Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the main entry point for most visitors to Thailand, and the second largest terminal building in the world. The new and very spacious passenger terminal handles all domestic and international flights to Bangkok, with connections to all airports in Thailand, and most major regional and global destinations.
The airport is serviced by a large number of the world’s major airlines including Thai Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Emirates, and is a hub for many visitors to South East Asia as well as a stop-over point for those continuing on to Australia and New Zealand. Accordingly, there are plenty of flights originating in Europe as well as a number of flights either originating or ending in Bangkok that stop in Japan en-route to and from the west coast of the US and Canada.
Bangkok International Airport has one very large passenger terminal, with seven levels and seven concourses. Level 1 houses the bus lobby; Level 2 is the Arrivals area, with Immigration and Customs, Baggage Claim and transfer services; Level 3 contains most passenger facilities and amenities; Level 4 houses the Departures areas; Level 5 is occupied by airport and airlines business offices; Level 6 has restaurants; and Level 7 boasts an observation deck. The seven concourses are labelled A through G, with A and B servicing domestic flights, and C through G handling all international services.
Food and beverage outlets abound and you’ll find restaurants offering fast-food and Thai specialties as well as bars that are open round-the-clock. A mezzanine Level 3 is located between arrivals and departures levels where there is a good choice of inexpensive restaurants, fastfood and convenience shops. Duty-free shopping options are plentiful, as are shops specialising in Thai products and handicrafts, and others offering clothing, gift items, jewellery, books and other reading material.
On arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, nationals of most countries will be issued a 30-day tourist visa. It’s best to check visa requirements beforehand to be sure about current requirements, however. Baggage Claim is located on the same level, immediately after the immigration point. The Customs area is situated just beyond the baggage carousels, and only spot checks are conducted.
After leaving Customs, you will enter the Arrivals Hall and will likely be overwhelmed by the barrage of transport representatives and freelancers offering you special deals on transportation to Bangkok or other destinations. It’s a good idea to ignore them and head to Level 1 for the shuttle bus that will take you to the airport’s Transport Centre, from where you’ll find a selection of express buses, public buses and taxis.
ATMs and currency exchange counters are located throughout the passenger terminal, and are open 24 hours. There is also internet service available, although it’s rather expensive.
Getting from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya
Getting to Pattaya from Bangkok airport is now much easier with the recent opening of Suvarnabhumi airport southwest of the capital, and it’s now only an hour by taxi or bus to Pattaya.
Buses leave several times a day from the transportation centre near the main terminal departing 06.30, 08.00, 9.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00 and 19.00. Price 112 Baht/person, approx time 2 hours Tel: 02 134 4099. From Pattaya to the airport buses depart at 09:00, 12.00 and 19:00. Enquire with the tourist information desk at Arrivals or elsewhere in the airport for specific directions to the transfer pickup point outside the terminal building. If these times don’t suit you, you can hire a taxi, which will cost about 1000 baht by meter, although the driver might not agree to this unless he can negotiate his own fee. Ignore the Airport’s Limosine service, it is aggressively promoted and very overpriced.
If you find yourself using the old Don Muang Airport in Northern Bangkok then your most convenient option is a taxi (about 1000 baht), otherwise you need to catch a taxi into the city and jump on the hourly buses from Ekkamai station. Alternatively you might find it easier and quicker to catch a taxi to or from Suvarnabhumi airport transportation centre (250 baht) and hook up with the Pattaya bus if the timing is right.
Car hire is also an option if you don’t mind trying your hand at driving in Bangkok’s traffic, and is also a suitable option for anyone planning to visit one or more of the provincial areas. To obtain the best possible rates and ensure that a vehicle is reserved for you, we recommend carrentals.co.uk as an efficient online booking service, having access to all the major car hire companies represented here.
If you need to stay at an airport hotel before or after your flight, there are a number of hotels near the airport. Bookings can be made here. Suvarnabhumi hotels can be found lower down this hotel listing page.
SCAM ALERT! Airport taxis
When collecting your luggage you’ll notice large signs warning you to avoid unauthorised taxis and use the AOT Limo Service instead for your own safety. In fact all taxis at the airport are authourised Bangkok metered taxis and perfectly safe, while the AOT limos are aggressively and unfairly promoted, costing three times more! Even if you ignore their well placed desk, an army of their reps will accost you when you exit, politely but firmly hawking this rip off option. It’s not a very good first impression of Thailand, but the AOT airport management have poor judgement when it comes to transparency. Outside the ground floor (the taxi rank was only recently moved up from the basement after persistent complaints) you’ll find an orderly queue, and for a 50 baht admin fee will be in a taxi in no time. Although the driver might want to negotiate a flat fee to take you to Pattaya (about 1000 baht) it will be much cheaper than the Airport Limosine service.
