If you are a tourist going to Thailand you must be wondering about how the airports are in Thailand. Allow me to show you a bit of information about the airports in Thailand. By following these guides on the two biggest airports in Bangkok you will get your answer regarding how to get to the airport and all of the facilities they provide for tourists. We will also show you how to return to get some of your money back. 

We also provide recent rankings by Skytrax and also some traveler reviews about the facility and the situation in each airport. So stay tuned and follow this guide completely. 

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Thailand Airport Guide

Here's the revised guide and review of airports in Thailand, focusing primarily on Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK):

Best Ways to Reach the Airport

The most convenient options for reaching Suvarnabhumi Airport are:

1. Airport Rail Link: This is the fastest and most cost-effective method. It operates from 5:30 AM to midnight, connecting the airport to various BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway stations in central Bangkok.
2. Taxis: Available 24/7, taxis offer door-to-door service. Ensure you use the official taxi stand to avoid scams and insist on using the meter.
3. Private Transfers: For a more luxurious or hassle-free option, pre-book a private transfer service.

Conversely, to get from Suvarnabhumi  to Bangkok city center you can view the options below. Based on the search results, here are the best transportation options from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city center:

1. Airport Rail Link (ARL):

• Fastest and most cost-efficient option
• Journey time: Around 30 minutes
• Cost: Up to 45 Baht (approximately $1.35)
• Operates from 5:30 AM to midnight, every 15 minutes
• Connects to BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway stations

1. Taxi:

• Convenient door-to-door service
• Journey time: Around 40 minutes (may vary with traffic)
• Cost: 300-500 Baht (approximately $8-15), including airport surcharge and tolls
• Available 24/7 at official taxi stands

1. Private Transfer:

• More luxurious and hassle-free option
• Can be booked in advance
• Journey time: Around 40 minutes
• Cost: Starting from $25

1. Airport Shuttle Bus:

• Budget-friendly option
• Journey time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cost: 60 Baht (approximately $1.80)
• Operates from 6 AM to 8 PM, every 30 minutes

1. Public Bus:

• Least convenient but very cheap option
• Journey time: 1-2 hours
• Cost: About 25 Baht ($0.70) plus 45 Baht ($1.35) for shuttle to bus station
• Requires taking a shuttle to the Airport Transportation Center first

The Airport Rail Link is generally considered the best option for most travelers due to its speed, affordability, and ability to avoid traffic congestion. Taxis are a good choice for door-to-door service, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling outside of ARL operating hours.

Airport Facilities

Suvarnabhumi Airport offers a wide range of facilities to enhance your travel experience:

1. Free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.
2. Numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants.
3. Rest zones with reclining leather chairs for short naps.
4. Prayer rooms and smoking areas.
5. First aid stations and medical facilities.
6. Currency exchange counters and ATMs.

Things to Pay Attention to at Thailand Airports

1. Arrive early: Bangkok airports can get very crowded, especially during peak hours.
2. Be aware of your belongings: As with any busy airport, keep an eye on your luggage.
3. Check your departure terminal: Don Mueang Airport (DMK) serves as a secondary hub for low-cost carriers.
4. Follow signage carefully: Suvarnabhumi Airport is vast, so pay attention to directions.

Special Facilities Offered

1. Sleeping boxes: Boxtel offers affordable, soundproofed sleeping pods for short rests.
2. Airport hotel: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is connected to the terminal for convenient overnight stays.
3. Massage services: Available in various lounges and public areas.
4. VIP lounges: Accessible for first-class, business-class passengers, and some credit card holders.

Tax-Free Shopping Claims

Yes, you can claim VAT refunds for eligible purchases made in Thailand at the airport. Here's how:

1. Make purchases at stores displaying the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign.
2. Ensure your total purchases are at least 5,000 Baht per person per trip.
3. Get a VAT Refund Application for Tourists form (P.P.10) and original tax invoice from the store.
4. At the airport, present your goods, form, and invoice at the customs inspection office before check-in.
5. After passing immigration, visit the VAT Refund for Tourists Office to receive your refund.

Avoiding Crowds at Thailand Airports

1. Use fast-track services if available for your ticket class.
2. Arrive during off-peak hours when possible.
3. Utilize online check-in and mobile boarding passes to avoid queues.
4. Consider lounge access for a more comfortable waiting experience.
5. Follow staff instructions and use all available counters or security lanes to spread out the crowd.

Remember, Suvarnabhumi Airport can handle large volumes of passengers, but it's often operating beyond its designed capacity. Planning ahead and allowing extra time can help ensure a smoother airport experience in Thailand.

Recent Rankings

1. Global Airport Rankings:
   • Suvarnabhumi Airport climbed to 58th position in 2024, up from 68th in 2023 and 77th in 2022 in the Skytrax World Airport Awards.
   • This significant improvement of 10 places in a year demonstrates the airport's efforts to enhance its services and facilities.

1. Luxury Experience:
   • Suvarnabhumi ranked 7th best airport in the world for luxury experience, according to a report by AllClear travel insurance provider.
   • It scored 55 out of 100, based on factors like available lounges, designer stores, nearby luxury hotels, and premium amenities.

Improvements and Developments

1. Increased Capacity:
   • The opening of the Midfield Satellite 1 building in September 2023 boosted the airport's passenger-handling capacity from 45 million to 60 million per year.

1. Reduced Processing Times:
   • Average service time has been cut from 40-50 minutes to 37 minutes (15 minutes for luggage retrieval and 22 minutes for immigration).
   • The airport aims to further reduce immigration process time to 15 minutes.

1. Upcoming Enhancements:
   • Plans to deploy 200 more immigration officers and introduce 80 "Auto Gate" kiosks for faster immigration processing.
   • Intention to purchase CT scanners for improved luggage checking, potentially allowing passengers to carry liquids on board.

Traveler Reviews

Positive aspects:

• Fast and convenient immigration process, especially with the e-scanning system.
• Convenient security check process.
• Good variety of shops and restaurants.
• Clean facilities, particularly toilets.

Areas for improvement:

• Extremely long walks between gates, especially in the new satellite terminal.
• Limited relaxation areas compared to other major airports.
• Some staff reported as unhelpful or disinterested.
• Crowding issues, particularly in the departure lounge.

The airport authorities are actively working on improvements, with the goal of pushing Suvarnabhumi into the top 50 airports ranking by next year and potentially into the top 20 within five years. These efforts include expanding facilities, improving processes, and enhancing overall passenger experience.

Don Mueang International Airport - Thailand Airport Guide

Based on the search results, here's a comprehensive review and information about Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand:

Overview

Don Mueang International Airport is one of two international airports serving Bangkok, alongside Suvarnabhumi Airport. It's considered one of the world's oldest international airports and Asia's oldest operating airport, officially opened as a Royal Thai Air Force base on March 27, 1914.

Layout and Terminals

The airport consists of two main terminals:

• Terminal 1: Serves international flights
• Terminal 2: Handles domestic flights

These terminals are connected by a unique glass exterior elevated walkway.

Specialization

Don Mueang has become a regional commuter flight hub and the de facto low-cost airline hub. In 2015, it became the world's largest low-cost carrier airport. It's the main operating base for several budget airlines, including Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Lion Air.

Facilities and Services

1. Restaurants and cafes: Both Thai and international cuisine options are available.
2. Shops: Selling souvenirs, clothing, and electronics.
3. Duty-free shopping: Available for international travelers.
4. Transportation options: Taxis, buses, and shuttle bus services to the city center.
5. Car rentals1.
6. Lounges and waiting areas.
7. Free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.
8. Charging stations for electronic devices.

Unique Features

1. Connection to the Royal Thai Air Force Museum on the airport grounds.
2. A golf course beside one of the runways.

Recent Rankings

Don Mueang was ranked 10th on Skytrax's 2024 list of the world's best low-cost airline terminals. This ranking is based on various factors including design, environment, transportation, facilities, and service quality.

Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Don Mueang Airport are mixed:

Positives:

• Efficient check-in and security processes.
• Clean facilities.
• Good organization and clear signage.

Negatives:

• Can be crowded, especially in the international terminal.
• Limited food options in the international terminal compared to the domestic one.
• Inflated food prices.

Transportation to/from the Airport

1. Taxis: Available 24/7, but can be affected by Bangkok's heavy traffic.
2. Buses: Several bus lines connect the airport to different parts of Bangkok.
3. BTS (Bangkok Transit System): The airport is now connected to Bangkok's BTS system, making it easier to reach the city center.

Overall, Don Mueang International Airport serves its purpose as a budget airline hub efficiently, although it may lack some of the amenities of larger international airports. Its recent ranking among the world's best low-cost terminals suggests ongoing improvements in its services and facilities.

Parking Facility In Donmueang International Airport

If you are on the way to drop off or either just wait for your loved ones to arrive at the airport you might be interested in reviewing these parking options:

here are the parking options available at Don Mueang International Airport:

1. Three-story Car Park:

• Located in front of the Terminal
• Open 24/7
• Suitable for short-term parking

1. Seven-story Car Park:

• Located at Terminal 2
• Open 24/7
• Suitable for long-term parking

1. Valet Parking:

• Available 24/7
• Terminal 1 pickup locations:
  • Departures, 3rd Floor, Gate 1
  • Arrivals, 1st Floor, Gate 3

• Terminal 2 pickup locations:
  • Departures, 3rd Floor, Gate 15
  • Arrivals, 1st Floor, Gate 15

1. Car Pickup point / Pickup and drop-off parking area

The standard parking rates for the multi-level car parks are as follows:

• First hour: ฿20
• Second hour: ฿40
• Three hours: ฿70
• Four hours: ฿100
• Five hours: ฿130
• Six hours: ฿180
• 7 to 24 hours: ฿250
• The Car Pickup point charges ฿20 per hour.

It's worth noting that parking rates may vary depending on the chosen car park area and the duration of stay. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options to accommodate different needs. For those looking to save money, there may be unofficial off-site parking options available through third-party services, which could offer more affordable rates compared to the official on-site parking.