Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers in Bangkok
Part of the Bangkok travel guide — see more in More Bangkok Guides.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Bangkok's main international airport, about 25–30 km east of Siam and Sukhumvit. The Airport Rail Link is fastest at busy times; a taxi is easier with heavy bags or late at night.
Airport Rail Link
The Airport Rail Link leaves from the lowest floor (B1) of the terminal. It stops at Lat Krabang, Ban Thap Chang, Hua Mak, Ramkhamhaeng, Makkasan (change for MRT Phetchaburi), Ratchaprarop and Phaya Thai (change for the BTS). The ride to Phaya Thai takes about 26–30 minutes and costs THB 45; Makkasan is THB 35. Trains run about every 10–15 minutes from about 5:30 to midnight. Keep your token: you need it to exit.
Public taxis
Take a queue ticket from the kiosks on Level 1, then pay the meter fare plus a THB 50 airport surcharge and the expressway tolls (usually THB 50–100 in total). Sukhumvit, Siam or Silom usually cost about THB 300–450 all in and take 30–60 minutes, longer at rush hour. Check that the meter is on when you leave.
Grab and buses
Grab and Bolt cars pick up at signed points; expect about THB 400–700 to the centre. Bus S1 runs to Khao San Road for THB 60, about every 30 minutes in the daytime. Direct buses to Pattaya (about 2 hours) and Hua Hin (about 4 hours) also leave from Level 1.
Arrival tips
Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days before you land. Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM in arrivals. Immigration queues can take 30–60 minutes or more when several long-haul flights land together. For departures, allow 3 hours at the airport, and add an hour if you go by road at evening rush hour.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers at a glance
| Rail Link to Phaya Thai | 26–30 min, THB 45; Makkasan THB 35 |
|---|---|
| Rail Link hours | About 5:30–24:00, every 10–15 min |
| Taxi | Meter + THB 50 surcharge + tolls; about THB 300–450 to the centre |
| Grab or Bolt | About THB 400–700 |
| Bus S1 | To Khao San Road, THB 60 |
| Pattaya bus | About 2 hours, from Level 1 |
| Before you land | TDAC online within 3 days; free |