Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Bangkok
The Airport Rail Link is the fastest and cheapest way into the city, reaching Phaya Thai in about 26 minutes with connections to the BTS Skytrain and MRT. Metered taxis from the public taxi counter are good value for groups or heavy luggage.
Best for most people: Train. The Airport Rail Link avoids Bangkok's notorious traffic and connects to the BTS and MRT for most hotel areas.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Airport Rail Link (City Line) from the basement level B of the terminal to Makkasan (MRT connection) or Phaya Thai (BTS connection) | about 26 min to Phaya Thai | every 10–15 min | about 15–45 THB | about 06:00–24:00 | Buy a token or use contactless where accepted; it gets crowded at rush hour. |
| taxi Public taxi counter on level 1 (ground floor): take a queue ticket, then a metered taxi | about 30–60 min | about 300–450 THB including the 50 THB airport surcharge and expressway tolls | 24 h | Insist on the meter; tolls are paid by the passenger on top. | |
| ride-hailing Grab and Bolt, pickup at the signed points | about 30–60 min | similar to or a bit more than a metered taxi | 24 h | The price is fixed in the app before you ride. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Other airports
- Don Mueang (DMK), about 25 km north, used mainly by low-cost airlines; connected to the city by the SRT Red Line train, airport buses and taxis.
Tips
- Use only the public taxi counter on level 1; ignore people offering 'taxi' in the arrivals hall.
- Have small notes ready for expressway tolls, usually paid in cash at the booths.
- If you land after midnight, the Rail Link has stopped; take a metered taxi or Grab.
- A Thai SIM or eSIM bought at the airport makes ride-hailing and maps much easier.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok?
A metered taxi to areas like Sukhumvit, Silom or Siam usually costs about 300 to 450 THB in total. That includes the meter fare, a 50 THB airport surcharge and the expressway tolls, which you pay yourself at the booths. Heavy traffic raises the meter. Take the taxi from the public taxi counter on level 1 and ask the driver to use the meter.
Is there a train at night?
The Airport Rail Link runs roughly from 06:00 to midnight, so it does not operate through the night. If you land late, the realistic options are a metered taxi from the official counter, a Grab or Bolt ride, or a pre-booked transfer. Taxis and ride-hailing are available 24 hours a day at Suvarnabhumi.
How long does it take to get to the city?
The Airport Rail Link reaches Phaya Thai in about 26 minutes, plus time to transfer to the BTS or MRT. A taxi takes about 30 minutes with clear roads, but in rush hour it can take an hour or more. If you arrive between about 07:00–09:00 or 16:00–19:00 on a weekday, the train is usually quicker.
Can I pay by card?
Rail Link tickets can be bought at machines and counters, and contactless bank cards are increasingly accepted at the gates, but carry some baht just in case. Most metered taxis take cash only, so withdraw some baht at the airport ATMs. Grab and Bolt let you pay by card in the app.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.