Bangkok Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 from Bangkok Don Mueang Terminal 1 to Lumphini Park (Silom MRT/Sala Daeng BTS) by Airport Express Bus Review
Don Mueang International Airport is served by a network of dedicated airport buses departing right outside the arrival hall of the international Terminal 1. As it was getting late, I didn’t want to walk to the new Red Line station to catch the train to the city which will require transfers anyway. As such, I opted for the old method of getting to the city by airport bus, this time by Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 all the way to Silom.
Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport Terminal 1
There is a bright orange desk just outside the international arrival hall with bus route information.
All 4 airport buses depart from Gate 6, which is just outside the international arrival hall.
As luck would have it, a Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 was already waiting outside at the bus stop, and I hopped on immediately.
The Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 departed immediately after I took my seat at 6.38pm. Perfect.
Tollway (Express)
The Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 takes the tollway for most of its route, making it very efficient for the travel time. While the tollway goes parallel to the Dark Red Line, the train would only stop at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, and I would have to change to the MRT to get to my hotel anyway. On the other hand, the Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 gets me down through the city directly.
Heading down from the tollway at Din Daeng.
Nothing says “Welcome to Bangkok” more than traffic jams when entering the city. At least I’m in air-conditioned comfort, and my initial travel time on the tollway made up for the jams that I experienced.
The Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 stops at all designated bus stops from here on. Press the bell when approaching your alighting stop.
Pratunam
Passing by Pratunam by Palladium and Platinum.
Big C Supercenter Ratchadamri & centralwOrld
Passing by Big C Supercenter Ratchadamri and centralwOrld.
Traffic was smooth sailing after the Erawan intersection, and soon it was my turn to press the bell to alight.
Lumphini Park (for Silom MRT and Sala Daeng BTS)
The looping point for the Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 is at Lumphini Park, which is close by to Silom MRT Station and Sala Daeng BTS Station.
My Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 took only 50 minutes from Don Mueang Airport to Lumphini Park including the traffic jams experienced, which is a super fast journey, even faster than travelling by train.
The Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 will continue on back to Don Mueang Airport by looping around Lumphini Park.
This bus stop is currently undergoing upgrading works with a new shelter, bus arrival information displays, and USB charging sockets.
I continued straight to connect to the MRT Blue Line.
Sala Daeng BTS Station
If heading to Sala Daeng BTS Station, simply continue straight and follow the BTS viaducts.
Silom MRT Station
Silom MRT Station is on the left.
Here, I continued on by MRT Blue Line for the short hop to Hua Lamphong where my hotel is.
Conclusion
Don Mueang Airport Bus A3 is a very efficient airport express bus service taking the tollway immediately after departing from Don Mueang Airport and running non-stop on it all the way down to Din Daeng before entering downtown Bangkok and serving convenient bus stops along key destinations. The journey time surpassed my expectations, and I even made it to my hotel in about 1 hour from the airport, which is the fastest I have ever travelled from Don Mueang to Hua Lamphong. The convenient pick-up point just outside the international arrival hall at Don Mueang Airport Terminal 1 is also a huge convenience.