Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK, also sometimes called “The New Bangkok International Airport”) is Thailand's main international gateway, located 31 kilometers east of Bangkok in the Samut Prakan Province.
The airport started commercial operations in 2006, it is today Thailand's largest airport. At first, it took all of Don Mueang Airport’s flights but later, most of the domestic flights and low-budget airlines returned to ease the new airport’s traffic.
In 2024, Suvarnabhumi handled over 62 million passengers ranking as the second busiest airport in Southeast Asia.
Major Airlines - Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet,
Suvarnabhumi Airport serves as a hub for some of the biggest airlines in Thailand including the flagship carrier Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and the low-cost airline Thai VietJet.
Other airlines with a significant number of flights are Thai AirAsia and Jetstar Asia. In total, over 120 airlines fly to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Even though most domestic flights have since moved to Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi continues to provide multiple daily flights to important destinations in Thailand such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui.
Check out all the airlines that fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Check-in Process
Check-in counters are located on Level 4 (Departures) of the main terminal building.
The general guidance is to arrive at least three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights.
Check-in can normally be done online or through the airline app within 24-48 hours of departure. The manned check-in counters also function as bag-drop places. After check-in, proceed through security and immigration to the departure lounges.
Automatic Gates
Since December 2023, passengers from all nationalities are eligible to use the automatic gates on departure from Suvarnabhumi Airport as long as they possess an ICAO-compliant e-passport.
To go through an automatic gate, approach the transparent gate or turnstile, insert your passport, and follow the instructions. The gates use facial recognition and fingerprints to verify your identity. You will not receive an exit stamp this way.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Suvarnabhumi Airport has two terminal buildings. The main terminal is one of the largest single-building terminals in the world. It is connected to a satellite terminal via an Airport Automated People Mover (APM).
The Main Terminal is divided into a domestic and an international section as follows:
Concourses A, B, C, D: International flights
Concourses E, F: Domestic flights
The Satellite Terminal serves only domestic flights.
On Floor B of the main terminal is the Airport Rail Link (ARL) subway station, which connects the airport to Bangkok.
Transit and Connecting Flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport allows transits without a visa under the following conditions:
Transit time does not exceed 24 hours;
Tickets are issued under a single PNR and any luggage is checked-in to the final destination;
You remain within the transit area of the airport and don’t go through Immigration.
This applies to international-to-international flight transfers. Follow the signs to the Transfer Desks.
If you’re connecting domestic-to-international flights, follow the signs to Customs, Immigration, Quarantine – C.I.Q.
Lastly, if you’re connecting international-to-domestic flights, follow the signs to Domestic Connecting Flight.
Note that you will have to clear Immigration and Customs at Suvarnabhumi if you have booked your flights on separate tickets.
Restaurants and Fast Food
Suvarnabhumi Airport houses many restaurants and quick eats options, as well as a bunch of affordable street food stalls.
Magic Food Point: Located on Level 1, this is the place to go for cheap but delicious options from Bangkok’s street food scene. You will need to buy and load a special card with cash, which you can use at any of the stalls. You can refund any remaining balance when you return the card.
Fast food outlets: Everyone’s favorite international fast food chains are present at Suvarnabhumi. This includes: Burger King, McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and The Pizza Company.
Various restaurants: You can find dining venues for every taste at the airport, both before Security and after. Some options are KOSUKE (Gates D), Imm Rice&Noodle (Gates F), and Brew & Bites by Mango Tree in the Satellite Building.
Lounges
As a leading world airport, Suvarnabhumi has no shortage of premium VIP lounges.
Some of the world’s biggest airlines have their own lounge at the airport. These include Emirates, Air France, Singapore Airlines, and of course Thai Airways.
Some of the best VIP lounges at Suvarnabhumi are:
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge: Accessible to Thai Airways premium passengers and Star Alliance Gold members. It offers showers, Wi-Fi, and a selection of food and beverages.
Miracle Lounge: Available to various airline passengers and via lounge membership programs.
The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge - Cosmo: A delightful airport lounge with amazing food and drinks, lovely staff, and a quiet ambiance.
Transportation to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Despite the distance from the city, Suvarnabhumi Airport is well-connected to downtown Bangkok via the MRT, trains, buses, and other private transport options.
- Airport Rail Link: Your best bet for getting to downtown Bangkok. Services run from early morning until late evening every couple of minutes. Interchange stations are:
Hua Mak for Yellow Line;
Makkasan for Blue Line;
Phaya Thai for Green Line.
Buy a ticket at the station in cash or by card. Prices depend on distance with the fare to Phaya Thai set at 45 THB.
Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated in front of the terminal on Level 1. A ride to the city center typically takes about 30-60 minutes but can take more depending on traffic and your location in the city. Fares are metered but it’s wise to confirm before you agree to a ride. The price to Bangkok is approximately 350–500 THB, plus airport fees and optional highway tolls (for faster travel).
Bus: Several city and intercity bus lines serve the airport, connecting it to various parts of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Most often, it’s faster, cheaper, and more convenient to take the rail link.
Car Hire: The world’s biggest car rental companies operate within Suvarnabhumi Airport. You can choose between names like Avis, Hertz, Chic Car Rent, Budget, Drive Car Rental, Europcar, National, Sixt, and Thrifty, all in the Arrival Hall on Level 2.
Connections between Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK)
Bangkok has 2 major international airports and it’s not unheard of to arrive at one of them but leave from the other. In such a case, you will need to make the 40 km journey between the two airports.
The best way to travel between DMK and BKK is to take the free airport shuttle. Note that it’s only for airline transit passengers and you will have to show a valid ticket or boarding pass for a flight departing from either airport on the same day.
Alternatively, public buses 554 and 555 cost 35 THB and run between the 2 airports around the clock. Take them from the Airport Bus Terminal at BKK.
Other options include changing multiple trains, a taxi (~500 THB including tolls and airport surcharges), or a private shuttle (~1000 THB).
Parking
Suvarnabhumi Airport provides 6 parking zones (numbered 2 to 7) for short-term parking and 2 parking zones for long-term parking (A, D)
Short-Term Parking Zones: Spread in front of the terminal, these areas are ideal for stays of a few hours, such as picking up or dropping off passengers. Prices are 25/30 THB per hour for cars (10 THB for motorcycles) with a daily cap of 250 THB for cars and 70 THB for motorcycles.
Long-Term Parking Zones: Situated a bit further from the terminal, this option is more cost-effective if you need to park for several days or more. Prices are 20 THB per hour, capped at 140 THB per day.
Hotels at Suvarnabhumi Airport
At or near Suvarnabhumi, you will have a choice of many airport hotels for different budget limits. If you want maximum convenience, Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is a very solid option, located a 2-minute walk from the terminal with a free shuttle every 10 minutes.
A simpler, bare-bones option directly in front of the gates is the Miracle Transit Hotel which charges for hourly stays.
If you need just a bed in a quiet environment, go to the soundproofed Boxtel on the basement floor of the airport.
Bangkok, Thailand
