Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport and unsure how to get to your city hotel? This article will guide you through the various transport options available at the airport for every budget and traveler type.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has six different options when traveling into the city, including:
- Car
- Train
- Bus and minivan
Let’s take a look at each option in detail.
Airport transfer
The most convenient way to get from Bangkok Airport to the city is by pre-booking an airport transfer service.
The driver will wait for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name.
Klook offers airport transfer services with a wide selection of vehicle types, including sedans, 9-person vars, and luxury Mercedes. Vehicle occupancy is up to a maximum of 9 people (van) and 2 people for the smaller vehicle option.
Prices to downtown Bangkok start at 780 THB with a free 2-hour waiting period if your flight is delayed.
Recommended for: Comfort, newer vehicle, large luggage, and prefer the convenience of pre-booking your transit in advance.
Available: 24/7
Where is the pickup point?
The taxi driver will meet you at arrivals based on the flight number you provide upon pre-booking.
Public Taxi
The cheaper alternative to a private car is a public metered taxi which you’ll find at level 1 arrivals at Bangkok Airport.
The total cost of a public taxi from the airport to the city ranges from 300-300 THB.
Airport taxi rates include a 50 THB airport surcharge, expressway fees (Max 70 THB), and the normal 35 base rate, which increases per km:
- 5.50 THB/km (1-10 km)
- 6.50 THB/km (10-20km)
- 7.50 THB/km (20-40km)
An additional luggage fee may apply if you have more than 2 pieces of large luggage, with rates ranging from 20-100 THB depending on luggage size.
Recommended for: Large luggage, don’t mind older vehicles, and OK with communicating your destination to the driver.
Available: 24/7
Where is the pickup point?
Level 1 arrivals.
Locate the taxi ticket machines and then select your vehicle type. The machine will provide you with a taxi stand number; once you’ve found the correct taxi stand, hand the receipt to the driver.
Transport app (Grab & Bolt)
Grab and Bolt is Thailand’s two main ride-hailing services, and both are available at the airport.
Grab
Grab is Thailand’s most popular ride-hailing service and is considered an alternative to Uber, which stopped operating in the Kingdom in 2018.
Grab offers various vehicle types depending on your budget or occupancy, including standard 4-seaters, luxury sedans, and even an EV service exclusive to and from the airport.
Grab has an airport surcharge of 150-200 THB, base rare 35-300 THB depending on vehicle type, and per km starts from 5.50 THB.
Bolt
Bolt is a cheaper alternative ride-hailing service that entered the Thai market in 2020. Although cheaper, the app has fewer features, and the drivers only accept cash as payment.
Bolt has a base fare ranging from 35-100 THB depending on the vehicle, and there is an additional airport surcharge.
Recommended for: Large luggage, choice of vehicle range, and prefer the convenience of locating your destination through the app.
Available: 24/7
Where is the pickup point?
No designated pickup point for private car-hailing, but the following points are recommended selectable pickup points selectable within the apps:
- Arrivals – 2nd floor at doors 2 & 7 (outer lane)
- Departures – 4th floor at doors 1-10
Airport Rail Link (Train)
One of the cheapest ways to get into the city from Bangkok Airport is via the Airport Rail Link, which is directly accessible from the airport arrivals hall. A ticket costs around 15-45 THB, depending on your exit station.
To get to the Asoke (Sukhumvit) area, take the train to Makkasan station, where you’ll find Phetchaburi MRT station for connections via the MRT or BTS lines. Makkasan station is only a 10-minute drive to Asoke if you prefer to take a taxi.
To get to the Pratham area, take the train to Phayathai, where you can transfer to the BTS via Phaya Thai to go along the BTS Sukhumvit Line or transfer to Siam for the BTS Silom Line.
The train operates between 05:30 to midnight daily, arriving every 10-15 minutes, and the journey time is around 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the station entrance at the airport located in the basement B floor following signs to the Airport Rail Link.
Recommended for: Small luggage, going to the Asoke area, or connecting with other train services
Available:
5:30 to 00:00 midnight
Where is the station?
B floor arrivals follow the signs to the Airport Rail Link
Public Bus
A public bus is available directly to Khao San Road and the old town area of Bangkok. This option is ideal if you’re staying at Khao San as a backpacker and want to experience the notorious Bangkok buses.
Recommended for: Backpackers, Hand luggage only, small suitcases, and destination is the old town area of Bangkok.
S1 to Khao San Road
The S1 service from Suvarnabhumi to Khao San Road can be found at level 1 within arrivals. The fare costs 60 THB and runs every 30 minutes between 06:00 and 20:00 with a journey time of around 1 hour.
S1 Bus Route
The bus stops at 10 different stations. The following stops are within walking distance to Khao San Road:
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
-> Democracy Monument – Opposite Suksapan (15 minutes walk to Khao San Road)
-> Wat Chanasongkram (3 minutes walk to Khao San Road)
-> Sanamluang Bus Terminal (10 minutes walk to Khao San Road)
Available:
06:00 to 20:00 inbound (BBK -> Khao San)
07:00 to 21:00 outbound (Khan San -> BKK)
Where is the pickup point?
Level 1 arrivals (same level as taxis) take the 7th exit, and in the middle lane, you’ll find a bus stop for S1. The bus’s color is orange, so hard to miss.
Public Mini Vans
Multiple routes from the airport are covered by 9-seater minivans found at 1st-floor gate 8. The two routes that are city bound are 551 to Victory Monument (historic old town) and 552 to On Nut area (Sukhumvit).
Minivans arrive every 20-30 minutes, and prices range from 20-40 THB per person.
Recommended for: Hand luggage only, traveling in a small group, or budget conscious.
BKK minivan routes
| No | Route | Availability | Price |
| 551 | BKK – Victory Monument | 05:00 – 22:00 | 40 THB |
| 552 | BKK – On Nut | 05:00 – 22:00 | 20 THB |
Before you go…
Curious about the luggage storage options provided at Bangkok Airport? Or are you in need of an on-site hotel for a longer transfer? Take a look at my other articles covering these topics for more information.
Summary
Thankfully, Suvarnabhumi Airport has multiple transport options for getting into the city, including a car, bus, or train.
Prefer to book in advance and enjoy newer vehicles? Book an airport transfer service and have the driver waiting for you upon arrival.
Traveling light and want to get to the Sukhumvit area to connect with the underground (MRT) or Skytrain (BTS)? Take the 30-minute Airport Rain Link to Makkasan station and transfer to the MRT underground.
Staying in the old town area of Bangkok and traveling light? Get the 60 THB bus direct to Khao San road.
Looking for other airport guides for Bangkok? Take a look at my other in-depth articles: