Most visitors arrive at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (BKK), and many low-cost flights from Asia use Bangkok's older Don Mueang (DMK). But if you are heading straight for the beaches or the north, flying directly into Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai or U-Tapao near Pattaya can save you a day of connections.
Thailand has more international airports than most visitors realize. Six are run by the state company Airports of Thailand (AOT): Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. Others have different owners, including Samui, which belongs to Bangkok Airways, and U-Tapao, which serves Pattaya and Rayong. Krabi, Surat Thani and U-Tapao also have international flights and a VAT refund office.
The right airport depends on where you want to be on your first night. This page compares them by destination. Getting from each airport to town is covered in separate guides, linked below.
Thailand's main international airports
- Bangkok
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK)
- North
- Chiang Mai (CNX), Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai (CEI)
- Andaman coast
- Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV)
- Gulf islands
- Samui (USM), Surat Thani (URT) on the mainland
- East coast
- U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya (UTP)
- Deep south
- Hat Yai (HDY)
- Run by AOT
- BKK, DMK, CNX, CEI, HKT, HDY
Which airport for which destination
| You are going to | Fly into | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | BKK or DMK | DMK is closer to the north of the city; check which airport your ticket uses |
| Pattaya, Jomtien | BKK, or U-Tapao | Buses run from Suvarnabhumi; U-Tapao is much closer if a flight suits you |
| Chiang Mai, Pai | CNX | Direct international flights from several Asian cities |
| Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle | CEI | Many arrivals connect via Bangkok; check direct routes |
| Phuket, Khao Lak, Phi Phi | HKT | Widest choice of airlines in the south |
| Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Lanta | KBV | Closer than Phuket for Krabi province |
| Koh Samui | USM | Direct to the island; fares can be higher |
| Koh Phangan, Koh Tao | USM, URT or Chumphon | Then a boat; combined air-and-ferry tickets exist |
| Koh Lipe | HDY (or Trang) | Then road to Pak Bara pier and a speedboat |
Suvarnabhumi (BKK): the main gateway
Suvarnabhumi, east of central Bangkok, is Thailand's main international airport. AOT's airline directory for the airport lists well over a hundred airlines, among them Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, the large Chinese airlines and Thai AirAsia. Long-haul flights from Europe, the Middle East, Australia and North America land here.
Suvarnabhumi has the best onward connections in the country: the Airport Rail Link to the city (05:30 to midnight), public taxis on the meter plus a 50-baht airport surcharge, the S1 bus toward Khao San, and coaches from Level 1. Our guide to getting from Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok compares them. It is also the easiest place to change to a domestic flight on a full-service ticket.
Don Mueang (DMK): the low-cost airport
Don Mueang, in northern Bangkok, was the city's main airport until 2006 and is now the base for much of Thailand's low-cost flying. AOT's directory for Don Mueang lists Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, AirAsia from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Batik Air Malaysia and Cebu Pacific. Terminal 1 handles international flights and Terminal 2 domestic ones.
The directories list airlines with offices or handling at each airport, not a timetable, and some airlines appear at both. Thai AirAsia, for example, is listed at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Always check which Bangkok airport is printed on your ticket, because the two are far apart. Our page comparing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang explains the difference in detail, and our guide to Don Mueang airport transfers covers the A1 to A4 buses and the SRT Red Line.
The free shuttle between Bangkok's two airports is only for connecting passengers. AOT runs a free bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, but you must show a ticket for an onward flight and your passport; the public is not eligible. Allow several hours if you are changing airports on separate tickets.
Phuket (HKT) and Krabi (KBV): the Andaman coast
Phuket International Airport sits in the north of the island and has the widest choice of airlines in southern Thailand. AOT's directory lists a broad mix: Thai and Asian low-cost airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, several Chinese airlines, and airlines from Europe and the Middle East. For Phuket's beaches, Khao Lak, and boats to Phi Phi, it is usually the right choice. The Phuket Smart Bus runs from the airport down the west coast to Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai for a flat 100 baht; our guide to Phuket airport transfers compares it with taxis.
Krabi International Airport is the better gateway for Ao Nang, Railay and Koh Lanta, which are a long road trip from Phuket airport. It has domestic flights from Bangkok and some international routes, which change by season, so check what flies from your city. See our Krabi guide and the page on getting from Krabi to Koh Lanta.
Samui (USM) and Surat Thani (URT): the Gulf islands
Samui Airport is unusual. According to Bangkok Airways, it owns and operates three resort-style airports, Samui, Sukhothai and Trat, and Samui is a privately owned public airport. Other airlines also use it, but Bangkok Airways is the main operator, and fares can be higher than flying to the mainland. In return, you land on the island and can be on a beach within the hour.
The cheaper alternative is Surat Thani airport on the mainland, then a bus and ferry to Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. Lomprayah sells connections from Surat Thani airport to the three islands, and a ferry-and-transfer link between Koh Tao and Chumphon airport. Our guides to getting to Koh Samui and getting to Koh Tao compare the routes.
Chiang Mai (CNX) and Chiang Rai (CEI): the north
Chiang Mai International Airport is close to the city and is the gateway for the whole north, including Pai. AOT's directory lists Thai and Asian low-cost airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and international carriers such as Korean Air, Asiana, EVA Airways, China Airlines, STARLUX, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines and several Chinese airlines. For many travelers from East Asia, flying straight to Chiang Mai avoids Bangkok entirely. See our Chiang Mai guide.
Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport serves Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. Many visitors reach it on a domestic flight from Bangkok, or travel overland from Chiang Mai. Our Chiang Rai guide covers the town.
U-Tapao (UTP): for Pattaya and Rayong
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, south of Pattaya, is a naval airfield that also handles civil flights. It is the closest airport to Pattaya and Jomtien, but it has far fewer flights than Suvarnabhumi, and the schedule changes from season to season. Check the current flight list on the airport's official website before planning around it.
For most travelers to Pattaya, the practical route is still Suvarnabhumi followed by a bus or taxi. Our article on traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya covers the options.
Hat Yai (HDY): the deep south and Koh Lipe
Hat Yai International Airport serves Songkhla province and is one gateway to Koh Lipe, via the road to Pak Bara pier. AOT's directory lists Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air and Scoot. Our article on how to travel to Koh Lipe describes the boat connection.
Hat Yai city is not on the UK Foreign Office's list of areas it advises against, but parts of the surrounding region are, including the railway from Hat Yai to Padang Besar. Our Hat Yai guide explains the advice.
Domestic connections and leaving the country
If no international flight reaches your destination, fly into Bangkok and connect. Connecting on one ticket is simplest at Suvarnabhumi; low-cost domestic flights are often at Don Mueang. Our guide to domestic flights in Thailand covers airlines and baggage rules, and if you are flying in from Singapore, Malaysia, China or Hong Kong, our page on flights to Thailand from Asia compares the routes.
On the way out, the Revenue Department lists VAT refund offices at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, U-Tapao, Krabi, Samui, Surat Thani and Chiang Rai; see our guide to the VAT refund for tourists.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main international airport in Thailand?
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) east of Bangkok. Most long-haul flights land there, and it has the widest choice of airlines and the best onward connections, including the Airport Rail Link into the city.
Is it better to fly into Phuket or Krabi?
Fly into Phuket for Phuket's beaches, Khao Lak and most Phi Phi boats. Fly into Krabi for Ao Nang, Railay and Koh Lanta, which are a long road trip from Phuket airport. Check both for fares, since international routes differ.
Which Bangkok airport do low-cost airlines use?
Many use Don Mueang (DMK), including Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and much of the AirAsia group. Some low-cost flights, including some Thai AirAsia flights, use Suvarnabhumi, so always check the airport code on your ticket.
Can I fly directly to Koh Samui?
Yes. Samui Airport has domestic and some international flights, with Bangkok Airways as the main airline. A cheaper option is to fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and take a bus and ferry to the island.
Sources
- Airports of Thailand – Corporate website and airport list (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Suvarnabhumi airline information (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Don Mueang airline information (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Phuket airline information (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Chiang Mai airline information (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Hat Yai airline information (checked October 2026)
- Airports of Thailand – Suvarnabhumi transportation (checked October 2026)
- Bangkok Airways – Airport business (checked October 2026)
- U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport – Official website (checked October 2026)
- Revenue Department – VAT refund offices at airports (checked October 2026)