Don Mueang Airport to Nana: A1 Bus, Train, Taxi and Grab Compared
Updated October 2026
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Which Bangkok airport are you at?
Bangkok has two main airports. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) handles most international flights, and Don Mueang (DMK) mainly serves low-cost airlines and some domestic and regional routes. If you land at Don Mueang, you are about 25 kilometres north of the Nana area, and the route through central Bangkok depends heavily on traffic. If you are coming from the other airport, see our guide to the airport to Nana route by BTS.
The options below are listed from cheapest to simplest. Fares and timetables change, so each figure is described as an approximate guide, and we recommend checking the airport's current information on the day.
Option 1: A1 bus and BTS (cheapest)
The A1 airport bus runs from Don Mueang to the area around BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park, mostly on the expressway. Sources describe a fare of about 30 baht, paid on board, and a journey of roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Reported first and last services from the airport are around 05:45 to midnight, though listings disagree, so check the current timetable.
From Mo Chit, take the BTS Sukhumvit line in the direction of Bearing (the south-east end) and get off at Nana. You do not need to change trains. It is a long ride across the city, about ten stops, so allow around 25 to 30 minutes for the train and a few minutes more for buying a ticket. Fares depend on distance and are shown at the machine; see our BTS Skytrain guide for cards and tips.
Total time is typically an hour or more door to door, with luggage making stairs and crowds slower. This is a good choice if you carry a backpack or one bag and do not mind some effort.
The A2 bus
The A2 goes to the Victory Monument area, which is also on the BTS Sukhumvit line and so can connect to Nana. Sources report a fare of around 30 baht. Reports from 2024 and 2025 say the A2 route was changed so that it no longer calls at Mo Chit, so check where it stops before boarding. If you are not sure, the A1 is the more predictable choice for Nana.
Option 2: SRT Dark Red Line, MRT and BTS
A train link now serves the airport area. The SRT Dark Red Line has a station near Don Mueang and runs to Bang Sue Grand Station; from there you change to the MRT Blue Line, and the MRT interchanges with the BTS at Sukhumvit and Asok. From Asok, Nana is the next station. The route avoids road traffic, which is its main advantage.
The drawbacks are the changes. You will need to cross to the station from the terminal, which sources describe as a walkway or shuttle depending on the source, so follow the airport signs. You then need to change at Bang Sue Grand and again at Asok or Sukhumvit, with luggage. Reported fares vary between sources (from roughly 12 to 42 baht for the Red Line portion), so we cannot give a single price. The MRT guide explains the subway part. This is a reasonable choice when roads are jammed and you are travelling light.
Arriving from Don Mueang?
Royal Ivory Nana Hotel is at 73 Sukhumvit Soi 4, about two minutes on foot from BTS Nana, and the front desk is open 24 hours a day. See the rooms.
Option 3: Metered taxi
The taxi stands are in front of the arrival halls of both terminals. The airport's published rule is that the fare is the meter plus a 50 baht airport surcharge, plus any expressway toll. The airport's own table lists an approximate taxi fare of 220 baht to Phra Khanong on Sukhumvit, with a travel time of 40 minutes to 1.5 hours; other sources report 200 to 400 baht, plus tolls of about 50 to 75 baht, depending on traffic and route.
Ask the driver to use the meter, and agree to the expressway if the driver suggests it, since the tolls are paid by you. Have your hotel name and address ready in Thai or on your phone: Royal Ivory Nana Hotel, 73 Sukhumvit Soi 4, Khlong Toei. Our taxi, Grab and tuk-tuk guide covers meters and refusals.
Option 4: Grab or other ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps give you a price up front and a map of the driver's route. Airport pick-up rules differ from the taxi stand, and the pick-up point is usually signed inside or just outside the terminals. A mobile connection helps; see our SIM card and internet guide for options at the airport. Compare the app's price with the taxi estimate, remembering that tolls and airport fees may be listed separately.
Comparing the options
| Route | Approx. cost | Approx. time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 bus plus BTS | About 30 baht plus BTS fare | 1 to 1.5 hours | Light luggage, lowest cost |
| SRT, MRT and BTS | Low, varies by source | 1 to 1.5 hours | Avoiding road traffic |
| Metered taxi | About 250 to 450 baht with tolls and surcharge | 40 minutes to 1.5 hours | Luggage, late arrivals |
| Grab | Shown in the app | Similar to a taxi | Fixed price, simple pickup |
These are estimates as of October 2026-ish; confirm locally.
Practical tips
- Arrive with some cash. Buses, tolls and BTS machines often need coins or small notes. Our currency exchange guide helps.
- Avoid rush hours. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are the worst for road traffic; the train or BTS is more predictable then.
- Arriving at night? Buses and BTS stop around midnight, so plan on a taxi or Grab for late arrivals.
- Early check-in. Check-in at our hotel is from 14:00; ask the front desk about bag storage if you arrive early. See our luggage and late check-out guide.
- Last mile. From BTS Nana, the hotel is about two minutes on foot along Soi 4.
Key Takeaways
- The A1 bus goes to Mo Chit; from there the BTS Sukhumvit line runs straight to Nana, with no change of train.
- A taxi from the airport taxi stand uses the meter plus a 50 baht airport surcharge and any tolls.
- The A2 bus goes toward Victory Monument, and recent reports say it was rerouted away from Mo Chit, so confirm the stop before boarding.
- The SRT Dark Red Line plus MRT route is cheap and avoids road traffic, but it takes more changes with luggage.
- Add a buffer for traffic and allow time to buy BTS tickets, especially with large bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from Don Mueang to Nana?
The A1 bus to BTS Mo Chit, then the BTS Sukhumvit line to Nana. Sources list the bus at around 30 baht; the BTS fare is extra and shown at the ticket machine.
How much is a taxi from Don Mueang to Sukhumvit?
The airport lists about 220 baht for Phra Khanong on Sukhumvit, plus a 50 baht airport surcharge and tolls. Other sources report 250 to 450 baht depending on traffic and tolls.
How long does it take to get from Don Mueang to Nana?
Allow roughly 45 to 90 minutes by taxi or bus plus BTS, depending on traffic. Airport figures for Sukhumvit taxis range from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Does the train go from Don Mueang to Nana?
Not directly. The SRT Dark Red Line runs from Don Mueang toward Bang Sue Grand, and from there you can change to the MRT and BTS. Check current connections before you travel.
Which is better, Grab or a metered taxi?
Both work. A metered taxi uses the airport queue and the meter plus surcharge and tolls; Grab shows a fare in advance. Compare both and choose what suits your luggage and time.
