Don Mueang Airport Guide: Taxis, Buses & Real Prices (2026)

Updated January 20, 2026

Don Mueang is Bangkok’s budget airline hub. Two terminals, short walks, clear signs. Not fancy, but functional.

You’ll deal with taxi touts and crowded gates during peak hours. Food is cheap if you know where to look. Here’s what actually matters.

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Layout & Navigation

Two terminals. Terminal 1 handles international flights. Terminal 2 is domestic only.

Connected by a glass walkway above ground level. Takes 5 minutes to walk between them. Free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes if you have heavy bags.

Signage is clear. You won’t get lost. Thai AirAsia and Nok Air dominate Terminal 1. Thai Lion Air uses Terminal 2.

đź’ˇ TERMINAL CONFUSION: Check your airline’s terminal before you arrive. Some budget carriers switched terminals in 2024. Your boarding pass shows the correct one.

Essential Facilities

ATMs: Available in both arrivals halls and after security. Exchange counters charge 3-5% more than city rates. Withdraw cash at ATMs instead.

SIM Cards: Shops in arrivals sell tourist plans for 200-300 THB. AIS and TrueMove counters are near Exit 5 (Terminal 1) and Exit 11 (Terminal 2). Cheaper to buy on Klook and collect at the airport.

Food: Food courts on ground floor of both terminals. Pad Thai costs 50-80 THB. Fried rice 60 THB. Upstairs cafes charge 150-300 THB for the same meal.

Luggage Storage: Left luggage counters in both terminals. Prices around 100-150 THB per bag per day (exact rates vary, ask at counter).

Showers: Only in paid lounges. No public shower facilities. If you need one, book a lounge day pass.

đź’ˇ FOOD HACK: Terminal 2 food court is less crowded than Terminal 1. Walk over if you have time before your flight.

Getting to the City

You have three options: bus, taxi, or Grab.

Bus A1: Goes to BTS Mo Chit station. Costs 45 THB. Takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Runs 7am-11pm. Buy tickets on board.

From Mo Chit, you can reach Sukhumvit, Silom, or City Center via BTS.

Bus A4: Direct to Khao San Road. Costs 50 THB. Takes 45-90 minutes. Same operating hours.

Taxis: Metered taxis from official queue at Exit 5 (Terminal 1) or Exit 11 (Terminal 2). Expect 300-500 THB to central Bangkok plus 50 THB airport surcharge and tolls (70-100 THB).

Ignore drivers offering fixed prices. They overcharge by 200-300 THB.

Grab: Works well here. Pick-up at departures level (one floor up from arrivals). Prices similar to metered taxis but surge during morning/evening peaks. Pre-book a private transfer on Kiwitaxi if you land late with luggage.

đź’ˇ SCAM ALERT: Taxi touts inside arrivals will quote 800-1000 THB. Walk past them to the official taxi queue outside. Look for the sign that says ‘Public Taxi’.

Going to Pattaya? Bell Travel Service runs direct buses for 250-300 THB. Counter in Terminal 1 arrivals.

Need to transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport? Free shuttle bus runs every hour (check current schedule at information desk). Takes 45-60 minutes.

Survival Tips

WiFi: Free airport WiFi works. Connect to ‘AOT Free WiFi’. No registration needed.

Charging: Power outlets near every gate and in food court areas. Bring your own cable.

Sleeping: Airport operates 24/7. Benches without armrests are on Level 2 of Terminal 1 near Gates 1-5. Bring earplugs. Cleaning crews work all night.

Safety: Generally safe. Watch your bags in crowded areas. Pickpockets target distracted travelers near check-in counters.

Early Morning Flights: If your flight leaves before 6am, arrive the night before. Last buses to the city leave around 11pm. Taxis and Grab run all night but cost more.

Connecting to Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi? Get to City Center first, then catch onward transport.

Book buses and trains ahead on 12Go to skip ticket counter queues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there luggage storage at Don Mueang Airport?

Yes. Left luggage counters in both terminals charge around 100-150 THB per bag per day. Ask at the counter for exact rates.

How much is taxi from Don Mueang to Bangkok city?

Metered taxis cost 300-500 THB plus 50 THB airport surcharge and 70-100 THB tolls. Total around 420-650 THB to central Bangkok.

What bus goes from Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road?

Bus A4 goes direct to Khao San Road. Costs 50 THB. Takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. Runs 7am-11pm.

Are there showers at Don Mueang Airport?

No public showers. Only available in paid airport lounges. Book a lounge day pass if you need shower access.

How to get from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi Airport?

Free shuttle bus runs every hour between the two airports. Takes 45-60 minutes. Check current schedule at airport information desk.

How to Get From Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya: Bus vs Taxi vs Grab (2026)

You have five ways to reach Pattaya from Don Mueang. The direct Transport Co bus is cheapest at 169 THB but runs only four times a day. A metered taxi costs 1,500-2,000 THB and gets you there fastest. Grab sits in the middle at 1,400-2,200 THB with upfront pricing. Minivans are cramped but frequent. Private transfers work if you hate queues.

How to Get From Don Mueang Airport to Silom: Bus, Taxi & Grab (2026)

You have six ways to reach Silom from Don Mueang Airport. Metered taxi is fastest at 30-60 min but costs ฿220-350 plus tolls. City bus + BTS saves money (under ฿100 total) but you’ll lug bags through Mo Chit and Siam. Airport Limo Bus splits the difference at ฿150 direct. Grab surges. Pick your poison.

Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road: Bus, Taxi & Grab (50-2,000 THB, 2026)

You have six ways to reach Khao San Road from Don Mueang. Metered taxi is fastest if you’re tired (30-60 min, 350-620 THB). A4 bus saves money but takes forever in traffic (60-90 min, 50 THB). Grab sits in the middle with upfront pricing. Skip the city bus 59 unless you’re carrying nothing.

Dominik Mayer
I've called Thailand home for 12 years, living between Bangkok and beach towns while navigating every bus, ferry, and songthaew route across the country. As a transport specialist, I share real-time schedules, scam alerts, and local hacks from personal experience to help you travel smarter.