Most visitors to Thailand land at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) in Bangkok, or fly straight to Phuket, Chiang Mai or Krabi. This guide explains the main ways to leave each of these airports: where to find each option, what it costs and who it suits.
Third-party prices and timetables below were checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm them with the operator before you travel. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, and include expressway tolls.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Suvarnabhumi is Bangkok's main international airport, and Thai Airways flies from here. Most ground transport leaves from Level 1; the train is in the basement (Level B1).
| Option | Where to find it | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link | Level B1 | 15–45 THB per person | Light luggage, arrivals before midnight |
| Public taxi | Level 1, Gates 4–7 | 400–650 THB to central Bangkok, all-in | Door to door, 24 hours |
| Grab | Level 1, Gate 4 (outer curb) | 450–700 THB to central Bangkok | App users |
| AOT Limousine | Level 2 | from 550 THB | No booking needed (walk-in) |
| Bus S1 | Level 1, Gate 7 | about 60 THB | Khao San Road on a budget |
| Smile Taxi (pre-booked) | Level 4, near Gate 4 | 600 / 800 / 1,100 THB per vehicle (fixed) | Families, groups, late arrivals |
Airport Rail Link
The Airport Rail Link runs to Phaya Thai from 05:30 to 24:00, about every 9–15 minutes. The full trip takes about 26–30 minutes and costs 45 THB. Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB or UnionPay card at the gate, or buy a token from a machine (coins and notes up to 100 THB).
Change to the BTS Skytrain at Phaya Thai, to the MRT Blue Line at Makkasan (a 7–10 minute covered walk) or to the MRT Yellow Line at Hua Mak. There are no dedicated luggage racks: one suitcase is fine, but several bags are awkward at rush hour. Children under 90 cm ride free.
Public taxis
The public taxi queue runs 24 hours on Level 1, Gates 4–7. Take a queue ticket at the kiosk; trips of up to about 20 km use a separate short-distance lane.
- Check that the meter is on. It starts at 35 THB (40 THB in larger taxis) and adds 3 THB a minute when the car moves at 6 km/h or less. There is no night surcharge.
- On top of the meter, pay the driver a 50 THB airport surcharge, and pay the expressway tolls in cash. Fees for large bags may apply, so carry small notes.
- Note the plate number. You can report overcharging to the Department of Land Transport on 1584 (24 hours).
A typical trip to central Bangkok costs about 400–650 THB in total.
Grab, electric taxis and limousines
Grab picks up 24 hours at Level 1, Gate 4 (outer curb). A ride to central Bangkok costs about 450–700 THB. The app shows the price before you book, but prices rise at busy times and in heavy rain; at quiet times a metered taxi is often cheaper. Bolt, inDrive and LINE MAN are also certified by the Department of Land Transport.
Electric "VIP" taxis (EV Society at Gates 4 and 7, CABBY at Gate 3, on the Level 1 middle curb) start at 150 THB plus the meter, and CABBY adds a 100 THB service charge. The AOT Limousine counters on Level 2 take walk-in customers only. Prices start at 550 THB for an eco sedan, 750 THB for a Camry-class sedan and 850 THB for a Toyota Commuter van, and go up to 1,300 THB.
Buses and rental cars
Bus S1 goes to Khao San Road and Sanam Luang for about 60 THB, from 06:00 to 20:00, from Level 1, Gate 7; the trip takes about 60–90 minutes. Bus 554 (to Rangsit via Don Mueang, about 35 THB, 05:30–22:00) and bus S6 (to Krung Thep Aphiwat station, 05:30–24:00) leave from the Public Transportation Center; its counter is on +66 2 132 9509. Buses to Pattaya, Hua Hin and Koh Chang leave from Level 1, Gate 8.
Self-drive car rental counters are on Level 2, Gate 7. To drive in Thailand you must carry an International Driving Permit together with your home licence.
Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Don Mueang is the Bangkok base of Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai AirAsia X, so check which Bangkok airport is on your ticket. Terminal 1 handles international flights and Terminal 2 domestic flights.
- Taxis: counters at Terminal 1, Level 1, Gate 8 and in Terminal 2 next to Gate 15, 24 hours. You pay the meter, a 50 THB airport surcharge and the expressway tolls. Luggage fees can be added: up to 21 THB for each bag over 26 inches, and up to 20 THB for each smaller bag beyond two.
- Grab: Terminal 2, Level 1, Gate 14.
- Red Line train: a covered skywalk from the far end of Terminal 2 leads to the SRT Dark Red Line. Trains run to Krung Thep Aphiwat from 05:00 to 24:00, every 10–15 minutes, for 12–42 THB by distance. At Krung Thep Aphiwat you can change to the MRT Blue Line (Bang Sue station) and to long-distance trains. From Terminal 1 it is a long walk to the skywalk.
- Airport buses leave from Terminal 1, Level 1, Gate 6:
| Bus | Goes to | Fare | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Mo Chit 2 bus terminal (BTS Mo Chit) | 30 THB | 05:45–24:00, every 15 minutes |
| A2 | Victory Monument | 30 THB | 06:00–23:00 |
| A3 | Lumphini Park | 50 THB | 06:00–23:00 |
| A4 | Khao San Road and Sanam Luang | 50 THB | 06:00–23:00 |
Between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang
The free shuttle between the two airports (from Level 2, Gate 3 at Suvarnabhumi, 05:00–24:00, every 30 minutes) is only for passengers with a connecting flight ticket and a passport. Everyone else can take bus 554 (about 35 THB), a taxi or a private transfer. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this trip, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE, and allow plenty of time.
Phuket Airport (HKT)
| Option | Where | Approximate price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Bus | Domestic terminal, Exit 3 | 100 THB flat | West-coast beaches to Rawai, about hourly, slow |
| Orange bus | Follow the airport signs | 100 THB | To Phuket Town, 05:00–19:00, about 90 minutes |
| Shared minibus | Domestic terminal counter | 180–200 THB per person | Leaves when full |
| Metered taxi | Follow the airport signs | 600–700 THB to Patong | Plus a 100 THB airport surcharge |
| Official taxi or limousine | Counters near baggage claim | about 800 THB to Patong | Fixed rates posted |
| Grab | International terminal, Exit 8 | varies | Bolt is often cheaper, with fewer cars |
The Smart Bus takes cash, QR payment or a Rabbit card. Both buses are slow and stop running in the evening, so after a late landing you need a taxi, an app or a pre-booked car.
A Smile Taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach costs 1,000 THB by sedan, 1,100 THB by SUV or 1,400 THB by van (per vehicle), and the driver meets you outside the arrivals exit: book a sedan from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach. For Krabi, see How to Get from Phuket to Krabi.
Chiang Mai Airport (CNX)
Chiang Mai airport is close to the city. The airport taxi counter charges a flat 150 THB to the city centre, or 250 THB if you choose the type of car.
RTC city bus 24 costs 50 THB from the airport, plus 30 THB for a large suitcase. Loop 24L goes via the Night Bazaar and Warorot Market, and loop 24R goes via Suan Dok and Nimman. The buses run from about 07:15 to 19:10 (June 2025 timetable, so check it before you travel); pay in cash or by Thai QR. Shuttle vans A1 and A2 cost 40 THB and A3 costs 60 THB, but they have no fixed schedule. With big bags, the 150 THB taxi is often simpler.
Krabi Airport (KBV)
Airport shuttles go to Krabi Town (15 km) for 100 THB in about 25 minutes (80 THB to the Krabi bus terminal), and to Ao Nang (28 km) for 150 THB in about 45 minutes. They leave when full, which can mean up to an hour's wait.
Railay has no road access. From Ao Nang, shared longtail boats take about 15 minutes and cost 100 THB per person, from 08:00 to 18:00; night trips cost more. From Chao Fah pier in Krabi Town the boat takes about 45 minutes, but not in the rainy season.
If you fly into Phuket instead, a Smile Taxi from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang Beach costs 2,200 THB by sedan (per vehicle, one way).
Pre-booked private transfers with Smile Taxi Service
A pre-booked car costs more than the train or the bus. Its price is fixed before you land: per vehicle rather than per person, one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. The fare is the same for 1 passenger or a full car.
| Route (one way) | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi → Bangkok | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,100 THB |
| Don Mueang → Bangkok | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,000 THB |
| Suvarnabhumi → Pattaya | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 1,800 THB |
| Don Mueang → Pattaya | 1,500 THB | 1,700 THB | 2,300 THB |
| U-Tapao → Pattaya | 800 THB | 1,000 THB | 1,200 THB |
| Phuket Airport → Patong Beach | 1,000 THB | 1,100 THB | 1,400 THB |
| Phuket Airport → Ao Nang Beach | 2,200 THB | 2,400 THB | 3,000 THB |
A sedan (Toyota Camry or similar) takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV (Toyota Fortuner or similar) up to 5 and 4, and a van (Toyota Commuter or similar) up to 7 and 5.
- Meeting point: at Suvarnabhumi, Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4, where the car stops in the pickup lane. At Don Mueang, Level 3 (Departures); the exact door comes with the driver's details. At U-Tapao and Phuket, outside the arrivals exit.
- How it works: the team sends the driver's name, car and plate number before the trip. At Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, send a message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags, and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes.
- Waiting: 60 minutes free, counted from the actual landing time. A person checks your flight.
- On request: a name sign at the arrivals gate (+100 THB), a child seat (+100 THB), a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup, and an English-speaking driver, subject to availability. Extra stops cost 250 THB per hour. Pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (Thonburi side) add 100–200 THB.
- Payment: pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; the website takes no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added).
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
- Return trips: a discount is available; ask by message.
Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, book a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok, book a van from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, or see all Smile Taxi routes and prices. For a full comparison of the Pattaya route, read How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Tips for your arrival
- Landing late: the Airport Rail Link and the Red Line stop around midnight. The taxi queues at both Bangkok airports run 24 hours, and so does Grab at Suvarnabhumi.
- Your address: save your hotel's address in Thai script with a map pin.
- Children: taxis are exempt from the child-seat law and do not supply seats, so bring one or book a car with a child seat.
- Apps: use only certified ride-hailing apps, and check that the car's plate matches the app.
- Airline changes: from 1 October 2026 Thai AirAsia again flies from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi, but most of its domestic flights still use Don Mueang. Check the airport on your ticket before you book a transfer.
- Help: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours); Airports of Thailand call centre 1722; tourist-fraud assistance office at Suvarnabhumi 0 2134 4077 (24 hours).
Useful Thai phrases
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| To the airport | ไปสนามบิน | pai sa-nǎam-bin |
| Please turn on the meter | ช่วยเปิดมิเตอร์ด้วย | chûai bpòet mí-dtôe dûai |
| How much is the fare? | ค่ารถเท่าไหร่ | khâa rót thâo-rài |
| Stop here | จอดตรงนี้ | jòt trong níi |
Add ครับ (khráp) if you are a man, or ค่ะ (khâ) if you are a woman, to sound polite.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way from Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok? The Airport Rail Link: 45 THB to Phaya Thai in about 26–30 minutes, from 05:30 to 24:00.
How much is a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok? About 400–650 THB with the 50 THB airport surcharge and tolls. A Smile sedan costs a fixed 600 THB with tolls included.
What is the cheapest way from Don Mueang to central Bangkok? Airport bus A1 to Mo Chit (30 THB), or the Red Line train from Terminal 2 to Krung Thep Aphiwat (12–42 THB by distance).
What is the cheapest way from Phuket airport to Patong? The Smart Bus, at a flat 100 THB. A metered taxi costs about 600–700 THB plus the 100 THB airport surcharge.
How much is a taxi from Chiang Mai airport to the Old City? A flat 150 THB at the airport taxi counter.
How do I get from Krabi airport to Ao Nang? Take the shuttle for 150 THB per person; it leaves when full. For Railay, continue by longtail boat from Ao Nang.
To book an airport pickup, choose your route on the Smile Taxi fare list or message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE, 24 hours a day.