Getting from Bangkok Airport to the City: All Your Transfer Options

From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to the City

There are several options for getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city. The best one for you depends entirely on which neighborhood your hotel is in.

In a hurry?

Book a private van directly from BKK Airport to your hotel

Otherwise, we recommend opening our Bangkok hotel tips article alongside this one, where we tell you the best places to stay in Bangkok (if you haven’t booked anything yet).

The best transfer options by destination (neighborhood):

From Bangkok Airport to Khao San Road / Riverside:

• Budget-friendly: Bus
• Comfortable & usually faster: Taxi or private van

From Bangkok Airport to Sukhumvit Road:

• Budget-friendly & fast: Airport Rail Link
• Comfortable: Taxi or private van

From Bangkok Airport to Sathorn & Silom:

• Budget-friendly: Airport Rail Link + Metro
• More comfortable & faster: Taxi or private van

You’ll almost always land at Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), when arriving on a long-haul flight to Bangkok — whether that’s a direct flight or a connection.

Taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok to the City Center

• Cost: 300 to 500 Baht (approx. $8 to $14)
• Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Hours: Around the clock

The most comfortable way to get from Bangkok Airport to the city is by taxi. But depending on the time of day, it’s not always the fastest.

• Fastest: At night between 10 PM and 5 AM, and weekend mornings ➞ usually 30 to 45 minutes
• Slowest: Weekdays between 7–10 AM and 4:30–7:30 PM ➞ usually 1.5 to over 2 hours

Where do you find the public taxis at BKK Airport?

Taxis are available at all times on Level 1 (Ground Floor), between exits 4 and 7.

Passport control and baggage claim are on Level 2, so you need to go down one level.

Between exits 4 and 7 you’ll find the taxi coordination office and ticket machines. Pull a ticket from the machine showing your lane number.

Then head to the lane matching your ticket number — your taxi will be waiting there. You typically pay with cash.

Our tip: Make sure your driver turns on the taxi meter.
Alternative: Grab Taxi from Bangkok Airport to the City Center

You can also order a taxi through the Grab app. The big advantage: you know in advance exactly how much the ride from Bangkok Airport to the city will cost and can pay online.

You can technically order a Grab taxi anywhere at the airport. Our driver came to Level 2 after a bit of back-and-forth messaging.

For a smoother experience, use the official Grab Taxi pick-up and drop-off point on Level 1, Exit 4. Grab is honestly our favorite option here.

Even More Comfortable: Private Van from Bangkok Airport to the City

• Cost: approx. $30 per vehicle for 1–2 people, approx. $43 per vehicle for 3 or more people
• Hours: Around the clock

Even easier is a private minivan that you book online in advance. You’ll be picked up directly in the arrivals hall — on Level 2, at Exit 4.

Once you arrive, you’ll see lots of people holding signs. Just look for the sign with your name and the GetYourGuide logo. The vehicle will be waiting just outside.

You can book the private minivan online up to three hours in advance. When booking, you enter your flight number so the driver knows exactly when to be there.

Book your private minivan from BKK Airport to the city here
Our tip: The private transfer is especially great for families. You skip the taxi back-and-forth, the price is fixed for three or more people, and you can even add a baby seat to your booking.

Taking the Bangkok Airport Rail Link into the City

• Cost: 15 to 45 Baht (approx. $0.40 to $1.20)
• Duration: max. 30 minutes to the terminal station Phaya Thai
• Hours: between 5:30 AM and midnight, every 10 to 15 minutes

If your hotel is in the Sukhumvit, Sathorn, or Silom neighborhood, the Airport Rail Link is by far the cheapest airport transfer in Bangkok — and seriously hard to beat on value.

You’ll find the Airport Rail Link in the airport on the lowest level, Level B1. From the arrivals hall on Level 2, you need to go down two levels.

The Airport Rail Link is well signposted throughout the airport. Buy your single ticket at the machine, which accepts cash or credit card.

The train stops at 7 stations:

• Lat Krabang
• Ban Thap Chang
• Hua Mak
• Ramkhamhaeng
• Makkasan – transfer to MRT (Phetchaburi)
• Ratchaprarop
• Phaya Thai – transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line

If your hotel isn’t right next to one of the stops, the most useful stations are Makkasan and Phaya Thai.

At Makkasan Station you can transfer to the MRT to reach your hotel in Sukhumvit, Silom, and Chinatown (sometimes with an additional transfer).

Phaya Thai is the last stop, where you can transfer to the BTS to reach the Sathorn and Silom neighborhoods in particular (sometimes with an additional transfer).

You can also take a taxi, Grab, or tuk-tuk from the Airport Rail Link stations. This combo is still cheaper than taking a taxi all the way from the airport.

Bus from BKK Airport to the City Center

• Cost: 60 Baht (approx. $1.60)
• Duration: 1 to 2 hours
• Hours: 6 AM to 8 PM, every 30 to 60 minutes

If your hotel is in the Old City or Riverside area, airport bus S1 is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok airport to the city.

The S1 bus stop at the airport is on Level 1 near Exit 7 (close to the taxis). You’ll see a large sign for Line S1.

From the arrivals hall you need to go down one level. You can also follow the signs showing the taxi and bus symbol, which say Public Transportation.

Many accommodations in Bangkok’s Old City are located near the following stops:

• Wat Ratchanatdaram
• Wat Bowonniwet
• Khao San Road
• Wat Chana Songkram
• Sanam Luang

Check Google Maps — one of our favorite travel apps — to see which stop is closest to your place to stay. You can walk to your hotel from there or hop in a tuk-tuk.

If your hotel is in the Riverside area, you can also grab a taxi or Grab. That neighborhood is just a bit further along.

Our tip: Even though you can technically pay by card on the buses, we recommend having the exact fare in cash just to be safe.

Note: Especially during the best time to visit Thailand, the bus can get crowded. The Old City is a popular area to stay because it’s home to the most important sights in Bangkok.

From Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to the City

There are 2 options for getting from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Bangkok’s city center: by taxi (or private van) or by bus. So it really comes down to how much you want to spend.

In a hurry?

Book a private van directly from DMK Airport to your hotel

Here’s a quick overview of your Bangkok airport transportation options from DMK:

• Taxi or private van: Fastest & most comfortable
• Bus: Cheapest

On our recent Thailand trips, we’ve found that you’ll quite often need to get from Don Mueang Airport into the city.

For example, if you’re doing a Thailand road trip and flying to Bangkok from Koh Samui, Phuket, or Chiang Mai and want to save money on the flight — many budget airlines land at Don Mueang.

The same goes if you’re arriving on a budget carrier from a neighboring country like Laos or Cambodia.

Taxi from Don Mueang Airport to the City Center

• Cost: 300 to 400 Baht (approx. $8 to $11)
• Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
• Hours: Around the clock

The most comfortable option is a taxi from DMK Airport to Bangkok’s city center. Despite traffic, it’s also the fastest — there’s still no rail connection from Don Mueang Airport.

Where do you find the public taxis at DMK Airport?

There are two locations for public taxis — one at Terminal 1 (international flights) and one at Terminal 2 (domestic flights).

Taxis at Terminal 1 (international flights)

The public taxis at Terminal 1 are on Level 1 (Ground Floor), directly in front of Exits 4 through 8. The arrivals hall is on Level 2, so you need to go down one floor.

Downstairs there’s an official taxi counter and ticket machines. Pull a ticket showing your lane number.

Then head to the designated lane — your taxi will already be waiting. You’ll typically pay with cash.

Taxis at Terminal 2 (domestic flights)

The public taxis at Terminal 2 are also on Level 1 (Ground Floor), in front of Exit 15. You arrive on Level 2.

Here too you need to pull a ticket and go to the designated lane. You also pay in cash.

Our tip: Make sure the driver starts the taxi meter — it’s required by law and is usually cheaper than a flat rate.
Alternative: Grab Taxi from DMK Airport Bangkok to the City Center

Another solid option is booking a taxi through the Grab app. The advantage: you know the fare in advance and can pay conveniently online.

There’s an official Grab pick-up and drop-off point at Terminal 2, Level 1, Exit 14.

From our travels through Southeast Asia, we’ve found you can also order your Grab taxi to other spots at the airport if needed.

Private Airport Transfer from Bangkok's DMK Airport to the City

• Cost: approx. $30 per vehicle for 1–2 people, approx. $43 per vehicle for 3 or more people
• Hours: Around the clock

The quickest and most stress-free way to reach your hotel is with a private minivan that you book online in advance.

For domestic flights, your driver will be waiting at Terminal 2, Level 1, at Exit 11 — that’s the arrivals hall in the domestic area.

If you’re arriving on an international flight, your driver will pick you up at Terminal 1, Level 1, at Exit 5 — the arrivals hall in the international area.

Once you get there, just look for a sign with your first name and the GetYourGuide logo.

You enter your flight number when booking, and your driver will wait for you even if your flight is delayed.

Book your private airport transfer from DMK Airport to your hotel

Bus from Don Mueang Airport to the City Center

• Cost: 50 Baht ($1.40)
• Duration: 50 to 90 minutes
• Hours: 6 AM to 11 PM, every 20 to 30 minutes

Don Mueang Airport has really good bus connections into the city — and these are definitely the cheapest option.

The airport buses don’t depart directly in front of the terminal entrance, but from a dedicated area on the north side of the airport.

After arriving at Terminal 1 or 2, head to the ground floor and exit at Exit 6 or 12. From there, follow the signs for Public Bus or Bus to City.

The bus stop is under a covered shelter next to a small parking lot. It’s well signposted, and from a distance you can already spot the blue buses (occasionally still yellow ones).

There are four bus lines in total; for tourists, lines A3 and A4 are the most useful.

Take Line A3 if your hotel is in the Sukhumvit, Sathorn, or Silom neighborhood. The most important stops are:

• Ratchaprasong (CentralWorld & surrounding area)
• Ratchadamri (near BTS Ratchadamri Station)
• Sala Daeng / MRT Si Lom (Silom–Patpong area)
• Several stops around Lumphini Park

From there, you’ll likely still need a tuk-tuk, taxi, or Grab to reach your accommodation.

Take Line A4 if your hotel is in the Old City or around Khao San Road. The most important stops are:

• Wat Bowonniwet
• Bang Lamphu
• Khaosan Road / Wat Chanasongkram
• National Gallery
• Sanam Luang Bus Terminal

Depending on exactly where your hotel is, you can even walk from some stops. Otherwise, we’d suggest a tuk-tuk, taxi, or Grab.

Our tip: Even though you can technically pay by card on the buses, we recommend having the exact fare in cash just to be safe.

Bonus Tip: Free Shuttle Bus Between Both Airports

• Cost: Free
• Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
• Hours: 5 AM to midnight, every 30 to 60 minutes

Bangkok also has a free airport shuttle that runs back and forth between both airports.

This is super useful if you have a short layover and are continuing your journey the same or next day — but you land at Don Mueang and your next flight departs from Suvarnabhumi, or vice versa.

What you need to know about the airport shuttle in Bangkok:

• It is free.
• You may only use it if you have a valid flight ticket or booking confirmation for the same or next day.
• You must show your ticket in advance at the shuttle desk. Your name will be checked off a list and you’ll receive a kind of ticket for the bus.
• Allow at least 6 hours between the arrival and departure of your flights — more is better!

Where do you find the shuttle bus at Suvarnabhumi Airport?

The shuttle bus departs from Level 2 (Arrivals Hall) at Exit 3. You can also follow the signs for Shuttle Bus (to Don Mueang).

Inside the building near Exit 3 there’s a counter called AOT. There you show your passport and your flight ticket (e-ticket also accepted).

Where do you find the shuttle bus at Don Mueang Airport?

The shuttle bus departs from Terminal 1, Level 1, Exit 6. This is not the same stop as the A3 and A4 airport buses.

Inside the building near Exit 6 is the counter called AOT, where you need to show your ticket and passport.

We’ve had really great experiences with the free airport shuttle. We arrived in the afternoon from Siem Reap (after visiting Angkor Wat) at Don Mueang and flew on in the evening from Suvarnabhumi to Vienna. The bus was on time, fast, and ran without any stops.

Important Tips Before Arriving at Bangkok Airport

To make your arrival at Bangkok Airport as smooth as possible, here are 3 important things to know.

#1 Think About Where You Want to Stay

Before you sort out your Bangkok airport transfer, decide where in Bangkok you actually want to stay. You can get pretty much anywhere by public transit or taxi.

Most highlights and activities in Bangkok are centered around the Old City and the neighborhoods of Sukhumvit, Sathorn, and Silom. Most tours in Bangkok also start somewhere in this area.

For a complete overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok — with all the pros and cons — check out our hotel tips article.

We also share our personal hotel recommendations for each neighborhood there.

#2 Withdraw Cash

You can’t pay by card everywhere in Thailand, so we recommend always having some cash on hand.

The best place to get your first Thai Baht (THB) is right at the airport. You’ll find plenty of ATMs at both airports.

A credit card with no foreign transaction fees is ideal — with one of those, you don’t have to worry about fees or exchange rates and can simply withdraw money for free.

In Thailand, though, every ATM operator charges an additional 220 THB (approx. $6) fee.

Our tip: Some ATMs ask which denominations you’d like. We recommend choosing lots of smaller bills — hardly anyone can make change for large bills.

#3 Buy a SIM Card or eSIM

We also strongly recommend picking up a SIM card. It gives you internet access everywhere, keeps you reachable, and lets you plan your trip on the go with Google Maps.

You can buy a physical SIM card right at the airport. At BKK Airport you’ll find plenty of providers near the baggage hall or in the arrivals hall after clearing customs.

Don Mueang Airport has plenty of SIM card vendors too. Depending on the duration and data volume, you’ll pay around 150 to 600 Baht ($4 to $16).

Our top recommendation these days, though, is an eSIM for travel. The advantages:

• No swapping SIM cards
• You can’t lose it
• Multi-country plans available (great for a Southeast Asia trip, for example)
• More eco-friendly than physical SIM cards
• Quick activation right when you land

The main downside: an eSIM is usually slightly more expensive than a physical SIM card.

We’ve laid out exactly how an eSIM works and whether it’s the right fit for you in our eSIM for travel article.

Read more important travel tips for your Thailand vacation here

Just One Night in Bangkok: Our Hotel Tips Near the Airport

Only in Bangkok for a layover and one night? Then we recommend staying at a hotel close to the airport in Bangkok.

Even if you have a free afternoon, you can easily hop into the city using Bangkok’s truly excellent airport transportation options.

That’s exactly what we did once. We had an early onward flight the next day from Don Mueang to Luang Prabang in Laos.

We wanted to sleep close to the airport — but we still headed into the city for a boat tour on Bangkok’s river and a delicious Pad Thai at Myth Streetfood (one of our top insider tips in Bangkok).

Hotel tip near BKK Airport: At Residence Suvarnabhumi Hotel
Hotel tip near DMK Airport: Airport Mini Hostel
More hotel recommendations at both airports can be found in our separate article — there’s something for every budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airport Transfers in Bangkok