Don Muang Airport

One of two international airports in Bangkok, the other being Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang airport is the regional hub for low cost airlines.

Opened in 1914, Don Muang is Asia’s oldest airport. The first commercial flight was in 1924. Today the airport serves some 40 million passengers per year.

Closure and re opening

Don Muang was Bangkok’s main airport for both international and domestic flights until late 2006, when the new Suvarnabhumi airport opened.

The old Don Muang was closed. In 2007 the airport re opened for a number of domestic flights, because of congestion at Suvarnabhumi. Over the last years Don Muang airport has been renovated and is today a base for budget airlines and regional flights.

Hub for low cost airlines

Don Muang is a base for low cost airlines as Nok Air, NokScoot, Thai Lion Air, Air Asia and New Gen Airways. It serves both domestic and international destinations.

Two terminals

The airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is for international arrivals and departures, terminal 2 is domestic. Both buildings have two levels. Arrivals are on the first floor, the departure hall is on the second floor.

Arrivals

The arrivals hall is on the first floor. Here you will also find several banks, money exchange, restaurants and telecom shops.

Meeting point
If you have arranged private transfer into Bangkok, pick up is usually from the meeting point. At domestic arrivals, the meeting point is right next to the taxi stand. At international arrivals, the meeting point is at exit number 2.

SIM Card
Tourists can buy a Thai SIM card at one of the telecom shops at ground level. AIS, DTAC and True Move all sell SIM cards. A good choice is the Happy Tourist Data Sim, which offers eight days unlimited 4G Internet at a price of 299 Baht.

Departures

The departure hall is on the second floor. There are several restaurants and money exchangers on this floor as well.

Food & drink

Plenty of food and drink available at Don Muang airport.

Restaurants
Among others there are a Burger King, McDonald’s, Black Canyon, Dairy Queen, the Magic Garden food court and several coffee shops. Halal food is available at several restaurants, including a lamb kebab shop and Bangmäd Halal food.

Magic Garden food court
The Magic Garden food court is located at level 2 of terminal 2. Here you can get Japanese food or Thai food as curries, noodle soup and Pad Thai. The food court opens 24 hours per day.

Shopping at Don Muang Airport

There are duty free shops in the international arrivals and departures where you can buy products as liquors, perfumes and tobacco. For silk products, take a look in the Jim Thompson silk store.

If you like the Jim Thompson products, visit Jim Thompson House on Rama I road.

Location

Don Muang airport is located on Vibhavadi Rangsit road, about 25 kilometers North of downtown Bangkok.

How to get to and from Don Muang airport

The airport can be reached by taxi, train and bus. There is no ARL Airport Rail Link, BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway connection to Don Muang.

Getting around Bangkok: BTS Sky Train, river boat, MRT Subway, SRT Red Line, ARL Airport Link, Taxi & Tuk Tuk.

From / to Bangkok city

You can get to downtown Bangkok by metered taxi, train and public bus.

Taxi
By far the easiest and most comfortable way to get to the city is by metered taxi.

Walk to the taxi stand at the end of the arrivals hall and tell the clerk where you want to go. Exit the building and walk to the taxi with your ticket which shows your destination in Thai language.

The taxi meter starts at 35 Baht. There is a 50 Baht airport charge to pay as well as highway tolls payable at the highway pay booths.

The ride to downtown will take some 30 minutes to one hour, total fare will come to 250 to 400 Baht depending on destination and traffic.

Train
The Don Muang railway station is located across the road from the airport. Exit the terminal building and take the footbridge to cross the road. Take a train on the SRT Dark Red Line to Bang Sue Grand station. There you can connect to the MRT Subway.

From / to Suvarnabhumi airport

Distance to Suvarnabhumi airport is about 45 kilometers. You can get there by free shuttle bus or metered taxi.

Free shuttle bus
If your flight arrives at Don Muang airport and you have a connecting flight departing from Suvarnabhumi airport, you can use the free shuttle bus.

Exit the terminal building on the first floor and walk to the shuttle bus booth. Show the clerk your ticket for a flight departing from Suvarnabhumi and get on the bus. The ride will take one to two hours depending on traffic.

Bangkok’s best attractions