Bangkok has two major airports including Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the bigger airport and most visitors, like me, arrive in Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
In this article, I will show you how to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City Center, whether your hotel is in Sukhumvit, Old Town, Khao San Road, or Siam Square.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 30 km east of Bangkok city center. The journey from the airport to the city center will take from half an hour to 2 hours depending on the traffic and your final destination.
- Sukhumvit is around 30-45 minutes from the airport in a good traffic condition
- Silom and Siam is around 45-60 minutes from the airport
- Khao San and the old town is around 1 hour away from the airport.
The city is known for its traffic jams, and if you are using a taxi, I recommend taking the expressway during rush hour and paying an extra fee for the toll, 25-30 Baht. Generally, a taxi in Bangkok is still cheaper than in Phuket or Koh Samui. Google Map is your best friend. It will give you all options of drivng or taking public transport.
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Suvarnabhumi Airport Overviews
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is a huge airport, with a basement and 4 floors:
- B Floor: Airport Rail Link station, 7–eleven, money exchange, restaurants & cafes.
- 1st Floor: bus/ taxi , a food court, and 7-eleven.
- 2nd Floor: arrival area, sim cards, money exchange, limousine services.
- 3rd floor: resting area, restaurants, shops
- 4th floor: departure area
At the airport, you can buy a SIM Card and exchange your money. You can find SIM card kiosks, ATMs, and exchange booths on every floor. I prefer using eSIM and had it installed, so I had access to the internet right at the airport. My eSIM worked excellently in Thailand.
All I need to do when I exit the immigration area is to exchange some money, because I need cash to buy train ticket. Other transport such as bus and taxi also require cash most of the time, so it will be handy to have some Baht Thai with you at the airport.
There are lots of exchange currency on each floor of the airport, but if you want the best rate, go all the way down to B floor, walk all the way inside toward the airport rail link Machine tickets. Then, look for either Happy Rich and Super Rich shop. They have the best rates.
You can withdraw at the ATMs, but there is an additional 220 Baht/ transaction. I recommend using Wise Card for a better conversion rate still have transactions fee though. Try to get some smaller notes as sometimes taxi drivers don’t often have change. You can buy a bottle of water or something at 7-Eleven for smaller notes.
Local SIM card is also important to connect to the internet, getting directions, and is convenient if you order Grab/Bolt. You’ll need to show them your passport in order to buy a SIM card. The major mobile companies in Thailand include AIS, True or DTAC.
If you have a modern phone, you can consider installing E-sim which is a convenient way to connect to the mobile internet without inserting a physical SIM into your phone. Additionally, you can still keep your home country SIM card in the phone without worrying about getting lost.
I bought a 10 days e-SIM package on Klook for a very good price including 50 GB data and calls. The installation is very simple. I activate it at the airport before my departure time, then when I arrive in Thailand, turn on the data roaming and it connects to the internet. I still have my Australian SIM card in my phone and receive messages from Australia.
Best ways to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to City Centre
There are several ways to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City Center. They include private transfer, Grab taxis, Airport Rail Link trains, and public buses.
Taking private tranfer or Grab is the best option if you have lots of luggages or you travel with small children. Taxi price is from 300-500 baht depending on your final destination.
You can pre-arrange your taxi by booking it online on a website such as booking.com, ask your hotel to arrange it, or just book at the counter when arriving at the airport.
If you stay close to the airport link train, you can consider taking the train for a cheaper price. The downside is the airport train is only operated from 6am to 12am midnight. If you arrive sometime between 12am and 6am, it is best to take a taxi.
Using Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train
Taking the airport rail link is a great way to get to the city center of Bangkok, especially if you stay close to the train station and not having too much luggages.
Airport Rail Link train is a 28.6 km long journey connecting the airport and Phayathai Station. The ride from the airport to its final station is around 45 minutes. The airport rail link runs daily, from 6am in the morning until 12am midnight.
It has 8 stops with two important stations, including Phayathai Station to connect to BTS lines and Makkasan Station to connect to MRT lines.
Airport Rail Link train station is located on the B floor. You can easily follow the sign to get to the automatic ticket machine. To buy the ticket, you tap on the screen of the machine, choose English, choose your destination, and it will show how much you need to pay.
The machine only accepts Baht, including 1, 5 & 10 Baht coins or 20, 50, 100 Baht. That is why I recommend buying something at 7-11 for small notes and coins.
After you complete payment, the machine will give you a token. To enter the train platform, tap your token on a sensor pad at the entrance gate and keep it with you. When you exit the station at your destination, you insert the token in a slot on the entrance gate.
Phaya Thai Station
Phaya Thai Station is the last stop on the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. You can exchange here to BTS sky train to travel to major destinations in downtown Bangkok like Sukhumvit, Siam, and Pratunam area.
The BTS Station is only a 5 minute walk from Phaya Thai Station. You can buy a ticket at the automatic machine or buy a Rabbit Card at the ticket counter. You can top up this car and use it for the BTS train and some food courts in Bangkok.
Makkasan Station
Makkasan Station is the second last stop on the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. From here you can take the MRT underground train to other popular neighborhoods in the city such as Sukhumvit, Silom, Chinatown, and Bangkok old town.
Advantage of taking airport rail link:
- Cheap and no traffic jam
- Faster and more comfortable than bus
Disadvantage:
- Not ideal for those with lots of luggages, or those with kids
- More convenient for those stay close to train station
Using Taxi/ Grab to get from Bangkok Airport to city center
If you want to take a taxi, you need to:
- Go to the First Floor where the official taxi queue is.
- Buy the ticket at the automatic taxi kiosk
- Walk to the taxi lane that is indicated in the ticket and get into your ride
There are 3 types of taxi in the airport: the regular taxi, the large taxi, and the short distance taxi (around 10 km). There is a 50 baht surcharge for the airport fee, a expressway road fee, as well as additional free for large luggage.
Make sure the driver turns on the meter when you are in the taxi and have small notes of Thai Baht to pay the driver at the end of your journey.
You can find Grab pick up area at gate 4 on the 1st floor. With Grab, you can pay with a Card and don’t have to worry about the cash.
Advantage:
- Convenient for families with kids, big groups, those with lots of luggages
- The taxi take you right to the hotel, don’t necessary stay close to train station
Disadvantage:
- Can be traffic jam
- More expensive than public transport
Using Public Buses to get from airport and Bangkok City center
Taking the bus is the cheapest option to get to the city center and is a good way of transport for budget travelers and backpackers. The S1 Airport Bus is located at Entrance 8 on the first floor.
The price is 60 baht and you can buy a ticket on board by cash. It runs daily from 6am to 8 pm. The total ride is around 1.5 hours depending on traffic. This bus is a convenient and cheap way to travel if you stay in Khao San Road and The Old Town area.
Advantage:
- Cheap
Disadvantage:
- Traffic jam
- Time consuming
- Lots suitable with lots of luggages
Suvarnabhumi airport to Sukhumvit
The quickest way to get to Sukhumvit is to take Airport Rail Link and get off at Makkasan Station. Then you walk to Phetchaburi MRT station to take the MRT line.
This underground line is only one stop from Asoke Station, which is a famous section of Sukhumvit area. From here, depending on the location of your hotel, you can walk and take the BTS Sukhumvit line.
Another way is to take the airport rail link to Phayathai station, then change to the BTS sky train on Sukhumvit line to get to the closest station to your hotel in the Sukhumvit area.
The BTS runs along Sukhumvit road with many stations along its road. Popular stations are located in Lower Sukhumvit such as Nana Station, Asok Station, or Phrom Phong Station.
Suvarnabhumi airport to Old Town & Khao San
The Old Town is the historic heart of Bangkok and is home to iconic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. It is also the location of Khao San Road, which is the backpacker center of South East Asia.
The Old Town is located further away from Suvarnabhumi compared to the modern parts of the city such as Sukhumvit, Siam, and Silom. To reach Khao San Road and the old town from the airport, there are few options:
- Taking taxi from the airport to your hotel in old town
- Taking Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai Station then taxi to your hotel in the old town
- Taking Airport Rail Link to Makkasan Station then MRT to Sam Yot or Sanam Chai Station in the old town. From here depending on your hotel location, you can take a taxi or walk to your hotel.
- S1 Airport Bus also get to some section of the old town and Khao San Road
Suvarnabhumi airport to Chinatown
Bangkok Chinatown is a lively neighborhood known for its great food scene and Chinese communities. Here you can explore Yaowarat road with lots of shops and restaurants as well as attractions like Wat Traimit and Sampeng Lane.
Chinatown, like the Old Town, is located quite far from the airport. The best way to get to Chinatown from Suvarnabhumi depends on your final destination in the neighborhood.
If you stay close to the MRT train station, you can take the Airport rail link to Makkasan Station then take the MRT to Wat Mangkon or Hua Lamphong MRT Station. From here you can either walk or use a taxi to get to the old town.
You can also take the Airport rail link to Phaya Thai Station then take a taxi to your hotel. Phaya Thai Station is only 2-3 km away from the main road in ChinaTown.
If you don’t stay close to the MRT station, I recommend taking a taxi. Chinatown is located around 30 km from the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Suvarnabhumi airport to Siam Square
Siam Square is a famous shopping area in central Bangkok. This area has a cluster of big modern shopping malls such as Siam Paragon, Central World, and MBK Center. It is very well-connected to the BTS system, making it easy to travel around by train.
You can take a direct taxi to your hotel in Siam from the airport if you have lots of luggages. Otherwise, take the airport Rail link to Phaya Thai Station, then take BTS train to get to Siam Station.
Suvarnabhumi airport to Pratunam
Pratunam is a great area to stay in Bangkok as it has a convenient location close to the airport and major areas for shopping and nightlife such as Siam and Sukhumvit. It is located around 25 km east of the airport.
This area itself also offers more shopping options and affordable accommodations. It is home to popular attractions such as Pratunam Market, The Platinum Fashion Mall, and Baiyoke Tower II.
I recommend two ways to get to your accommodations in Pratunam area:
- Taking direct taxi if you are in the group or have lots of luggages
- Take the Airport Rail Link from B Floor to Ratchaprarop station (around 25 minute ride), then either walk or catch a taxi to your hotel depending on the distance.
Suvarnabhumi airport to Bangkok Riverside
Bangkok Riverside is a beautiful area to stay in Bangkok, especially for families and couples. This area offers beautiful views of the iconic Chao Phraya River and a quieter atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok.
The riverside is a huge area, and depending on your location on the river, you can reach Suvarnabhumi airport by taxi and multiple trains. The easiest way to get to the Bangkok Riverside area is by taxi as the driver will take you directly to your accommodation.
There are not many BTS and MRT options running around the Riverside of Bangkok. The closest BTS Station to the riverside is Saphan Taksin. If you stay around Saphan Taksin Station area, you can:
- take airport rail link to Phaya Thai Station,
- At Phaya Thai Station change to BTS Sukhumvit line to Siam Station,
- At Siam Station, Change to BTS Silom line to Saphan Taksin Station
- From Saphan Taksin Station, get to your hotel by either walking, taxi, or using a boat ride at nearby Sathorn Pier.
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Silom
Silom is the central business district of Bangkok. It is a business center during the day and a party area at night. This area is well-located in the heart of Bangkok between Sukhumvit/Siam area and the riverside. It has both MRT and BTS running through its neighborhood.
To get to Silon from Suvarnabhumi airport, you can take a taxi or use a combination of Airport Rail Link and BTS/ MRT trains.
You can take the Airport Rail Link to Makkasan Station then Change to the MRT train to get to either Lumphini Station, Si Lom, or Samyan Station. From these stations, you’ll be very close to your accommodations. You can walk, use a taxi, or take an additional BTS train to get to your final destination.
This is my Suvarnabhumi guide and how to get from Suvarnabhumi airport to Bangkok downtown neighborhoods such as Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, Pratunam, Old Town, and Chinatown. I hope this is helpful for visitors, especially those who are first-time visitors to Bangkok.