Which Bangkok Airport is best to fly or closest to City?

Two airports serve Bangkok; Don Mueang Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Don Mueang airport is the closest to central Bangkok 16.1 miles away, and the fastest public transport (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority) takes 55 minutes to central Bangkok depending on traffic. Suvarnabhumi airport is the furthest 20.6 miles away from the central Bangkok, and it will take you 26 minutes using the fast train to the city centre. Alternatively, passengers can use taxis which are faster 18 minutes to Bangkok from Don Mueang and 24 minutes from Suvarnabhumi airport.

Compare airport distances and transfer times to the center of Bangkok by public transport below.

Distance to Central Bangkok:

Don Mueang Airport: 16.1 miles / 26 km
Suvanabhumi Airport: 20.6 miles / 33.2 km

Don Mueang Airport to Central Bangkok Journey Times:

By Train: 58 minutes
By Bus: 55 minutes
By Private Transfer: 18 minutes
By Taxi: 18 minutes

Suvanabhumi Airport to Central Bangkok Journey Times:

By Train: 26 minutes
By Bus: 73 minutes
By Private Transfer: 23 minutes
By Taxi: 24 minutes

Don Mueang airport is the best airport to fly into when flying to Bangkok because it is closer to central Bandgkok and from this airport you can visit all the attractions in the city faster. It is one of oldest international airport and also the largest low-cost carrier airport in the world. The airport is served by low-cost carriers with like AirAsia, JC International Airlines, Indonesia AirAsia, Malindo Air, New Gen Airways, Nok Air, NokScoot, Philippines AirAsia, Scoot, Thai AirAsia, and many more with domestic and international flights within the country and around Asia. Its fast bus takes 55 minutes to the city centre from the airport while trains take 58 minutes. You can use a taxi which is faster just 18 minutes drive to central Bangkok. Since Don Mueang is a smaller airport with less crowd, it see fewer flight delays and queues making the process at security and immigration faster, the downside is the fact that its public transport is not fast so make plans to use a taxi.

BKK (Suvarnabhumi airport) is the main airport serving Bangkok and Thailand. The airport has the biggest single terminal building and the tallest free-standing control tower in the world, this makes navigating the airport terminal on foot a hassle and tiring. It handles more crowd so expect more queues and flight delays at the airport. Suvarnabhumi airport is served by major airlines such as Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Italy, Air Macau, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, China Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and many more with short haul and long haul flights to various destinations across the world and Asia. It has a fast train that makes the journey to the city centre in 26 minutes compared to DMK's airport train which makes the journey in 58 minutes, but its bus takes an hour to central Bangkok.

Based on the close proximity and shorter transfer journey times from the airport to the city centre, Don Mueang can be considered a better airport to fly into when travelling to Bangkok, either for business or pleasure. It is served by train, bus, taxi and private transfer services, the journey to the city centre by train takes 58 minutes, 55 minutes by bus and 18 minutes by taxi or private limousine transfer from $1-$31. Expect fewer queues at immigration, and less flight delays at the airport.

Don Mueang is closer to all the main top attractions in the city, just 26 kilometres away, passengers can visit the Grand Palace in central Bangkok using the BMTA line A4 from $1-$2 for a 77 minutes journey. Taxi happens to be a faster means which takes 20 minutes from $10-$13 to the attraction where you can walk to other attractions. Some of these attractions include Wat Phra Kaew, Khaosan Road, Wat Arun, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Asiatique The Riverfront, BTS Skytrain, Yaowarat Road, Golden Buddha, Safari WorldLumphini Park, Erawan ShrineWat SaketJames H W Thompson Foundation, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, Soi Cowboy, Rattanakosin Island, Siam Park City, Baiyoke Tower II and many more.

From Don Mueang Airport by:

Train (State Railway of Thailand):$1-$28 - http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=EngTrain runs hourly daily.

Bus (Line A4):$1-$2-https://www.transitbangkok.com/lines/bangkok-bus-line/A4 Bus runs every 20 minutes.

Private Transfer:$31 - https://huahin.bangkoktaxi24.com/ Available on demand.

Taxi: $10 - $13 - http://www.allthaitaxi.com/website/en/home/Available 24/7.
But Private taxes are cheaper than Airport taxis, here to Book at

From Suvarnabhumi Airport by:

Train: Airport Rail Link
(City Line)$1-$2 - http://srtet.co.th/index.php/en/Train runs every 5 minutes daily from the airport.

Bus: (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority S1) $1-$2 - https://www.transitbangkok.com/lines/bangkok-bus-line/S1Bus runs every 30 minutes daily.

Private Transfer: $28-$30 - https://12go.asia/en/travel/suvarnabhumi-airport/bangkok?z=3481Available on demand.

Taxi: $12-$15 -http://www.allthaitaxi.com/website/en/home/Available 24/7.
But Private taxes are cheaper than Airport taxis, here to Book at

Hotel prices can vary greatly depending on how far in advance you book, the demand for rooms, and which hotel you book but the prices below will give you a rough idea and you can do further research and hotel booking at https://www.tripindicator.com/hotel.html

Don Mueang Airport Hotels: From $26 per night
Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotels: From $14 per night

All of the airports mentioned offer competitive prices and a range of cars to suit your needs. Prices are based on the type of car, driver age, length of hire, and demand but you can get a rough idea for each airport below.

Don Mueang Airport Car Rental:
Budget Cars: (Honda Fit, Ford Figo etc) $73.98 per day
Intermediate Cars: (Peugeot 408, Toyota Corolla, etc) $110.00 per day

Compare prices here - https://www.tripindicator.com/car-hire/bangkok-airport.html

Suvarnabhumi Airport Car Rental:
Budget Cars: (Honda Fit, Ford Figo etc) $69.22 per day
Intermediate Cars: (Peugeot 408, Toyota Corolla, etc) $110.00 per day

Compare prices here - https://www.tripindicator.com/car-hire/bangkok-airport.html

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the primary airport serving Greater Bangkok. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has a single passenger terminal, it is regarded as the airport with the biggest terminal in the world.

Don Mueang International Airport is the closest airport to the city centre, in Bangkok. It is 26 kilometres from central Bangkok where all the top attractions are located.

At DMK, the following hotels are the best for travellers, Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok (4-Star) -$71, Add Home Hostel(2.5-star) -$26,and ZZZ Hostel - Don Mueang Airport (2-Star) - $36. At BKK, Miracle Transit Hotel (3.5-Star)- $146, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport (4.5-Star) - $187, and YHA Bangkok Airport - Hostel (2-Star) - $14.

Some of the amazing things to see and do near Bangkok airports include Eat at Thai culture, Relax in the airport lounge, Shop duty-free, visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, one of Thailand's most famous Buddhist temples, Khao San Roadfamous for street noodles, Thai massages and beer buckets, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld Siam, Chang Massage and Spa, Megabangna Shopping Center, Suvarnabhumi Outdoor Market, Chef LeeZ Thai Cooking Class, Train Night Market, Amazing Adventure Bangkok and many more.