How to Take the Free Shuttle from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang and Back

During my “Golden Week 2017” trip, I was taking a flight from Helsinki to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport and then transferring to a flight from the other airport in the city – Don Muang. As I had plenty of time, I decided to take advantage of the free shuttle bus offered by the airport authorities.

The free shuttle bus from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang and back runs between 5AM and 12AM, and departs every 12 or 30 minutes depending on the time of the day. For detailed timetable, see here.

Keep in mind that if you have a long transfer, you can use lounges such as the Air France-KLM Lounge and Oman Air First and Business Class Lounge with a Priority Pass membership. Alternatively, you can buy one-time lounge access through Lounge Pass – they offer lounges at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang.

Free Shuttle Bus from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang

As I arrived around 7AM, I was able to catch the 8AM shuttle bus. The bus departs from the second floor. On the second floor, you have to get out of door 3, and the bus stop will be on your right.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Exit 3

To get on the shuttle bus, take exit number 3 at Suvarnabhumi airport.

There, you have to present your e-ticket or boarding pass for the connecting flight.

Shuttle Bus Documents

Documents required to get on the bus.

The Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang shuttle is operated by regular city buses with not so many seats. As such, I recommend arriving a bit in advance so that you can grab a seat. The bus is equipped with luggage storage space, so there is no problem with having a suitcase or two.

Taking the Free Shuttle Between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang

The free shuttle bus running between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

Bus Interior

The bus has plenty of luggage racks, but not so many seats.

The bus I took departed exactly on time at 8AM, and the ride took about 55 minutes. During my ride, there were no traffic jams. However, depending on traffic, it could take twice as long – so keep that in mind when building your schedule.

Bangkok

During the ride, you can catch some glimpses of Bangkok.

At Don Muang, you will be dropped off at the departures level.

Don Muang Exit

At Don Muang, the bus will drop you in front of entrance 7.

Free Shuttle Bus from Bangkok Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi

While I did not take the bus in this direction, the process and schedule is similar to the above. The only difference is that the bus departs from the first floor of Don Muang airport.

Summary

The free shuttle bus makes transfering between the two Bangkok airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang – a breeze.

If you will be arriving at one of the airports and departing from the other during one day, I recommend taking it. The only thing to keep in mind is the transfer time which can range from an hour to two hours.

Related Articles & Useful Links

21 thoughts on “How to Take the Free Shuttle from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang and Back”

  1. Hello, can I have a question ? My friends will arrive at Suvarnabhum airport and she need to get to Don Muang airport to pick up me and my friends. Is it possible to use Free shuttle bus if she is not flying from Don Muang ? Or it is just for passenger flying the same day ?

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Hi Veronika,

      Unfortunately, I think it is only for passengers connecting between the airports – i.e. arriving in Suvarnabhumi on one flights, and departing from Don Muang on the same day. When I went between the two airports on a different trip when I wasn’t connecting between the two, I just took taxi. Don’t remember how much it was, but it was fairly affordable and comfortable.

      Sorry for not being too helpful here. But, if you learn something new about the transfer during your trip, would appreciate if you could update us here!

      BTW, si z Ciech, resp. Slovenska? 🙂

  2. I am reaching Suvarnabhumi on 18th Nov and my flight from Don Muaeng is on 19th. In that case can I avail the free bus service?

    1. I am not sure whether you have to be transferring within the same day or the next day is OK as well. I would definitely try it, though, and if they reject you, just use one of the other means to get between the two airports.

  3. We are coming into Don M airport at 9AM & leaving Suvarn at 12 noon on a Friday. Is this going to be enough time to take the shuttle or should we take a taxi & do you know what we should expect to pay a taxi?
    Thank you for you help.
    Cheers Lynne

    1. Hi Lynne,

      That’s a tight connection! I would definitely suggest just grabbing the first taxi you can to make it to Suvarnabhumi as soon as possible. As for the fare, I don’t remember exactly, but I think it was around 15 dollars. Also, don’t be surprised when the driver asks you for cash for tolls along the way – that seems to be the standard practice in Thailand as the toll isn’t included in the metered fare.

      Hope this helps.

      Have a safe trip!

      Best,
      Keishi

  4. Hello we are a group of four arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1:05 am from India and intending to catch a nok air flight at 6:10 am from Don muang airport. Is the time sufficient to clear immigration, collect luggage, book a taxi , travel to dmk airport and catch the flight there? Are the taxis easily available and what are the approximate taxi charges at this hour?

    1. You should be OK. Alow an hour to get through immigration and get your bags. Possible 30 minute wait for taxi (they have a que system. The taxi will take about 1 hr, use the tollway. Nok likes you to check in at least 45 minutes prior. You could be at Don Muang before 4 pm. That time of day the traffic is not usually a problem unless its raining. Epect to pay around 600 thb, including toll way fees and airport service charge (50 baht). They should use meter automatically, if not demand meter. Tell taxi to take tollway, you pay tolls. You could also have enough time to take the free shuttle, add about an hour. I’ve done this a few times, both taxi and shuttle, so speak from experience. To get taxi, follow signs from luggage area to taxi, have signs for shuttle too.

  5. If you departed at 8am and did not see any traffic, then it must have been a weekend (most likely Sun) or a public holiday… much reduced traffic on roads.
    Otherwise, it needs to be said expect a 1.5 to 2hr journey if you hit AM or PM traffic

  6. Do they check if you have a boarding pass from an incoming flight from the airport where you’re getting onto the bus?

  7. I will check-out of a hotel in Suvarnabhumi after aircraft-spotting on 6 January and want to go to stay at Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel earlier on 6 January. I have Thai Lion Air e-ticket specifying connecting flight from Singapore Changi via Don Mueang to Chiang Mai on 7 January early morning (departing from Changi to Don Mueang on 6 January night, departure from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai on 7 January morning). Can I board the free shuttle bus at Suvarnabhumi Second Floor Gate 3 in the afternoon of 6 January instead for the trip to Don Mueang? Or do you recommend me to fly back to Singapore on 6 January to board the Thai Lion Air 8.30 pm flight to Don Mueang?

  8. Hi i have upcoming where I will be flying from Phuket to Don Mueang airport and then I have a flight I catch at Suvarnabhumi airport on the same day. My flight into Don mueang arrives at 9am in morning and flight at Suvarnabhumi airport is schedule to depart at 3pm to Mumbai. Can I use the free shuttle bus? Also would I have enough time to get my flight or it would be best to use a taxi

    1. Hi, Desha,

      As long as everything goes smooth, you should have enough time to transfer using the shuttle bus.

      Have a safe trip.

      Keishi

  9. Hi, I need to make a Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi transfer on 1st May (a public holiday) and wonder if the time is enough if my flight arrives at 10.15 am in Don Mueang, then from Suvarnabhumi my flight Philippine Airlines flight is at 1.30 pm. I only have carry-on for this trip so won’t need to wait for luggage.

    Is it still okay to take the free shuttle or do you suggest taking Grab/taxi instead?

    Thank you!

    1. Hi This is from my experience, last October (2018) the information desk at Don Mueang airport were less than helpful in directing me to the free shuttle service, lady was preoccupied with her mobile phone I eventually found where the bus departed from and as I was approaching the bus stop the bus started to depart, I waved frantically and the bus slowing took off. The driver saw me but ignored me. There were only two people on the bus. Near the bus stop I saw a taxi dropping people off and i took that taxi to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The fare was 600 Baht including tolls on expressway. I think the trip took about an hour. I don’t know if the bus goes via the different tolls way, if it doesn’t it would take longer.
      My advice to you with your time frame I would definitely catch a taxi. I was surprised at the distance between the two airports. Ask the driver for a set fare including tolls, alternately insist on a metered trip plus tolls.
      Regards Bill

  10. agreed, I booked accom at Suvarnabhumi and later realised my internal flights were from Din Muang. I thought it would be easy to get between the two having used the Metro to get around Bangkok the week before and seeing a line to Suvarnabhumi. However it does not go to Don Muang. The bus you mentioned, which we eventually found, does not take people who are not flying ( with valid ticket/ boarding pass for that day) and they would not accept my reservation at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi as justifiable reason to use the free bus! So then we had to wait 30 mins for a taxi and even using the toll road , which we had to pay extra for, it still took 2 hrs to get between the two airports ( 3- 5 pm) due to the traffic congestion and cost 700 Baht, ( 7 bd or 14 GBP) . Not a good experience. But the Novotel is wonderful, my second stay there and will be back next week when I fly to Oman , this time from Suvarnabhumi

  11. I have a flight that I need to transfer for Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi, but I land on the 1st and my flight won’t take off until the 3rd. How will you do in this situation?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Get Your FREE "Four Ways to Try Business Class Without Breaking the Bank" Guide

No, I am not going to tell you how to fly in first class and sip Dom Perignon for free…

But, I am going to introduce you to a couple of ways you can experiment with to try a business class flight without having to spend thousands of dollars.

How Can I Help You?