Bangkok airport to city: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang

From Suvarnabhumi, take a taxi or airport limousine if you have bags or arrive late, and the Airport Rail Link if you land at rush hour and your hotel is near the BTS. From Don Mueang, a taxi or Grab is the easy choice, and the Red Line is the cheap one.

Fares below are checked as of November 2026. Check before you go, since prices and timetables change.

Suvarnabhumi (BKK): quick comparison

Airport Rail Link

The fastest route when the roads are bad. The line ends at Phaya Thai, where you change to the BTS. Sample fares from the airport are 35 baht to Makkasan for the MRT Blue Line, 40 baht to Ratchaprarop near Pratunam, and 45 baht to Phaya Thai, reported in 2024. The ride to Phaya Thai takes about 28 minutes.

It has limits. You may have to stand with your bags, and you still need another ride to your hotel. The line had an all-day disruption on 22 July 2026, so have a backup if you have a tight connection.

Public taxi

Taxis leave from the inner curb on Level 1. The meter starts at 35 or 40 baht, and you also pay a 50 baht airport surcharge and luggage fees set by the Ministry of Transport. Expressway tolls are on top, and you pay them yourself.

As an estimate from independent guides, the meter to Sukhumvit or Silom reads about 300 to 500 baht, and tolls run 40 to 70 baht per gate. That makes roughly 400 to 600 baht all in, for 30 to 60 minutes. These figures are not official fares. Insist on the meter.

VIP taxi

EV Society and CABBY run electric VIP taxis around the clock, with metered fares from 150 baht. CABBY also adds a 100 baht service charge. One independent guide estimated about 700 to 800 baht to Sukhumvit Soi 20, using older fare data. A sensible upgrade if you want a newer car without booking a limousine.

AOT Limousine

Walk up to the counters on Level 2. Starting rates on the airport’s site, which are not fares to a specific address:

Ask for the total to your hotel before you pay, since your distance sets the price. One independent guide was quoted 1,200 baht to Sukhumvit Soi 20. Worth it after a long-haul flight, particularly with a family or a lot of luggage. If your hotel offers a car, compare its price against these.

Grab and buses

Grab picks up at Gate 4 on Level 1. Book it once you have your bags. Bus S1 runs to Sanam Luang for Khao San Road from 06:00 to 20:00, leaving from Gate 7 on Level 1, and is only worth it on a tight budget.

Don Mueang (DMK): quick comparison

Don Mueang sits north of the centre.

Taxi

One independent guide puts Don Mueang to Sukhumvit at about 250 to 350 baht for 25 to 45 minutes, before the 50 baht surcharge and any tolls. It is the most comfortable option by a clear margin, and traffic is the only real risk.

Red Line

The SRT Red Line stops at Don Mueang station, next to the airport. It costs 33 baht to Krung Thep Aphiwat, where you can change to the MRT Blue Line, and 29 baht to Chatuchak. The timetable shows departures from Krung Thep Aphiwat towards Don Mueang from 05:00 to 23:45, every 10 to 15 minutes. It does not list times from Don Mueang itself, so call 1690 if you land late. Follow the signs to the station.

Buses

Airport buses board at the International Terminal, Level 1, Gate 6, and the Domestic Terminal, Level 1, Gate 12. The airport’s own pages give different hours. A1 and A2 run from roughly 05:00 to 06:00 until 22:00 to midnight. Good to know, but not a plan for a late landing.

Limo Bus

Limo Bus runs to Silom and Khaosan for 150 baht, with counters at Gate 7 on the international side and Gate 15 on the domestic side. Check times with the operator.

Between the airports

A free shuttle links Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang every 30 minutes from 05:00 to midnight. It is only for passengers with a connecting flight, so bring your ticket and passport. At Suvarnabhumi it leaves from Level 2, Gate 3, inner curb. At Don Mueang it leaves from the International Terminal, Level 1, Gate 6.

Before you land, file your free TDAC arrival card. Once you are in town, read how to get around Bangkok.

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest way from Suvarnabhumi to the city?

The Airport Rail Link. It costs up to 45 baht to Phaya Thai, runs from 05:30 to midnight and connects with the BTS.

How much is a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Sukhumvit?

Roughly 400 to 600 baht in total as an estimate, including the 50 baht airport surcharge and expressway tolls. Traffic moves the meter.

How do I get from Don Mueang to the city?

A taxi or Grab is simplest. The Red Line runs to Krung Thep Aphiwat for 33 baht and links with the MRT Blue Line. A1 and A2 buses cost 30 baht.

Is there a shuttle between the two airports?

Yes. A free bus runs every 30 minutes from 05:00 to midnight, only for passengers with a connecting flight and proof of onward travel.