Airport Link Bangkok operational on August 23
Map Airport Link (click to enlarge)
They were already allowed to take a test drive, the Bangkokians. After many scandals and much later than planned, the time has come on August 23. The much discussed train connection from the international airport to Bangkok is then a fact.
Thailand's Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum, after consultation with the State Railway of Thailand, has decided that the Airport Link will be fully operational on August 23
The Airport link offers two timetables
There are two lines to choose from:
- The Airport Express from Makkasan station non-stop to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- The City Line which stops at every station from Phaya ภาษาไทย to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The fare for the City Line starts at 15 baht and the Airport Express costs 100 baht per ride.
Connection to MRT subway and BTS Skytrain
For all travelers who will use the Airport Link, the connection to the metro or Skytrain is of great importance. As long as this is not there, you still have to drag your bags or take a taxi.
There will be a connection between the BTS Skytrain and Phayathai train station by means of a footbridge. Makkasan Railway Station will also have a footbridge that will connect to the BTS Skytrain.
Travelers who arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and want to travel to Bangkok will soon be able to choose from:
- the train (Airport Link)
- the Shuttle bus (Airport Express)
- the Intercity bus
- taxi
Another ridiculous thing from the Thai. Instead of extending the Skytrain to the airport, another system (train) and another operator, resulting in transfers. They never learn that Thai. Must be bribery.
Despite the switch, I'm happy with it. You no longer have to negotiate with the taxi driver about the fare to the airport, because they do not want to take you to the airport “with the meter on”. In addition, you no longer have to pay tolls, so you can get to the airport for very little without any hassle. You can use the money you have left over to drink a few beers before you leave. I am fine with it.
yes, it is progress, but second best. Do it right the first time, but that's not in a Thai's dictionary.
there is ALSO the regular BMTA city bus from swampy, with much faster minibuses (“rot tuar”) on most lines. They leave from the BUSterminal - you can get there by free white shuttle bus from Dep/Arr. TO the airport, those MINIbuses usually stop at the terminal (low floor) from Vict MOnument, it takes around 20 minutes and costs 40 THB. Little to no space for luggage. the "intercity buses" serve other places, especially Pattaya, and the entire east coast. Once a day there is a night bus to Khorat-KhKHaen-Udorn-NgKhai.
And did those people who negotiate that really fear that it will expire from those airport terminals? it's just problem moving.
Another tip that many people don't seem to be able to think of themselves: if you don't want to negotiate - NEVER take stationary/waiting/your appealing taxis from HTLs/Tourist Streets—they refuse the meter. Always hail a moving taxi with a red light (weird - but that is "available") - usually a few stop at the same time.
My experience is that mainly the rides to and from the airport, the taxi driver refuses to drive with the meter. At least they try. I then invariably refuse to get in and then try to flag down another car. Then see how they react. Then suddenly it is possible. I can't bear to start my holiday this way. That's why I think it's a blessing that there will soon be a train connection from bkk to the airport. It happened to me once that a taxi driver initially wanted to take me from Don Muang – the old airport – to my hotel in Makassan for a fixed amount of 500 baht. In the end he agreed - there is only 1 boss - with a ride on the meter. When he arrived at the hotel, he got a great tip from me. I lost 250 baht in total and the fare on the meter was 190 baht. Without a thank you, he took the money. He didn't exchange a word with me during the ride either. Apparently he didn't like it very much. He got me back by dropping me off at the wrong hotel. I didn't notice that and walked into the hotel with a tired stride. As usual, I was greeted very friendly at the reception. I handed over the voucher and was already in the shower in my mind. After a lot of searching it turned out that I was in the wrong hotel. At the reception they remained friendly. It was now also clear to them that the taxi driver had sewn an ear on me. An employee then took me to the right hotel, which was just around the corner. When I got there I gave him a tip of 20 baht. He thanked me very kindly and gratefully with a “blow”.
Hello all,
Few people know that the MRT, metro in Bangkok is wheelchair accessible and the BTS, skytrain is partially adapted for wheelchairs. We write more about this our Blog.
Next time we are in Thailand we will try out the rail link from Suvanabhumi to Bangkok and report back here.
For more information you can contact us.
Greetings, Jan and Hanneke van der Linde
Hello all,
Here's a working link to it our Blog.
Greetings, Jan and Hanneke van der Linde