Bangkok Airport S1 Bus
The S1 Bangkok Bus is probably the most useful bus service for visitors arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport. It began operating on 1 June 2017 and runs between the international airport (BKK) and Khao San Road in the city centre.
The airport train is a cheaper way to get into the city centre. However it doesn’t go to Khao San Road and it isn’t ideal if you have a lot of luggage. Therefore, the S1 bus is the cheapest and quickest way to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Phra Nakorn area, which includes Khao San Road, Phra Arthit Rd, Samsen Rd, Lan Luang Rd and Sanam Luang. Especially if you have luggage and don’t want to change buses or take a taxi or tuk-tuk part of the journey.
The route uses modern, 35 seat, air-conditioned buses with plenty of luggage space. There’s no problem taking a backpack or large suitcase on the bus.
Most of the buses are painted orange, but they have recently added new blue buses for this route. In order to save time the buses take the expressway into central Bangkok, then make several stops before terminating at Sanam Luang. The bus doesn’t stop at specific hotels, but it does stop in several places that are within a few minutes walk of a large number of guesthouses and hotels.
S1 Bus Timetable
Buses depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport every 30 minutes from 06:00 – 20:00 (6am to 8pm). The airport bus stop is located outside Entrance 7 on Level 1 (First Floor) of the terminal building. When you are inside the airport simply follow the signs which say ‘To the City’ and have a picture of a bus, from the Arrivals level down to Level 1. Walk out of Entrance 7 and you will bays for buses and a large sign with S1 on it.
For the return trip, S1 buses heading to Bangkok airport depart from Sanam Luang from 07:00 – 21:00 (7am to 9pm). They are timetabled for every 30 minutes.
Journey time between Suvarnabhumi and Khao San Rd is anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. As it’s dependent on traffic conditions.
S1 Bus Fare
Bus tickets for the S1 Buses are 60 Baht per person. This is regardless of where you get on or get off. It’s not possible to buy tickets in advance. Passengers pay direct to the bus conductor in cash when they board the bus. Don’t try to pay with a large banknote – 500 or 1,000 Baht, it will probably be refused.
The Bangkok S1 Bus Route
From Suvarnabhumi Airport the bus will head into Bangkok on the motorway and then Sirirat Expressway. It will turn off the overhead expressway and then head along Lan Luang Road. From there it will turn left onto the wide expanse of Ratchadamnoen Rd. Having passed Democracy monument the bus turns right into Tanao Road and passes the eastern end of Khao San Road.
It then loops around to the the western end of Khao San Road, via Phra Sumen and Chakrabongse Rd. From there it heads towards the river, U turns near the start of Phra Arthit Rd and then terminates at the northern end of Sanam Luang.
S1 Bus Route Map
The route map is shown below. The Blue line is the route the bus takes from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Sanam Luang, via Khao San Rd. The Red line is the return route, starting from Sanam Luang. This differs slightly due to the one way system.
Main Bus Stops on the S1 Route
These are the bus stops which are in areas where there are a lot of hotels and guesthouses.
Lan Luang
Phanfa Bridge
Democracy Monument
Tanao Road – At the eastern end of Khao San Road
Wat Bowonniwet, Chakrabongse Road – This bus stop is outside a temple on the road at the western end of Khao San Rd. Also get off here if you are staying nearby on Soi Rambuttri. Or to get to Phra Arthit Road easily, just walk through the temple and then across the car park at the rear. You can use this stop to take the bus from Kha San back to the airport.
Video of the Bus Ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport
