About Don Mueang Airport
One of Asia’s true gems, Bangkok offers globetrotters a whole new look. There’s a blend of modernity and tradition that is truly unique to a Thai city like Bangkok. On every corner, there’s something paradoxical and intriguing, especially for first-time travelers from Europe or North America. Thailand’s capital city is absolutely massive, and there’s a sensory overload you might experience if you haven’t planned your trip out.
History buffs flock to Bangkok to visit revered sights like The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, which is home to the famous Reclining Buddha. Foodies will have a hard time keeping up with the vast array of affordable and delicious Thai street food in Bangkok Old Town (Koh Rattanakosin) and Khao San along with markets like Chatuchak. Bangkok is also an advantageous launching point for exploring the rest of Thailand, with plenty of day trip destinations and jungle excursions you can plan.
Bangkok has two airports, with Don Mueang Airport (DMK) being the oldest airport in Asia. It’s primarily a hub for low-cost carriers and has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles international flights from across Asia with Terminal 2 handling domestic flights. It’s situated about 15 miles north of the city center and is fairly accessible via public transportation. Here’s everything you need to know about Don Mueang Airport:
Can I leave my luggage at Don Mueang Airport?
There is limited luggage storage at Terminal 2 on the 1st floor that can accept baggage that’s already gone through security screening. This might not be the best option in any case, because Don Mueang Airport is situated pretty far outside the city center and you won't be able to access your belongings.
Are there two airports in Bangkok?
There are two airports in Bangkok, one being Don Mueang, which handles most of the low-cost airlines, and the other is the main international airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Suvarnabhumi is the newer of the two and the busiest airport in Thailand. It's the primary gateway for the vast majority of travelers from Europe and North America. It’s situated about 20 miles outside the city center and is connected with downtown Bangkok via public transportation infrastructure like the Airport Rail Link which provides direct train service to downtown Bangkok.
Do Thai train stations offer luggage lockers?
It entirely depends on the train station, but major transportation hubs, like Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, offer some luggage storage facilities. However, this is the largest train station serving Bangkok and will have much more extensive amenities than metro stops and bus stops. In general, it's probably best to err on the side of caution and assume most train stations and transit facilities won't have any lockers or storage. Planning ahead by using a dedicated luggage storage service is the best idea when traveling through Thailand.
Where can I store my luggage in Bangkok?
Most temples and museums in Thailand do not offer reliable luggage storage options. While you can always store your bags at the hotel for a few hours before check-in, this might not be your best solution if your accommodations are out of the way. A proper luggage storage service might provide more flexibility and convenience. Bounce partners with local shops and businesses to provide customers with both convenient locations and a reasonable luggage storage cost. be dropping off your suitcases or bag with a local who knows the area, and they’re generally very friendly and helpful. You can book online ahead of time or even on the go with the Bounce mobile app.
How to get to the city from Don Mueang Airport
Train
If you’re heading to the city center, you can take the SRT Dark Red Line directly from the airport’s train station to Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. The train is generally pretty reliable and only costs a few dollars for a single ride, but it might be difficult to navigate with luggage or larger groups.
Taxi and rideshare
There’s a designated taxi stand at each terminal where you can hail a cab and negotiate a fixed rate. Taxis cost less than $20 to get to the city center, but it's highly recommended that you negotiate the fixed rate before getting in the taxi. Traffic can be congested so it might take closer to an hour to get to the city center during peak travel hours.
Private transfer
If your budget allows, investing in a private transfer from the airport is a pretty efficient way of getting to your hotel or resort. There are dozens of companies operating private cars that will pick you up from the arrivals area. One benefit to this is that generally these fares are agreed upon before the trip, so that’s one less thing to worry about when you touch down in Bangkok.
Hotel shuttle
Some hotels offer a complimentary shuttle service from both Bangkok airports. So it can help to check ahead to see if you can get a ride from your accommodations.
Rental car
Renting a car can be helpful if you're planning on traveling through the countryside or have a local connection. However, the vast majority of international travelers are better served by spending their money on taxis, shuttle buses, or public transportation.
Thailand's traffic is notoriously difficult to navigate, and it doesn't get any easier in a massive city like Bangkok. Even worse, many rental cars don't come with English-equipped GPS systems. Parking is also a challenge, especially in major or popular attractions. With taxis being as affordable as they are in Thailand, along with the efficient public transportation system, there are just better ways to get around.
Things to do near Don Mueang Airport
It should be noted that the airport is situated further outside the city in an area where attractions are few and far between. Luckily, the access to transportation makes it simple to reach most of the best landmarks Bangkok has to offer. Here are a few of the best ideas:
Wat Suthat Thepwararam
Situated right in Bangkok’s Old Town (you should absolutely explore this neighborhood), is one of Thailand’s most revered Buddhist Temples, with superb architectural features like intricately carved panels made of teak and a sweeping roof you can see from the street. The vibrant red colors make this temple surreal to behold.
If you tour the interior, you’ll get to admire the wonderfully detailed Jataka murals along with the largest bronze statue in the country, which dates back to the 14th-century Sukhothai period. The size is a whole other story, as it’s almost double the size of smaller temples. This one is absolutely worth a trip to Old Town, as you’ll also be able to hit other temples and landmarks.
Lumphini Park
If you’ve just landed after a lengthy trans-Pacific flight, there’s a good chance you’ll want to stretch your legs. There’s no better place to do so than Lumpini Park, which is a sprawling 140-acre patch of green space right in the heart of Bangkok. Named for the Buddha’s birthplace of Lumbini, Bangkok’s largest and most popular public park was originally a royal property before King Rama VI opened it to the masses as a respite from the bustling capital. The most notable feature, aside from the gorgeous greenery, is the Chinese-style clock tower tucked away in the park’s leafy southeastern corner. It makes for a wonderful selfie.
Wat Pho
Known around the world as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is as close to a can’t-miss as you’ll find anywhere. The massive (largest of its kind anywhere in the world) sculpture of Buddha has been plated with pure gold and then surrounded by a vast array of Buddha imagery (also quantified as the largest in the world). it would appear that Wat Pho is really going for Guinness Book of World Records-style accolades.
Despite its massive popularity, it’s far from a gimmicky place, and the sprawling temple grounds are even spacious enough for a comfortable stroll. If you’re feeling generous or inspired by the spectacle of the Reclining Buddha, you can observe the ritual of donating a few coins to the bowls at the feet of the statue.
Luggage storage near Don Mueang Airport
Bangkok is one of those travel destinations where you’ll have way too many things you want to do and not enough time, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. You’ll want to use every last nanosecond of your trip visiting temples, eating street food, and enjoying this culture’s unique offerings. What you won’t want to be doing is lugging your bags around, so it’s imperative you find a reliable place to store the bags. With dozens of locations throughout Bangkok, the Bounce network is your best bet. It doesn’t end in Bangkok, either. If you need a secure place to store luggage anywhere in Thailand and in hundreds of cities across the globe, you can always rely on Bounce luggage storage facilities.