Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) serves Bangkok as a budget airline hub for the city, handling low-cost carriers with both domestic and international flights. Once the main international gateway for Thailand, the facility now operates as the secondary airport for Bangkok. It can feel like a blast from the past, but the following tips are future-proof.
How to get to and from Bangkok and DMK?
Traffic in Bangkok is legendary for all the wrong reasons, and travelers heading to DMK are prime targets. While most folks still rely on taxis or Grab (the Uber of Southeast Asia), there are ways to outsmart the gridlock.
When I lived in Bangkok, the thought of getting to DMK gave me serious anxiety. The traffic was a nightmare. But after many return trips, I’ve figured out the hacks.
If I absolutely have to use the airport, I try to choose an early morning or late-night flight to avoid heavy traffic. If this isn’t possible, I try to leave my hotel or apartment in the city center no less than two hours (for domestic) or three hours (for international) before departure. That should give you a full hour for the journey.
And remember, DMK has two terminals: Terminal 1 is for international flights, and Terminal 2 handles domestic.
When leaving the airport, I call my Grab right after clearing immigration. Private cars have to wait in a separate lot, so factor in some extra waiting time. I usually plan on needing an hour to reach my hotel or apartment, regardless of where in Bangkok I’m staying.
While official taxis are available, drivers are known for refusing the meter and quoting sky-high flat fares, especially for tourists.
Traveling to and from DMK by train is now a solid option, thanks to the SRT Red Line. A modern connection links Don Mueang Station directly to the terminals, so you don’t have to brave the Bangkok heat on foot. It makes dodging traffic much easier too.
The train currently runs to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which is great if you’re connecting to other local rail lines. There are also long-term plans for a high-speed rail line connecting DMK with Suvarnabhumi (BKK). But this is Thailand, where construction timelines are more of a suggestion, so I wouldn’t hold my breath. Construction projects in Thailand are notorious for delays, however, so travelers should take this timeline with a grain of salt until further notice.
Navigating check-in, security and immigration at DMK
Don Mueang was built for a different time, a reality that both its check-in and security areas reflect. My advice? Check in online or on your airline’s app. Even with a checked bag, using the bag drop line will save you from the long, slow-moving queues.
Security is a different story. The area looks a bit dated, but in my experience, the lines move surprisingly fast. I’ve rarely waited more than 20 minutes.
Just know that while there’s no TSA PreCheck equivalent here, DMK does offer Fast Track lanes for certain passengers, including diplomats, official passport holders, Thailand Privilege Card holders and APEC Business Travel Card), as Bangkok’s other airport (BKK) does.
If you’re flying internationally from Terminal 1, you’ll clear exit immigration before security. These lines also tend to move quickly, since DMK has fewer international flights these days. The main variable is the long walk to the gates, which can take up to 20 minutes. Plan on 40 minutes total from passport control to your gate.
Arriving internationally can be less predictable. Immigration lines can get long, especially when flights from China or India land, as their citizens must obtain visas on arrival or have secured visas in advance, requiring additional document checks at designated VOA counters.
To get ahead, walk quickly from the plane to immigration and scope out the shortest line. Keep an eye out for staff opening new lanes and be ready to make a move.
Airport lounges and alternatives at DMK
In spite of most of the airlines that serve it being low-cost carriers, DMK has a decent lineup of lounges, and most of them accept Priority Pass. If you don’t have a membership, you can buy a day pass, but I’d only say it’s worth it if you have more than an hour to kill before your flight.
In international Terminal 1, you can choose between the Coral Executive Lounge and the Miracle Lounges (there are two of them). If you’ve flown through Thai airports, these local brand names will be familiar. Both lounges are smaller and more spartan than their counterparts of Suvarnabhumi (BKK), though my experience has been that the Coral is the more crowded of the two, as it’s the first one you reach after clearing security.
Both lounges offer a buffet consisting mainly of Thai food, as well as a full range of non-alcoholic beverages and limited bar service (wine and local beers like Chang and Singha).
Do note that if you’re flying AirAsia and are either traveling in business class or have purchased the “Red Carpet” add-on package, you are entitled to access a dedicated area of the Coral Executive Lounge with a complimentary signature drink and the same food.
Over in domestic Terminal 2, you’ll find even more options, with two Coral lounges (Executive and Coral Forest) and a Miracle lounge. The offerings are nearly identical to the international side. Nok Air also has its own lounge for passengers with Nok Max tickets, Nok Smile members, and Priority Pass members, offering a variety of famous Thai foods, snacks, and exclusively non-alcoholic beverages.
Connections at DMK
Connecting at DMK is possible, but it’s not always straightforward. Domestically, Terminal 2 is not inherently setup for connections. Unless you pre-arrange the connection with your airline (such as by using AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service), you’ll need to exit the secure area, collect your bags and then complete check-in, bag drop and security procedures alongside other passengers. In this case, please allow for a minimum two-hour connecting time.
In this case, please allow for a minimum two-hour connecting time.
For international-to-domestic connections (or vice-versa), you’ll transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 using the indoor pathways that connect the terminal buildings. Arriving internationally, you’ll need to clear immigration and customs first. I’d recommend at least three hours for this connection. Going from domestic to international, two hours should be enough.
I do not recommend connecting between DMK and Bangkok’s other airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), whether domestically or internationally. While AOT operates a free shuttle bus between the airports every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 24:00, travel time varies significantly with traffic. If you do need to arrive at one Bangkok airport and depart from the other, plan on spending a night in the city to save yourself the stress.
Luggage storage and delivery at DMK
DMK has a branch of AIRPORTELs, a luggage storage and delivery service with many locations throughout Thailand. The facility has space for more than 2,000 bags, and can store bags for days, weeks or months at a flat of 100 THB (around $3) per bag, per day. Staff can also send bags to any address in Bangkok, be it a hotel, Airbnb apartment or residence.
Keep in mind that while Airportel is open 24 hours, it only has one location at DMK, in Terminal 2. So if you’re arriving internationally and need to store your bag, you will need to walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in order to avail Airportel’s services.
Parking at DMK
Very few foreign travelers drive private cars in Bangkok, which means parking at DMK is rarely a concern. If you do need to park, there are three facilities: Terminal 1 basement parking, a 7-storey car park and a three-storey domestic car park (old building). The 7-storey car park is located at Terminal 2. Parking costs a maximum of 250 THB per day. The garages are connected to Terminal 2 via pedestrian bridge, which means international passengers will need to walk from the garage through Terminal 2 to get to Terminal 1.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
