Bangkok Airport

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is a grander and more sophisticated version of modern air travel than its Bangkok counterpart, Don Muang. This gateway to the cosmopolitan heart of Bangkok is situated approximately 36 kilometres east of downtown, on an 8,000 acre (32 km²) plot of land. Flanked by highways 34 and 7, the airport will also have a rail link system, so transferring to downtown or the industrial hub of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard is both easy and convenient.

The four-storey terminal building combines both the Domestic and International Arrivals/Departure Halls into one. With ten entry gates into the terminal building, each identified by a clearly visible gate number, you can easily locate various airport facilities and services by referring to these gate numbers. The fourth floor is designated for domestic and international departures, while the second floor houses the arrival halls for both domestic and international flights. You will find a multitude of eateries and shops, as well as airline offices and even prayer rooms on the third floor. The first floor is designated for public transportation, which ranges from metered taxis, airport limousines, airport express buses, shuttle buses and the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link.

Connecting to downtown via the airport express buses or metered taxis should take about 45 minutes under normal traffic conditions. 

Suvarnabhumi Airport Link
The Airport Link (06:00 - midnight) is the fastest and most efficient way to transfer to downtown areas. For 150 baht, the journey on the Express Line takes only 15 minutes, from the airport to the City Air Terminal (Makkasan Station). To transfer to the BTS, get off at Phaya Thai Station.

City Line makes eight stops (Suvarnabhumi Airport, Ladkrabang, Tha Thap Chang, Hua Mark, Ramkamhaeng, Makkasan, Ratchaprarop, Phyathai) and takes about 30 minutes.

Metered Taxi (or Taxi Meter)
From the Arrival Hall on the second floor, you will need to take an elevator down to the first floor to find the designated taxi stands at Entry Gate 4. Simply queue up and tell your final destination to the booth officer, then a taxi driver will escort you to his vehicle. Please note that you need to pay the driver an extra 50 baht courtesy fee, on top of all toll way fees and the final taxi fare. Taken all these fees into account, it should cost you a total of 350-400 baht for a 40-minute ride to downtown Bangkok. Service is available 24 hours.

Airport Express Bus
The Airport Express Bus, at 150 baht flat rate, is probably the best deal if you are heading to one of the destinations along the four available routes: Silom Road, Sukhumvit Road, Khaosan Road and Hualampong Railway Station. The journey should take about 45 minutes. For detailed route information, contact the service counter located on the first floor, at Entry Gate 8. The service runs from 05:00 to 24:00 daily.

Airport Limousine
Most travellers consider this a rip-off. However, if you prefer a first-class car journey, this is the only way to go. From the arrival hall, locate the nearest service counter (all located on the same floor), and choose from the eight available vehicles. The rates vary according to the type of vehicle and the distance. For a 40-minute trip to downtown Silom, Rajathewi, Sukhumvit or Phayathai, the flat rates start from 950 baht in an Isuzu MU-7 to 1,200 baht in a Toyota Commuter or London-style cab to 2,200 baht in a BMW 7 Series. Service is available 24 hours.

Public Bus
If you don’t mind a little hassle and have time to spare, public buses are the cheapest way to get downtown. Outside the Arrival Hall, at Entry Gate 5, locate the Airport Shuttle Service stand and hop on the express shuttle to get to the Public Transport Centre located outside the main terminal building. Choose your bus from one of the 11 available routes. The rates are 24–35 baht, depending on the distance. Each bus makes from six to eight stops along the way, so the journey will take more than one hour. Please note that only some routes operate 24 hours.

Public Van
Compared to public buses, these vans make fewer stops and offer a little more comfortable ride. You will need to take the express airport shuttle service to the Public Transport Centre. Choose from the nine available routes. Rates range from 25-70 baht. Please note that most routes do not operate 24 hours.

Car Rental
You will find Avis, Hertz, Budget, National and Master car rental counters at the International Arrival Hall (between Entry Gates 7 and 8). Service is available 24 hours.

CAT Telecom
The CAT Telecom shop at the International Departure Hall (behind Row U) provides Internet and general business services. The Internet rate is 100 baht/20 min, 200 baht/40 min, and 300/1 hr. Photocopying, faxing and printing is 10 baht per page. Local and international calling cards are also for sale, at 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 baht each. Service is available 24 hours.

Departing passengers who have passed through Passport Control and who are inside the Passenger Hold Room can connect to the Internet via one of the 126 Internet kiosks with a CAT logo on it. This service is free, but only for 15 minutes per connection.

WLAN Internet Hotspots
Free wireless Internet access is available once you are inside the Passenger Terminal, but only for 15 minutes per connection. You can obtain a username and password from any Information Desk located inside the International Departure and Arrival Halls. Outside the Passenger Terminal, you need to buy a WLAN card (one card = 250 baht = one hour of browsing time) from a Kingpower kiosk or service counter displaying the WLAN logo.

Postal Service
Located at the International Departure Hall, next to the CAT Telecom shop, the Post Office operates a small kiosk for EMS, packages, stamps and general postal services. The Western Union booth is also here. (Post Office: open 24 hours; Western Union: open 08:30 – 16:30, Monday-Friday.)