Flight connections at Bangkok airport

When deciding how much time you need to allow for connecting flights in Bangkok there are several factors to consider. In this article, we run through the different scenarios to give you a better idea of what’s involved and how long you should allow for your flight connections in Bangkok. 

Two airports in Bangkok

If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand, please note there are two airports in Bangkok: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK). 

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

For most visitors flying to Bangkok, your arrival airport will be the main international airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK). If you’re flying from the UK to Bangkok you will arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. The airport is around 22 miles (35 kilometres) east of the city centre and handles most long-haul international flights. Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-wan-na-poom) is also used for domestic flights by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Thai VietJet. 

Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Although there are some international flights to Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK), these are mostly regional flights. Don Mueang is around 15 miles (25 kilometres) north of central Bangkok. The airport handles low-cost carriers including AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air.

International to domestic on one ticket 

The best option for transfers is with a through ticket i.e. you booked your flights all on one ticket. This means your luggage will be checked through to your final destination. The process at security and immigration is also much quicker in the transit area compared to the main immigration desks where there can sometimes be long queues.

Some airlines have a minimum connection time; for Bangkok Airways it is 1 hour 15 minutes. If your airline has allowed you to book a through ticket with a tight connection time (e.g. 1 hour 15 minutes), they should do their best to speed you through on arrival). If your international flight is late to land in Bangkok and you miss the connection for your domestic flight, the airline will usually put you on the next available flight. However, check with your airline for details of their policies.

Transfer process

Once you arrive in Bangkok, follow the signs for “Transfer/Connecting Flights.” If you don’t have your boarding pass for your domestic flight, go to the transfer desk of your airline to get it. You then go through security and immigration. Clearing security and immigration this way usually takes less than 15 minutes. You can then proceed to your boarding gate. 

How much time to allow

The minimum connecting time used by Bangkok Airways is 1 hour 15 minutes. Note this is the minimum; allowing a connection time of two hours means less rushing around if, for example, your international flight arrival is delayed by half an hour. 

International to domestic on separate tickets

If you bought a flight ticket to Bangkok and then purchased your onward flight separately (e.g. to Chiang Mai, Phuket etc.) the transfer from an international flight can take much longer compared to you if you booked your flights all on one ticket. You are also not covered if your international flight arrives late and you subsequently miss your domestic flight. 

Transfer process

Once you arrive, you head to the main immigration area. How long you wait here can vary depending on how many flights are arriving at the same time and how many desks are staffed. It could take five minutes or it could take 55 minutes. There are regular attempts to speed processes up, but nobody can tell you in advance how long it will take on any given day. Allow for at least 45 minutes.

Once you clear immigration you then enter the luggage collection area*. After collecting your bag you then need to go to domestic flight departures to check in for your domestic flight.

*In some cases you may be able to check your luggage all the way through to your final destination even if you have a separate ticket. However, you need to ask at the departure airport and show your connecting flight details. If the airlines are alliance partners it may be possible. Check your airline’s policies in advance and confirm again when checking in. 

How much time to allow

There are plenty of imponderables so there is no definitive answer to how long the transfer process will take. You should allow time for:

• Potential late arrival of international flight
• Long walk from the gate to the immigration desks
• Queues at the immigration desks
• Waiting for luggage
• Check-in for your domestic flight
• Walking to gate
• Clearing security 

You may have seen advice online saying you should allow a minimum of two hours. Although this may be sufficient, it can still involve rushing around if there are delays at immigration or your international flight is late landing in Bangkok. The more time you allow, the less stressful it will be if there are delays/queues at any stage. Allowing three hours should be OK in most cases. 

International to domestic (self-connect between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang)

If you need to travel between the two airports to catch your domestic flight, you’re going to need to allow plenty of time. Whether you opt for the free bus transfer or take a private taxi, it’s still going to take you around an hour just to travel between the two airports. That’s on a good day. If there is heavy rain or it’s rush hour, it can take considerably longer. You also need to add on the time needed to clear immigration, collect your luggage, and waiting time for your bus or taxi. If your travel itinerary involves a transfer between Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) you should allow a minimum of four to five hours between flights.  

International to international on one ticket

If you’re not staying in Thailand and just using Bangkok to connect to your next international flight, connection times are quicker because you won’t need to clear immigration or collect luggage. You’ll stay airside and a minimum connection time of one hour 15 minutes can be OK, but it’s still advisable to allow extra time just in case. 

CIQ passengers

CIQ stands for Customs/Immigration/Quarantine. Passengers arriving in Thailand will normally clear immigration at their first port of arrival. Passengers transferring to CIQ destinations may be able to have luggage checked through and clear immigration at their CIQ destination. CIQ passengers are given a CIQ sticker to wear which identifies them to airline staff to ensure they are directed to the right locations. More details here:
Bangkok Airways through check-in
Don Mueang Airport transfers

The information here is advice based on our experience of frequent travel to Thailand. Always check your airline’s policies before booking connecting flights.

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