuk to reach your accommodation.
Departure and arrival station
The Don Muang Train Station is connected to the airport building by a pedestrian bridge outside Terminal 1. Just follow the signs going to Amari Hotel or the Northern Line train station.
The northern train line runs between Hua Lamphong in Bangkok and Chiang Mai Railway Station in the north. Meanwhile, the northeastern line can get you to Nong Khai and Udon Ratchathani near the Laos border.
You can check the schedule between Hua Lamphong and Don Muang on 12GoAsia. Online booking is also available on the website.
Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre by Bus
When travelling from Don Muang Airport (DMK) to Bangkok Centre, you can take an airport bus. The orange buses are the older buses, and the blue buses are the newer shuttles for this route.
There are four airport shuttles with different routes. For travellers staying around Khao San Road, the airport bus A4 will take you directly to the backpacker district.
Bus fares start from 30 THB ($0.80). There are several trips every hour from morning to late at night.
Departure at Don Muang Airport
The airport and shuttle buses are on the first level of Don Muang Airport, outside Gates 6 and 12. If you want to take a city bus, you need to go outside the airport grounds and wait along the main road.
Bus schedule from Don Muang Airport to Bangkok city centre
| Bus | Route | Fare | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Route | Airport – BTS Chatuchak – Chatuchak Bus Terminal(vice versa) | 30 THB ($0.80) | every 5 minutes between 6:15-0:30 |
| A2 Route | Airport – Victory Monument(vice versa) | 30 THB ($0.80) | every 15 minutesbetween 06:30-23:00 |
| A3 Route | Airport -Lumphini Park(vice versa) | 50 THB ($1.30) | every 30 minutes between 7:30-23:00 |
| A4 Route | Airport – Khaosan Road/City Centre(vice versa) | 50 THB ($1.30) | every 30 minutes between 7:30-23:00 |
There is no online booking or ticket station for these buses, and you can just pay your fare on board.
Bus stops of airport buses
To make it easy to find which bus stops near your accommodation, we created this map with all bus stops from each bus in different colours: Bus A1 (grey), A2 (red), A3 (green), and A4 (blue).
Prefer to have an overview with all stops in a list? Here you go:
How to get from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi Airport
Don Muang Airport also offers free shuttle rides to Suvarnabhumi Airport daily. You just need to show the airport staff your flight ticket and a valid ID. Here’s an overview of the schedule:
Total travel time is about 1 hour. These shuttle buses can be found at the first level of the passenger terminal.
Bangkok city buses
There are also local buses going to the city that stop at Don Mueang Airport. They can be found outside along the main road.
Both Routes 29 and 59 have a 24-hour service. Bus fares range between 5 THB ($0.10) and 20 THB ($0.50), depending on the distance.
Keep in mind these buses tend to be extremely crowded and rarely offer air conditioning. For more comfort, we suggest taking the buses from inside the airport area.
Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre by Taxi
Travelling between Don Muang Airport and Bangkok city centre by taxi is the easiest way to go. Taxi fares start from 200 THB ($5.50) to Bangkok city centre (Siam Area).
We recommend that you check private transfers that you can book online in advance. You can find 3-passenger cars with rates from 585 THB ($16) on BookAway.
Check Private Transfers on BookAway
You can also book a Grab taxi for 230 THB ($6.30). Travel time takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. Another convenient airport taxi service is offered by Klook with rates from 750 THB ($20).
Departure at Don Muang Airport
You can easily find taxis outside Gate 5 of Terminal 1 and Gate 12 of Terminal 2.
Note that during peak times, it will take a while to get a taxi due to long queues.
City’s peak hours
If you need to catch a flight, it’s important to bear in mind the city’s peak hours. These hours are between 06:00-09:00 in the morning and between 16:00-20:00 in the evening.
Expect heavy traffic during these hours, and you may be charged more and have a longer travel time. It is not uncommon that you will be stuck in traffic for one hour during these peak hours!
To avoid a large part of the busy traffic, drivers will give you the option of taking the expressway for a small additional payment of 70 THB ($1.90). This charge is not included in the metered price, and you will have to shoulder the toll fee.
If you’re travelling during peak hours, we definitely suggest using the expressway to save 1-2 hours in traffic.
Additional airport surcharge
It is also important to know that there is a 50 THB ($1.40) surcharge when taking a taxi from the airport. This amount will be added to the metre rate at the end of your trip, so don’t be surprised when the driver asks for an amount higher than what the metre indicates.
Some taxi drivers may want to negotiate a flat rate, even though this is officially not allowed at the airports. To avoid being overcharged, make sure that the metre is running as soon as you leave the airport.
PRO TIP: Always make sure the metre is running to avoid paying more. You can find the metre in the front of the car, usually mounted on the dashboard.
Our favourite places to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a big and bustling city with each neighbourhood offering something different to the next. Covering nearly 1600 km² and offering over a thousand accommodation options, it can be slightly daunting picking where to stay. Here is a quick rundown of our favourite areas to stay in Bangkok:
- Khao San Road — is one of the most famous areas in Bangkok, known for its party reputation. This area attracts a lot of backpackers that are looking for cheap accommodation and a place to party.
- Sukhumvit — has a more relaxed nightlife, centred around sophisticated restaurants and rooftop bars as opposed to travellers dancing on tables. It’s a great jumping-off point to explore the jam-packed city, thanks to the good connections via public transport.
- Riverside — along the Chao Phraya River, you’ll find an area rich in history and culture, hosting many of the popular sights of Bangkok, including the Royal Palace and Wat Pho – the Reclining Buddha.
Check out our favourite accommodations in Bangkok:
dusitD2 Samyan - Treating Yourself
dusitD2 Samyan is one of the most unique hotels in Bangkok with its tiered appearance overlooking the city. You can take a refreshing dip in their sky swimming pool and enjoy the panoramic views. Or head to the gym and take them in whilst working up a sweat.
The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel create a bright and modern feel. The rooms are stunning, and decorated to an extremely high standard. This is one of the best hotels in Bangkok.
- One of the coolest buildings in Bangkok
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Onsite gym
- Bright and modern rooms
King rooms start from $110 per night.
The One Smart Living - Treating Yourself
The One Smart Living offers incredible value for money. The rooms are beautiful and feel extremely luxurious. You won’t want to leave your room it’s so nice!
It’s a great choice if you want to be close to the airport, but not so close that you’re constantly hearing planes above your head. The staff are incredibly helpful and super friendly. It’s hard to fault this place.
- Great value for money
- Close to the airport
- Helpful staff
- Beautiful rooms
Double rooms start from $50 per night.
Naga Residence - Mid Range
Naga Residence feels less like a hotel and more like a home — just a very beautifully designed home that’s exceptionally clean. The rooms are very spacious and all of them have a private balcony overlooking the city.
There’s also an onsite gym, garden and terrace area for you to enjoy. And when you venture out of the hotel there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes nearby.
- Huge rooms
- Exceptionally clean
- Private balcony
- Onsite gym
Double rooms start from $37 per night.
Phranakorn-Nornlen - Mid Range
It will be hard to find another hotel in Bangkok like Phranakorn-Nornlen. This hotel is like a piece of art, with every room decorated differently and boasting a unique theme. Make sure to pick your room wisely.
The staff takes your stay here to another level. They are incredibly friendly and helpful. They’ll give you great recommendations for the local neighbourhood which is full of cosy cafes and local restaurants.
- Unique design and rooms
- Incredible staff
- Nice local neighbourhood
- Very clean
Double rooms start from $33 per night.
Greenery Hostel - Budget Friendly
As you’ve probably already guessed, Greenery Hostel has a green theme both inside and outside. It actually creates a really tranquil vibe inside a busy city.
The rooms are simple but great value for money. Plus there are nice chill-out spaces throughout the hostel with a swing, games and comfy chairs. It’s in a great location, close to lots of Bangkok’s attractions.
- Great value for money
- Relaxing chill-out areas
- Good location
- Free cancellation
Private rooms start from $21 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre
What is the distance from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre?
The distance from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre is 25 km (16 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre?
The fastest way to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre is by train and takes 20m-50m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre?
The cheapest way to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre is by train with ticket costs starting from 5 THB ($0.10).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Don Muang Airport (Bangkok) to the City Centre. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Bangkok Travel Guides
The Ultimate Bangkok Travel Guide
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Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the City Centre
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Hola! Solo quería avisar a la gente que este trayecto no sirve a la inversa, desde el centro a Don Muang! Lo digo porque fui a Hua Lamphong y casi pierdo el vuelo. Hay uno pero cada mucho tiempo
Hi Clarisa, thanks for informing us about this. I’m glad you still made it to your flight. The direct trains from Hua Lamphong to Don Muang operate throughout the day, but some trains have few hours intervals based on this schedule on 12GoAsia.
If travelling in reverse via the newer SRT line, you need to go from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue station by MRT. Then on the 2nd floor of Bang Sue station, you can take the SRT to Don Muang.
We’ve clarified this info on the port to help future travellers on this route.
PS: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para ayudar a otros viajeros. Para ver este comentario en español, recomendamos usar Google Translate.