Getting from Bangkok airport to your destination is simple with 2 main options.
From Suvarnabhumi
Suvarnabhumi is about 30km east of central Bangkok. From here the two most common choices are taxi or train (airport rail link). If you have maneuverable luggage and are staying relatively near a public transport link the airport rail link is fast (not affected by traffic chaos) and a very easy process. If there are more than 2 of you, have plenty of luggage, you are travel weary, or if your hotel is not close to the public transport then a taxi is ideal. Hiring from the airport is straightforward.
Tip: the easiest way to pronounce Suvarnabhumi in an incorrect, but manageable way, is to say sue-barn-nam-poon definitely not correct, but enough to get you understood.
taxi bangkok: source: wikicommons
Taking a Taxi
Getting a taxi:
- Taxi ranks are well signposted through the terminal – just look up and follow the signs to the 1st floor
- Tell the dispatcher your destination – he will assign a driver
- You will receive a receipt – keep this, dont give it to the driver – this is your information in case there is a problem.
- The fare is by meter, paid at destination
- Make sure they use the meter – get out if they refuse
- Flagfall from the airport starts at 35 THB
- The driver will ask for money to pay the expressway tolls.
- Assuming you go to the central city there are 2 toll booths with total payment of 75 THB (25 + 50) THB
- Give him the total required when he asks for the 1st payment. Any change will be returned to you.
- Always try and look like you know where you are going – even if you dont have a clue
- Sometimes drivers take you the long way around the block. If you know where you are going and you know you are close to destination, ask them to stop and walk the rest of the way
- If they inflate the fare wait until the bags are unloaded then get the hotel porter to help you
Taking the Airport Rail Link
This is a great way to travel if you want to beat the traffic congestion that plagues Bangkok city. Of course it is easier to use if you don’t have mobility issues (carrying luggage) or wrangling children. But both these impediments are able to be accommodated on the Airport Rail Link
The rail terminal is in the basement of the airport building and there is only one train going in one direction. So you can’t get on the wrong train.
- Prepare yourself by knowing what station you want to go to
- Buy your ticket from either the automatic machine or the ticket counter – best advice is choose whichever is shorter. Ticket sellers speak enough english to make the transaction no problem
- You will recieve a round plastic token that is tap on an automatic gate
- Go down the escalator to the station floor. There is also a lift if you need it
- Line up at the doors. There are doors on both sides of the station, but either follow the crowd or a station guard will soon direct you which side to stand on
- After the train arrives and the passengers disembark, a clearing crew checks the train. You are NOT allowed to enter before the guard gives the all clear.
- The train will get noticeably busier as it makes it’s journey to the city.
- At your station make sure you have your plastic token at the ready to insert into the slot.
- There a multiple connections to other Bangkok transport network but the two main ones for tourists tend to be Makkasan (35 THB) and Phaya Thai (45 THB). Both of these connect to the underground or over ground transport networks.
Airport Link Rail map from https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/bangkok-airport-rail-link/
More information:
For comprehensive information on all transport options https://www.transitbangkok.com/to_Bangkok_airport.html
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