Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) sit about 45 km apart on opposite sides of Bangkok, with no rail link between them. A free shuttle bus exists, but it is not open to everyone — who you are travelling as changes which options are realistically available to you. Here is how each one works, and why Bangkok traffic makes the timing harder to pin down than the distance suggests.

The free shuttle bus — but only if you are transiting

Both airports run a free inter-airport shuttle bus, but it is reserved for passengers who can show a boarding pass or confirmed e-ticket for a connecting flight departing from the other airport the same day or the next. At Suvarnabhumi, the pick-up point is on the 2nd floor of the passenger terminal, arrivals side, near Gate 3; at Don Mueang it departs from the 1st floor of Terminal 1, near Gate 6. Staff check your travel documents before you board, so have your onward boarding pass ready. Services run roughly from early morning until midnight, departing every 30–60 minutes depending on demand, and the journey takes 1–2 hours depending on traffic.

The public bus alternative: BMTA route 555

If you do not qualify for the free connecting-passenger shuttle, the BMTA public bus route 555 runs between Suvarnabhumi and Rangsit, passing close to Don Mueang along the way. It does not terminate inside the Don Mueang terminal building — you alight at a roadside stop near the airport and walk the final stretch — so it is less convenient than a dedicated airport shuttle, but it is open to anyone and the fare is very low. Buses run roughly from early morning until around 10 pm; frequency and journey time both depend heavily on traffic, since this is an ordinary city bus route rather than an expressway service.

Taxi: the flexible fallback

A metered taxi is the most straightforward option if you are not eligible for the free shuttle or would rather not deal with a public bus and a roadside walk. Journey time is typically 45 minutes to about 1.5 hours, and the fare — meter plus the standard airport surcharge and any expressway tolls the driver asks about — is moderate by international standards, though it adds up compared with the free shuttle or the bus. Grab, the dominant ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia, also operates at both airports, with fares shown upfront in the app and a designated pick-up zone signposted from arrivals.

Why traffic makes timing hard to predict

The road distance between the two airports is only around 45 km, but Bangkok's expressway network is prone to serious congestion, particularly during the morning and evening rush and around public holidays. The same journey that takes 45 minutes on a quiet Sunday morning can stretch well past 90 minutes on a Friday evening. None of the options — free shuttle, public bus or taxi — is immune to this, since they all use the same roads; the difference is mainly cost and eligibility, not resilience to traffic.

How long to allow for a connecting flight

If you are switching planes between the two airports on the same day, allow at least three hours between your scheduled landing and your onward departure. The transfer itself typically takes 1–1.5 hours, but you also need to clear immigration and collect checked bags if you are arriving internationally, find the shuttle or taxi rank, and go through security again at the second airport — each step adds time that is easy to underestimate on a first visit. Add more if either flight lands or departs during Bangkok's rush hours.

If your two flights are on entirely separate tickets rather than one connecting itinerary, treat this as a genuine self-transfer: there is no single airline responsible for rebooking you if the first flight is delayed and you miss the shuttle or run out of time. See our guide to self-transfer flights and the risks involved, and use minimum connection times explained as a starting point for judging whether your gap is realistic. If you are combining this transfer with entry into Thailand or a wider regional trip, our South-East Asia entry requirements guide covers what to check before you fly.

Which should you choose?

If you have a confirmed same-day connecting flight, the free shuttle bus is the obvious choice — just have your boarding pass ready and build in extra time for traffic. If you do not qualify, or your onward flight is the next day, the public bus (route 555) is the cheapest way to cover the distance, provided you are comfortable with a short walk from the roadside stop. A taxi or Grab is worth the extra cost whenever you are short on time, carrying heavy luggage, or arriving late at night when buses run less often. For getting into central Bangkok from either airport rather than between them, see our Bangkok airport to city guide, and if you have a longer gap and want to see more of the city, our Bangkok layover guide covers what is realistically possible.

Frequently asked questions

Is the shuttle bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang really free?

Yes, but only for passengers who can show a boarding pass or e-ticket for a connecting flight from the other airport the same day or the next. It is not available to travellers without a same-day or next-day onward flight.

How do I get between the airports if I don't have a connecting flight?

The public BMTA bus route 555 passes near Don Mueang and is open to everyone at a low fare, though it does not stop inside the terminal. A metered taxi or Grab is the more direct alternative if you would rather not walk from a roadside stop.

How long does the transfer between the two airports take?

Typically 45 minutes to two hours by any road-based option, depending heavily on traffic. There is no rail link between the two airports.

How much time should I allow for a same-day connecting flight?

At least three hours between landing and your onward departure, allowing for the transfer itself, immigration and baggage reclaim if arriving internationally, and security again at the second airport.