Transport

Suvarnabhumi Airport Guide

Advice for visitors arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok. Transporet to Bangkok and Koh Chang
TIP: The Thai name for Bangkok airport is pronounced ‘Suwanapoom’.  No one will have a clue what you are saying if you pronounce it the way it’s written in English.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)is the the main gateway to Thailand for tourists. The location of Bangkok’s international airport, around 30Km east of the city centre, makes it relatively quick and easy for visitors to head straight to the island after arriving.  

If you’re already in Thailand and plan on flying into Bangkok or are taking a cheap flight from a neighbouring country, note that budget airlines now use the old airport – Don Meuang (DMK), which is located to the north of the city centre.

This guide is aimed at helping you navigate through BKK airport and either to Koh Chang or into Bangkok city centre as easily as possible by your preferred means of transport.  

The airport terminal, which is one of the largest in the world, resembles a glass and concrete shopping mall.  It comes in for some criticism, partly due to the distances involved – you can walk for almost  a kilometre from an Arrival gate to the Immigration counters; partly for the lack of toilets  – a lot of space earmarked for bathrooms was taken by duty free shops and partly because it’s a bit bland.  Changi Airport, in Singapore, for example is far more interesting, regardless of the waterfall.

I’ve also added real-time Arrival and Departure information at the bottom of the page, so you can check if your flight is on time.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok Layout

The airport terminal at BKK has four floors and a basement.  ( Plus a couple of floors of offices and an observation deck which doesn’t have a such good view, not much point in going up there. )  Arrivals are on the 2nd Floor.  Departures are on the 4th Floor.   The 3rd Floor is a mass of over priced restaurants along with a couple of convenience stores and branch of Boots.  You’ll also find the airport police station on this floor.

The 1st Floor is where you’ll head if you want to take a taxi into Bangkok or buy a bus / minibus ticket to the city or elsewhere – including Koh Chang.  It’s also home to a good food court – called the ‘Magic Food Center ‘, that’s always packed and offers a wide range of Thai and Western food for reasonable prices.   The basement is where you’ll find more restaurants and a 7-eleven, plus access to either the Novotel Airport Hotel and the Airport Rail Link which takes you into the city centre of Bangkok for just 45 Baht.

If you’re planning on using the internet whilst on holiday, then getting a Thai SIM card will make your life a lot easier.  If you have an unlocked phone, then pick up a SIM card at one of the telecoms counters on the Arrivals level.  All of the three main providers – AIS, True or DTAC are fine.  They all offer 4G / 5G connection in most areas of the country and all have pre-paid ‘Tourist SIMs’ that offer a package of calls plus data.  Figure on 299 Baht for 1 week of 4G data plus 100 Baht of calls.  You can top these cards up at any 7-eleven.

TIP: If you need to exchange money then it’s better to head down to the Basement level currency exchanges located near the Airport Rail Link.  You’ll get a much better rate once you cross the invisible dividing line between the airport property and the train station.  

These two photos were taken about 1 minute apart. Top is at Superrich near the rail link ticket office.  Bottom is SCB bank about 50 metres away in the airport. What do you prefer 34.92 THB for $1 or 33.08THB? 39.75 THB for 1EUR or 37.76THB?Superrich vs SCB bank at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport Arrivals

The arrivals process is the same as in any international airport.  The signage is good – in English, Thai and Chinese, so you probably won’t get lost. The process is straightforward.

Thailand Arrival Card

These paper cards which were given out during the flight to passengers were discontinued in mid-2022 for anyone entering Thailand by plane.  However, if you enter overland, you will still be required to complete one at the border before you are stamped into the country. 

Assistance for Elderly / Disabled passengers

As mentioned above, it’s a large terminal.  There are moving walkways to help speed you to Immigration.   But if you are travelling with someone elderly or who has difficulty walking, make sure your airline know you need assistance when you land in Bangkok, and they’ll have an electric golf cart waiting.

Toilets

If you need to go to the toilet, you’ll find plenty during the long walk to Immigration.  There are often long queues at Immigration, so pee first.  There’s no point holding it in and running to Immigration only to find you’ve a 30 minute queue.

Queuing at Suvarnabhumi immigration

Once you reach Immigration you’ll see that there are separate queuing areas for Thais and Foreigners. The Thai queues will have 2-3 people waiting and a handful of smiley, chilled Immigration officers waving people through.  The Foreign counters will often have hundreds of people waiting and stressed officers who probably won’t cheerily welcome you to the Land of Smiles.

TIP: There are three immigration areas at Suvarnabhumi.  For almost all flights Immigration 1 & Immigration 3 are the nearest to the gates so the vast majority of passengers use these. They often get crowded and have long queues. Immigration 2 – in the middle – is the smallest but is always the quietest. Try to use that if it’s busy.  It’s adjacent to the Priority Immigration for Business Class and VIPs which is signposted.  Also note that families with babies / toddlers, pregnant women and anyone over the age of 70 can also use the Priority lanes.  You can also use these lanes if you are travelling with someone who is in once of these categories.

When you finally reach the front of the queue, you’ll need to hand over your  Passport and Boarding Pass and stare into a webcam.  ( Yes, keep hold of your boarding pass, don’t leave it on the plane – you will need it to prove which flight you were on.)  Assuming you don’t look too suspicious you’ll be stamped into Thailand for the duration of your Tourist Visa – 60 days.  Or , if you don’t require a visa 15 – 30 days depending on your nationality. 

Some nationalities need to get a Visa on Arrival.  The forms and counters for this are located just before you reach Immigration and are clearly signposted. They can get busy, so allow an extra 30 minutes to hour to complete Visa on Arrival formalities.

Baggage Claim

As you’d expect, Baggage Claim at Suvarnabhumi Airport is directly behind the Immigration counters.  Check your carousel number on one of the large overhead screens and then go and get your bag.  You’ll also find more Duty Free shopping in the Baggage Claim area.

Duty Free Allowance in Thailand

If you want to avoid any potential problems with customs officers, it’s worth remembering that the official limits are:

Personal belongings in reasonable quantity, which are worth no more than 20,000 Baht in total and are not prohibited or restricted goods or food. No more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of all types combined. No more than 1 litre of alcoholic beverage.

In reality, virtually every tourist has more than 20,000 Baht worth of personal belongings on them.  Which makes a bit of a nonsense of the outdated law.  So it’s ignored.  The customs officers are mainly interested in booze and cigarettes.

If you’re arriving on a flight from Europe or other western country, then it’s very rare to get pulled over at Customs for an inspection.  The exceptions are when passengers are struggling with a suitcase, carry on bag and several obvious carrier bags of booze and cigarettes. 

Where to buy a SIM card at BKK Airport?

Once you are through Customs you will enter the bustling Arrivals area.  If you need a SIM card then you’ll see booths from the three networks True, AIS and DTAC.  It doesn’t matter which SIM you buy, all have 5G coverage, all have ‘Tourist SIMs‘ with a package of data, local and cheap international calls. These can be topped up at virtually any mini-mart in Thailand. Prices start from around 299 Baht for 1 week package.

Inside the terminal at night

From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat Airport

If you’ve just arrived and already have a flight booked on Bangkok Airways to Trat, you might be able to transit at Suvaranbhumi without clearing Immigration.  This requires you to have a single booking from your home airport to Trat with a change of planes at Bangkok international airport.

In 2014, Trat Airport was granted CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) status, which means that if your international flight is on one of Bangkok Airways partner airlines, you will be checked in all the way to Trat.  So you can clear Immigration and Baggage Claim when you land in Trat.  

However, if you arranged the Bangkok – Trat flight separately, i.e. you have two separate booking references for your trip from home to Trat, then you’ll need to go through Immigration in Bangkok and then head upstairs to the Departure level to check in for your flight to Trat. 

Trat Airport is a sleepy place.  Bangkok Airways has a maximum of four flights per day: PG301 at 08:30; PG305 at 11:40: PG309 at 14:45 and PG307 at 17:10.  ( Flight times change a little in High and Low season)   From Trat Airport, Bangkok Airways run a minibus service for passengers heading to Koh Chang. This is 550 Baht / person one way or 990 Baht return.  Buy tickets when you land in Trat. 

If you want to book in advance, this is possible and will also save you money.   Private transfers from Trat Airport to hotels on Koh Chang or Laem Ngop (for boats to Koh Mak) and Laem Sok (for boats to Koh Kood) can also be arranged. 

TIP: Whilst it’s possible to get to Koh Chang the same day if you are on PG307, it isn’t possible to get to the other islands.  If you want to go to Koh Kood or Koh Mak, you’ll need to take PG301 or PG305.  And in the Low Season ( mid-May to October ) the last boat to Koh Kood is at 12:30.  so you’ll need to be on PG301 in order to make it.  Or have an overnight stay in Trat.

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Chang by Bus or Car

Private Transfers

If flying is too expensive or you don’t want to hang around the airport waiting for the flight to Trat, then this is a very popular option. The driver will be waiting for you in the Arrival area – at the Meeting point near Entrance 3. Driving time to the mainland pier is around 4 to 4 and a half hours.  Then you have 30 minutes ferry crossing ( ferries depart every 45 minutes or more frequently if busy ) and once on Koh Chang it’s anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour drive to your hotel. You’ll be able to stop on the way for a snack, drink, toilet break etc.  More details here.

Bus or Minibus

The Suvarnabhumi Burapha Bus Company run a  service that has three or four departures a day from Suvaranbhumi to Koh Chang. Go to Entrance 8 on Level 1 of the terminal building.  There you will see the Suvaranbhumi Burapha ticket counter.  There is a big bus at 07:50 and microbuses or minibuses at 11:00 and 14:00. 

Ticket price is 600 Baht including ferry ticket and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel – if you are staying between the ferry pier and Siam Beach Resort where the service terminates.  A return ticket is 900 Baht.  This doesn’t include the pick up from your hotel for the return transfer, you have to pay 100 Baht extra for that when you are on Koh Chang.

The Government run bus company ‘Transport Co., Ltd.‘ provide a reliable service using modern buses twice a day from Ekkamai Bus Station to Laem Ngop.  This departs at 0745 and 0900 and the bus makes a stop at the Airport Transportation Terminal at around 0820 and 1020.  The early bus will drop passengers heading to Koh Chang off at Ao Thammachat pier and the later bus will stop at Centrepoint.  If you’re heading to Koh Mak, both buses will also drop off at Krom Luang pier, for boats to the island.  But be sure to tell the driver in advance.

( Heading back from Koh Chang to Suvaranbhumi, there’s just one bus that departs Laem Ngop at 14:00 and calls in at both mainland piers at around 14:10 – 14:20. )

To get to the Transportation Terminal (airport bus station) , you need to take a free shuttle bus from the airport terminal.  Hop on at Entrance 5 on Level 2 or Entrance 5 on Level 4. Buses depart every ten minutes.

TIP: Use the free wifi at Suvarnabhumi Airport. As soon as you get off the plane you can use the airport wifi.  Registration is easy enough.  You’ll get two hours free.
  1. Find the hotspot ‘AOTFreeWiFibyTrue and connect
  2. Open a browser window and Click “Get Free Wifi”
  3. Enter your name, Passport Number, Phone, email address and and country.
  4. You’ll then be given a username and password you can use to log-on.

Car rental at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Car rental services are available 24 hours on the Arrivals level near Entrance 8.  All the major car hire companies have booths there.  Avis,  Budget, Hertz, National, Sixt and Thai Car Rental etc.  Whilst it isn’t much fun driving in Bangkok city centre,  driving to Koh Chang from the airport is very simple.  

There are good roads all the way and outside Thai holidays, usually light traffic.  As soon as you come out of the airport you just follow the signs for the motorway ( Highway 9 ) towards Pattaya and you’re on the way.  Then you want to take highways 344, 3 and 3156 to the ferry pier. Only four turnings to remember in a 300Km drive. See this Googlemap and directions for more details of the journey.

Suvarnabhumi Taxi Services

Yes, it is possible to take a public taxi to the mainland pier for Koh Chang.  Most drivers don’t like to come onto the island so won’t bring you all the way to your hotel.  The hills put them off.  The price will depend on your haggling skills and it might take some time to find one willing to take you. But figure on around 3,500 Baht total.

 I advise reading up on the directions to the island as you may get a driver who hasn’t been here before and takes you on the scenic route via Pattaya or Rayong, rather than the direct way.

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok

From Landing in Bangkok to the City Centre in Four Minutes . . .

How to take a Taxi from Bangkok Airport to a hotel in the city centre

 Just follow the ‘Public Taxi’ signs from Arrivals down to Level 1 and you’ll see the taxi rank outside Entrances 4 – 6.   The old system of queuing and having a member of staff write down where you are staying on a piece of paper which you then give to the driver has gone.  It has been replaced by a much faster, more modern automatic ‘Taxi kiosks’ now in use.  

The taxis are all lined up opposite – in numbered bays.  Just press the button on the taxi kiosk and then match the number on your printout with the bay the taxi is parked in.  The printout also has the registration number of your taxi on it.  You’ll notice three different queues for the taxi ticket machines.  One is for regular taxis.  There’s another for  groups of more than 4 people who need a larger SUV type vehicle. And for people travelling short distances, e.g. to airport hotels 10 – 15 minutes drive away, there is another separate machine to use.

Walk over to your taxi, show the driver your printout and tell them where you want to go.  If you aren’t staying in a well known hotel or are in an out of the way location, it will help if you have the address in Thai language or a phone number the driver can call for directions.  

Two things to bear in mind a) There’s a 50 Baht surcharge to add on to the meter reading.  (Make sure the driver puts the meter on when you get into the taxi. The meter always starts at 35 Baht.) and b) You have to pay for the expressway tolls.  And unless you’re landing in the middle of the night, I advise taking the expressway into the city centre to avoid traffic jams.

One thing you’ll need for a taxi is Thai Baht – so make sure you have some small notes.  Don’t give the driver a 1,000 Baht note and expect him to have change.

TIP: At busy times, you can avoid long queues for a taxi by heading up to the Departures Level. Walk out onto the road and you’ll see taxis arriving there to drop people off.  Take one of them. You aren’t supposed to do this.  But it does save you the 50 Baht airport surcharge and there won’t be any queues.

Ride Hailing Apps – Grab 

As of May 2018 Uber ceased operations in Southeast Asia and sold their business to their rivals Grab. 

And after a few years of operating semi-legally, in March 2024, Grab was officially allowed permission to pick up passengers from the airport.  In the past picks ups were done discretely to avoid the wrath of taxi drivers. However, there is now a dedicated Grab pick up area located at Entrance 4 on level 1 ( Ground floor) of the terminal building. You can order a Grab car through the app and meet the driver there.

They offer fixed prices for cars to or from the airport.   There are options for Economy and Premium cars for around 400 – 600 Baht.  I like these services as the drivers are accountable.  You know who they are and have people you can contact in case of any problems.  Plus the rides are tracked by GPS, so it’s quite easy to see if your driver knows where he is going or not.  You can also pay by credit or debit card through the app.  So no need to worry if you don’t have Thai Baht in cash.

How to use Grab in Bangkok

Using the Grab app is almost the same as Uber, download it from the app store.  And then to order a driver, you can either use your current location or mark it on a map.  Choose the destination and you’ll get a price.  There will be a few options for car, taxi or a bike ( plus package delivery options ). 

Don’t select the bike unless you really want a ride on the back of a motorbike taxi.   Grab Taxi uses regular taxis. 

Grab Car uses private drivers with their own vehicles.  The same as Uber does. One difference is that you can opt to pay the driver in cash at the end of the ride.

TIP:If you haven’t tried these apps, then download and give them a go next time you are on holiday anywhere in the world.  In many cities it can be way cheaper and more convenient than using a regular taxi.  I’ve used Uber in Europe and Grab in Malaysia and Singapore and they usually work out out cheaper than taxis, plus you get to meet some friendly drivers.   

Other limousine and taxi services

The Airport Authority of Thailand also offers it’s own Limo service which you’ll see advertised at ‘Airport Taxi’ booths in the Baggage Claim area and Arrivals Hall.  This is quite expensive, around three times the price of a normal taxi and double a Grab Car.  It’s aimed at first time visitors and business travelers with expense accounts.   But if you have a large groups, say 6-8 people.  Then the rates for a minibus are reasonable.

Likewise there are a lot of private taxi services that can be pre-booked online.  A simple search on Google for ‘Bangkok Airport taxi’ throws up dozens of companies.

Taking the train into Bangkok – Airport Rail Link

If you are travelling light and staying on or near a skytrain or subway station or just want to avoid the hassle of dealing with a taxi driver, then this is a very good service.  The City line runs from 06:02 and has trains four times an hour at 02, 17, 32 and 47 minutes until 00:02.  From the airport to Phayathai station, which connects with the overhead BTS line, the cost is just 45 Baht / person.   To Makkasan, for a connection to the MRT ( subway ) the price is 35 Baht.   Travelling time is just under 30 minutes.  There are only 8 stations on the route, so you shouldn’t get lost .

Suvarnabhumi Airport rail link station and ticket office

TIP: If you have find yourself at the airport and have time to kill then heading into Bangkok on the train for dinner or some last minute shopping is easy on the train.  Phayathai Station is only a couple of BTS stops from Siam Square, where you’ll find plenty of malls and restaurants.   

There are a couple of inexpensive Left Luggage stores on the Basement level near the currency exchanges and ticket machines for trains into Bangkok. The rate is 100 Baht / bag / day.

Earlier this year I decided to test the train vs the minibus with a friend.  Both involved starting on Koh Chang and heading to a hotel in central Bangkok.  We took the same minibus.  I got off at the airport and then took the train and BTS to the hotel on Sukhumvit Rd.  My friend stayed in the minibus and they dropped her off at the hotel.  Who got there first?  I did by about an hour.  The reason being the minibus lost time as soon as it got near the city centre and got caught up in traffic.  Plus the minibus had to drop other people off first.  So for around 85 Baht extra – train & BTS fares – I saved an hour.  Was it worth it? I think so.   But this was travelling light with no kids or large suitcases.

This map shows airport rail link along with all the MRT (subway) and BTS (skytrain) stations and routes.  And this PDF showing Public Transport at Suvarnabhumi might also be useful.

Buses from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok

Route map and timetable for bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road, BangkokOn 1 June 2017 a new bus service from Bangkok airport to Khao San Road began.  The air-conditioned S1 Airport Bus runs from 06:00 – 20:00 daily  and the fare is 60 Baht per person.  Catch the bus at Entrance 7 on Level 1 of the terminal building.  It takes the motorway and the  expressway into the city centre.  Then the route runs along Rachadamnoern Rd, Larm Luang Rd, Phra Artit Rd and Phra Sumen Rd.  It doesn’t go along Khao San but drops off and picks up at either end of the street. 

It’s a little more expensive that taking the train into the centre of town but a lot less hassle if you are staying around the Khao San area of Bangkok.  You’ll only have a short walk to your hotel.  

You can also take a public bus from the Airport Transportation Terminal into Bangkok.  But these mostly go to the suburbs where you’re unlikely to want to go.  But if you’re on a tight budget then there are a couple that might be of use if you are staying in the city centre:

  • Bus 551 – Chonburi expressway – Srirat expressway – Asoke-Dindang –  Rachawithi Road – Victory Monument ( connect to BTS )
  • Bus 556 – Democracy Monument ( for Khao San Rd ) – Thammasat University – Pata Department Store – Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal ( for buses to south of Thailand )

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Meuang Airport

The old airport, Don Meuang Airport, was closed when Suvarnabhumi opened.  However, due to the rise in budget airline travel it was taken out of mothballs and re-opened a few years ago.  Since then a new Domestic terminal has been built and the airport is as busy as ever.  

There are free shuttle buses from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang Airport every 12 – 30 minutes (depending on the time of day) between 05:00-23:00. Anyone can take these buses, you don’t need a boarding pass.  Take the bus  from the Arrivals level at Entrance 2 or 3 at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Hotels near Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you are arriving late and don’t have time to get to Koh Chang the same day then just spend the night in one of the main airport hotels. The next morning either take a transfer from your hotel or the shared minibus or public bus from the airport to Koh Chang.

If you have the cash then the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport hotel is by far the most convenient place to stay as it’s connected to the terminal by an underground walkway.  

But there are far cheaper options available within a 10 – 15 minute drive.  And pretty much all these hotels provide a free shuttle service.  These are located in the Latkrabang area of Bangkok.  This is a suburb that you won’t find listed in any guidebooks to the city as, apart from a huge container terminal, there’s not much of interest.  

But that does mean there are lots of good, cheap Thai restaurants and the hotels are far better value for money than those in the touristy areas.   You won’t have a problem finding a well-reviewed place to stay for 1,000 – 1,500 Baht / night.

>>Check room rates for airport hotels with shuttle services

Today’s Arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Today’s Departures at Suvarnabhumi Airport

41 Comments

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport only has one terminal. If you have a single ticket and are just changing planes in Bangkok you can get off the plane and go to the gate for your flight to Laos.

    If you have two separate tickets, one to Bangkok and one from Bangkok to Vientiane, you will have to go through Immigration and Baggage claim and then check in for your flight to Laos.

    Departures is on the 4th floor of the terminal building.

  • bonjour
    nous arrivons a BANGKOK Suvarnabhumi a 14hrs55 et notre correspondance pour Vientiane est a 18hrs 30 quel terminal faut il prendre ?
    et ou ce trouve t il dans l aéroport
    merci pour votre réponse

  • You shouldn’t have any problems, assuming your next flight is Domestic. It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get through immigration and Baggage Claim. Then you just have to go upstairs to the Departure floor at Suvarnabhumi and check in for your next flight.

  • We landing at 16.00pm and next flight is 18.45pm same day, can we manage on time or is it enough time to catch this flight

  • Hi Sri.

    Yes, I think your idea is the easiest way to do it by public transport. See: https://airportpattayabus.com/ for information on bus service from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi.

    The nearest alternative would be to take a train into central Bangkok from the airport, but that would still require a taxi ride from Phayathai Station to get to Khao San Rd. So would be more expensive and more of a hassle.

  • What is the most economical and hassle free way to go from Pattaya to Khaosan road ? I heard there are direct buses from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi airport. Can
    I come to Suvarnabhumi and then take S1 bus from there ? Please suggest

  • In theory you’ll have enough time. Figure on maximum an hour to get from the plane and into your car. Then another hour to Don Meuang.

    This also leaves some leeway in case your flight is late or there’s traffic jams on the expressway – which is possible as you’re travelling at rush hour.

    Check in for most domestic flights at Don Meaung closes around 40 minutes before departure.

  • I have been to both airports many times. My question is… I am landing at BKK international after 7:00 am next week (September)… (Of course boarding off the plane… getting through passport control and picking up my luggage takes time) then I need to transfer to Don Muang in order to catch my 11:00am flight. I am planning to book a private taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport to Don Muang. Will I have enough time to catch my domestic flight out of Don Muang

  • It’s no problem to park in the car park at the terminal building when you pick up your daughter. The car parks are usually pretty full. So you might find it takes 10-15 minutes to find a parking spot once you are in there.

  • My daughter is arriving in suvarnabhumi airport in two weeks time. we usually drive our own car up to meet her. Are there any restrictions on private cars going there and parking in high rise carpark so we can walk and meet her. thank you Tony in Cha-am

  • If you want to come from Bangkok to Koh Chang, you can take a minibus from the airport. There are departures at 0750 / 1100 / 1400 from Entrance 8 on Level 1 of the airport terminal. 600 Baht one way.

  • Hi I am travelling solo to Bangkok.. I wanted to know what feasible solution for transportation I can use.

  • Just a quick thanks for providing one of the most convenient and reliable transfer rides I’ve had in Thailand.

  • If you are going through immigration in Bangkok then you won’t be able to use the lounges. As you’ll have to check in again for your next flight. But it it’s a connecting flight and you don’t have to clear immigration in Bangkok, then you’ll be able to use them.

  • Hi I have a 7hr stop over at the International Airport from a domestic flight can I get up to lounges before checkin time?

    Thanks

  • Dear people,
    I will be travelling to Bangkok from Chiang Mai this summer and we will arrive 23:30 in Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi. What is the best way to get to our hotel at Lumphini Park around this time, because we may not be on time to catch te last rail link train..

  • The expressway tolls are added on at the end of the trip. Not included in the initial estimate of the price you’ll get. Unless you use a ‘Just Grab’ service that includes all tolls

  • Very useful guide. I’ll be travelling again to Bangkok tomorrow. Before, I used Uber but I learned from you that it is also deceased and merged with Grab. I’m using Grab also in Philippines, for sure this will work in Bangkok, my question is:

    From Airport (BKK) to my Hotel, I need to pass expressway and toll fees are normally charged to me by taxi before, if I will use Grab, will the toll fees included in the charges or I should give the driver the money for toll payments? Hope you can read immediately my question.

    Thanks

  • Hi. thanks for guideline because i’m traveling for Suvaranbhumi and want to stay in Thailand for 5 days. so thanks for all and i hope you will post more useful articles like this in the future.

  • Hi Ian, just wanted to thank you for your very comprehensive guide! It has helped my family and me very much with our travel to Bangkok. Much appreciated!

  • When you get into the Arrivals area, just follow the signs for ‘Trains into the City’ and go down to the basement level by lift or escalator.

    The ticket machines are in Thai & English & take coins or banknotes. ( Baht only) You can also buy tickets from a booth nearby. Advance booking isn’t possible.

  • Hi, very detailed except the rail link. Please tell us how to get to B floor n how to buy ticket. Advance booking possible? BKK airport map is yuckky.
    Info is greatly appreciated! 👍

  • Hi, is there a place to sit/stay at the arrival terminal before going through immigration? My father and I are coming in different flights (arriving 45 mins apart) and would want to wait to go together at the immigration.

  • All airlines have offices at the airport. But it will be cheaper to fly on AirAsia from Don Meuang Airport. They also have ticket counters in the Departure area.

  • hello, may i ask if anyone here know, if their is a ticketing airline outlet in suvarnabhumi airport? because i will travelling to thailand this saturday and i want to go to laos vientiane, i did not book ticket for it. is their any ticketing outlet in the airport going to laos?

  • Hi. I’m not sure how long it will take. That depends on the traffic. Maybe around an hour if you’re travelling outside rush hour and using the expressway.

  • Hi Ian. Thanks for this wonderful info. My questions, how much time does it take usually to travel from Suvarnabhumi airport to South bus terminal by public bus? (Say around October). Also I am reading quite a few things about the bus 556 being not starting from airport now. Not sure how old is the info.

  • Thanks for the info Peter. I’ll update the page. I guess they use a different level to avoid the wrath of the regular taxi drivers, many of whom aren’t big fans of Grab. :-)

  • One thing to add to this excellent guide. For those using Grab from airport to Bangkok, make sure you stay on level 2. Don’t go downstairs to level 1 (taxi area). I used Grab today (15/6/2018) and couldn’t find the driver. Finally we worked out I was on the wrong level. Fortunately he was patient. Thanks for the guide

  • Hi
    Fab guide overall
    I am travelling into Suvaranbhumi and plan to stay overnight before I go to Don Meuang to fly onto Phom Penn can any one advise of a reasonably priced hotel easy to get to from the rail link with possible a free shuttle service to Don Meaung airport
    Newbie Solo woman traveller

  • One of the best guides I’ve seen for getting to and from the airport. We usually use the Airport Rail Link, but the normal taxis are also great. Would be great to have a rail link to DMK as well.

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Koh Chang Island Guide For Independent Travellers