Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the City Centre

Overview Compare Airport Bus City Bus Train Taxi To Stay

How to travel from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the City Centre

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.

4 ways to get from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the City Centre

Transport mode	Duration	Costs		Availability
Airport Bus	1 hour	60 THB ($1.70)		Read article for more info
City Bus	1-1.5 hours	35 THB ($1)		Read article for more info
Train	30-40 minutes	15 THB ($0.40)		Read article for more info
Taxi	30-45 minutes	300 THB ($8.50)		Check Private Transfers

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 30 km (20 miles) east of Bangkok. In this post, we compare 4 options when travelling to and from Bangkok Airport to the city centre: by airport bus (1 hour), by city bus (1-1.5 hours), by train (30-40 minutes), or by taxi (30-45 minutes). Fares range from 15 THB ($0.40) to 300 THB ($8.50).

If you’re staying around the Khao San Road area in Bangkok, we recommend taking the airport bus. Fare is cheap for only 60 THB ($1.70), and it takes you straight to the backpacker district.

There is also a public/city bus from and to Suvarnabhumi Airport. These city buses are available at the terminal outside the airport, which you can reach by the free shuttle bus. While this option is the cheapest way to get to the centre of Bangkok, it is also the slowest. City bus fares start from 35 THB ($1).

You can also take the train at the airport basement level, but you will need to arrange an extra transfer (taxi or tuk-tuk) from your hotel to the train station. Train fares range between 15 THB ($0.40) and 45 THB ($1.30).

If you’re staying in downtown Bangkok (Sukhumvit area), we suggest taking the BTS (Skytrain) or MRT (Subway) and then transferring to the airport Rail Link. The Airport Rail Link will drop you off directly at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

A taxi definitely provides more comfort but can take longer depending on traffic. If you choose to take a taxi from Bangkok Airport to the city centre, then we recommend taking a train and taxi to your hotel so you don’t end up in traffic for too long. Taxi fare starts from 300 THB ($8.50).

Itinerary from Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre by Airport Bus

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: 60 THB ($1.70)

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: 60 THB ($1.70)

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 ($1.70). 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.

Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre by City Bus

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Cost: 35 THB ($1)

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Cost: 35 THB ($1)

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

City bus schedules from Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bus	Schedule	Duration	Cost
Bus #551	Departure every hour	1-1.5 hours	35 THB ($1)
Bus #552	Departure every hour	1-1.5 hours	35 THB ($1)
Bus #556	Departure every hour	1-1.5 hours	35 THB ($1)

Upon arriving at the station, you need to buy your ticket at the ticket counter.

Without traffic, the travel time from Bangkok Airport is about an hour to the final stop. During peak hours though, it can take 1.5 hours or more. Keep in mind that Bangkok has busy roads, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly especially if you are on a tight schedule.

Note that city buses do not provide separate luggage compartments, so you will have to carry your bags with you. This is not comfortable or convenient on a packed bus, which is why we do not recommend this option if you have a lot of luggage.

Also, carefully check the stops along each bus route to make sure your hotel is near one of them.

Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre by Train

Duration: 30-40 minutes

Cost: 15 THB ($0.40)

Duration: 30-40 minutes

Cost: 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

Fares range between 15 THB ($0.40) and 45 THB ($1.30), depending on your departure or arrival station. You can get to your destination in about 30-40 minutes.

Tickets are available at the train station at the basement level. Online booking is also available via Klook for 205 THB ($5.50). Note that the Klook airport counter at the basement level is open only from 8:00 to 23:00.

Check Tickets with Klook

Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to the city centre by Taxi

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Cost: 300 THB ($8.50)

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Cost: 300 THB ($8.50)

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 to the city centre start from 730 THB ($21).

Expressway

Taxi fares from the airport to central Bangkok start from 300 THB ($8.50). 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 ($2).

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 metre 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.

Check Private Transfers on 12GoAsia

 

Our favourite places to stay in Bangkok

Here Hostel

If you’re looking for a fun social atmosphere then Here Hostel is the place for you! Enjoy relaxing by the pool in the garden area or enjoying a drink with travelers from around the world. Why take the stairs when you can use the indoor slide to travel between floors, this place is full of fun, energy, and laughter. Located less than 1km from Khao San Road, this is the perfect hostel if you’re looking to have a great time in Bangkok!

Dorm rooms start at $16 per night

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Hom Hostel & Cooking Club

Located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, between Nana and Ploen Chit BTS stations, this hostel is the perfect location in the Sukhumvit area.  The hostel offers a garden area, a rooftop terrace and an on-site kitchen for guests to cook their own food or take part in the daily cooking classes.  There is also a restaurant and bar on-site if you’d prefer someone else cook for you, as well as buffet breakfast included each day. Extremely clean and very friendly staff are top priorities for this hostel. 

Single bed in dorm rooms start at $15 per night 

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Lamphuhouse Bangkok

If you’re looking to be near the excitement of Khao San Road but still enjoy some peace and quiet, this guesthouse is absolutely perfect.  A delicious breakfast is included in your stay and the restaurant is open 24/7 for your convenience. A lovely garden area to relax in the afternoons and very comfortable beds in rooms will make for a great stay.  Just 300m to Khao San road, this guest house is walking distance to many sights including the Grand Palace and the Golden Mountain Temple.

Rooms start at $19 per night

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Mam’s House

Just 700m from Khao San road and sitting along the river is Mam’s House.  The staff here will welcome you with open arms and help you in any way that they possibly can.  The rooms are huge, the beds are comfortable and it’s extremely clean. There is a cafe on the ground floor of the hotel, street food along the riverbank and countless restaurants, bars and shops just steps away.  Locally owned and operated by Mam, this hotel is all about customer service and making sure you have the best stay possible. Perfect location, great views and all the comforts you need! 

Rooms start at $26 per night 

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Blue Chang House

Cozy, comfortable, and ideal location! This guest house is less than 1km from Khao San Road and offers all the comforts you need.  It is within walking distance to numerous Temples, Wats and attractions throughout Old Town. On-site bar to enjoy a drink while taking in the sights from the terrace or a lovely garden area to enjoy to relax in if you need some quiet time. The staff is known to be exceptionally welcoming and happy to assist with all guest requests. Located in a quiet area so you will be sure to get a good night's rest after exploring the Capital City!

Rooms start at $40 per night

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