Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), pronounced "soo-wanna-poom," is Thailand's main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia. Located approximately 25 km east of central Bangkok, the airport serves as the primary hub for Thai Airways and handles over 60 million passengers annually.

The airport operates from a single passenger terminal with a distinctive tent-like roof structure. The terminal building is one of the largest in the world, featuring a main terminal building and seven concourses (A through G) extending from a central hub.

• Concourse A: Thai Airways domestic flights
• Concourse B: Thai Airways regional flights
• Concourse C: Thai Airways international, Star Alliance partners
• Concourse D: International carriers
• Concourse E: International carriers, low-cost airlines
• Concourse F: International carriers
• Concourse G: International carriers, Emirates, Singapore Airlines

The terminal spans multiple levels:

• Level 1: Arrivals (ground transportation, airport rail link)
• Level 2: Domestic arrivals
• Level 3: Arrivals hall, meeting point, restaurants
• Level 4: Departures, check-in counters, security

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Bangkok has a second airport, Don Mueang (DMK), located 24 km north of the city center. Understanding which airport to use can save you significant money:

Airlines at Don Mueang:

• AirAsia and AirAsia X (largest operator)
• Nok Air (Thai domestic and regional)
• Thai Lion Air (domestic and Southeast Asia)
• Scoot (Singapore-based budget carrier)
• Thai VietJet Air

When to choose DMK over BKK:

• Flying budget carriers within Southeast Asia
• Domestic Thai routes (often 30-50% cheaper than BKK)
• Heading to/from northern Bangkok (DMK is closer)

Key differences:

	Suvarnabhumi (BKK)	Don Mueang (DMK)
Carriers	Full-service, legacy	Budget, low-cost
Transit link	Airport Rail Link	Bus only (no train)
To city center	30-45 min by train	30-60 min by taxi/bus
Facilities	Modern, extensive	Basic, older

Transferring between airports: A free shuttle bus operates between BKK and DMK (45-75 minutes depending on traffic). If you have a connecting flight between airports, allow minimum 4 hours between flights. Rush hour (7-10am, 4-8pm) can double transfer times.

Suvarnabhumi is located 25 km east of central Bangkok. Travel times vary significantly based on traffic:

Destination	Off-Peak	Rush Hour
Sukhumvit Road	30-45 min	60-90 min
Silom/Sathorn	35-50 min	75-120 min
Khao San Road	40-55 min	90-120 min
Siam/Central Bangkok	30-40 min	60-90 min

Transport options include Airport Rail Link (train), taxi, Grab (rideshare), and bus. The Airport Rail Link is the most reliable option as it avoids Bangkok's notorious traffic congestion.

Grab is the primary rideshare app in Thailand. Uber exited the Thai market in 2018. Download the Grab app before arrival and link a payment method.

Grab pickup:

• Designated pickup zones on Level 2 (Arrivals)
• Follow signs to "Rideshare Pickup"
• Typical fare to central Bangkok: ฿300-500 (US$9-15)

Metered Taxis:

Official airport taxis are available at designated taxi stands on Level 1:

1. Take a queue ticket from the automated kiosk
2. Wait for your number to be called
3. The driver will start the meter
4. Pay metered fare plus ฿50 airport surcharge plus expressway tolls

Typical fares to central Bangkok:

Destination	Fare (excluding tolls)
Sukhumvit (Asok/Nana)	฿300-400 + ฿70 tolls
Silom/Sathorn	฿350-450 + ฿70 tolls
Khao San Road	฿400-500 + ฿70 tolls
Siam	฿300-400 + ฿70 tolls

Tips:

• Always insist on the meter ("meter, ka/krap")
• Expressway tolls are paid in cash by the passenger
• Have small bills ready for tolls (฿25-75 per tollgate)
• Keep your taxi queue receipt until journey ends

Airport Rail Link (ARL)

The Airport Rail Link is the fastest and most reliable connection to Bangkok:

City Line (all stations):

• Fare: ฿15-45 depending on distance
• To Phaya Thai: ฿45, 30 minutes (connects to BTS Skytrain)
• To Makkasan: ฿35, 25 minutes (connects to MRT Blue Line)
• Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
• Hours: 5:30am to midnight

Step-by-step to central Bangkok:

1. Follow signs to "Airport Rail Link" on Level B1
2. Purchase a token from machines (cash or card) or tap contactless payment
3. Take the City Line train toward Phaya Thai
4. Exit at Phaya Thai for BTS Skytrain connections
5. Or exit at Makkasan for MRT Blue Line connections

BTS Skytrain connections from Phaya Thai:

• Siam: 3 stops, ฿32
• Asok/Sukhumvit: 5 stops, ฿42
• Silom: 6 stops, ฿42

MRT connections from Makkasan (Petchaburi):

• Sukhumvit: 1 stop, ฿17
• Silom: 4 stops, ฿28
• Hua Lamphong (Chinatown): 5 stops, ฿28

Buses

Public buses depart from the Transportation Center on Level 1:

• Route 554: To Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Victory Monument (฿35)
• Route 555: To Rangsit, Northern Bangkok (฿35)
• Route S1: Express to Khao San Road (฿60, approximately 60-90 min)

Buses are affordable but slow and impractical with luggage during rush hours.

Multi-level parking is available adjacent to the terminal:

Parking Area	Rate	Notes
Short Term (Zone A, B)	฿60/hour	First 2 hours
Short Term	฿80/hour	After 2 hours
Daily Maximum	฿720/day	Zones A, B
Long Term (Zone C)	฿150/day	Free shuttle to terminal
Long Term (Zone C)	฿120/day	7+ days

Pre-booking via the AOT Airports app or website can provide discounts for long-term parking.

Suvarnabhumi offers a wide range of dining options across multiple levels:

Airside (After Security):

• S&P Restaurant: Thai and international cuisine, multiple locations
• MK Restaurants: Thai-style hot pot
• Burger King, McDonald's, KFC: Fast food chains
• Häagen-Dazs: Ice cream
• Thai Taste Hub (Concourse G): Food court with Thai dishes

Landside (Level 3):

• Magic Food Point: Affordable food court with authentic Thai food, fixed prices (฿40-80 per dish)
• Black Canyon Coffee: Thai coffee chain
• Chester's Grill: Thai-owned fast food

Level 4 (Departures):

• Multiple cafes and restaurants before security

Best value: Magic Food Point on Level 3 offers genuine Thai food at local prices, a stark contrast to the expensive airside options. Try the pad thai, green curry, or tom yum soup.

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal:

• Network: "AirportTrueFreeWiFi" or "AirportAISFreeWiFi"
• Registration: Mobile number verification via SMS
• Quality: Variable; acceptable for email and browsing, inconsistent for streaming
• Duration: 2-hour sessions, can reconnect

For better speeds, airline lounges offer premium WiFi. The airport also has ample power outlets near seating areas.

Thailand has excellent mobile connectivity. SIM cards are available immediately after exiting immigration:

Carriers available (kiosks in Arrivals hall):

• AIS: Largest network, best coverage nationwide
• TrueMove H: Strong in Bangkok, competitive pricing
• DTAC: Budget-friendly options

Typical tourist SIM packages:

Package	Data	Validity	Price
AIS Tourist SIM	15GB	8 days	฿299 (~US$9)
TrueMove H	Unlimited	8 days	฿299 (~US$9)
DTAC Happy Tourist	15GB	8 days	฿299 (~US$9)
AIS Tourist SIM	30GB	15 days	฿599 (~US$17)

All major carriers have kiosks immediately outside the customs exit. Staff will install and activate the SIM for you. Bring your passport for registration.

ATMs are plentiful throughout the airport, located in arrivals, departures, and airside:

Major banks with ATMs:

• Bangkok Bank (purple)
• Kasikorn Bank (green)
• Siam Commercial Bank (purple)
• Krungsri (yellow)

Important: Thai ATMs charge a ฿220 (~US$6) foreign card fee per withdrawal. This is in addition to any fees your home bank charges. To minimize fees:

• Withdraw larger amounts less frequently
• Consider using Wise or Revolut cards (some reimburse ATM fees)
• The maximum withdrawal is typically ฿20,000-30,000 per transaction

Currency exchange:

• Multiple exchange booths in arrivals (Level 2) and departures (Level 4)
• SuperRich (orange) and SuperRich 1965 (green) offer competitive rates
• Airport rates are 2-5% worse than city rates
• For better rates, exchange at SuperRich branches in Bangkok (BTS Chit Lom or Central World)

Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB/฿). Approximate rate: US$1 = ฿35.

Suvarnabhumi offers extensive duty-free and retail options:

Duty-Free:

• King Power Duty Free: Main duty-free operator, multiple locations
• Liquor, tobacco, cosmetics, and luxury goods
• Pick up pre-ordered items at designated counters

Thai Products:

• Jim Thompson: Thai silk products
• Naraya: Affordable bags and accessories (popular souvenirs)
• Royal Project Shop: Thai food products from royal initiatives
• OTOP: Local artisan products

Fashion & Luxury:

• Various international brands in the departure hall
• Prices competitive for cosmetics and skincare

Best for last-minute gifts: Naraya bags, dried mango, Thai snacks, and Jim Thompson silk accessories are popular and reasonably priced.

Suvarnabhumi has numerous lounge options across concourses:

Priority Pass Lounges

• Miracle Lounges (multiple locations): Basic amenities, Thai food options, showers available. Can be crowded during peak hours. Locations in Concourses A, C, D, F, G.
• Coral Lounge (Concourse D): Additional Priority Pass option

Credit Card Lounges

• Louis' Tavern CIP Lounge: Some credit card programs accepted
• Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (Concourse G): Star Alliance Gold, SQ Business/First Class

Airline Lounges

Thai Airways Lounges:

• Royal Silk Lounge (Concourse C, D): Star Alliance Gold, Business Class
• Royal First Lounge (Concourse D): First Class, top-tier status
• Royal Orchid Spa: Massage services for premium passengers

Other Notable Lounges:

• Emirates Lounge (Concourse G): Emirates Business/First Class
• Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (Concourse G): SQ passengers, Star Alliance Gold
• EVA Air Lounge (Concourse G): EVA passengers, Star Alliance Gold
• Cathay Pacific Lounge (Concourse G): Cathay passengers, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald

Day Pass Options

• Miracle Lounges: Day passes available from ฿900-1,200 (~US$25-35)
• Book via lounge website or walk-in (subject to availability)

Inside the Airport:

• Louis' Tavern Dayrooms (transit area): Basic rooms for layovers, from ฿1,000/3 hours
• Boxtel (transit area): Compact sleeping pods, from ฿700/3 hours

Near the Airport:

• Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi: Connected to the terminal via walkway, full-service hotel (from ฿3,500/night)
• Miracle Grand Convention Hotel: 5-minute drive, free shuttle (from ฿1,500/night)

Airport Area Hotels with Shuttles:

• ibis Bangkok Suvarnabhumi: Budget option, free shuttle (from ฿1,200/night)
• Holiday Inn Express: Mid-range, free shuttle (from ฿2,000/night)
• Pullman Bangkok King Power: 10-minute drive (from ฿3,500/night)

For early flights or late arrivals, the Novotel is the most convenient option with direct terminal access. Budget travelers can stay near the Lat Krabang ARL station for easier access via train.

Bangkok offers incredible variety for any length of stay:

From the Airport:

• Sukhumvit (Asok): 45-60 min by ARL + BTS
• Khao San Road: 60-90 min by taxi/Grab
• Grand Palace: 60-90 min by public transit
• Chatuchak Market: 45-60 min by ARL + BTS

Must-See Attractions:

• Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew: Thailand's most sacred temple complex
• Wat Arun: Iconic riverside temple
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: Massive market with 8,000+ stalls (weekends only)
• Khao San Road: Backpacker hub, street food, nightlife
• Jim Thompson House: Thai silk museum in a traditional house

Best Neighborhoods:

• Sukhumvit: Modern, shopping malls, nightlife (Asok, Thong Lo)
• Silom/Sathorn: Business district, rooftop bars
• Old Town (Rattanakosin): Temples, Grand Palace, historic sites
• Chinatown (Yaowarat): Street food paradise, especially at night

Street Food Highlights:

• Pad Thai: Try Thip Samai (Old Town) or street vendors
• Som Tam: Spicy papaya salad
• Mango Sticky Rice: Ubiquitous dessert
• Boat Noodles: At Victory Monument or Phra Nakhon

Practical Tips:

• BTS/MRT: Get a Rabbit Card for BTS or use contactless payment
• Taxis: Always use the meter; refuse flat-rate offers
• Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees for temple visits
• Weather: Hot year-round; Nov-Feb is cooler dry season
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated (round up or 10%)

Day Trips:

• Ayutthaya: Ancient capital, 1.5 hours north (UNESCO site)
• Floating Markets: Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa (2 hours southwest)
• Kanchanaburi: Bridge over River Kwai, Erawan Falls (2-3 hours west)