Wondering how to get from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi? Is there a free shuttle bus? Here's an easy and cost-free way to travel between Bangkok’s two airports with our guide to the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi shuttle service.
Gother
07 May 2025
Anyone who is about to travel abroad by plane, and needs to transfer at Don Mueang Airport and then board a flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport (traveling from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi or vice versa) after landing at Suvarnabhumi and then having to transfer again at Don Mueang, must find a way to get to the airport, check in, and then go to the gate to wait for their next flight. There are many ways to travel between the two airports; however, there is one method that allows you to travel for free, adding convenience to your airport transfer. Gother would like to recommend this convenient, no-cost method, which many people may overlook or may not be aware of.
For those who may not know about traveling from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi to transfer flights, there is an extremely simple method that costs nothing at all. The service that facilitates travel between these two Thai airports is the Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi shuttle bus, which is available exclusively for passengers traveling to board flights at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airports. That means that if you have not purchased a ticket, or are only dropping someone off or picking someone up, you will not be able to use the service.
Don Mueang – Suvarnabhumi Shuttle Bus: The Easiest Way to Travel for Free
The Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi shuttle bus is one of the easiest ways to travel, offering free service for passengers who need to transfer between airports, an option many passengers might not expect. Using the service is very straightforward, whether traveling from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi or from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang. The only items you need to prepare are travel documents you already carry, and when you’re ready to use the shuttle bus, simply present them to the staff to board immediately. The required documents are:
- A flight ticket or boarding document (Ticket) with a name matching your ID card
- Original ID card
- Boarding pass for your outbound flight on your travel date
Don Mueang Airport - Suvarnabhumi Airport Shuttle Bus Terminal
- Board at International Terminal, Building 1, 1st Floor, Gate 6, Don Mueang Airport
- Alight at Passenger Terminal, 4th Floor, Gate 5, Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport - Don Mueang Airport Shuttle Bus Terminal
- Board at Passenger Terminal, 2nd Floor, Gate 3, Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Alight at International Terminal, Building 1, 3rd Floor, Gates 7–8, Don Mueang Airport
Shuttle Bus Service Hours
The shuttle bus operates daily from 05:00 to 24:00, with departures every 30 minutes. Each bus will wait at the terminal for approximately 15 minutes before departing. Travel time is approximately 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. On days with heavy congestion, the journey may take more than 2 hours.What are the transportation options between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports?
In addition to the airport shuttle bus, there are many other ways to travel between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi Airports. If your flight lands when the shuttle bus service is not operating or if the shuttle bus breaks down, your journey won’t be interrupted. Therefore, it’s wise to plan alternative transportation options as a backup so that in an emergency you have a way to continue your trip smoothly.
1. Private Airport Transfer
The first option, a private airport transfer, involves booking a vehicle ahead of time through various travel apps. You can choose the type of vehicle you want to take you to your destination, with fares based on distance. You can jump in right after disembarking and the service is available 24/7. This makes it a popular choice for many travelers, and these services often run promotions to lower the cost even further.Advantages
- High level of privacy since the vehicle is reserved exclusively for you
- Pick-up and drop-off are available 24 hours a day
- Fare options can be set in advance, with discount promotions
- No long waits in line
- A wide variety of vehicle types to choose from
- High level of safety
- Credit card payment available if you don’t have cash
- If you miss a promotional period, you’ll pay the full fare
- Prices vary between apps, so you may need to compare multiple services to find the best rate
2. Taxi
Another classic option is taking a taxi located inside or around the airport. This method is convenient, easy to find, and offers direct routes without stops, providing privacy since you won’t share your ride with others. However, it’s like a roll of the dice: if you get a courteous driver, the trip is comfortable, but if not, you might feel cramped and wish to reach your destination quickly.Advantages
- Direct travel to your destination without transfers
- Readily available both inside and outside the airport
- Fares can be unpredictable
- Queue times can be quite long
- Possible passenger refusals by drivers
- Not ideal for travelers with large amounts of luggage
3. SRT Red Line and Airport Rail Link
For rail travel, this is an effective way to avoid road congestion because trains can run regardless of traffic. However, traveling from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi requires several transfers as you cannot complete the journey in one go. The steps are:- Take the SRT Red Line from Don Mueang Airport
- Get off at Bang Sue Grand Station and transfer to the MRT Blue Line toward Phetchaburi Station
- Exit the MRT and board the Airport Rail Link at Makkasan Station
- Continue on the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Station
- Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Makkasan Station
- Transfer to the MRT at Phetchaburi Station
- Continue to Bang Sue Grand Station
- Transfer to the SRT Red Line bound for Don Mueang Station
- Can significantly reduce both travel time and cost
- Can be crowded during peak hours
- Requires frequent transfers; not a single continuous journey
- Not suitable for travelers with heavy or large luggage
4. Van Service
Using the 555 van service between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi Airports is another convenient option. This direct service requires no transfers and offers low ticket prices. The departure points and schedules at each airport are different, as follows:- 555 Van Service: Don Mueang – Suvarnabhumi Terminal
Service times:
Monday to Friday: 05:00 – 09:00, 16:00 – 18:10
Weekends & public holidays: 06:00 – 07:10, last departure at 17:30
- 555 Van Service: Suvarnabhumi – Don Mueang Terminal
Service times: 06:00 – 21:00
Advantages
- Direct trip to the other airport with no transfers
- Relatively low ticket prices
- Departure times may vary; check with the terminal for updates
- Not suitable for travelers with heavy or large luggage
- No privacy during the journey
5. Public Bus Service
The final option for traveling between the two airports is taking the public bus. The route serving Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi is bus number 554 (Rangsit – Ramintra – Suvarnabhumi). This bus follows the same route in both directions and is notable for offering the lowest fare among all services. If you are not in a hurry and prefer a slow-paced journey, this is the perfect choice to experience road traffic firsthand without worrying about time. Give it a try if you want an authentic local experience. Advantages- Lowest fare among all paid services
- Direct trip with no transfers
- Longest travel time among all options
- Often long waiting times for the bus
- Not suitable for travelers with heavy or large luggage
- May be crowded during peak hours
Tips You Should Know When Traveling Between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi Airports
Finally, let’s recap the journey from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi or the return trip from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang by shuttle bus. There are key points to remember and know when preparing for this transfer so that any issues can be resolved quickly and promptly, ensuring a smooth trip that arrives on schedule.
How long does the trip take and how much buffer time should you allow?
For the shuttle bus between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, or from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang, the total travel time is:- Approximately 1 - 2 hours
What to prepare before transferring between airports
Preparing in advance before your airport transfer will make your process upon arrival much smoother and help prevent any delays. Here’s what you need to prepare before boarding the shuttle bus for your transfer:- Flight ticket or travel voucher (Ticket)
- Original national ID card
- Boarding pass (Boarding Pass)
- Note the shuttle bus boarding point and follow the signs or ask staff to ensure you are at the correct location
- Don Mueang boarding point: International Passenger Terminal, Building 1, Level 1, Gate 6
- Suvarnabhumi boarding point: Platform at Passenger Terminal, Level 2, Gate 3
- The shuttle bus arrives every 30 minutes per run and waits for only 15 minutes
Precautions during heavy traffic or holidays
During peak hours or holidays when traffic congestion is likely, do not underestimate the time to reach the airport. Missing a flight is not a good outcome. If you know you will travel on days with heavy traffic, prepare your items the night before departure, and on travel day depart earlier—allow approximately 3 - 4 hours for travel. This way, traffic jams cannot affect your schedule.
And that wraps up the shuttle bus service between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi (in either direction). You can see that it offers a convenient single-ride airport transfer without the hassle of multiple connections, with services operating almost 24 hours a day, and best of all, it is completely free of charge. Now you can change airports with peace of mind. Therefore, anyone who needs to switch airports no longer has to worry about which travel method to choose, about timing or arriving in time for check-in, or about costs that can exceed budget limits for some quick and convenient options. Simply present your travel ticket and boarding pass to the staff, and all these issues will be immediately resolved by the shuttle bus. For more details, you can contact the AOT Contact Center at 1722, 24 hours a day.
