Thailand Transportation
- Don Muang Airport
Getting Around Provincial Towns
Getting
Around Bangkok
Airport
Info & Transportation
Driving
Distance
Suvarnabhumi
Airport ( International and Domestic Travel )
Bangkok International Airport (BIA)
Commonly called "Don Muang", it is the entry point for a vast majority
of visitors to Thailand annually. Considered as one of the more
modern and efficient international airports in Asia, the singposts
are easy to follow and written in both English and Thai. Free luggage
carts are provided at the terminal gates. After clearing Immigration
Services (vast number of counters, but still slightly slow), take
the escalator to the reliable baggage claim area below. If you have
nothing to clear, the green customs channel provides a hasty exit
into the smiling kingdom of Thailand.
BIA consists of 2 international terminals and one domestic terminal
located adjacent to each other. Passengers can freely walk between
Terminals 1 and 2, while a covered, elevated walkway connects Terminal
2 with the domestic terminal. A free shuttle bus service covers
the short distance between terminals every 15 minutes.
The arrival hall of both terminals feature a variety of services
and facilities, including currency exchange booths, a tourist information
kiosk, metered taxi kiosk and airport limousine counter. However,
Terminal 1 has more facilities, such as an automatic teller machine
(ATM), a 24-hour post-office with international telephone facilities,
an airport clinic, a convenient store, and a hotel reservation desk.
A number of restaurants and bars operate in both terminals' departure
hall, though more are located in Terminal 2, including popular fast
food venues such as Burger Kings, KFC, and Swensons, and an internet
caf?. Extra luggage can be stored up to 4 months at the left-luggage
facility in Terminal 1.
For those departing or transitting through Bangkok, there are a
variety of facilities to entertain you. Duty free shops restaurants/snack
bars are generously scattered in both terminals. KFC, the only fast
food counter, is located by pier 4 of Terminal 2. A number of designer
brand name boutiques sell their wares at reasonable prices, such
as Harrods, Jim Thompson and the Mae Fah Luang Project, displaying
handicrafts made by local Thai artisans under the patronage of the
deceased HRH Grandmother, the present king's mother. An arcade game
center for children of all ages is located in the transit area of
Terminal
 Getting To
and From the Airport
Though the airport is located 25 km (16 miles) north of the center
of Bangkok, road travel time depends on the traffic conditions.
During peak rush hours, the simple journey can take as long as 3
hours.
Taxis : Seek out the taxi desk located in the
arrival hall of each terminal. They will set a rough estimate pricing
for your standardized, metered fare, not to exceed 300 Baht. Because
of airport regulations on taxis, an additional 50 Baht surcharge
will be added to the total fare. Passengers are responsible for
the expressway fees. To enter the city, you will most likely pay
2 expressway fares, 25 Baht at the Don Muang Tollway (on ramp adjacent
to airport) and 40 Baht at the Rapid Express Tollway Agency's Dindaeng
junction. A tip of 10-20 Baht is a gesture of appreciation for their
service.
Airport Limousines : The desks for making such
requests are usually adjacent to the taxi desks at all terminals.
A uniformed chauffeur will drive you to your destination while seated
comfortably in a sedan or luxury car. A flat fee of 500 Baht (smaller
car, ex. Mitsubishi) or 650 Baht (luxury car, ex. Benz or Volvo)
is charged for pick-up and delivery to any venue within the perimeter
of Bangkok. Though priced slightly higher than a metered taxi, you're
still responsible for the expressway fares, but no subcharges. The
limos are well maintained and are all white in color. Tipping 10%
of the fare is the norm.
AAC Limousine offers round trip services from airport to destinations
around the country. Visit www.aaclimousine.com for more information.
Hotel Limousines : Most hotels offer complimentary
limousine or minibus service if you have bookings with them. The
drivers would meet you in the arrival hall, holding up poster cards
with your names written on it.
Helicopter
: A few luxury hotels offer helicopter service for their guests
Airport Buses : An economical shuttle bus providing
service from the airport to major city areas providing accommodations
(No.1 to Silom, No.2 to Sanam Luang (Royal Field), No.3 to Sukhumvit
55 and No.4 to Hua Lam Phong (central train station)). The buses
run every 15 minutes, operating from 5 am to midnight, and costs
100 Baht per person.
Train : Located directly across the highway from
the airport, a covered walkway connects the arrival hall in Terminal
1 to the train station. Trains en route to Hua Lam Phong, the main
train station located in the center of town, appears every 15-30
minutes.
Public Buses : Adventurous travelers without much
luggage may want to try getting into town on these, the most economical
method of all. Airport kiosk provides bus maps and the bus stops
are located on the highway in front of the airport.
Hired Car : If you want to experience driving
in Bangkok, there are many car rental firms in Bangkok, including
international rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. The
road system is good and well posted with signs written in English.
An international driving license is required.
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