Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is located about 30km from Downtown Bangkok.
There are many ways to travel between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok:
- By taxi
- By private transfer
- By train
- By bus
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to travel from Suvarnabumi Airport to Bangkok city by train, including route, schedule, ticket price, how to buy, what to expect at train stations and the train interior.
The Suvarnabhumi airport train is called Bangkok Airport Rail Link or Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link. There is only 1 line; it is called the City Line and it has 8 stations.
In the past, there is another line called Express Line that travels between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan Station without any stops in between. However, the Express Line has been suspended since 2014, and hasn’t operated since.
The duration of the train journey between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phaya Thai (the last station) is approximately 26 minutes. It is faster than the duration required by car during peak hour.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train Route
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train Schedule
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train operates from 5.30am to 11pm daily. Train departs every 10 to 15 minutes.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train Ticket Price
The ticket price for train journey ranges between THB15 to THB45, depending on the distance.
The below table shows the price of Bangkok Airport Rail Link in Thai Baht:
| STATION | Phaya Thai | Ratcha-prarop | Makkasan | Ramkham-haeng | Hua Mak | Ban Thap Chang | Lat Krabang | Suvarna-bhumi |
| Phaya Thai | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 |
| Ratcha-prarop | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 |
| Makkasan | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 |
| Ramkham-haeng | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 |
| Hua Mak | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Ban Thap Chang | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 |
| Lat Krabang | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Suvarna-bhumi | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 |
How to Buy Train Ticket
Via Ticketing Machine
The easiest way to buy the ticket is from the ticket vending machine. Here are the step by step:
- Select your destination and the number of ticket
- Insert coins or bank notes (cash only)
- Collect your tokens
- Collect your change and receipt
The type of cash accepted as payment are: THB20 notes, THB50 notes, THB100 notes, as well as coins.
Via Counter
Alternatively, if you have very big notes, you can seek assistance from the counter. The counter also accepts cash only.
Departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport Station
The Airport Rail Link train station at Suvarnabhumi Airport is located at Basement. After getting out of arrival, simply follow the sign to the train station.
You will then find the entrance to the train station. Here, you will need to buy a ticket, either from vending machine or from the counter.
After buying the ticket, you will get a token which will allow you to enter the train platform.
Train Interior
The interior of the Bangkok Airport Rail Link City Line train looks just like a normal metro/subway, with long benches lining both sides of the wall.
Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are taking the train during peak hour, you may not get a seat and you may have to stand up throughout the entire trip.
There is a luggage rack inside the train but it seems like most people prefer to hold their luggage at their seats.
View from the Train
Because the track is elevated, you can get a view of Bangkok city along the way. However, we took the train at night, so it was impossible to see any views outside, other than city lights.
Conclusion
The Bangkok Airport Rail Link is a great option for:
- Solo or couple travelers.
- People who travel light.
- People who stay near the train stations (or at least a short drive away from the station). Since some of stations at the ARL allows you to connect to BTS/MRT, it’s very convenient for people who stay near BTS/MRT stations.
- People who hate Bangkok’s traffic.
However, I don’t recommend Bangkok Airport Rail Link for:
- People who travel with more than 1 luggage per person.
- Group travelers with young children/elderly, and those with many luggage.
- People who stay far from the train stations.
- People who arrive at Don Mueang Airport (this train doesn’t go to Don Mueang)
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