How much is the A1 airport bus from Don Mueang?

A flat 30 THB, paid in cash or by tapping a contactless card with the conductor once you're seated — no separate ticket counter needed.

Where do I catch the A1 bus at Don Mueang Airport?

At the Service Hall bus stop on the north side of Terminal 1, reached via Gate 6 from the arrivals hall — about a 5-minute walk. Buses run every 15 minutes from 05:45 to midnight.

Is the SRT Dark Red Line faster than the bus?

Yes — 17–20 minutes to Krung Thep Aphiwat for 33 THB versus 35–45 minutes on the bus — but it doesn't reach the centre itself; you'll need a separate MRT fare and more time to get to Siam or Sukhumvit.

How do I avoid the taxi scam at Don Mueang?

Ignore touts near exits 3–4 offering a flat 'no meter' fare of about 700 THB, and skip the 1,200+ THB limousine desk. Use the official taxi queue at Door 8 for a metered ride plus a 50 THB airport surcharge, roughly 300–500 THB to the centre.

What is the best way from DMK to downtown Bangkok?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the BMTA A1 airport bus to BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak Park, 30 THB paid on board and about 35–45 minutes toward the city centre via the tollway.

How to get from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to downtown Bangkok — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) into central Bangkok is the BMTA A1 airport bus: a one-way fare to BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak Park is 30 THB, paid to the conductor on board, and the ride takes about 35–45 minutes via the tollway. Buses leave roughly every 15 minutes from the Service Hall stop outside Terminal 1, or take the 33 THB SRT Dark Red Line if you'd rather dodge traffic (though you'll still need a separate MRT fare from Krung Thep Aphiwat). Skip the 1,200+ THB airport limousine desk and any taxi tout near exits 3–4 quoting a flat 'no meter' fare.

How to find it

AIRPORTDon Mueang International Airport
01From arrivals at Terminal 1, follow the 'Bus to City' / BMTA signs out through Gate 6 to the Service Hall bus stop on the north side of the terminal (about a 5-minute walk).
02Board the next A1 bus toward Mo Chit — it departs about every 15 minutes — and pay the conductor 30 THB once you're seated.
03Ride about 35–45 minutes via the tollway (traffic-dependent) toward central Bangkok.
04Get off at BTS Mo Chit or, one stop earlier, MRT Chatuchak Park — both are near the bus's Mo Chit 2 terminus area — and change to the BTS Skytrain or MRT to continue into Siam or Sukhumvit.
CITY CENTREBangkok

Ticket

BMTA Airport Bus A1 one-way fare to Mo Chit

Where to buy: Pay the conductor on board once you're seated; there's no separate ticket counter to queue at.

How to pay: Cash in Thai baht is standard; the conductor can also tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard. Have small notes ready — 30 THB exactly is easiest.

Local's trick: Ask to get off at MRT Chatuchak Park instead of riding all the way to the Mo Chit 2 bus terminus — it's one stop earlier, skips the terminus congestion, and puts you right at an MRT Blue Line entrance.

Trap to avoid: Skip the airport limousine desk in the arrivals hall, which charges a fixed 1,200+ THB, and ignore the touts near exits 3–4 quoting a flat 'no meter' fare of around 700 THB. For an official metered taxi, follow signs to the public taxi queue at Door 8 — expect the meter plus a 50 THB airport surcharge, roughly 300–500 THB to the centre.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	THB 30.00	40 min	BMTA Airport Bus A1 one-way fare to Mo Chit
Train	THB 33.00	20 min	SRT Dark Red Line single token to Krung Thep Aphiwat

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from DMK to central Bangkok?: The BMTA A1 airport bus. A one-way fare to BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park is 30 THB, paid to the conductor on board, and the ride takes about 35–45 minutes via the tollway.
How much is the A1 airport bus from Don Mueang?: A flat 30 THB, paid in cash or by tapping a contactless card with the conductor once you're seated — no separate ticket counter needed.
Where do I catch the A1 bus at Don Mueang Airport?: At the Service Hall bus stop on the north side of Terminal 1, reached via Gate 6 from the arrivals hall — about a 5-minute walk. Buses run every 15 minutes from 05:45 to midnight.
Is the SRT Dark Red Line faster than the bus?: Yes — 17–20 minutes to Krung Thep Aphiwat for 33 THB versus 35–45 minutes on the bus — but it doesn't reach the centre itself; you'll need a separate MRT fare and more time to get to Siam or Sukhumvit.
How do I avoid the taxi scam at Don Mueang?: Ignore touts near exits 3–4 offering a flat 'no meter' fare of about 700 THB, and skip the 1,200+ THB limousine desk. Use the official taxi queue at Door 8 for a metered ride plus a 50 THB airport surcharge, roughly 300–500 THB to the centre.
What is the best way from DMK to downtown Bangkok?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the BMTA A1 airport bus to BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak Park, 30 THB paid on board and about 35–45 minutes toward the city centre via the tollway.
How much is a taxi from Don Mueang International Airport to the city?: An official metered taxi from the Door 8 queue runs the meter plus a 50 THB airport surcharge — roughly 300–500 THB to the centre — versus 30 THB on the A1 bus; the limousine desk charges a fixed 1,200+ THB.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.