Bangkok has two international airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport (also known as Bangkok Airport) is the main airport in Thailand and one of Southeast Asia's busiest and largest airports. The other is Don Mueang Airport, which was once Bangkok's main airport until 2006 when Suvarnabhumi became the main airport.
Suvarnabhumi serves various international and domestic airlines, connecting Bangkok to many major cities across Asia, Europe, and Australia. On the other hand, Don Mueang is the hub for budget airlines, handling mostly regional flights from Southeast Asia and East Asia, as well as flights on domestic routes.
If you're flying to Bangkok during your trip to Thailand and want to know how to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City, this guide is for you. You'll find several transportation options, giving you the flexibility to choose what's best for you according to your preference and budget.
Table of Contents
Brief About Suvarnabhumi Airport
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Suvarnabhumi Airport is also known as Bangkok Airport. Located about 30 km (19 miles) east of downtown Bangkok, it's a large modern airport with two parallel runways and a single terminal complex for domestic and international flights. Terminals 1 and 2 handle international flights, while Terminal 3 is used for domestic flights.
There's a new addition to the airport complex. Satellite passenger concourse SAT-1 features 28 gates and will fully open in early 2024. The concourse is connected to the main terminal by an underground people mover. Another in the works is the North Expansion Terminal to be used by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Smiles.
Suvarnabhumi provides a range of services and amenities, including numerous shops, restaurants, lounges, and duty-free outlets. Other facilities include a medical center, currency exchange, baggage services, and transportation options like taxis, buses, and a rail link to Bangkok's city center.
By road, the journey from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok's city center takes 45-60 minutes but longer during heavy traffic. Suvarnabhumi is a busy airport, and if you're on the way to the airport, plan to arrive at least three hours before departure on international flights. On domestic flights, plan to arrive two hours before departure.
There are shuttle buses from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang Airport. Tickets cost 50 THB (1.50 USD) but free if you have a flight ticket departing from Don Mueang. You'll find the shuttle bus outside Arrivals (Level 2) near Gate 2 or 3. Buses depart every 15-30 minutes from 5 AM until midnight, and the journey takes about an hour.
By Regular Taxi
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The official taxi stand is a floor down from Arrivals, on the ground floor. Follow the "taxi" signs, and once you exit the airport building, head towards the taxi desk. Besides Thai, the staff at the desk are conversant in English. Tell the staff at the desk your destination, and you'll be given a taxi slip.
Then follow the taxi queue. When boarding, the taxi driver will take one section of the slip and the other to be kept by you in case you have a complaint. The taxi driver may or may not know English, but it shouldn't be a problem. By looking at the slip, the driver will know your destination.
Taxis at the airport are metered, and the driver should use the meter. There's always a section of the slip with you to make a complaint if the driver refuses to use the meter. Ignore offers by touts lingering near the taxi desk. They'll take you across the street to taxis where the drivers don't use the meter.
Besides the fare, there's a 50 THB (1.50 USD) surcharge for taxis departing from the airport. Other charges shown below could add to the total cost. It caught in slow moving traffic, a surcharge will be added to the metered fare. If the taxi uses any of the tolled roads, it's not included in the fare and you'd have to pay at the toll booth.
- Taxi slows below 6 km (4 miles) per hour - 3 THB (0.08 USD) per minute
- Expressway and highway tolls - 70-120 THB (2.00-3.40 USD)
The taxi fare from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok's city center is very affordable. Depending on your destination, the fare ranges from 300 to 600 THB (8.50-17.00 USD). It takes 45-60 minutes to reach the city, but longer if the taxi is caught in slow-moving traffic, especially during rush hour.
By Airport Limousine
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The airport limousines are an alternative to the regular taxis. The service provides high-end vehicles that offer a higher level of comfort, not to mention spaciousness. There's a premium for the luxury and comfort. They'll cost you 3-5 times more (depending on the vehicle) than the regular metered taxis.
The service is aimed at business people traveling at company expense and tourists with more generous travel budgets. You may want to hire a private van (minibus) if traveling in a group of 6-8 people going to the same destination. With the number of people in the vehicle, the rates are reasonable.
Several companies offer limousine service, including Airports of Thailand (AOT), which manages the country's 10 international airports. AOT is the airport's official limousine provider, and you'll find the "AOT Limousine" desk in the Arrivals Hall and baggage claim area. You can also book online in advance at the AOT Limousine website.
Charges by AOT Limousine depend on your choice of vehicle and the distance from the airport to your destination. Here's a rough guide of the charges to Bangkok's city center for different vehicles.
- Isuzu Mu-X (SUV) - 1,000 THB (28 USD)
- Toyota Camry (sedan) - 1,000 THB (28 USD)
- Toyota Commuter (8-seater van) - 1,200 THB (34 USD)
- Mercedes Benz E Class (saloon) - 1,800 THB (51 USD
- BMW 7 Series (sedan) - 2,200 THB (62 USD)
Besides the staff at the desk, the limousine drivers are also fluent in English. The drivers are also well-trained in the various routes they undertake. There's a VIP Lounge in the Arrivals Hall exclusively for all customers of AOT Limousine. Additionally, a free porter service is available to carry your luggage.
By Grab Taxi
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Besides the regular taxis and limousines, you can also use the Grab ride-hailing service. Grab is similar to Uber and is the most popular ride-hailing service in Thailand and many Southeast Asian countries. Download the app and create an account on your mobile device. Besides a Thai version of the app, there's also an English version.
Key in your destination, and the app will show you available vehicles and their fares. You can choose your preferred vehicle and driver. Once a driver accepts your request, you'll see the driver's details, including name, photo, and vehicle number. On the app, you can track the driver traveling to pick you up in real time.
Grab drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the taxi stands, where the regular taxis wait. At the terminal for international flight, meet the driver at the pick-up point on the outer lane near Gate 4-7. At the terminal for domestic flights, meet the driver on the outer lane near Gate 3-5.
The app provides upfront pricing, so you know the fare before confirming the booking. You'll usually find several types of vehicles available for hire. The following are the typical costs from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok.
- Taxi service - 300-400 THB (8.50-11.50 USD)
- Standard car - 300-400 THB (8.50-11.50 USD)
- Premium car - 500-600 THB (14.50-17.00 USD)
- Spacious SUV - 500-600 THB (4.50-17.00 USD)
- Mini-van - 600-700 THB (17.00-20.00 USD)
You can pay by cash to the driver or through the app using your credit card. The fare shown on the app doesn't include tolls for using the expressway and highway. Any toll is to be paid by you at the toll booth. The toll charges range from 50 THB (1.50 USD ) to 120 THB (3.50 USD), depending on the route.
By Airport Rail Link
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The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is a commuter train service connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok. The ARL station at Suvarnabhumi is part of the airport complex and situated on the basement level of the passenger terminal. It's a swift journey to Bangkok, reaching the city's central area in 20-30 minutes.
The train is a convenient option for those who want to avoid the hassle of booking a taxi or don't want to get caught in slow-moving road traffic, which Bangkok is famous for. Of all the transport modes from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, it's the fastest option. It's also cheaper compared to the taxi or limousine service.
The ARL runs from 6 AM to midnight, departing every 10-15 minutes from the airport. The trains stop at six stations before ending their journey at Phaya Thai Station in the city center. From Phaya Thai, you can connect to the BTS Skytrain (Green Line), which you need a separate ticket. You can also catch a taxi or bus from here.
At the airport, purchase tickets from the automated machines or ticket office. The fare is distance-based and costs 15-45 THB (0.40-1.30 USD). If you're heading to Bangkok's central area, the fare to Makkasan Station costs 35 THB (1.00 USD), and the last stop at Phaya Thai Station costs 45 THB (1.30 USD).
Arriving at Phaya Thai Station, and if your final destination is the famous backer street of Khao San Road, you can hail for a taxi. It's about 6 km (4 miles) from the station, and the taxi fare costs around 60 THB (1.70 USD). Or board Bus 17, which stops near Khao San Road, and the fare costs 7 THB (0.20 USD).
By S1 Airport Bus
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The S1 Airport Bus is a shuttle bus service traveling between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok's central area, making several stops at key locations in the Khao San district. Although the S1 buses do not stop in front of the hotels, they do stop in places where you'll find many tourist accommodations.
From the Arrivals Hall, go down to Level 1 and walk towards Gate 7. After exiting the gate, pass the taxi stand, walk to the outer lane, and look for the "S1" sign indicated on the bus. The buses are air-conditioned with comfortable seating and suitable for passengers with one luggage or backpack.
The S1 buses operate seven days a week, departing every 30 minutes from 6 AM to 8 PM. The journey to the last stop in Bangkok takes an hour and sometimes up to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic. The fare is affordable and a flat rate of 60 THB (1.70 USD), which you pay when boarding the bus.
Major stops on the route include Wat Chanasongkram, Democracy Monument, and Sanam Luang Bus Terminal, the final destination. Wat Chanasongkram is where you get off for the backpacker street of Khao San Road (15 minutes walk) and nearby Soi Rambuttri and Phra Arthit Road.
By Public Bus
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Public buses are the cheapest way to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok. There are several routes, all making multiple stops before reaching their final destinations, a journey that can take 1-2 hours. Buses generally depart every 20 minutes during the day and from 30 minutes to an hour at night.
Unlike the S1 Airport Bus, the public buses have no separate storage space for luggage. The buses make many stops and during peak hours are often packed. Though you'll save money getting to Bangkok, public buses are an option only if you're traveling light and don't mind the longer journey.
The public buses depart from the Public Transportation Center located a few kilometers from the airport. Take the free shuttle bus service outside the Arrivals Hall near Gate 5 on Level 2. You'll see signs in English and Thai at the airport showing the directions to the free shuttle bus service.
Bus fares start from 35 THB (1.00 USD), which you've to buy from the ticket counter at the Public Transportation Center. There are several bus routes, and for tourists, bus numbers 551, 552, and 556 go to the city center. If your destination is Khao San Road, take Bus 556 and get off at Democracy Monument.
