Bangkok has 2 airports, the main (newer) Suvarnabhumi airport, where most flights arrive, and the smaller (older) Don Mueang airport, which now caters to mainly budget airline flights.
I chose to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport and depart from Don Mueang airport in order to compare my airport experiences.
Suvarnabhumi airport is connected by the airport train which takes travelers into the city quickly and easily. From what I see, most passengers got off the train at the last stop, phaya thai, close to the centre of the city. There are BTS (subway) connections from there to other parts of Bangkok.
On the other hand, Don Mueang airport currently has no train connections. Other than public buses, there are two airport buses, A1 and A2, that brings travelers close to the centre of the city. Bus A1 stops at mo chit station near the famed chatuchak weekend market. Bus A2 stops at victory monument station. Both stops have bts connections as well.
Towards the airport, I took bus A1 at the bus-stop at exit 3 of mo chit station. It's just a short 2 minutes wait before the bus arrives. The bus has limited seats and is more similar to a public bus, so not much luggage space. I boarded the bus and found a seat. Later the bus conductor comes on board to collect the fare from the passengers. The bus stops at don mueang airport terminal 1, where most, if not all, passengers alight. Not sure if the bus stops at terminal 2 though.
Comparing both airport experiences, I find that they are well-linked by public transport to the city centre. Being the newer airport, Suvarnabhumi airport feels more modern and spacious. Don mueang airport, though smaller, is easier to navigate and there are quite a number of shops airside as well.
And for the aviation enthusiasts, my Scoot dreamliner flight operates from the gate at the end of the terminal, which isn't that big, but it offers unobstructed views of the airport runway and planes taking off and landing.
Display at don mueang airport
I chose to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport and depart from Don Mueang airport in order to compare my airport experiences.
Suvarnabhumi airport is connected by the airport train which takes travelers into the city quickly and easily. From what I see, most passengers got off the train at the last stop, phaya thai, close to the centre of the city. There are BTS (subway) connections from there to other parts of Bangkok.
On the other hand, Don Mueang airport currently has no train connections. Other than public buses, there are two airport buses, A1 and A2, that brings travelers close to the centre of the city. Bus A1 stops at mo chit station near the famed chatuchak weekend market. Bus A2 stops at victory monument station. Both stops have bts connections as well.
Towards the airport, I took bus A1 at the bus-stop at exit 3 of mo chit station. It's just a short 2 minutes wait before the bus arrives. The bus has limited seats and is more similar to a public bus, so not much luggage space. I boarded the bus and found a seat. Later the bus conductor comes on board to collect the fare from the passengers. The bus stops at don mueang airport terminal 1, where most, if not all, passengers alight. Not sure if the bus stops at terminal 2 though.
Bangkok airport bus A1
Airport bus stop next to mo chit bts station, a short walk to the famous chatuchak weekend market
Comparing both airport experiences, I find that they are well-linked by public transport to the city centre. Being the newer airport, Suvarnabhumi airport feels more modern and spacious. Don mueang airport, though smaller, is easier to navigate and there are quite a number of shops airside as well.
And for the aviation enthusiasts, my Scoot dreamliner flight operates from the gate at the end of the terminal, which isn't that big, but it offers unobstructed views of the airport runway and planes taking off and landing.
My scoot dreamliner flight, arrived from Tokyo, Japan. Nicknamed lickety split
Plane-spotting at don mueang airport departure gate area
