How to get fromBangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre

Why visit Bangkok?

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!

Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.

Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi)

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is considered the busiest airport in Thailand. This airport has a single huge terminal building that serves both domestic and international flights.

While domestic flights also operate from Don Muang, almost all international flights arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This includes Thai Airways, Thai Smile, as well as Bangkok Airways for its domestic and international operations.

There are 4 ways to travel the 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre. You can choose between the Airport bus, taxi, train and City bus. The journey takes 30 minutes - 1 hour and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at 15 THB (€0.40).

The Airport Rail Link is an easy way to reach Bangkok. Especially during peak hours, the train can be quicker than the bus or a taxi as you won’t get stuck in traffic.

The only disadvantage of taking the train is that you will likely need another transport from the last station to your hotel or the other way around. If you’re staying on Khao San Road, it’s still another 15 minutes taxi ride from the last train station.

Airport rail link route

The airport link, located at the basement level, is connected to the BTS via Phaya Thai station and to the MRT via Makkasan Station. This is the route for the airport Rail Link:

Suvarnabhumi Airport – Lat Krabang – Ban Thap Chang – Hua Mak – Ramkhamhaeng – Makkasan – Ratchaprarop – Phaya Thai

The trains operate daily from 06:00 to 24:00 and depart every 10 or 15 minutes:

• Every 10 minutes from 06:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 (peak hours)
• Every 15 minutes during non-peak hours

Prices start from 15 THB (€0.40), depending on your departure or arrival station. You can get to your destination in about 30 to 40 minutes.

Tickets are available at the train station at the basement level. Online booking is also available via Klook for 205 THB (€5.60). Note that the Klook airport counter at the basement level is open only from 8:00 to 23:00.

The public bus from and to Suvarnabhumi Airport is a cheap way to get to the centre of Bangkok, but it is one of the slowest options.

Departure from Suvarnabhumi Airport

The city buses depart from Suvarnabhumi Bus Terminal, and the airport provides free shuttle buses to this terminal. The express shuttle buses are available outside the arrival hall on the 2nd level. Note that this is a different bus from the airport bus discussed in the first option.

At the bus terminal, there are three city buses going to different areas across Bangkok. These buses operate 24 hours per day, which makes them a cheap alternative if the airport buses are not available.

City bus routes

• Bus #551: Airport – New Bangkok-Chonburi Expressway – Srirat Expressway – Asoke – Din Daeng Road – Ratchawithi Road – Victory Monument
• Bus #552 : Airport – Bangna-Bangpakong Road – Sukhumvit Road – On Nut BTS Station
• Bus #556: Airport – Yommarat – Democracy Monument – Thammasat University – Pata Department Store – Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal

The Bangkok Bus Line S1 connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok’s historical centre, with Khao San Road and Sanam Luang in central Bangkok being the last stops. These buses are normally orange-coloured, but they have recently added new blue buses for this route.

S1 buses are available from 6:00 to 20:00 at the airport and from 7:00 to 21:00 when coming from Khao San Road. The S1 airport bus has a standard fare of 60 THB (€1.60). Travel time is at least 1 hour, possibly longer depending on traffic, especially during peak hours.

Departure from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport

To find the S1 airport bus, go to the ground level and exit the arrival hall at Gate 7. Then pass the crosswalk and you will see the sign for Line S1.

See the bus route below:

• Suvarnabhumi Airport – Mission Hospital – Democracy Monument – National Gallery – Sanam Luang Bus Terminal (a few minutes walk to Khao San Road)

From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the bus will take the freeway and then the Sirirat Expressway into Bangkok. It will exit the overhead expressway and go along Lan Luang Road.

These airport buses are available every 30 minutes at the airport, and they stop only at designated stops along their route. It is still a great option if you’re staying in the Khao San Road area because the bus stops just 100 m from the famous backpacker street.

If you want comfort and convenience, then taking a taxi is your best option.

The public taxi stand is located at the ground level, near entrances 3, 4, 7, and 8. Here, you will line up and take a ticket from the machine. Simply head to the lane number written on the ticket and wait for your designated taxi.

For more convenience, you can check online and reserve one on 12GoAsia. Fare from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre starts from 730 THB (€19.90).

Expressway

Taxi fares from the airport to central Bangkok start from 300 THB (€8.20). Drivers often prefer to take the expressway to avoid traffic. They will still ask you if you want to take the expressway, and you will have to shoulder the toll fee of 70 THB (€1.90).

We recommend paying the extra couple of dollars to save up to an hour of travel time, especially during peak hours. If not, you will likely end up paying the same or possibly more as the meter continues running while you are sitting in traffic.

Note: Grab taxis are a convenient and cheap way of travelling, but are only allowed for drop-offs at the airport and not from the airport to the city centre.

Additional airport surcharge

All taxis leaving the airport are metered. Be aware that there is an additional 50 THB (€1.40) airport surcharge that will be added to the final amount shown on the meter. Do not be surprised when the driver asks you for more than what the metre states because this is simply the policy for all taxis departing from the airport.

Note that the additional surcharge is only for taxis departing from the airport. You don’t need to pay any additional fee when taking a taxi to Suvarnabhumi Airport.