How to go from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to the City

Bangkok . 2013 . Jul 27 - 29

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Arriving at the huge Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport can be intimidating for first time visitors. It could be worse if you have not made any airport transport arrangements to your hotel prior to your arrival.

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Thankfully, there are lots of options to bring you from the airport to your hotel, including airport limousines, public taxis, rental cars or the airport rail link. There is even a free shuttle bus that brings your from the airport to the bus teminal if you know which bus to take to your hotel.

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When you have cleared the immigrations, just follow the signs to your chosen airport transfer option. Airport limousines and rental cars are located on the same floor as the arrivals (Level 2) while public taxis and the free shuttle buses to the bus terminal are at Level 1. For us, we chose to take the Airport Rail Link at Basement 1 to the city, having heard of the notorious Bangkok traffic jams.

There are 3 options if you choose to take the Airport Rail Link like we did.

Airport Rail Link (Source: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com)

The Phaya Thai Express Line (Red) takes around 17 minutes from the airport station to the Phaya Thai Station where you can change to the BTS Skytrain network. Round Trip ticket costs THB $150 while one way ticket cost THB $90.

The Makkasan Express Line (Orange) takes around 15 minutes from the airport station to Makkasan Station for transfer on the BTS skytrain network. Round Trip ticket costs THB $150 while one way ticket cost THB $90.

The most economical option is the City Line (SA City Line) which goes to Phaya Thai Station in around 30 minutes and has 6 stops (Lat Krabang, Ban Tap Chang, Hua Mak, Ramkhamhaeng, Makkasan and Rajaprarop Station) before reaching Phaya Thai. One way ticket costs between THB $15 to THB $45 depending on your alighting stop.

Airport Rail Link Signages - Blue for City Line and Red for Express Line.

We chose to take the cheaper City Line as we were not in a hurry to reach our hotel. You can purchase the tickets (which actually come in the form of tokens) from the ticket machine (instructions are available in English) or the passenger ticket office before entering the station.

Looks like there are many who made the same option as us - taking the City Line.

Waiting time was 10 minutes for the City Train to Phaya Thai station.

Once you have arrived at Phaya Thai Station, look out for the sign to go to the Phaya Thai BTS Skytrain Station (or just simply follow the crowd! - as most commuters and tourists would probably be changing to the BTS Skytrain to other stations in the city). You can also choose to take a taxi here to your hotel if you find it a hassle carrying a heavy luggage around.

Walkway towards the Phaya Thai BTS Skytrain Station.

Phaya Thai BTS Skytrain Station Entrance. If you are staying at Mercure Bangkok Siam like we did, take the train towards Bearing Station direction. Notice the big side door on the right of the photo. If you are dragging a large luggage, the skytrain station staff will open the door for your luggage to pass through and tap your skytrain tickets on your behalf as you walk pass the door.

Skytrain Tickets - our first impression was that it looked like our old Singapore MRT card! :) There is a BTS Skytrain network map on the card though, which you might find it useful to refer expecially if it is your first time taking the skytrain.

We hope that this serves as a informative reference for first time visitors to Bangkok who wants to know how to get to the city. Do share your experience taking the Airport Rail link in the comments below if you have taken it before in Bangkok! :)

Do check out the Best Hotel Deals of the Day in Bangkok here!

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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