Arriving in Bangkok: Airport to City, Taxis and Paying for the Train

Bangkok has two international airports. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is east of the city and has the Airport Rail Link. Don Mueang (DMK) is north of the city and sits on the Red Line. Check your ticket for which one you land at, because the routes into town are different.

File the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly. For cash on arrival, see exchanging money in Thailand.

From Suvarnabhumi by train: the Airport Rail Link

The Airport Rail Link runs from the airport to Phaya Thai in the city. Airports of Thailand (AOT) lists its operating hours as 05:30 to 24:00.

You can pay at the gate with a bank card. The Thai government’s public relations department says contactless payment has been “available across all ARL stations starting 8 November 2025”, and that passengers can tap “any credit or debit card with the Contactless symbol” directly at the gate. Smart Pass cards and tokens are still sold.

The official pages we read do not list the fare.

From Suvarnabhumi by taxi: the official queue

The airport’s public taxi service runs 24 hours from the Passenger Terminal, Floor 1, between Gate 4 and Gate 7. AOT’s taxi page sets out who pays what:

• An airport surcharge: “An additional charge of 50 Baht for taxi drivers as per the announcement from the Ministry of Transport.”
• Tolls: “Toll fees are to be paid by the passengers.”
• The meter: AOT’s transport guide says fares start at 35 or 40 baht plus the metered fare, with the 50 baht surcharge paid directly to the driver.

For problems with a taxi, AOT lists its call centre on 1722.

AOT also runs a limousine service at fixed prices. Its transport guide lists an Eco Sedan for up to 3 passengers from 550 baht and a Luxury Sedan from 1,300 baht.

Booking a ride in the Grab app

The government’s public relations department says the Grab service centre at Suvarnabhumi is “a pick-up point for passengers and anyone using the Grab application to call a taxi”. It is at Gate 4, on the first floor.

The app only helps if your phone has data when you walk out. A SIM bought at a counter means queueing first. A data eSIM installed before you fly is already working when you land, and if Bangkok is one stop of several, Saily’s single profile is topped up for each country instead of a new SIM at every border.

From Suvarnabhumi by bus

AOT lists airport bus route S6 to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, running 05:30 to 24:00, and routes 554, S1 and 558. Its page gives no fares.

There is also a shuttle between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, which AOT lists as “Free of charge”. The page does not say who may use it, so ask at the counter.

From Don Mueang: the Red Line

Don Mueang station is on the SRT Red Line between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Rangsit. The operator’s timetable runs from 05:00 to 23:45, with trains about every 10 minutes in the morning and evening peaks and about every 15 minutes otherwise. Fares are distance-based, at 1.50 baht a kilometre.

AOT’s Don Mueang pages do not list a taxi surcharge or bus fares. Its call centre is the same 1722.

Paying on the Skytrain and the MRT

The BTS Skytrain and MRT pages we could read on 4 November 2026 did not say whether the gates take contactless bank cards, or give fares. Carry some baht for tickets until you have checked at the station.

If something goes wrong

The Tourist Police hotline is 1155. Its website also lists 02 134 0521. For an ambulance, dial 1669, as set out in what to do if you get sick in Thailand.

For something that is not an emergency, such as a fever on day two or a prescription to replace, Air Doctor lists doctors in Bangkok for a clinic visit, a hotel visit or a video call. Its terms say it is “NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT”, so keep 1669 for anything urgent and use Air Doctor for the rest.