I could have taken an easier route from Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi. But where’s the fun in that when there are trains involved?
As a train enthusiast, I couldn’t resist trying the SRT Red Line after landing in Bangkok. What looked simple on the map turned into a little adventure involving the SRT Red Line, MRT Pink Line, and BTS Sukhumvit Line, with three transfers and a Rabbit Card reload along the way.
Was it the most straightforward way to get to Ratchathewi? Probably not. Did I question some of my decisions while dragging my luggage through the stations? Absolutely. But I got there.
Getting from Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi
Here’s how I made my way from Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi, what each part of the journey was like, and what I’d do differently if I took the same route again.
Step 1: SRT Red Line from Don Mueang Airport
I bought a single-journey token for the SRT Red Line from Don Mueang to Lak Si. The train was clean, air-conditioned, and modern, which felt like a pretty good start after a long flight. So far, so good.
The SRT Red Line is relatively new, so it felt less crowded and less confusing than some of Bangkok’s older transit lines. I settled into the air-conditioning and thought, Okay, I’ve got this.
Famous last words.
The SRT Red Line station is right across from the airport. For current transport options and airport details, check the official Don Mueang Airport website.
⚠️ Heads-up: The Rabbit Card isn’t accepted on the SRT Red Line, so buy a separate ticket for that leg.
Step 2: Transfer to the MRT Pink Line
At Lak Si Station, I bought another single-journey ticket for the MRT Pink Line. Yes, another ticket. This was my second ticket in roughly twenty minutes, and while it’s funny now, at the time I was starting to wonder if I had misunderstood my own transportation plan. 😅
From Lak Si, I took the Pink Line to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Station for my next transfer. This part involved more walking between platforms than I expected, so if you’re carrying luggage, give yourself a few extra minutes. Your suitcase may also start questioning your life choices.
Step 3: Transfer to the BTS Sukhumvit Line (Green Line)
At Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Station, I finally reloaded my Rabbit Card, which was my first use of it on this trip. By this point, I was already three transfers into my grand Bangkok railway adventure.
I boarded the BTS Sukhumvit Line for the final stretch to Ratchathewi. I was tired, slightly sweaty, and probably questioning why I had chosen this route when easier options existed.
But once I figured out which platform to take, the ride itself was straightforward. Three transfers later, I was finally on my way to Ratchathewi.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Dig out my Rabbit Card before starting the journey, not halfway through it. I actually already had one from my 2023 Bangkok trip. But in the moment, buying a single-journey ticket felt faster than digging through my pouch to find it.
💡 Lesson learned: I had a Rabbit Card but bought single-journey tickets anyway because it felt faster. Keep your card within reach before you start.
Two tickets later, I finally stopped and found the card I’d had with me the whole time. Next time, my first move at the airport: locate the Rabbit Card before joining any ticket line.
My Hoi An to Bangkok Backstory
Before all this, my day started very differently. I left Hoi An at 7 AM, picked up by a shared shuttle bus I had pre-booked through Klook, as rain fell steadily on the drive to Da Nang City.
Leaving Hoi An stirred a quiet sadness. That peaceful little town had reminded me, in a way my hectic corporate life never did, how to slow down and just be.
My Hoi An to Da Nang Airport Shuttle Details
For this leg of the journey, I booked the shared shuttle bus between Da Nang Airport/Da Nang City & Hoi An through Klook. The service was operated by Barri Ann Travel, and it was a pretty straightforward way to get from Hoi An to the airport without arranging a private car.
Here’s what I booked:
- Pickup: Hoi An iVy Hotel, 01 Dao Duy Tu St. (about a 5-minute walk from my hostel)
- Drop-off: Da Nang Airport, Departure Hall of the Domestic Terminal (walking distance to the international terminal)
- Price: ₱296.80, charged to my card when I booked through Klook a few days before the trip
- Approximate journey time: Around 90 minutes, although actual travel time can vary with traffic and weather
Since it was raining that morning, I was glad I had already sorted out my airport transfer instead of figuring one out on the spot. One less thing to worry about before a flight.
At Da Nang Airport, I stopped by Highlands Coffee for one last taste of Vietnam before boarding, a strong iced coffee and a banh mi (95,000 dong), the kind of quick, familiar order that felt like a proper send-off.
I also gave in to one more bowl of seafood pho, my last real meal in Vietnam for a while, and it did not disappoint. It was charged in USD at the airport, though, so that comfort came out to $13.30, a small reminder that pre-departure prices don’t always match what you’d pay in the city.
💡 Airport tip: In the Da Nang pre-departure area, prices at souvenir shops and restaurants were often listed in USD rather than dong, though dong was still accepted. I don’t remember whether items showed both prices side by side or just USD, so don’t be caught off guard either way; having a little of both currencies on hand makes things easier.
Thai AirAsia left a good impression: on time, smooth, with no complications. Just an hour later, I landed at Don Mueang, and the shift from Vietnamese to Thai accents around me was the clearest sign I’d arrived.
Bangkok, chaotic, charming, and sizzling as ever, welcomed me back like an old friend, straight into three train transfers and counting.
A Nostalgic Mango Sticky Rice
After checking in, I wasn’t in the mood for 7-Eleven, and I hadn’t even opened Google Maps. I just walked, hoping to find something to eat. Somehow, I ended up outside Platinum Mall.
It hit me instantly: I’d been here before, back on my first Bangkok trip in 2019 with friends, shopping for cheap clothes, eating barbecue and mango sticky rice in the heat, with sweat dripping, hearts full. That memory still lives rent-free in my head.
So I ordered the same mango sticky rice. Warm glutinous rice, thick coconut milk, and sweet golden mango. It tasted just like I remembered, maybe even better. After a long day of rain, flights, and three train transfers, it reminded me why I travel: not just for new places, but to return to old ones that still feel like home.
I’d end up back at this same spot again on Day 2 (Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong), after a very different kind of day; more on that soon.
FAQs: Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi
Is the SRT Red Line the fastest way from Don Mueang to the city?
It’s not the fastest option (a direct taxi is quicker), but it’s a reliable, affordable way to reach the city, especially if you don’t mind a couple of transfers.
Do I need a separate ticket for each line (SRT, MRT, BTS)?
A Rabbit Card isn’t accepted on the SRT Red Line, so that leg needs its own ticket. It does work on the BTS and on the MRT Pink Line, so I could have skipped the extra tickets for those legs. Keep your card somewhere easy to grab before you start.
Where do I catch the SRT Red Line at Don Mueang?
The train station is just across from the airport, and a covered walkway links it to the terminal. Follow the signs from the arrivals hall and you’ll reach the platform without going outside.
Is this route easy for first-time visitors?
It’s manageable, but not the smoothest option if you’re jetlagged or hauling luggage, since you’ll change trains a few times and walk between platforms.
Where do I change from the SRT to the MRT?
I changed at Lak Si, where the SRT Dark Red Line meets the MRT Pink Line. Follow the signs for the Pink Line from the platform, and keep your Rabbit Card handy, since it works on the Pink Line and the BTS.
What’s the best way to prepare before you land?
Check which lines accept which payment methods, keep your Rabbit Card within reach, and have the names of your interchange stations written down so you aren’t looking them up while carrying your bags.
Looking Back on This Travel Day
Hoi An taught me to slow down. Bangkok threw me straight back into chaos: three train transfers, two ticket purchases, and a Rabbit Card I somehow forgot I had, and I loved every second of it.
There’s a particular kind of satisfaction in getting from Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi on your own. Nobody walks you through it. You read the signs, ask when you’re unsure, and figure out the next platform as you go. By the time I reached my stop, the stress had turned into a small, quiet win and a story I’m glad to share.
Would I take the same route again? Probably, just with my Rabbit Card in hand from the start, so I can skip the extra tickets on the legs where it works. Some things about travel you only really learn by getting them a little wrong first.
If you’re planning your own transfer, I hope this guide saves you the mistakes I made and leaves you the fun parts.
This blog is part of my Vietnam–Thailand solo travel series. I went with a backpack, a loose plan, and a little courage and came home with stories worth keeping. ✈️🌏
Travel Dates: June 12–16, 2025
Planning your own Don Mueang Airport to Ratchathewi transfer?
Tell me in the comments which route you’re considering, or ask me anything about the SRT, MRT, and BTS legs, and I’ll help where I can.
📍 Up Next: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Maeklong Railway Market
Two of Thailand’s best-known markets, one on the water and one beside the train tracks.
