Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is located approximately 24 kilometers north of Bangkok's city center. It served its first commercial flight in 1924, making it one of the very first commercial airports in the world.
Don Mueang served as Bangkok's primary airport until the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006. After a brief closure for renovations, Don Mueang reopened in 2007 and today primarily handles low-cost international and domestic flights, serving as a major hub for budget travelers.
In 2024, the airport handled over 30 million passengers making it one of the busiest passenger hubs in Southeast Asia.
Major Airlines - Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air
Don Mueang serves as a significant hub for low-cost carriers, including Thai AirAsia and Nok Air, offering flights from Bangkok to various domestic and regional destinations.
Thai AirAsia X is another low-cost airline that has flights from Don Mueang to destinations farther away, like India, Japan, and South Korea.
Thai Lion Air also flies from Don Mueang, connecting the Thai capital to over 30 cities both domestically and in East, South, and Southeast Asia.
Click here to find out detailed information about different destinations from Don Mueang.
Transit and Connecting Flights at Don Mueang Airport
Transit without a visa is allowed at Don Mueang Airport under the conditions that:
Transit time does not exceed 24 hours;
Tickets are issued under a single PNR and any luggage is check-in to the final destination;
You remain within the transit area of the airport and don’t go through Immigration.
Normally, if you have 2 separate flights connecting at Don Mueang, you will need to clear Immigration and Customs, re-check your luggage, and re-enter the airside area. This is not an issue if you are visa-exempt.
Connecting international and domestic flights follow the same rules. Follow the signs “Transfer to International” or “Transfer to Domestic” when you land to find your way.
Terminals and Gates
Don Mueang Airport has two active terminals connected by a glass walkway:
Terminal 1: Only handles international flights.
Terminal 2: Only handles domestic flights.
Terminal 3 has been abandoned since 2011.
There are 25 passenger gates at Terminal 1 and 8 more at Terminal 2.
Check the departures from Don Mueang International Airport.
Dining Options at DMK
Don Mueang Airport has many food options: a budget-friendly food court with over 25 stalls and numerous other fast food outlets spread around the two terminals.
Magic Food Park is the place to go for cheap eats at Don Mueang. It’s a food court located landside, on the 2nd floor of the 7-storey car park building, on the way to the Red SRT Skytrain station.
KFC, McDonalds, and Subway all have a presence at Don Mueang Airport. Find their outlets both landside and airside at T1 and T2.
Other options include Piri-Piri Flaming Chicken, and S&P Thai Restaurant & Bakery.
Lounges
The airport features several VIP lounges:
Coral Executive Lounge: The Coral has 2 lounges at DMK - one at each terminal (domestic and international). Both are accessible to business class passengers and certain frequent flyer members, but anyone can pay a fee to enter. Amenities include comfortable seating, food, drinks and snacks, fast and free wifi, newspapers, and magazines.
Miracle Lounge: Also with 1 location in each terminal, the Miracle Lounge offers similar amenities for a similar price. However, travelers’ consensus is that the value for money is worse than the competition.
Transportation to and from Don Mueang Airport
Don Mueang International Airport is incredibly well-connected to the rest of Bangkok. You can choose to take the MRT Skytrain, a regular train, various buses, a taxi, or a private transfer.
MRT Skytrain: Look for red signs guiding you to the MRT station. It is directly connected to the airport terminal building by a covered elevated walkway. The Red Line terminates at Bang Sue Junction (the new train station) where you can change to the Blue MRT Underground Line to get to Sukhumvit, Chinatown, or the Old Town. Buy a ticket at the station using cash or by card from the ticket vending machines.
Train: Don Mueang Railway Station is located opposite the airport. Some trains terminate at Krung Thep Aphiwat (the new train station in the north part of Bangkok) but ordinary and commuter trains go to Bangkok Hua Lamphon Station in downtown. Buy a ticket at the station.
Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated in front of the terminals. A ride to the city center typically takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Fares are metered, but this being Bangkok, it’s best to confirm the approximate cost before agreeing to a ride.
- Bus: Taking one of the airport buses is a convenient way to get to the central areas of Bangkok.
A1 Bus to Mo Chit Bus Terminal
A2 Bus to Victory Monument
A3 Bus to Lumphini Park
A4 Bus to Khao San Road
The bus frequency is every 20-30 minutes and tickets are bought inside the buses in cash.
Connections between Don Mueang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Bangkok is one of the few world capitals with 2 major international airports. As such, connecting between them is common - oftentimes travelers arrive at one of the airports but have a connecting flight at the other.
The best way to travel between DMK and BKK is to take the free airport shuttle. Note that it’s only for airline transit passengers and you will have to show a valid ticket or boarding pass for a flight departing from either airport on the same day.
Alternatively, public buses 554 and 555 cost 35 THB and run between the 2 airports around the clock. Take them from in front of DMK or at the Airport Bus Terminal at BKK.
Other options include changing multiple trains, a taxi (~500 THB including tolls and airport surcharges), or a private shuttle (~1000 THB).
Parking
Don Mueang International Airport has three car park areas for inbound and outbound passengers:
Three-story car park: 20 THB per hour but gradually increasing with duration. 250 THB per day.
Seven-story car park: 20 THB per hour but gradually increasing with duration. 250 THB per day.
Car Pickup point: Suitable for picking up and dropping off passengers and relatively short stays. Charges 20 THB per hour.
Hotels
As a busy international and domestic airport, Don Mueang has no shortage of hotels in and around the terminal building.
For short stays and brief naps, check out Sleep Box by Miracle, located on the 4th floor of the Domestic Terminal (T2).
Another convenient option is Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok which is located directly opposite the airport and accessible via a bridgeway. It’s a modern 4-star hotel with comfortable rooms and breakfast included.
Bangkok, Thailand
