The main passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Photo above: Ratchawut Cherdchuvanit via Google
Bangkok has two commercial airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Both are run by Airports of Thailand (AOT). Suvarnabhumi is Thailand's main international gateway, used by most full-service and long-haul airlines, and sits about 31 km east of Bangkok. Don Mueang is Bangkok's older airport, about 25 km north of the city, and today serves mainly low-cost airlines on domestic and regional routes. Check the three-letter code on your ticket: that tells you which one you are flying to.
Which airport is Bangkok's main airport?
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's main airport. AOT calls it Thailand's main airport and its international gateway. Suvarnabhumi opened on September 28, 2006, and handles both international and domestic flights in one large passenger terminal. Most long-haul flights to Bangkok, including those of Thai Airways International, arrive here.
Suvarnabhumi is not technically in the City of Bangkok. Its address is in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, about 31 km east of Bangkok, according to AOT. The Airport Rail Link station is on the basement level (B1) of the main terminal, and AOT lists its hours as 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Our guide to Suvarnabhumi's terminals explains the layout, including the SAT-1 satellite building.
What is Don Mueang Airport (DMK)?
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is Bangkok's original airport and a hub for low-cost airlines. AOT says Don Mueang has served flights continuously since 1914, making it one of the oldest operating airports in the world. It was Bangkok's main international airport until Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006.
Unlike Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang is inside the City of Bangkok, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Don Mueang District, about 25 km north of the city and about 46 km from Suvarnabhumi, according to AOT. It has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic flights. The SRT Red Line commuter train stops at Don Mueang station, and AOT lists four airport bus routes, A1 to A4, into the city.
BKK vs DMK: how do the two airports compare?
The main differences between BKK and DMK are the airlines and the rail link. Suvarnabhumi serves most full-service and long-haul airlines and has the Airport Rail Link into central Bangkok. Don Mueang serves mainly low-cost airlines and connects to the city by the SRT Red Line and airport buses.
| Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | Don Mueang (DMK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, about 31 km east of Bangkok | Don Mueang District, Bangkok, about 25 km north of the city |
| Opened | 2006 | 1914 |
| Terminals | One main passenger terminal for international and domestic flights | Terminal 1 (international) and Terminal 2 (domestic) |
| Main type of airline | Full-service and long-haul, plus some regional and low-cost airlines | Mainly low-cost airlines, domestic and international |
| Examples in AOT's airline directory | Thai Airways International, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Bangkok Airways | Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Nok Air, AirAsia (Malaysia), Batik Air Malaysia, Bangkok Airways |
| Rail link | Airport Rail Link, station on level B1 | SRT Red Line, Don Mueang station |
| Public buses | Several routes, including S1 to Khao San Road | A1 to A4, to Chatuchak, Victory Monument, Lumphini Park and Khao San Road |
Airline line-ups change with each season, so always go by the airport code on your booking. For which airport suits your trip, read which Bangkok airport is better.
Which airport should you fly into for Bangkok?
Usually your airline decides for you, because most airlines use only one of the two airports. If you have a choice, Suvarnabhumi suits long-haul connections and travelers heading to Sukhumvit or central Bangkok by rail. Don Mueang is closer to northern Bangkok, including Chatuchak Weekend Market, and its A4 bus runs to the Old City and Khao San Road.
For getting into the city, see our guides to getting from Suvarnabhumi to the city, getting from Don Mueang to the city and taxi fares from the airport. If you are picking a place to stay, our Bangkok hotels guide covers the main areas.
How do you transfer between BKK and DMK?
AOT runs a free shuttle bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang for passengers connecting between flights. According to AOT, it runs from 5 a.m. to midnight, about every 30 minutes, and you must show an onward flight ticket and your passport. At Suvarnabhumi it leaves from Level 2, Gate 3; at Don Mueang, from Terminal 1, 1st floor, Gate 6.
Leave plenty of time: the two airports are about 46 km apart by AOT's figure, and Bangkok traffic is heavy, especially after heavy rain. On September 26, 2026, the Tourism Authority of Thailand advised passengers to allow at least three hours at Suvarnabhumi for international flights, and two to three hours of extra travel time to reach Don Mueang, because of flooding on some roads. The same update said Red Line services were temporarily suspended for safety inspections, so check the operator's notices before relying on the train to Don Mueang.
Sources: Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT), Don Mueang International Airport (AOT), History of AOT, Suvarnabhumi transportation (AOT), Don Mueang transportation (AOT), Suvarnabhumi airline directory, Don Mueang airline directory, SRT Electrified Train (Red Line), TAT visitor information, September 26, 2026. Checked September 26, 2026.
Bangkok has two commercial airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Both are operated by Airports of Thailand.
BKK is Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s main international airport. Don Mueang’s code is DMK.
By AOT’s figures, Don Mueang is about 25 km north of Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi about 31 km east. Travel time depends more on traffic and your route than on distance.
Don Mueang (DMK) is Bangkok’s low-cost hub, used by airlines such as Thai AirAsia and Nok Air. Some low-cost and regional airlines also fly from Suvarnabhumi, so check your booking.
Yes, for connecting passengers only. As of September 2026, AOT lists a free shuttle every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight; you need an onward flight ticket and your passport or ID.
Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang are about 46 km apart, according to AOT. Allow at least several hours between flights at different airports.
Suvarnabhumi serves Bangkok but is in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, just east of the city. Don Mueang is inside the City of Bangkok.
