Transit Options from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok
The city of Bangkok lies 34.7km/21.5 miles from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thus, passengers landing at BKK Airport need at least half an hour to reach their journey’s end in the city center. Even more so, during rush hours, Bangkok’s traffic jams are notorious, making rides tiring and time-consuming. Hence, if you want to travel from Bangkok Airport to the city center, you should carefully make up your mind regarding the chosen transit option. Bangkok airport taxis are comfortable, and private airport transfers offer an elevated traveling experience but are both dependent on the traffic levels. On the other hand, the Suvarnabhumi airport bus lines are an affordable option but are even longer and more tedious as they make a lot of stops on their way. Thus, when roads are congested, the top value-for-money option is undoubtedly the Bangkok Airport Link Train. That being said, if you plan to travel around Bangkok, you should also consider settling on a car rental at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
| Options | Price (THB) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 700 | 19,08 | 17,80 | 30-40 min |
| Train | 71 | 1,94 | 1,81 | 28 min |
| Bus | 60 | 1,63 | 1,52 | 90 min |
Bangkok Airport to City Center by Taxi
Bangkok airport taxis provide door-to-door, safe, and convenient services from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city. The multi-colored vehicles (they can be pink, orange, blue, half-yellow-half-green, etc.) are lining up at the official taxi rank located at the Ground level (Level 1) of the BKK airport terminal building, close to Exit 4. Although they are always present at Bangkok International Airport, during the airport’s rush hours, passengers may have to wait in line to catch their cab. It’s important to remember that once you reach the airport stand, you’ll spot three lines. You should wait in line for the ordinary taxis (the other two lines are for short-distance rides and large vehicles) to issue a paper ticket from one of the automatic machines. The ticket will display the bay where your Bangkok airport taxi will be waiting, as well as important info about the driver and the vehicle (license plate, license number, etc.).
Taxis from Bangkok Airport to downtown are metered. In fact, it is strongly recommended to insist on a metered ride even if the driver tries to negotiate a set-priced journey. Even though taxi scamming incidents are nowadays rare, fixed-fare rides are almost always more expensive than the taximeter’s fare. Airport rides come with a THB 50/$1,37/€1,27 surcharge, and passengers must also pay the route’s toll fees. On the other hand, two pieces of luggage up to 26 inches/67cm are out of charge, while a third one or larger luggage brings an extra THB 20/$0.55/€0.51 fee (per piece). That being said, wheelchairs, strollers, and cans are free of charge. Overall, the taxi journey from BKK Airport to Bangkok city costs around THB 700/$19,08/€17,80 (all fees included) and lasts around 30-40 minutes. However, when roads are congested, the duration of the ride might be up to 90 minutes, and the cost is considerably higher. Cash payments are the usual way to pay for the taxi fares. Hence, you should carry local currency, preferably in small notes. As for tipping, it is optional and left to the passenger’s discretion.
Our Tip: Ride-sharing services (such as Grab) are also available at BKK Airport.
Bangkok Airport to City Center by Train
Bangkok Airport Train is the ideal way to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city if you are on a budget or want to avoid the city’s traffic jams. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link runs from 05:30 am to midnight at a 10-15-minute frequency from the airport’s station, located on the Basement level of the terminal building. The train runs to the city center but terminates its route at Phaya Thai Station, which is centrally situated in Bangkok but not exactly in the heart of the city. Thus, you’ll have to catch the Airport Link Train to Makkasan Station and change to a MRT Line there. From the airport’s train station, you’ll have to buy a token either from the automatic machines or the ticket counters. Please note that only cash payments are accepted. The train ride from Bangkok Airport to Makkasan Station lasts about 22 minutes and costs THB 35/$0,95/€0,89. Children under 12 years of age or shorter than 90cm/35.4 in travel for free.
An express train line served journeys from Bangkok Airport to downtown. However, it is no longer operational.
From Makkasan Station, you’ll walk 5 minutes to the nearby Phetchaburi Subway Station, the station serving the MRT Blue Line. A skywalk connects the two stations. Still, travelers with heavy luggage often find the change of lines tedious. The Blue MRT Line runs from 05:30 am to 00:00 am every 3-8 minutes. Your alighting stop will be Sam Yot Station. From that point, you’ll have to walk to your destination. The ride to Sam Yot will last 6 minutes and cost THB 36/$0,98/€0,91.
Therefore, the total duration of your train ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok will be 28 minutes (not including waiting time), and its fare will be THB 71/$1,94/€1,81.
Bangkok Airport to City Center by Bus
Several Bangkok airport buses depart from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus Terminal (Public Transportation Center), connected to the Main terminal via several airport shuttle buses. Still, the most convenient bus line for the ride from Bangkok Airport to downtown is the Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus (Bangkok Airport Shuttle). The BMTA Bus Line S1 doesn’t stop at the Public Transportation Center but departs from the terminal’s Ground floor (Level 1), close to Gate 7. The orange or blue buses (you’ll most probably spot both options) run from 06:00 am to 08:00 pm every 30 minutes heading to Khao San Road. Overall, they take around 1.5 hours to reach their destination. The S1 bus tickets can be purchased from the driver or the conductor inside the bus. Only cash payments are accepted. The cost of the bus ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok is THB 60/$1,63/€1,52.
Car Rental from Bangkok Airport to City Center
If you are looking for a convenient way to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city and plan to explore the surrounding areas and out-of-the-way destinations as well, you should consider renting a car at BKK Airport. Bangkok airport car rentals are widely favored by travelers who value flexibility and autonomy during their journeys and don’t mind getting stuck on congested roads or navigating through the poorly maintained road network of the Thai countryside. Suvarnabhumi Airport houses various car hire companies. Therefore, if you opt for an early reservation, it is highly likely you will secure affordable prices and have access to several available car models.
The ride from BKK Airport to downtown with your Bangkok car rental will last about 30 to 40 minutes. However, during rush hours (approximately from 07:00 am to 10:00 am and from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm), journeys are considerably longer. Thus, you may need up to 1.5 hours to reach your destination. Moreover, if your hotel doesn’t have parking facilities, you should book a parking spot in one of the various parking lots around the city center, as street parking in downtown Bangkok is a challenging task.
Private Airport Transfers from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok
Private airport transfers are regarded as the ultimate way to travel from BKK Airport to downtown. Welcome services at the terminal building, door-to-door rides, and a wide number of side amenities are only some of the reasons why luxury travelers typically book a private airport transfer for their journey from Bangkok International Airport. Expectantly, they are slightly costlier than ordinary taxi rides. Still, they provide fixed fares regardless of the traffic levels and the journey’s duration and make the price worth it with their provided services.
FAQs
How to get from Bangkok Airport to city?
You can opt for an airport taxi ride, book a private airport transfer, or rent a car for your ride from Bangkok Airport to downtown. Alternatively, the Bus S1 also travels from BKK Airport to Bangkok city. Last but not least, the Bangkok Airport Link Train provides fast (yet indirect) journeys from the airport to downtown, as it isn’t affected by the traffic levels.
How much is the train from Bangkok Airport to city?
How much does a taxi cost from Bangkok Airport to city?
Taxi rides from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city are charged according to the taximeter. Indeed, Bangkok airport taxis are metered. Still, the usual fare of the journey from Bangkok Airport to downtown is THB 700/$19,08/€17,80, including all surcharges.