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Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced “Su Wan Na Poom”) is the main airport in Bangkok that handles all international and domestic flights. Located in Racha Thewa in the Bang Phil district of Samut Prakan province, the airport is about 30km east of Bangkok’s city centre.
There are several ways of getting around or into the city:
1. Limousines and Car Rentals are located at level 2 of the airport. Car Rental rates start from about USD$50.00 a day. Given Bangkok’s ever ongoing traffic jams, it is recommended you either get a limousine with a driver, or hire a taxi for the whole day if you are going to a couple of places.
2. The Airport Shuttle Bus and Public Taxis are located at Level 1. Taxis are mostly metered and there is an additional 50Baht service fee for departure from the airport. If you are going through the various highways to get into the city area, be prepared to shell out toll booth money as well. A taxi ride will cost around 350Baht and take about 30-45 minutes pending traffic jams.
The Airport Express Shuttle Bus runs from the airport to various first class hotels. The Airport Express operates 4 routes to downtown. The fare is 150 Baht for the entire route and will take about an hour or more due to its frequent stops at various hotels. For details on the hotels and routes, visit: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/55. The Airport Express Shuttle Bus operates from 5.00am to midnight.
3. 24 hour public bus service is provided from the Bus Terminal at the Transport Center. You will need to take the free airport shuttle bus to the Bus Terminal before boarding the 35 Baht Public Bus to various parts of Bangkok. For a list of the various routes, visit: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/56
4. The Airport Rail Link is already operational. It gives passengers a cheap and fast option into the heart of Bangkok. There are two services: SA Express Line and the SA City Line. The Express is a non-stop train from the airport to Makkasan Station where you can link up with the MRT and BTS. The ride costs 30 Baht and takes 15 minutes only.
Makkasan Train Station
The slightly slower SA City Line takes about 30 minutes to reach Makkasan as it stops at various stations including Phaya Thai, Ratchaprarop, Ramkhamhaeng, HuaMak, Ban Thap Chang and Lat Krabang. The fare is only 15 Baht one way.
From Makkasan, it is a 5 minute walk to the Asok MRT / BTS which allows easy access to other parts of Bangkok.
Public Transit System (BTS)
The BTS Skytrain was built in a desperate effort to ease Bangkok's insane traffic and pollution. The Skytrain covers most of downtown and is especially convenient for visiting Siam Square. There are two lines: the light green Sukhumvit Line travels along Sukhumvit Road, Siam Square and then follows Phahonyothin Road up north, where it terminates near at Mo Chit (N8), near the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The dark green Silom Line starts in Thonburi, passes the Express Boat pier near Saphan Taksin (S6), goes through the Silom area and ends at National Stadium (W1), right next to MBK Center. Both lines come together at Siam (CEN), where you can interchange between them. Unfortunately, there is no station near Khao San Road, but you can take the Express Boat from nearby Phra Athit pier to Sathon (Taksin) pier, where you can switch onto the Skytrain.
You must have 5 or 10 baht coins to purchase Skytrain tickets from vending machines. Fares range from 15 to 40 baht depending upon how many zones you are traveling. Consult the map (in English) near each ticket machine. If you do not have coins, queue for change from the staff at the booth. If you are in town for several days (or going to make several visits during the next 30 days), weigh your options and consider a rechargeable stored-value card (from 100 baht, with a 30 baht refundable deposit and a 30 baht non-refundable card cost), a "ride all you like" tourist pass (from 120 baht per day) or a multiple ride pass of 20 trips or more to any zone (15 trips cost 345 baht, 25 trips cost 550 baht; plus a 30 baht refundable deposit for a rechargeable card that is valid for 5 years). Check for information with the English speaking staff.
Metro
The MRT finally opened in July 2004. For now there is only one line, the Blue Line that connects the central Hualamphong Train Station (1) to the northern Bang Sue Train Station (18), running through Silom, Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek and area around Chatuchak Weekend Market in Phahonyothin. There are interchanges to the Skytrain at Si Lom (3), Sukhumvit (7) and Chatuchak Park (16) stations.
Tourists do not use the metro as much as the Skytrain, but there are some useful stops. The terminus at Hua Lamphong (1) provides a good access to Yaowarat. If you're going to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, don't get out at Chatuchak Park, but go one stop further to Kamphaeng Phet (17) as it drops you right inside the market.
Metro tickets are not interchangeable with Skytrain tickets. Rides start from 15 baht and are based on distance; pre-paid cards of up to 1000 baht are also available. For single ride fares, a round plastic token is used. It is electronic: simply wave it by the scanner to enter; deposit it in a slot by the exit gate leave.
Taxis, Tuk Tuks, Song Thaews, Cyclos
The easiest way to get around Bangkok is by metered Taxis. Rates usually start at 50Bht (first 2 km) and jump 7 Baht for every kilometre. To get a more local feel, try the Tuk Tuk, a 3-wheeler that sits 2-3 people and is more adept at zipping around in peak traffic conditions. Fares have to be pre-negotiated and bargained. Song Thaews are a larger version of tuk tuks but run based on a fixed fare (usually 20-25 Baht). You tell the driver where you’re headed and you’ll get there eventually, after picking up various other passengers along the way. Cyclos are motorcycles that sit one person and is the fastest mode of transportation in peak traffic conditions. Do note that it is not for the faint hearted.
