Bangkok Airport Transportation info

[kaptainrob]

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the main International airport, situated east of the city and best accessed via SkyTrain link, bus or taxi.

Don Muang (DMK) is the LCC International and domestic terminal, north of the city and is NOT easily accessed by train (yet) despite being inside the city. Taxi or bus transport is best. Amari Hotel is attached to DMK via lift, sky-walk and escalator.

More info here: Don Muang Airport Transportation | Don Muang Airport Guide

... and here > To & From Bangkok Airport

 

[kaptainrob]

Transportation via bus, train or taxi will depend on personal preference as much as prevailing weather, traffic etc.

With 3 hours to kill before meeting family at Suvarnabhumi, following my own arrival at DMK, I used AOT's FREE shuttle bus service which runs half-hourly between DMK & BKK.

The service is provided via ~52 seat bus with a/c and oh boy, it was cold! Buses depart on time and take one hour, door to door, in normal traffic - allow 90 mins to be safe. You're supposed to show a (used) boarding pass to gain free transfer but hey, you might have already thrown it away ... no big deal.

A Taxi costs ~ 300 Bt and would have been no quicker in prevailing light traffic, but is definitely the ONLY way to transfer between DMK/BKK in rush-hour or when pushed for time!

[I used a Taxi from Asoke to DMK, in pouring rain and with luggage ... train + bus just wasn't a consideration, and it cost 240 Bt with tolls].

Suvarnabhumi > Skytrain options

Upon meeting arrival at BKK we took the train to Makkasan, it was rush-hour, and our hotel was just ~500m from the city terminal. From BKK arrivals one takes travelators (or lift) to ground floor and underground station entry ramp.

Take the LH ramp for Express train (90 Bt) or RH ramp for City line (~30 Bt) ... nearly everyone uses City train as it is more frequent and besides, 4 x one-minute stops at intermediate stations hardly a bother ... mind you, the Express does have very plush seating compared with regular hard plastic benches.

If one has time to kill at BKK there's an Observation Deck on level 7 - from Departures row 'Q/R' take the escalator up 2 floors and then a ramp from Cafe/Post Office. View of runways is not fantastic but a close up look at the building structure may be of interest >

 

[Mate]

I didn't know about the AOT free shuttle bus. Will keep that in mind. Cheers

 

[Chob]

Good info Lob.
I used the AOT free shuttle bus from Suv to Don M last week.
It took 55 minutes at 11am and as you say , was free.
I didnt have a boarding pass as requested , just told them flight details and got a nod.

I did the same last year in Peak Hour and it took 2 hours!

I also used the shuttle bus service from Don Muang to the BTS last station , Mo Chi for 30 baht. ( Took maybe 30 mins NOT in Peak Hour).
Then the BTS to Nana for 45 baht ( IIRC).

Bkk Steve talked about catching an underground train ( MRT) from Suvanabhumi to 'Yomarat' Station or 'Ratchawithi', then a short taxi if staying near Khaosan rd. in Banglamphu near the river...

http://www.southeast-asia-travel-guide.com/image-files/bangkok-mrt-map.jpg

 

[kaptainrob]

We've done the FREE airport shuttle many times now with all trips under 1hr. This morning was in in rush hour and despite crawling along between toll booths near central city on/of ramps for 20 mins, the whole trip was 59 minutes ... a fast driver when finally in light traffic!

 

[Chob]

More info or a link pl Rob !

 

[kaptainrob]

Same as before Chob. Here's the AOT schedule > http://suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/122-transfer-bus-between-suvarnabhumi-don-muaeng

 

[Chob]

Cant seem to find the bus stop locn at DM ...

 

[kaptainrob]

Cant seem to find the bus stop locn at DM ...

With DMK reno/upgrade, the set-down/pick-up locations may be changing. Set-down is still at Terminal 1 despite most domestic flights now checking in at Terminal 2.

Set-down/Pick-up for BKK transfer was exit Gate 8 (Terminal 1) last few weeks.

Note: Terminal 1 is still handling AirAsia charters and some international although most Domestic check-ins have moved to Terminal 2 with baggage scanning AFTER check-in/bag drop. You have to experience it to understand but a step in the right direction ... for AOT.

 

[MarcTwoSix]

With DMK reno/upgrade, the set-down/pick-up locations may be changing. Set-down is still at Terminal 1 despite most domestic flights now checking in at Terminal 2.

Set-down/Pick-up for BKK transfer was exit Gate 8 (Terminal 1) last few weeks.

Note: Terminal 1 is still handling AirAsia charters and some international although most Domestic check-ins have moved to Terminal 2 with baggage scanning AFTER check-in/bag drop. You have to experience it to understand but a step in the right direction ... for AOT.

Does anyone know how Passport control is at DMK? I haven't flown into there internationally in ages
Will be doing so from Vietnam

 

[sateve]

sorry only done domestic from there,but its usually pretty quiet compared to swampy

 

[sateve]

also they only fly small planes like a320,s much less people on them

 

[kaptainrob]

Does anyone know how Passport control is at DMK? I haven't flown into there internationally in ages
Will be doing so from Vietnam

Depends on how many flights arrive simultaneously. Still in Terminal 1 for arrivals, but split between 1 and 2 for departures it's a bit confusing. Yesterday there were hundreds of screaming, pushing, obnoxious Cn pax in T1 whilst T2 was peaceful and orderly.

Terminal 1 (International).

Rows 1 - 2: Thai Airasia.
Row 4: Thai Air Asia X.
Row 5: Orient Thai
Line 6 - 7: Nok Air / Nok Scoot.
Row 8: Thai Lion Air



• Terminal 2 (domestic).

Line 9 - 10: Thai Airasia.
Row 11: R Airline / Orient Thai / Thai Lion Air.
Row 12: Thai Lion Air / Thai Smile.
Line 14 - 15: Nok Air.

 

[Chob]

I forsee the day that there will be many Chinese Only facilities in Thailand.

And no other race will complain about that , NOR wish to share their 'special' facilities with them....

 

[Bacon]

What would be a reasonable taxi fare from Swampy to Patts these days? I'm thinking around 800 to 1000?

 

[Minder]

What would be a reasonable taxi fare from Swampy to Patts these days? I'm thinking around 800 to 1000?

Been a while but I'd expect 1200 minimum even if grabbing one dropping off at Departures ....

 

[Chob]

It was a 1000 quite a while ago..

 

[Stillearly]

What would be a reasonable taxi fare from Swampy to Patts these days? I'm thinking around 800 to 1000?

1100 with MrT , cheapest you will find

I prefer to pay a little more and have a driver who isn't a nutter

 

[Quarky]

Past few years I have been paying 1300 with a taximeter. Other way, from Pattaya to Swampy is usually around 1000-1200.

 

[justcruzing1]

What would be a reasonable taxi fare from Swampy to Patts these days? I'm thinking around 800 to 1000?

Last November Mr T was 1,000bt. Most drivers don't speak English, only a few words.

They do travel quickly but if you have been there before it just seems normal.

I would say his cars are a mix, I have had almost new and then one in Nov. coming home was a 10 yr old Camry.

The cars are comfortable and I think better then the taxi's.