How to Get from Don Mueang Airport into Bangkok
Don Mueang is Bangkok’s older airport, about 25 km north of the centre and the base for most low-cost carriers. It is closer to the city than Suvarnabhumi but the roads in are more congested, so the journey times end up similar. There are several cheap ways in, and one thing that catches people out.
Book a Private TransferThe journey at a glance
| From | Don Mueang Airport (DMK) |
|---|---|
| To | Bangkok |
| Distance | ≈ 25 km |
| Journey time | 30 – 50 minutes, longer in peak traffic |
| Private taxi fare | Sedan ฿600 · SUV ฿800 · Van ฿1,000 — per vehicle, tolls included |
| Payment | Cash in Thai Baht to the driver on arrival. Nothing charged at booking. |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before pickup. |
Every option compared
| Option | Typical cost | Total time | Departures | Door to door | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (fixed price) | ฿600 per vehicle | 30 – 50 min | Meets your flight | Arrivals to your hotel door | Same day usually fine |
| SRT Red Line | ≈฿33 – 40 per person | 20 – 30 min | Every 10–20 min | No — then a connection | Buy at the station |
| A1 / A2 bus | ≈฿30 – 50 per person | 45 – 70 min | Frequent | No — Mo Chit or Victory Monument | Pay on board |
| Metered taxi from the rank | ฿200 – 350 total | 30 – 50 min | Queue at arrivals | Yes | No — take a ticket and queue |
Bus, minivan, train and ferry fares are approximate and were last checked in September 2026. They change without notice. Our own taxi fares are live from our booking system.
The connecting-flight trap
The single most expensive mistake at Don Mueang is assuming it connects easily with Suvarnabhumi. They are separate airports about 50 km apart on opposite sides of Bangkok, with the whole city between them. A free shuttle runs for passengers with connecting tickets, but in traffic the transfer can take well over an hour and there is no guarantee attached to it.
If you are connecting between the two airports on separate tickets, leave far more time than the map suggests — four hours is not excessive in the evening — and consider booking a private transfer directly rather than relying on the shuttle.
Practical tips
- The Red Line station is connected to the terminal by a walkway. It is genuinely quick, but it drops you at Krung Thep Aphiwat, from which most hotels still need a connection.
- Many Don Mueang flights land late at night, when the Red Line and the A1 bus have stopped. Check the last departure before planning to use them.
- Don Mueang is north of the city; Suvarnabhumi is east. Journeys onwards to Pattaya, Ban Phe or Koh Chang take about an hour longer from here.
- Give us your flight number — low-cost carrier delays are common on these routes, and flight tracking with 60 minutes of free waiting is included.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Don Mueang into Bangkok?
The A1 or A2 bus at roughly ฿30 to ฿50, or the SRT Red Line at ฿33 to ฿40. The Red Line is faster and more predictable; the bus goes to Mo Chit or Victory Monument, which may suit you better depending on where you are staying.
How much is a taxi from Don Mueang to Bangkok?
A metered taxi from the official rank is typically ฿200 to ฿350 including the ฿50 airport surcharge and any tolls. A fixed-price private transfer is ฿600 for a sedan, with the driver waiting and no meter to watch.
How do I get from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi?
They are separate airports roughly 50 km apart with Bangkok in between. A free shuttle runs for passengers holding connecting tickets, but the transfer can take over an hour in traffic. If you are on separate tickets, allow several hours and consider booking a private transfer.
Is there public transport from Don Mueang late at night?
Not reliably. Many low-cost flights land after the Red Line and airport buses have finished for the day, which leaves the taxi rank or a pre-booked transfer. If you are landing late, arranging the ride in advance is worth doing.
Book this transfer
Fixed fare from ฿600 per vehicle. See the full fare card on the DMK Airport to Bangkok route page, or book directly below. Most bookings on this route are made the day before travel.