Suvarnabhumi
BKKThailand's mega-hub and main international gateway, 25 km east of Bangkok. Full-service and long-haul airlines, the Airport Rail Link into the city and over 62 million passengers a year.
Your English gateway to the six main airports of Thailand. Compare Bangkok's two airports, the Andaman coast, Pattaya and Koh Samui, with live flight boards, real transport fares in baht and no-deposit car rental at every terminal.
Book your rental car in advance and pick it up right at the terminal.
From the mega-hub of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to the open-air terminal of Koh Samui, each airport has its own guide with a live board, transport fares and car rental.
Thailand's mega-hub and main international gateway, 25 km east of Bangkok. Full-service and long-haul airlines, the Airport Rail Link into the city and over 62 million passengers a year.
Bangkok's second airport and the world's largest low-cost hub, 24 km north of the city. Home of AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air, with the SRT Dark Red Line to town.
The busiest airport outside Bangkok and the gateway to the Andaman coast. In the far north of Phuket, 32 km from Phuket Town and around 40 km from Patong Beach.
The feeder for Ao Nang, Railay and the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. A fast-growing airport just 7 km from Krabi Town and 26 km from Ao Nang.
U-Tapao, marketed as Pattaya Airport, is the eastern seaboard's gateway, about 40 km from Pattaya. A former Vietnam-War airbase now growing under the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Thailand's only privately owned commercial airport, built and run by Bangkok Airways. A famous open-air, garden terminal just 4 km from Chaweng Beach.
The main gateway to northern Thailand, about 4 km from Chiang Mai's old city. Serves the northern mountains, Pai and the Golden Triangle region, and is the busiest airport in the north.
Chiang Rai's international airport, roughly 8 km north of the city. The closest gateway to the Golden Triangle, the White Temple and the Laos and Myanmar border areas.
The main airport of Thailand's deep south, about 9 km from Hat Yai. A busy gateway for travellers crossing to and from Malaysia and for Songkhla province.
The mainland gateway to the Gulf islands. Often a cheaper way to reach Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao than flying into Samui, combining a bus with the Donsak ferry.
A small airport serving the royal seaside resort of Hua Hin, on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Scheduled service is limited and has come and gone over the years.
The principal gateway to Isan, Thailand's northeast, and a common staging point for the overland crossing to Vientiane in Laos via Nong Khai.
Thailand has a handful of airports that matter for most travellers, and choosing the right one saves both time and money. Bangkok is served by two: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) for full-service and long-haul flights, and Don Mueang (DMK) for budget carriers such as AirAsia and Nok Air. They are on opposite sides of the city, so always check which one your ticket uses.
For the beaches, Phuket (HKT) is the main international gateway to the Andaman coast, while Krabi (KBV) is the quieter feeder for Ao Nang, Railay and the islands. On the Gulf side, Koh Samui (USM) has its own boutique airport, and U-Tapao (UTP) serves Pattaya and the eastern seaboard.
| Airport | Serves | Passengers | To centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | Bangkok | 62.2M (2024) | 25 km east | Full-service, long-haul |
| Don Mueang (DMK) | Bangkok | 30.5M | 24 km north | Low-cost carriers |
| Phuket (HKT) | Phuket | 17.2M (2024) | 32 km to town | Andaman beaches |
| Krabi (KBV) | Krabi | 3.05M (2025) | 7 km | Ao Nang, Railay, islands |
| Pattaya (UTP) | Pattaya / Rayong | 0.37M | 40 km to Pattaya | Eastern seaboard |
| Samui (USM) | Koh Samui | 2.7M | 4 km to Chaweng | Gulf island escape |
Weather also differs across the country: the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is driest from November to April, while the Gulf island of Koh Samui runs on a different cycle and is at its wettest late in the year. Each airport guide sets out the seasonality that matters for flights and car rental.
Compare cars at every airport we cover, from about ฿600 a day in low season, without deposit to block on your card and free cancellation. One search covers Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya and Samui.
See car rental in ThailandSuvarnabhumi and Don Mueang sit on opposite sides of Bangkok and share one rental market. Start with the Suvarnabhumi guide for the Airport Rail Link, taxi fares and terminal tips.
Open the Suvarnabhumi guideThailand has more than a dozen airports with international service, but six carry almost all traffic that matters to visitors: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV), U-Tapao for Pattaya (UTP) and Koh Samui (USM). Together they handle well over 115 million passengers a year.
Bangkok has two airports on opposite sides of the city. Suvarnabhumi (BKK), 25 km east, handles full-service and long-haul flights and has the Airport Rail Link. Don Mueang (DMK), 24 km north, is the low-cost hub for AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air. Always check your ticket, as they are about 35 km apart.
For the Andaman coast, fly into Phuket (HKT) for Patong and the west-coast beaches, or Krabi (KBV) for Ao Nang and Railay. On the Gulf side, Koh Samui (USM) is a short hop from Chaweng, while U-Tapao (UTP) serves Pattaya and the nearer eastern beaches.
Yes. At every airport in this guide, several rental desks offer no-deposit cars, so you avoid a large hold on your card. Rates start from about ฿600 to ฿1,000 a day in low season, with the lowest prices in Bangkok and the highest on the islands. Booking ahead secures both the price and the car.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi has the Airport Rail Link into the city, and Don Mueang is on the SRT Dark Red Line. A free shuttle bus connects the two Bangkok airports for transit passengers. Elsewhere there is no airport rail yet, though a high-speed line linking Bangkok's airports with U-Tapao is planned.
Prices in Thailand are in Thai baht (THB, ฿). Airport taxis, buses and car rental are all quoted in baht, and many taxis and local buses are cash only. Each airport guide lists real fares in baht so you can budget before you land.