SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT BANGKOK

January 16, 2007

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The new Bangkok airport has been up and running since last September, and not much current traveler advice is available as yet.  You can check the official website at http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/.  The following information is first-hand based on my recent experiences:

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Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), as it is now known, is close to 30 kilometers from central Bangkok (Banglamphu) via the toll way.  It is further out than the old airport by about 10 kilometers.  It appears that a Skytrain connection to central Bangkok is in the process of being built alongside the toll way but I am guessing that it will be at least 6 months or more until it is operational. 

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The location of the new airport in Bangpli, Samut Prakarn province is relatively undeveloped with respect to tourist hotels, and hotel options near the new airport are very limited.  For overnight passengers still in transit, the so-called “official” airport hotel is the Novotel Suvarnabhumi which is within walking distance of the main terminal. While I have not stayed there, based on its online description, it sounds upscale.  Recently there has been a promotional rate of about $70 U.S. but the rate will likely be double this in the near future. (You can check out current rates by going to http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/73.) 

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An alternative for budget-minded travelers is the Grand Inn Come Hotel, a relatively modern well-kept hotel with daily rates starting at around $30, including breakfast.  You can check it out at http://www.hotelthailand.com/samutprakan/grandinncome/index.html.  This hotel is about five kilometers away, which is a very short taxi ride.  The metered taxi ride costs about 80 Baht, or about $2.20 US. In addition, all passengers leaving the airport by taxi, regardless of destination, must pay an additional service fee of 50 Baht(about $1.40 US) so the total is about  $3.60 US.  Likewise, getting back to the airport is quite simple and costs only 80 Baht.  I would imagine that as word gets around, this hotel, which one of the very few decent places out by the airport, is going to become much more popular.  (In fact, I would not be surprised if the hotel eventually offers an airport shuttle, which it does not have at present.)

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The metered taxi ride to the center of Bangkok costs about 230 Baht  and the passenger is expected to pay the two freeway tolls, one for 40 Baht and the other for 25 Baht.  Add to this the 50 Baht airport service charge and the total is about 345 Baht (about $9.60 US).

To get a taxi, be sure to go down to the lower level where the official taxi stand is located, or you will overpay!  As you exit the secure passport control area, you will find yourself surrounded by touts offering private taxi services at rates that are double or triple the official rates. Politely decline their offers!  For individuals traveling alone, there is a bus service that will take you to central Bangkok and stops at various predetermined locations.  The cost is 150 Baht per person, about $4.20 US, and there are no additional service charges or tolls to pay.  For two people traveling together, I would recommend taking a taxi directly to your hotel, as this is much more convenient and costs only a little more. 

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To get back to the airport from Banglamphu, you can simply hail a taxi.  Just be sure that the driver is using the meter.  The cost will be about the same as referenced above except for the 50 Baht airport service charge which only applies to inbound trips from the airport.  From several locations in central Bangkok, including Khao San Road in the heart of the tourist district, individual travelers can catch a bus back to the airport.  Buses leave hourly and cost about 140 Baht per person.

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For other advice or information, feel free to drop me an e-mail: scottjrose@netzero.net.