From Airport to the City
There are 2 major airports which serve the Bangkok metropolitan area: BKK Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport), and DMK Airport (Don Muang Airport).
This guide will help you figure out your journey from these two airports to the city center. To find out more about travel to the Grand Richmond Hotel, click here!
Suggested transport methods
- Donmuang Airport: take the Airport shuttle buses (A1 or A2) and transfer to the BTS or MRT. It’s the easiest way to travel from/to the airport.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport: take the Airport Rail Link (ARL) to easily transfer to the BTS or MRT.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK Airport)
The newest airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK), is located in Samut Prakarn province. It serves both domestic and international flights in the same building and has 5 main floors you need to know.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/BxZsPyj6SBdBWBNJ8
Floor Plan
B – Airport Rail Link (ARL), Currency Exchange, 7-Eleven
1 – Bus Lobby / Taxi Service
2 – Arrival Hall
3 – Shops and Restaurants
4 – Departure Hall
Transportation
We recommend taking the Airport Rail Link (ARL) as the easiest way to get into the city.
– Airport Rail Link (ARL) / Train
The most convenient and cheapest way to commute to the city. Fare rate starts from 10 baht to a maximum of 45 baht.
Operation time: 05.30 – 24.00, every 9 minutes
You can connect to the Metropolitan Rail Transit (MRT) subway at Makkasan Station (MRT Petchaburi Station) in 22 minutes (35 baht), which is connected via a 200m skywalk to the underground station. You can also connect to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain at the terminus Phayathai Station in 26 minutes (45 baht).
– Taxi
Taxi is the most common way to travel around the city. You need to know the exact location of your destination, or show a map to the driver.
Normal fare rates start at 35 baht for small taxis and 40 baht for 7-seated taxis for the first kilometer. After the first kilometer, the meter will charge 6.50 to 10.50 baht/kilometer depending on the distance travelled, and charge 3 baht per minute if the car moves slower than 6km/hr. * This fare rate has been in effect since 13 January 2023 *
If you use a mobile application for booking, you will be charged an additional 20 baht per booking. (eg. Grab, Lineman)
If you take a taxi from the airport queue, there will be an airport surcharge of 50 baht to the meter fare.
You may get a baggage surcharge of 20 baht/piece when taking a taxi from/to the airport if the baggage size is over 26cm. If you have more than 2 pieces of luggage below 26cm, the 3rd piece will add a surcharge of 20 baht/piece. The driver is required to inform you of this surcharge before taking a ride.
– Bus
Suvarnabhumi Airport has 1 Airport bus route to the city (Khaosan Road).
- S1 route (50 baht)
Operation time: 06.00 – 23.00, Every 30 minutes
Route: BKK airport Bus lobby, 1st floor “Gate 7” -> Khaosan Road -> Sanamluang
Don Muang Airport (DMK Airport)
Don Muang Airport (IATA: DMK) is the older airport which still serves both domestic flights and international flights but mostly for low-cost, budget airlines. There are 2 terminals: Terminal 1 is for International flights, and Terminal 2 is for Domestic flights. This airport also has 5 floors.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/t9cUCELBoGzBEtyp8
Floor Plan
1 – Arrival Hall / Bus & Taxi Service
2 – Airline offices
3 – Departure Hall / Shop
4 – Restaurant
5 – Airline offices
Transportation
We recommend taking the Airport bus to Chatuchak to connect to BTS/MRT train stations.
– SRT (Red line) / Train
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) connects to the 2nd floor of Donmuang Airport Terminal 2, which can go to MRT Bang Sue station in 18 minutes. You will need to walk at least 5 minutes (500 meters) from Terminal 2 to the SRT station, and 5 more minutes (500 meters) if you walk from Terminal 1.
Operation time: 05.30 – 24.00, every 12 minutes at peak time and 20 minutes at normal time
If you want to transfer to the MRT (blue line), you must get off at Bang Sue Station, which costs 33 baht, and walk to another platform to buy a MRT ticket.
In my opinion, it’s a long distance to walk to the SRT station, and you’ll still need to take another train to get to the city area. You may also need to wait for up to 20 minutes for the next train. Bang Sue station does not have any notable places to visit, since it’s just a big train station for connecting to the North or South parts of Thailand. Taking the bus is a better option.
– Taxi
Taxi service is available at Terminal 1 “Gate 8” on the 1st floor. You can follow the “TAXI” signs to get there.
There will be an additional airport surcharge of 50 baht to the meter. We advise you not to negotiate the price with a tour guide in the terminal, which will cost a lot more than the regular meter fare.
– Shuttle Bus
The easiest way to get to the city is the Airport shuttle bus. It is cheap, friendly, and convenient to use. You can pay by cash, but I recommend using 100 baht bank notes or below.
You can board at the bus stop which is located at Gate 6 at Terminal 1 and Gate 12 at Terminal 2.
There are 4 Airport shuttle bus routes:
- A1 route (30 baht – 23 minutes)
Operation time: 06.00 – 24.00, every 5 minutes
Route: DMK airport -> BTS Mo Chit (Exit 4) -> Mo Chit 2 Bus depot
Note: You need to get off at BTS Mo Chit if you want to transfer to the BTS or MRT Blue line train. - A2 route (30 baht – 37 minutes)
Operation time: 06.15 – 23.00, Every 15 minutes
Route: DMK airport -> BTS Mo Chit (Exit 4) -> BTS Saphan Khwai -> BTS Ari -> Victory Monument (Phaya Thai Side)
Note: You need to get off at BTS Mo Chit if you want to transfer to the BTS or MRT Blue line train. - A3 route (50 baht – 40 minutes)
Operation time: 07.00 – 23.00, Every 30 minutes
Route: DMK airport -> Soi Rang Nam -> Indra Square (Pratunam) -> Big C Ratchadamri (Opposite Central World) -> Lumpini Park
Note: Sometimes it may take longer than 30 minutes to wait. - A4 route (50 baht – 36 minutes)
Operation time: 07.00 – 23.00, Every 30 minutes
Route: DMK airport -> Khaosan Road -> Sanamluang Bus Terminal
Note: Sometimes it may take longer than 30 minutes to wait.
Airport Limousine
Airport Limousine is another option to get to anywhere in Bangkok or nearby provinces.
You can book on their website at https://www.aot-limousine.com/ 24 hours in advance, or ask for a car at the airport limousine counter at the airport.
Here is the rate sheet from Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you plan on visiting other provinces first, this may be a convenient option for you.
