There are 2 international airports in Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). How to know which Bangkok airport you should choose for your next trip to Thailand’s capital?
Bangkok Airports
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main travel hub of Thailand that is mostly used for long-haul and full-service flights to Bangkok. If you’re looking for a flight to Thailand from Europe, USA or any other distant destination, in most cases your only reasonable choice will be Suvarnabhumi Airport. Southeast Asian national carriers such as Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and other national airlines in the region also almost exclusively fly to this airport in Bangkok.
However, if you will be looking for the best flight deals to Bangkok from Asia, quite often you will be directed to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) - Bangkok’s second airport which is well connected with all Thailand regions and other Southeast Asian countries by low-cost carriers.
Which Bangkok airport is closer to the city center?
If you can find good deals for flights to both Bangkok airports, you might consider choosing the airport which is closer to the city center.
Online maps normally consider the area around Democracy Monument to be the center of Bangkok City. The distance between Suvarnabhumi Airport and this spot in the city center is about 31 kilometers. Don Mueang Airport is located about 23 kilometers north of Democracy Monument, making DMK Airport closer to the city center.
Which Bangkok airport is better connected to the city center?
Suvarnabhumi Airport is not as close to Bangkok City center as Don Mueang Airport but the main airport of Bangkok is better connected to the city by public transportation. City train system called Airport Rail Link connects Suvarnabhumi Airport with Bangkok City and lets you conveniently reach the center in as little as 30 minutes. When using Airport Rail Link, you can also easily connect to other city train systems of Bangkok – BTS SkyTrain and MRT (Metro).
Don Mueang Airport has recently been connected with Bangkok City by SRT Red Line commuter train, so now you can take city train from the airport to the city. However, the SRT red line connecting DMK airport with the city terminates in the northern part of the city and for getting into the city center you need to transfer to MRT that is quite time consuming. It is also possible to get to the central part of the city by an ordinary train departing from the train station located not that far from DMK Airport. However, taking this train is only recommended if you are on a very tight budget and have a plan to stay near Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Taking one of Don Mueang Airport shuttle buses would be a better option if you are willing to use public transportation for getting into the city.
Which Bangkok airport to choose?
Depending on where in Bangkok you will be staying, taxi fare for a trip from the airport to the city center might be different for BKK and DMK but in most cases the difference won’t be significant. Public transportation costs for both airports will also be close. As the distance from Bangkok airports to the city center is not that much different and both airports are quite well connected with the city, you should focus on comparing flight deals when choosing Bangkok airport for your flight.
Tips
Choosing the best area for your stay in Bangkok before booking a flight might also help you decide which Bangkok airport to choose as some of the areas can be easier reached from BKK and others from DMK.
If you are planning to stay in Pratunam, choose the best way to get there from Suvarnabhumi Airport and from Don Mueang Airport.
To travel between Bangkok airports, you can choose from different options that are briefly described in the article BKK to DMK. Traveling to the opposite direction is detailed here: DMK to BKK.