Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) used to be the main airport to and from Bangkok Thailand. Now Bangkok has another airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) which opened in 2006. DMK airport is located in the North part of Bangkok while BKK is located in the Southeast.
Both airports are extremely busy airports. The business of the airport can be overwhelming when you travel, but both airports have trains that connect them into the city. Here we will learn how to use the different forms of transportation available to take you from Bangkok DMK Airport to city of Bangkok. With all the different options you will find one that suits your family travel needs.
If you are flying into the other airport, BKK, you can read all about how to use its train also to get from BKK into the city.
About Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Don Mueang Airport tends to cater to different airlines from BKK, so be sure to check which airport you are flying into when you arrive in Thailand. DMK tends to aim for the shorter and closer locations, while BKK is a more long-haul airport. Don Mueang is the location of most Air Asia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion. Of course there are expectations. So, check your ticket.
Once you arrive in DMK airport you have options to get into Bangkok city. Some options are convenient and cost more while others are more cumbersome but will cost you less. What is best for you and your family will depend on what time you arrive and your preferences. We have taken each of these options at different times and they each have different reasons as to why they are good.
The Ways to Get from Bangkok’s DMK Airport to the City
Airport Pickup
Hiring airport pickup through your hotel will be the most expensive. This will also be your most convenient option as you will most likely be greeted by your driver right upon exiting baggage claim.
They will often have your name written on a sign and this can be very helpful if you are arriving really late at night and just to get to your accommodations quickly. You can check with your hotel about airport pickup to see if this is available. Many hotels offer it. The cost will vary in large amounts based on your destination.
Taxi
Taking the taxi is fast and convenient also. There are always amble taxis waiting at the airport, so this is a good option. Taxis are very reasonably priced in Bangkok.
To take a taxi from Bangkok’s DMK into the city you will follow this guide:
EXIT out of baggage claim International Arrivals (Terminal 1).
LEFT turn once you leave baggage claim. Be sure to stay inside the building.
WALK until you reach what looks like the end of the building. The taxi stalls are on the same level you left baggage claim from. This is LEVEL 1.
You will find a sign that says "Taxi" and you will see a fenced off area with lots of seating and a place to take a que number.
At the TAXI SERVICE counter, you will instruct them of the location you want the taxi to take you.
There is a taxi station at both the International (Terminal 1), and Domestic (Terminal 2). They are both located at the far left of the terminal.
The downside of taking a taxi is that you are at the mercy of whether the driver knows where your location is. It is very common for a driver to agree on a rider but then not actually know where the location is.
However, you will have to be aware that there is a 50 Baht surcharge on all taxi rides leaving the airport to the city. This is true for when you book a taxi through the Grab App.
This is normal and they not taking advantage of you. Once you are in the taxi, they should be using the meter to determine the price.
Hours of Operation and Payment
Taxi’s running from DMK into the city operate 24 hours a day, so they will always be available.
To get to downtown Bangkok you can expect to pay somewhere between 350-500 baht with a normal taxi.
If they try to set a price before leaving, they are trying to take advantage of you. They are required to use the meter. The 50 surcharge for airport is not shown in the meter.
You will need to pay your taxi driver in cash.
Grab Taxi
Another option that is similar to taxi is by using the Grab Taxi service. Grab is similar to Uber or InDrive and is used all throughout Southeast Asia. You can download the Grab App.
This App is useful for ordering food during your stay in Thailand also. It will make your trip to Thailand much more convenient to get it up and running.
To book a taxi with Grab you will simply go into the App and choose the destination you want to go, much like using Google Maps. From there you will choose where you want to be picked up. You can specify Don Mueang Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
How to use Grab:
OPEN Grab App.
CHOOSE location you want to go.
CHOOSE vehicle type you want. You can specify larger van if you have luggage. Cost is adjusted according to the type of vehicle you want.
BOOK your pickup location within the airport.
MEET at LEVEL 1 outside by the road. Driver will often instruct you what DOOR # to meet at.
The benefit of using Grab is the driver has the location of your destination on the app and the chances of ending up with a driver who does not know how to get to your destination is very small. Once you connect with a driver they may text you as to which door they want to meet you at.
Also note that when you book a Grab Taxi you are still subject to the 50 Baht surcharge on all taxi rides leaving the airport for the city. If you encounter any tolls this total will be added to the amount.
You should only need to pay the tolls at the end of the trip along with the payment for the ride.
To get to Siam or downtown Bangkok you can expect to pay somewhere between 350-500 baht with a normal taxi.
Hours of Operation and Payment
Grab drives are available 24 hours a day and always available. During peak hours it may prove difficult to find a driver and it may be faster to get a traditional taxi.
To get to downtown Bangkok you can expect to pay somewhere between 350-550 baht with a normal taxi.
You can link you bank card to the Grab app, but if that does not work (not all cards are accepted). You can also pay in cash at the end of the trip if your account is not linked to a bank card.
Pro Travel Tip: You can link foreign bank cards to Grab and it can be used in all Southeast Asian countries.
Train SRT Red Line
If you want to get a feel for the pulse of the city, taking the train from the airport is your best option. It is also one of your cheapest options. This option works best if you are traveling with a small group and do not need to get to your location quickly.
The train from Bangkok DMK airport to the city is a good option if your accommodation is in the North part of the city. The SRT Red Line only goes a short distance into Bangkok. The train out of DMK takes you into the north part of the city.
To take the train from Bangkok’s DMK to the city follow this guide:
EXIT out of baggage claim from International Arrivals (Terminal 1)
LEFT turn once you leave baggage claim. Stay inside the building. You will see a sign directly outside of baggage claim pointing you toward the SRT Train station. (750 meters)
WALK until you reach what looks like the end of the building. You will see the taxi stall ahead of you.
GO UP the escalator up to LEVEL 2
RIGHT turn at the top of the escalator and keep walking. You will keep walking for a way, and you will see a place to turn. There will be signage.
RIGHT turn will take you towards the train station.
You will want to turn left once you exit out of immigration and baggage claim to locate it. You can get to it from either the International or the Domestic Terminal. It is about a 750 meter walk away from the International Terminal, less from the Domestic.
Once you have walked to where you find the taxi station you will go up the escalator to the second floor. This will have you walking past the Domestic Terminal. Don’t worry, there are many signs along the way, and they have made it very clear which way to go.
Once you pass a bit further you will walk through some halls that seem rather empty, but don’t worry, the signs continue on. You will turn right again, and this will take you away from the Terminals and toward the station.
The SRT Red line has multiple stations. The one that is at the airport is called Don Mueang Station. This is the station you will be entering. From here you can go to the ticket machine to purchase your ticket. You can also find a counter where you can purchase from a person should you have any questions.
Family tip: The train station at DMK has amazing views of the airport. Kids and adults will love to watch the airplanes taking off, landing, and taxiing.
The SRT Red Line will take you down to its terminal station. The terminal station is called Bang Sue Grand Station (also known as Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station). This terminal station connects directly with the MRT.
The MRT can take you to all over the city of Bangkok. Check out this awesome and helpful map of the Bangkok metro system to help plan to your destination. This terminal station also connects with long distance trains that can take you all over Thailand if that is where you want to go.
It takes about 20 minutes to travel from Bangkok’s DMK airport to the terminal station.
Hours of Operation and Cost
The SRT Train station runs from 5:30 until 12:00 (midnight), and the bridge that takes you over from the airport is open from 5:00 until 12:00 (midnight), so that is something to take note of if you are flying into DMK airport after midnight or of before 5:30 in the morning.
The Cost of the SRT train is 20 baht for a single trip, regardless of the distance you travel along the SRT line.
You will need to pay in coin in you purchase from the automated machine. If you pay at the counter you can pay in cash, coins, or card.
When your final destination is along the SRT line great. If you need to transfer to another line, you will have to purchase another ticket at that station. There is no all-encompassing ticket option that covers the entire public train system.
Frequency of the Train
The train comes about once every 10 minutes. Don’t worry, if you show up just as the one train is leaving you can enjoy the time watching the planes landing and taking off.
Bus
Another convenient method to get from the Bangkok DMK airport to the city is by using the bus. There is a small bus station attached to the Don Mueang Airport that will take you to various places around Bangkok. Most of the places are found in the Northern parts of the city.
To take the bus from Bangkok DMK airport to the city follow this guide:
EXIT out of baggage claim from International Arrivals (Terminal 1).
RIGHT turn and walk until you reach DOOR 1
EXIT through DOOR 1.
RIGHT turn and walk about a minute. You will find the bus station outside just past Door 1.
Hours of Operation and Cost
A1 Bus
30 Baht
The A1 bus runs from 5:45 am – 00:00 midnight. The bus comes every 15-20 minutes.
The A1 will only take you into the Mo Chit area of Bangkok, which is in the North part. The Mo Chit stop does connect you with the BTS train system which will take you all over Bangkok also.
A2 Bus
30 Baht
The A2 bus runs from 6:00 am – 23:00 pm. The bus comes every 20-30 minutes.
The A2 bus will take you to Victory Monument. Victory Monument is close to downtown Bangkok. This stop also connects you with a BTS station.
A3 Bus
50 Baht
The A3 bus runs from 6:20 am – 23:00 pm. The bus comes every 30-40 minutes.
The A3 bus will take you to the Lumphini Park area. It also connects with multiple BTS and MRT lines along the way.
A4 Bus
50 Baht
The A4 bus runs from 6:10 am – 23:00 pm. The bus comes every 30-40 minutes.
The A4 bus will take you to the Sanam Luang, which is near the Chao Phraya River and also Khao San Rd.
You can pay cash on the bus for your ticket.
Airport To Airport
It is also very noteworthy to mention that there is free shuttle service between Bangkok’s DMK airport and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. It is free if you have a ticket flying out of the other airport.
At the bus station you can also pay for a van service from the DMK airport to the Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK). This van service will cost:
60 Baht.
Final Thoughts
There are many options of transportation to take from Bangkok DMK airport to the city of Bangkok. Which one fits your needs will be different depending on your arrival time and where you want to go.
For our family we have used different methods at different times, and they have all been helpful for us. The train is one of the most fun methods for us as it offers the best view of the city: from above on the elevated train. Taking the Grab taxis also is very nice as we know that the drive knows where to take us and is our go to choice when arriving when the train and buses are not shut down for the night.
For a list of itineraries to do in and around Bangkok, read about things to do with one day in Bangkok for families or exploring Bangkok with kids – 3 Different Budget Options.
If you happen to be flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) you can also take a train system into the city, but it is a different one. It is called the Airport Rail Link, and you can read all about it in the Airport Rail Link guide.
