Quick answer. Don Muang (DMK) is Bangkok's older, low-cost-carrier airport, and it is a different place from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on the other side of the city, with no Airport Rail Link of its own. For cash, use a Bangkok Bank or other Thai bank ATM, but know that every Thai ATM charges a 220-baht fee to foreign cards on top of your bank's own charges, so withdraw a large amount at once (many machines cap around 20,000-30,000 THB) rather than making several small trips. Decline DCC and choose baht. A Wise card gives the interbank rate and a Charles Schwab card refunds that 220-baht fee, which is the only way to dodge it. To reach the city, the A1 bus to Mo Chit (BTS Skytrain and MRT) costs about 30-50 baht, a fraction of a taxi.
Where to get baht at DMK
The Don Muang math is dominated by the flat 220-baht foreign-card fee that every Thai ATM charges, so the lever is how much you withdraw at once and whether your card refunds that fee. The counters are worse than city exchange shops. The figures below assume you withdraw the equivalent of $100 in baht in a single transaction.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai bank ATM + Schwab (220 THB fee refunded) | T1 and T2 arrivals | Interbank rate, ATM fee refunded | ~$100 |
| Thai bank ATM + Wise (one large withdrawal) | Arrivals | Interbank rate + 220 THB fee spread thin | ~$99 |
| Thai bank ATM, small withdrawal | Arrivals | Interbank rate + full 220 THB on a small amount | ~$94 |
| Airport exchange counter (DMK) | Arrivals | Several % off interbank vs city shops | ~$92-95 |
| Euronet machine / accepting DCC | Arrivals / landside | Extra surcharge + DCC padding | ~$88-92 |
Where to find the Bangkok Bank ATMs at Don Muang (DMK), and the 220-baht catch
Don Muang (DMK) is Bangkok's original airport, now the hub for AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Scoot, and it is easy to confuse with Suvarnabhumi (BKK): they are different airports on opposite sides of Bangkok, and if you have a connection between them you need the free inter-airport shuttle (for ticketed transit passengers) or a taxi across town. DMK has a domestic terminal and an international terminal linked by a walkway. In the arrivals halls you will see Travelex and other exchange counters, plus rows of Thai bank ATMs from Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungthai and others. The catch that surprises most visitors is that every Thai ATM levies a 220-baht fee on foreign cards per withdrawal, one of the highest in the world, and it is unavoidable at the machine itself. So the strategy is to withdraw the maximum in one go and carry a card that refunds fees. Decline DCC and choose baht. See our Thailand money guide for the full fee breakdown.
Terminal 1 (international)
International low-cost and regional services on AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Scoot and others. Connected to Terminal 2 by an internal walkway
In Terminal 1 arrivals, past the Travelex and exchange counters, you will find a row of Thai bank ATMs including Bangkok Bank and Kasikornbank. Insert your card, decline DCC, choose baht, and withdraw a large amount to spread the flat 220-baht fee. Then follow signs to the bus stops for the A1 to Mo Chit and the BTS Skytrain.
Terminal 2 (domestic)
Domestic flights on Nok Air, AirAsia and Thai Lion Air within Thailand. A short covered walk from Terminal 1
Terminal 2 has its own bank ATMs and exchange booths on the same terms, with the same 220-baht foreign-card fee at every Thai machine. If you are connecting between DMK and Suvarnabhumi, do your withdrawal here rather than waiting, since crossing the city takes time. Decline DCC and choose baht.
Do you actually need cash at Don Muang (DMK)?
Partly. Bangkok takes cards in malls, hotels and larger restaurants, but street food, markets, tuk-tuks, the A1 bus and many small shops are cash-only, so you do need baht. Here is what a card covers on the way into the city:
A1 bus to Mo Chit (BTS / MRT) (~30-50 THB): The cheapest way in, a frequent express bus to Mo Chit where you connect to the Skytrain and metro; bring small baht notes as it is cash-only.
Public metered taxi (~200-400 THB to central Bangkok plus surcharge and tolls): From the official rank only, insist on the meter; a 50-baht airport surcharge plus expressway tolls apply, and most drivers want cash.
Ride-hail (Grab / Bolt) (~250-450 THB to the centre): Apps bill your card and fix the price up front, avoiding meter disputes; a good option if you have data on arrival.
Free inter-airport shuttle to BKK (Free for transit passengers): Ticketed connecting passengers can use the free shuttle between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi; show your onward boarding pass.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Don Muang (DMK) to Bangkok?
No. A1 bus to Mo Chit (BTS / MRT) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order baht before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical baht to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 baht for taxis and tips on day one.
Is Don Muang the same as Suvarnabhumi (BKK)?
No, and mixing them up is the classic Bangkok mistake. Don Muang (DMK) is the older airport in the north of the city, used mainly by low-cost carriers; Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the newer main airport to the east. They are about an hour apart in traffic. If your itinerary connects the two, allow plenty of time: ticketed transfer passengers can use the free inter-airport shuttle bus, otherwise it is a metered taxi or a ride-hail across the city. Unlike BKK, Don Muang has no Airport Rail Link, so plan your transfer around buses and taxis.
How much does it cost to withdraw cash at Don Muang, and how much should I take out?
Every Thai bank ATM, Bangkok Bank included, charges a flat 220-baht fee to foreign cards per withdrawal, plus whatever your home bank adds. Because that fee is the same whether you take out 2,000 or 20,000 baht, withdraw a large amount at once to spread it thin; many machines let you take 20,000 to 30,000 baht per transaction. The only way to avoid the 220 baht entirely is a card that refunds ATM fees, such as Charles Schwab, or to keep withdrawals rare. Always decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in baht.
What is the cheapest way from Don Muang into Bangkok?
The A1 express bus to Mo Chit, where it meets the BTS Skytrain (Mo Chit) and MRT (Chatuchak Park), costs about 30 to 50 baht and runs frequently; from there the Skytrain reaches most of central Bangkok. The A2, A3 and A4 buses serve other parts of the city. A public metered taxi from the official rank is fine too, with a 50-baht airport surcharge plus tolls; insist on the meter. Ride-hailing apps also operate. Avoid touts inside the terminal offering fixed-price rides.
Should I change money at the Don Muang counters or use an ATM?
For a small arrival float either works, but city exchange shops like SuperRich and Value Plus beat airport counters by a noticeable margin, so change only what you need at DMK and do the rest in town. At the ATM, remember the 220-baht foreign-card fee applies at every Thai bank, so batch your withdrawal. With a no-foreign-fee card the ATM route is usually cleanest; just decline DCC and choose baht. Order a little baht before you fly if you want cash in hand on landing.