You have several options for transferring between airports in Bangkok. The best way to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang Airport depends on your needs as you can get from BKK to DMK airport by shuttle bus, public transport, taxi or private transfer.
BKK to DMK Distance
The distance between BKK and DMK airports is about 40-50 km, depending on the route chosen. The length of the most popular and fastest route from BKK to DMK airport via toll roads that is used by the shuttle bus is almost 50 km.
The journey from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang by taxi or private transfer in normal traffic conditions should take less than 1 hour while the shuttle bus trip might be just a bit longer. If you will decide to use public transportation, the time of traveling between BKK and DMK airports with all the transfers can easily be 2 hours and more.
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Free Shuttle Bus BKK to DMK
If you will be landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and will have a domestic or international flight from Don Muang Airport (DMK) on the same or next day, you can use the service of shuttle bus between Bangkok Airports. This shuttle bus is offered for free so it's by no means the cheapest way for getting from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang.
Shuttle bus from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang starts operating at 5:00 and the last bus leaves at midnight. Expect the shuttle bus to depart every 12 to 30 minutes, depending on the time of the day. The trip from BKK to DMK can take anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Free shuttle bus departs from the 2nd floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport (Arrivals Level), outside the door 3. At Don Muang Airport passengers are dropped off at the entrance 6 of Terminal 1 (international terminal).
Detailed information about the shuttle bus can be found here: Free Shuttle Bus between Bangkok Airports.
Public Transportation from BKK to DMK
If you don't have a ticket for a flight departing from DMK Airport on the same or next day, your cheapest option to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang Airport in most cases is by using Bangkok public transport.
There is no direct train connection between Bangkok Airports so far. If you want to travel from BKK to DMK by public transport, you need to take Airport Rail Link train first and then transfer to commuter train or one of the Don Muang Airport buses. In general, you have five decent options for a transfer between the airports by public transport.
Option 1 - Airport Rail Link & Airport Bus
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, you need to go down to "B" level where the station of Airport Rail Link is located. Detailed information about finding the train station at the airport can be found here: Train from BKK Airport. The airport train operates from 05:30 to midnight.
From the airport you need to take the train to Ratchaprarop station. The journey by Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ratchaprarop station takes about 25 minutes and costs 40 THB.
From Ratchaprarop station you can take A3 Bus to Don Muang Airport. Bus ticket costs 50 THB.
Option 2 - Airport Rail Link & MRT & SRT
Take Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan station. The journey by Airport Rail Link takes about 22 minutes and costs 35 THB.
Here you need to transfer from Makkasan Station to MRT Phetchaburi Station. It's easy because these two stations are connected by a skyway. Check how to transfer from Airport Rail Link to MRT.
Then you need to take MRT Metro from Phetchaburi Station to MRT Bang Sue Station. The journey will cost 40 THB.
MRT Bang Sue Station is connected with Krung Thep Aphiwat station, also known as Bang Sue Grand station. From there to Don Mueang you can take SRT Red Line commuter train that operates from 5:00 to 24:00 with departures scheduled every 10-15 minutes. The journey should take around 17 minutes and the train ticket will cost 20 THB.
Option 3 - Airport Rail Link & MRT & Airport Bus
Take Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan station. The journey by Airport Rail Link takes about 22 minutes and costs 35 THB.
Here you need to transfer from Makkasan Station to MRT Phetchaburi Station by a skyway.
Then you need to take a train on MRT Blue Line from Phetchaburi Station to MRT Chatuchak Park Station. The journey will cost 35 THB.
From the bus stop near Chatuchak Park you need to take A1 Bus or A2 Bus all the way to Don Muang Airport. Bus ticket costs 30 THB. Detailed information about transfer from MRT to DMK shuttle bus can be found here: Bangkok A1/A2 bus from MRT/BTS to Don Mueang Airport.
Option 4 - Airport Rail Link & BTS & Airport Bus
Take Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai station. The journey by Airport Rail Link takes about 30 minutes and costs 45 THB.
You will need to transfer Airport Rail Link Phaya Thai Station to the same named BTS SkyTrain Station that is found nearby.
Take the train from there to BTS Mo Chit Station and drop off there. The journey will cost 40 THB.
From the bus stop near Mo Chit station you need to take A1 Bus or A2 Bus to Don Muang Airport. Bus ticket will cost 30 THB.
Option 5 - Airport Shuttle Bus & Public Bus
Bangkok public buses depart from Suvarnabhumi Bus Terminal. To get to the bus terminal from the passenger terminal, you need to take a free Airport Shuttle Bus.
Bus S2 (554) and BMTA bus 555 depart from the bus terminal and go all the way from BKK to DMK airport. Public buses pass on the main road nearby Don Mueang Airport. You need to drop off at the bus stop opposite side of the road from the airport. The bus ticket should cost around 35-37 THB.
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang Airport Taxi Fare
The journey by Bangkok taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang Airport should cost about 400-500 THB, not including toll fees and airport surcharge.
For getting such a rate you need to make sure that the taxi driver turns the meter on. You should never agree on a fixed fare as it will be a rip off.
Private Airport BKK to DMK Transfer
If you are looking for the most comfortable way to transfer between Bangkok Airports, book a private transfer online and the driver will be waiting for you at Suvarnabhumi Airport holding a sign with your name on it. It's definitely the most comfortable way to get from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang as you won't need to travel by crowded public transportation and won't be ripped off by taxi drivers.
Discounted private transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Muang Airport can be booked here: Private Bangkok Airport Transfers.
Tips
How to travel between Bangkok airports the other way? Check here: Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
More information about other facilities at the airports can be found here:
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
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Any Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions about public transportation in Bangkok and ask your own question if it's not answered there yet.