Bangkok Airport to the City: cheap, fast and convenient

Updated: 30 October, 2024

Here are all the options for getting from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city, with prices, times, and some useful tips.

Bangkok is a modern city with a fairly efficient, diverse, and affordable transportation system that connects excellently with its main international airport, Suvarnabhumi.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the newest and largest in the city, located about 35 km from the center.

This Thai airport is the primary arrival point for most international flights from outside Asia. For this reason, it's likely that you'll arrive at this airport.

In this article, I'll tell you how to go from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok city and other areas, as well as provide tips for your return to the airport.

1. Train (fast, cheap and comfortable)

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is an express train with 8 stops that connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city, reaching up to Phaya Thai. All stops are marked on the map you'll find down below.

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

The most important stop is A6 Makkasan, connecting you to the Petchaburi metro station (MTS), taking you to the central tourist areas of Bangkok.

To make the transfer, simply exit the station and walk about 200 meters; it's clearly marked with signs.

Another useful stop is A8 Phaya Thai, where you can transfer to the BTS, Bangkok's SkyTrain, taking you to other areas in the center of the city. This transfer is more straightforward.

Pros and Cons

Bangkok's Airport Rail Link has several advantages that make it a very convenient mode of transportation. The station is within the airport itself, which is very convenient, especially if you have large suitcases.

Additionally, it's an affordable and fast option to reach the city center.

However, it has some disadvantages to consider. Depending on the location of your accommodation, you may need another means of transportation to reach your final destination. Also, it's important to note that the single ticket cannot be paid with a card.

However, there is the option to buy a multiple-trip card. These cards come preloaded with a minimum of 170 bahts, and you can pay with a bank card or purchase it online.

Practical Tips

• Working hours: 6 am to 12 am
• Frequency: During peak hours (6-9 am and 4-7 pm), trains run every 10 minutes. Outside of these hours, as well as on holidays and weekends, the frequency decreases to every 15 minutes.
• Travel time: From stop A1 at Suvarnabhumi Airport to stop A8, the total journey takes only 26 minutes.
• Price: The ticket cost varies between 15 and 45 bahts, depending on the stop. The fare to A6 is priced at 35 bahts, while to A8, it's 45 bahts.
• Payment method: Cash only in bahts.
• Ticket purchase: You'll find vending machines with options in Thai and English. Select the stop, make the payment, and you'll receive a token valid for one journey. Tokens are plastic "coins" and can have different colors.
• Access to the ARL: To enter, bring the token close to the machine, and the turnstile will allow you to pass. Upon reaching your stop, you'll need to insert the token for the turnstile to let you exit. Simple and easy! 😉

2. Bus (direct to Khao San Road)

The S1 bus runs from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the city center without intermediate stops, except from the Mission Hospital to the Sanamluang terminal.

This bus is the best way to go directly from Bangkok Airport to Khao San Road without the need for transfers, as it makes a stop there.

he only drawback of this transport from the airport is that it takes a while, thanks to Bangkok's chaotic traffic.

Practical information:

• Working hours: 6 am to 8 pm
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Travel time: Depending on traffic, it may take between 1 and 1:30 hours.
• Price: 60 bahts
• Payment method: Pay directly to the driver when boarding, and only cash is accepted.
• Stop at Suvarnabhumi Airport: Both departures and arrivals are on the 1st floor, where gate 7 is located.
• Stops in the city: For the return trip, most S1 stops are in front of where it drops you off. If not, you can head to the Sanamluang station, from where they depart. You can also check the complete list on the Bangkok's transportation site or look it up on Google Maps.

Keep in mind that in Thailand, the 1st floor is equivalent to what we know as the ground floor. 😉

3. Taxi

This is a convenient way to get to Bangkok, and it will be cost-effective if you're traveling with more people.

Taxi drivers at the airport usually don't use the meter, but they will offer you a fixed fare.

The price for a taxi from Bangkok Airport to the city is around 500 bahts, and they will also charge you the airport fee, which is 50 bahts.

Keep in mind that you'll also need to cover tolls if you choose the expressway route; otherwise, the driver will take the toll-free roads.

Taxi stands are on the first floor, near gates 4 and 7. Finding them is easy—just follow the signs for 'public taxi'.

4. Grab

Grab is a very popular app in Asia, and it works exactly like Uber.

To request a car, you'll need to download the app in advance. The cool thing about Grab is that you can see the fare before your trip and avoid the language barrier.

👉 Keep in mind that Grab cars park on the second floor, not the first, where the taxis are.

If you plan to use Grab, you can connect to the airport's Wi-Fi. To use it, you'll need to follow some instructions.

If not, you'll have to buy a SIM at the airport or this eSIM for Thailand , which you can purchase before your trip, giving you internet access from the moment you arrive.

⭐ You can read more about Grab and other forms of transportation in this article Getting Around Thailand

5. Private transfer

The most convenient way to get from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the city is with this private transfer – no need to worry about a thing. Book it in advance, and they'll be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name.

The transfer offers top-notch service at a very reasonable price.

6. Driving

Finally, the least advisable option to go to Bangkok is driving, unless you have a lot of experience driving in such a chaotic place.

I say this from personal experience, having lived in Thailand for 3 years, and I've never dared to drive in Bangkok. 🙈

👍 Friend's tip: If you're only staying in Bangkok for a few days, you won't need to drive; you can easily get around with public transportation and reserve a car only for visiting places outside the city.

If you decide to drive, you will find several rental companies at the airport.

As alternative, you can use this car rental searcher, where I have found the most competitive prices in Thailand, with daily rates for less than €20 / $21.6.

Final Thoughts

As you've seen, there are many alternatives to get from Bangkok Airport to the city – quick, affordable, and comfortable.

In this guide to Thailand you can keep reading the main articles I’ve written about this beautiful country.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

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