The airport is effectively served by one long building divided into 2 terminals. Orientation inside the terminals is easy and distances are shorter than at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Even so, ideally arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before departure, especially because of the potentially long security lines, which can be as long as 40 minutes in the early morning or evening.

• Terminal 1: international flights
• Terminal 2: domestic flights within Thailand

Cheap hotels near Don Mueang Airport

Transfer between flights

Transfers are usually well and clearly organised, and if you have flights on one ticket or a pre-printed boarding pass, you don't need to leave the transit area.

International <-> International

You don't need to leave the transit area for international transfers if you have flights on one ticket. You will not go through passport control, but you will go through security.

You will go through the entire airport from one end to the other in about 30 minutes, which is also a realistic transfer time from one plane to the next.

The lines at transfer security tend to be short and very well organized.

Your luggage will be transferred automatically.

International -> Domestic

If you continue on through Thailand, you must first go through immigration, but there is no need to leave the transit area completely. Follow the signs directing you to departures to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi etc.

In the case of Bangkok, luggage will usually be transferred automatically during this type of transfer as well, if you have both flights booked on the same reservation.

Usually this type of transfer will take 35-45 minutes depending on the length at immigration and the distance from the departure gate.

Read our other tips for planning your holiday in Thailand:

• Domestic transport around Thailand
• Climate in Thailand - where to go

Domestic -> International

If you are continuing on from a domestic flight within Thailand on an international flight, you will need to leave the transit area and go through security and immigration.

Some airlines will automatically reload your luggage in this case. Always check with your point of departure whether or not you will need to collect your baggage on transfer.

Usually this type of transfer will take 35-80 minutes depending on the length at immigration and the distance from the departure gate.

Domestic <-> Domestic

If you are transferring between two domestic flights within Thailand, you do not need to leave the transit area.

There is also no security check and your luggage will be transferred automatically.

Usually this type of transfer will take 15-20 minutes depending on the distance from the departure gate.