About Bangkok Airport
Officially named Suvarnabhumi Airport, which means ‘Golden Land’, this busy, modern international airport is most commonly referred to outside of Thailand as Bangkok Airport, for its location.
One of two airports based in Bangkok, along with Don Muaeng International Airport, Suvarnabhumi lies around 30 kilometres east of the city centre. The sleek architectural design of the passenger terminal is an Instagrammer’s delight, with its striking glass and steel tubular corridors. Suvarnabhumi, also known as New Bangkok Airport to distinguish it from Don Muaeng International Airport, is the busiest airport in Southeast Asia.
What facilities are at Bangkok Airport?
Bangkok Airport offers travellers a range of facilities and services, including free Wi-Fi for the first two hours, internet kiosks, a fast-track Concierge service, money exchange kiosks and more.
Check-in
Make your way up to the Departures Hall on the fourth floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex to check in at Bangkok Airport. Some airlines will have self-service check-in kiosks and for others you’ll need to attend the full-service check-in counters. If you’re departing from Bangkok Airport, you’ll need to arrive at the airport check-in at least three hours before your international flight. Check-in closes one hour before departure.
Baggage
If you need to store your luggage at the airport for a few days, or don’t wish to carry your baggage around the airport with you, Bangkok Airport offers storage services at the Left Baggage Service counter on the second floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex in the Arrival Hall, at Baggage Claim on the second floor, and behind check-in counter Q on the fourth floor in the Departure Hall. Baggage storage is charged by the bag at a daily rate. For unclaimed or lost property, contact the Baggage Tracking Service counter at Lost Property on the fourth floor in the Departure Hall between Gates 5 and 6.
Is there a currency exchange?
Currency exchange services are available from more than 30 counters throughout the passenger terminal to convert your money into Thai Baht. Money exchange services, ATMs and banks are located before and after security on the Basement B floor, second floor, third floor and fourth floors of the Passenger Terminal Complex. You can also pre-purchase Thai Baht or load a Cash Passport travel money card with multiple currencies at Travel Money Oz before you fly.
Transport and terminal transfers
What’s the best way to get to and from Bangkok Airport?
There are plenty of transportation options to travel between the airport and central Bangkok, including five road routes, trains, buses and private transfer services.
The Fastest: Airport Rail Link
The non-stop Airport Railway Link is the quickest way to get from Bangkok Airport to downtown Bangkok, taking 15 minutes to arrive at Makkasan Station via the Makkasan Express Line or 17 minutes to get to Phaya Thai on the Phaya Thai Express Line. Another option is the 30-minute journey along the Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line, which stops at six stations to Phaya Thai Station. For an easy transfer to the Skytrain, Phaya Thai is your best option. Trains run between 06:00 and 24:00 daily from Basement B floor of the passenger terminal and depart every half hour for the express lines and every 15 to 20 minutes for the city line.
The Cheapest: BMTA Bus
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates five city bus routes from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city centre, departing from the Public Transport Centre, a few kilometres away from the passenger terminal. Air-conditioned public buses and vans travel to Happy Land (05:00 – 24:00), Samuthprakarn (05:00 – 22:00), Samae Dam Garage, plus two services to Rangsit. Travel time is around one to two hours, depending on traffic.
The Bor Khor Sor inter-city bus also departs from the Public Transport Centre to several destinations within Thailand. The free transfer bus between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muaeng Airport leaves from the second floor of the passenger terminal at Gate 5 and operates every half hour or on the hour between 05:00 and 24:00 daily. To get to the Public Transport Centre, take the free shuttle bus from the second floor of the passenger terminal at Gate 5.
Limousines, Taxis and Car Hire
Metered taxis are another affordable way to travel from the airport to downtown Bangkok and your accommodation, and the 24-hour taxi stand can be found at Gates 4 and 7 on the first floor of the terminal, or take the free shuttle bus to the Public Transport Centre where more taxis are available. Airport taxi limousines, which charge by the distance, can be reserved from the Airport Limousine Service Counter on the second floor of the terminal at the Baggage Claim and Arrival Hall exits.
If you wish to brave the Bangkok traffic, car hire is available from the second floor of the passenger terminal near Gate 8 from rental companies including Avis, Budget and Hertz.
Parking
Short Stay Parking: Bangkok Airport has four short term carpark lots located near the Passenger Terminal Complex. The third floor of the terminal provides direct access to the fifth floors of the indoor car parks 2 and 3 from Gates 3 and 8. Car parks 1 and 4 are located outside the terminal. Parking rates for car parks 1, 2, 3 and 4 start from an hourly rate up to six hours and then a flat rate from seven to 24 hours.
Long Stay Parking: If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport while you travel, Bangkok Airport has one Long Term Car Park, which is located outside the Public Transport Centre. Long Term parking starts from hourly fee that goes up to a daily rate. To get to the airport terminal from the Long Term Car Park, take the free shuttle bus.
Valet Parking: While the airport does not offer valet parking services, guests staying at the onsite Hotel Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, located next to the Passenger Terminal Complex, can access valet parking at the hotel.
How do I transfer between terminals?
With just the single Passenger Terminal Complex, travellers in transit can easily move between floors using the escalators and elevators. Want to zip around the massive terminal faster? Passengers can reserve an electric buggy car for a maximum of three people. To access other areas of the airport such as the carparks and Public Transport Centre, there is a free airport shuttle bus that operates 24 hours a day from the first, second (Arrivals) and fourth (Departures) floors of the terminal. The shuttle bus has three routes, including an express line, and runs every five to 10 minutes during peak times and between 10 to 30 minutes at all other times.