In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Before you fly, fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days of arrival; immigration asks for the confirmation email. Bangkok has two airports. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is connected by the Airport Rail Link (ARL), which runs from the basement level to Phaya Thai station for 45 THB and stops at Makkasan (35 THB) for the MRT Blue Line. Don Mueang (DMK) connects via the SRT Dark Red Line electric train (33 THB) to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, with trains from 05:00 until midnight, or by airport bus to Mo Chit BTS. Official metered taxis run from kiosk ranks at both airports; the airport surcharge and expressway tolls are added to the meter. Or book a tour: a private Suvarnabhumi hotel transfer on GetYourGuidead (from ฿1,075, 4.8 stars from 4,845 reviews) includes the expressway toll and a driver waiting at Gate 4, against 45 THB for the train.
Before you land: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Every non-Thai visitor must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online, whether they arrive by air, land or sea. It is free, it is not a visa, and you can submit it up to 3 days before arrival. Use the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th; look-alike sites that charge a fee are not the official one. Show the acknowledgement email with your passport at the immigration counter. The Bangkok guide has the full entry rules.
Two airports, two sides of the city
Bangkok is served by two international airports located on opposite sides of the metropolitan area.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Airlines | Public transport to the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi | BKK | 30 km east | British Airways, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways | Airport Rail Link (ARL) to Phaya Thai |
| Don Mueang | DMK | 24 km north | AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, regional budget carriers | SRT Dark Red Line train or airport express buses |
What each way costs
| Way into the city | What you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi | 45 THB to Phaya Thai, 35 THB to Makkasan (Chulalongkorn University) | Daily 06:00 to 24:00; a train every 10 minutes from 06:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, every 15 minutes otherwise |
| SRT Dark Red Line from Don Mueang | 33 THB to Krung Thep Aphiwat (SRT Electric Train) | Trains every 10 to 15 minutes from 05:00 to midnight |
| Metered taxi from Suvarnabhumi | The meter, plus a 50 THB airport charge and any tolls (Suvarnabhumi Airport) | Rank on Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7; the tolls are paid by the passenger |
| Pre-booked private car | From ฿1,075 on GetYourGuide, expressway toll included | A fixed price agreed before you fly; the driver meets you in the arrivals hall |
The train is the cheaper way into town at either airport. A pre-booked car earns its price when you land late with luggage or with a family.
Pre-booked transfers and fast-track
Private hotel transfer from Suvarnabhumi
From ฿1,075 · 4.8 stars from 4,845 reviews · 1 hour · expressway toll included
Bangkok Airport: Private Hotel Transfer with Expressway Toll Includedad puts a representative at Gate 4 in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name and the GetYourGuide logo, then drives you to your hotel in an air-conditioned car. The price includes the expressway fee, fuel, insurance and bottled water. Extra stops, waiting beyond the included period and undeclared oversized luggage cost more. A baby seat, VIP fast-track immigration and a 4G SIM card are optional add-ons.
Private hotel transfer from Don Mueang
From ฿1,075 · 4.8 stars from 472 reviews · 1 hour · expressway toll included
Don Mueang Airport: Private Hotel Transfer with Free Tollwayad meets international arrivals at Gate 3 of the arrivals hall and domestic arrivals at Gate 11. Each traveller may bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag, and you must give your flight details at least 24 hours before landing. A transfer between the two airports costs 500 THB extra.
Fast-track through immigration at Suvarnabhumi
From ฿2,000 · 4.7 stars from 940 reviews · 1 hour · skip the line
Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport Fast-Track Service & Assistantad has a uniformed assistant meet you at the aircraft arrival and escort you through the separate immigration entrance to baggage reclaim, for arrivals or departures. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. It is a queue-skipper for long immigration lines, not a ride into the city.
To book a driver on Klook instead, a private Suvarnabhumi airport transferad{rel=“sponsored nofollow noopener”} includes meet-and-greet and the toll fees.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to central Bangkok
The Airport Rail Link viaduct. Photo: Government of Thailand, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Suvarnabhumi sits 30 kilometres east of central Bangkok.
| Transport option | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link (ARL) | Station on the basement level; connects to the MRT Blue Line at Makkasan and to the BTS at Phaya Thai |
| Official metered taxi | Rank on Level 1; the airport surcharge and expressway tolls are paid on top of the meter |
| Grab / Bolt app | Booked in the app; pick up at the designated ride-hailing lanes outside Level 1 |
| Private transfer | Booked online ahead of travel, with a driver holding a name board at arrivals |
Airport Rail Link (ARL)
The Airport Rail Link station is on the basement level of the main passenger terminal. Buy a ticket from the machines or the staffed counter; the City Line fare runs from 15 to 45 THB by distance, with 45 THB to Phaya Thai and 35 THB to Makkasan (Chulalongkorn University).
- Makkasan station: connected by an elevated covered walkway to Phetchaburi station on the MRT Blue Line subway, which serves Sukhumvit (Asok), Silom (Sala Daeng), Chinatown (Wat Mangkon) and the Old Town (Sam Yot).
- Phaya Thai station: the terminus connects directly to Phaya Thai station on the BTS Sukhumvit Line, giving access to Siam, Asok, Thong Lo and On Nut without road traffic.
An Airport Rail Link train at Phaya Thai. Photo: Suikotei, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Official metered taxis from Suvarnabhumi
The official public taxi desk operates on Level 1 (Ground Floor).
- Press the automated touchscreen kiosk for regular taxis (small luggage) or large taxis (vans for more passengers or oversized suitcases).
- Take the printed ticket slip, which displays a lane number, driver name, vehicle registration and phone number.
- Walk to the numbered parking bay to meet the driver. Keep the printed slip as proof of trip and contact details in case items are left behind.
- Ensure the driver turns on the meter at departure.
- At the destination, pay the metered fare plus the airport charge of 50 THB and any expressway tolls incurred along the route (Suvarnabhumi Airport). Drivers accept cash; small notes speed up payment.
Drivers ask before entering whether you want the tollway; taking the highway avoids surface-level city traffic jams.
Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to central Bangkok
Don Mueang International Airport. Photo: Mattes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Don Mueang Airport handles domestic flights and regional low-cost international flights.
| Transport option | Fare | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SRT Dark Red Line | 33 THB to Krung Thep Aphiwat | Trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat from 05:00 to midnight; connects to the MRT Blue Line |
| Airport express bus | Paid on board | To Mo Chit BTS and Chatuchak Park MRT; other routes go to Victory Monument, Pratunam and Khao San Road |
| Official metered taxi | Meter, plus surcharge and tolls | Kiosk queue outside arrivals |
SRT Dark Red Line electric train
A covered walkway links the airport to the SRT Dark Red Line station. The SRT Electric Train timetable shows departures every 10 to 15 minutes from 05:00 to midnight.
The fare from Don Mueang station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (formerly Bang Sue Grand Station) is 33 THB. From Krung Thep Aphiwat, transfer through the underground passage to Bang Sue station on the MRT Blue Line to reach Sukhumvit, Silom and Chinatown.
Airport express buses
The A1 to A4 buses leave from the arrivals level of Terminal 1. Pay the conductor in cash on board.
- A1: runs to Mo Chit BTS and Chatuchak Park MRT station via the tollway, the quickest link into the rapid transit network for Sukhumvit or Silom.
- A2: follows the A1 route past Mo Chit to Victory Monument.
- A3: runs through Din Daeng to Pratunam, Ratchaprasong and Lumphini Park.
- A4: runs via the expressway to Khao San Road and Sanam Luang in the historic Rattanakosin district, within walking distance of the Grand Palace.
For temple hours, dress codes and booking advice once you reach the centre, see the main Bangkok travel guide.
Before you fly, buy a data plan with an eSIM for Thailand. Money in Bangkok covers ATM fees and cash, is Bangkok safe the taxi touts, and where to stay in Bangkok the hotels by station.
Common questions
Do I need to fill in anything before landing in Bangkok?
Yes. Every foreign visitor must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival, and show the confirmation email at immigration. It is the same for both airports.
Which airport does my flight land at in Bangkok?
Long-haul international carriers and full-service airlines usually land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), 30 km east of the centre. Regional budget carriers such as AirAsia and Thai Lion Air land at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), 24 km north of the city.
What is the cheapest way from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok?
The Airport Rail Link train from the basement level. It ends at Phaya Thai station, where passengers change to the BTS Sukhumvit line, and stops at Makkasan for the MRT Blue Line.
How much is the train from Don Mueang Airport?
The SRT Dark Red Line fare from Don Mueang to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is 33 THB.
How do metered taxis work at Bangkok airports?
Take a printed slip from the automated ticket kiosk at the official taxi rank on Level 1 at Suvarnabhumi or outside arrivals at Don Mueang. The slip names the lane and driver. Insist on the meter, and pay any airport surcharge and expressway tolls on top of the metered fare.
Can I use Grab or ride-hailing from Bangkok airports?
Yes. Grab and Bolt operate from designated pick-up bays outside the terminal. Fares are fixed in the app before booking, but tolls are added to the total.
