Moving from the Airport to Downtown Bangkok by Taxi: A Complete Guide to How to Ride and What to Watch Out For
The smiling capital of Thailand, Bangkok, has long been a favorite among Western travelers. In recent years, however, the number of visitors from China has surged, and in the past few years, Bangkok has consistently ranked among the world’s top travel destinations. When arriving in Bangkok, how do tourists get to the city center? Today, we provide an in-depth guide on the most popular means of transportation from the airport to downtown – taxis.
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Moving from the Airport to Downtown Bangkok by Taxi: A Complete Guide to How to Ride and What to Watch Out For
1. How to Access Downtown Bangkok from the Airport
There are three main ways to travel from Bangkok’s airport to the city center: by train, by bus, or by taxi. While buses offer the cheapest fares, they can be very confusing to navigate unless you are a seasoned traveler.
If you choose the train, note that the final stop is Pattaya Station, which means you will likely need to transfer once or twice before reaching your hotel. The advantage of the train is that it’s unaffected by traffic jams, but its downside is the inconvenience of transfers, which can be time-consuming, especially when carrying luggage.
Finally, taxis are an option, though traffic jams are a significant drawback. However, the major benefit of taxis is door-to-door service, which is invaluable if you’re not lugging around heavy bags. Excluding the busiest weekend evenings when traffic is worst, taxis are generally the most convenient overall. In fact, most visitors choose taxis.
2. AOT Limousine Taxis
At Bangkok’s airport, there are two types of taxis: regular taxis and limousine taxis, which use vehicles like Camry or Mercedes-Benz. The AOT (Airports of Thailand) taxi is a limousine taxi, and there is a dedicated counter right outside the customs area at the airport exit.
Although the fare for AOT taxis is 2–3 times higher than that of regular taxis, they offer a safe and reliable way for first-time visitors to reach their hotels. The fare to the city center is fixed based on the vehicle type, so be sure to check the rate.
For example, available models include the ISUZU MU-7 and vehicles from Mercedes and BMW. The most reassuring part is that English is spoken at the counter, and even if traffic delays occur, the fare remains constant.
3. Regular Taxis
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, the arrival hall is on the second floor. From there, head down to the first floor and exit through Gate 7, where you will find the regular taxi stand. Clear signage is available, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.
However, instead of immediately getting into a taxi, you will first see a row of ticket vending machines. Choose between a standard sedan or a larger wagon type by pressing the appropriate button. A printed ticket will indicate your lane number; then, join that lane. Once it’s your turn to board, the main issue you may encounter is that most drivers do not speak English.
To avoid communication problems, write down your destination or show a map in advance. Depending on road conditions, the fare to downtown Bangkok is usually between 300 and 500 THB (information as of 2017).
4. Important Taxi Riding Tips
For AOT limousine taxis, the fare is fixed and drivers are courteous, so there are no major concerns. Here, however, we discuss precautions for riding in a regular taxi.
First, regarding the fare: the amount you pay is the meter fare plus any highway tolls, plus an additional 50 THB (in Bangkok, this airport fee is paid directly to the driver). Be careful not to mistake any additional charges for a rip-off. Next, to ensure your destination is understood, it is safest to prepare a note with your hotel name written in Thai. You can ask a Thai person to help or seek assistance from an English-speaking Thai person at the airport.
The travel time to downtown Bangkok can be just under an hour if there is no traffic, but may extend to nearly two hours in heavy congestion.
Summary
We’ve covered the details of taxi transportation from Bangkok’s airport to the city center.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located roughly 40 km from downtown; on the highway, it takes just under an hour. However, language barriers and traffic congestion can pose challenges. While frequent visitors to Bangkok might be accustomed to these issues, first-time travelers should consider using the safe and reliable AOT limousine taxi, even if it costs a bit more. And the fare is quite reasonable.
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