Thailand forum

If you take a taxi, go upstairs and catch a metered taxi. You might have to argue a bit with a guy, or walk away and try the next one...

The best way would be a sky taxi - one of those helicopters that super rich people take from the airport to their penthouse apartment with rooftop landing pad. I am assuming this is outside of your budget though.

Cheapest is probably the sky train - which will get you close, but not all the way. Then you have to hope a taxi or try and figure out a bus route, which I would never consider.

500B is a bit high Jen ...did your taxi driver use a meter?

Don't haggle about the price, just insist the driver uses the meter. If the first taxi refuses, take another one.

Not sure how much KSR would be on the meter but getting to the Sukhumvit area costs about 200B. If you get a taxi at the arrivals level you'll have to pay a 50B airport charge as well. And you'll also have to pay expressway fees when the taxi goes through the toll booths. Total price should be in the region of 350B. (I always give a tip too because the set fare has been 35B for over a decade and petrol prices have gone up a lot since then).

There are bound to be other people on your flight heading to KSR ...you could try and find someone to share the taxi with to reduce costs.

You'll need some change so if you're withdrawing money from an ATM at the airport get 19,900B rather than 20,000B (or 9,900B instead of 10,000B). That way you'll have some hundreds to pay the taxi and the toll fees.

Did i get ripped of twice?! grrr! I spoke to a group i met who had paid 500, wow at least i know for when i go back later this year! :o)

If you are going to the airport bus terminal you could also see if the 556 hourly service to the Southern Bus Terminal is running now. This is the best and cheapest way to get to KS as it stops at the junction of Ratchdamnoen and Thanon Tanao which is 100 metres from KS Rd. The bus is 20 something baht,is air-conditioned and takes the expressway.

there's a 551 bus that links Suvarnabhumi airport bus terminal & Victory Monument.

& a 556 bus that links Suvarnabhumi airport bus terminal - Democracy Monument - southern bus terminal.

details (hours of operation, etc) here: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/to_from_public_bmta_en.php

there's no 511 bus from Suvarnabhumi by any bus company (Transport Co. or BMTA)...maybe a typo somewhere?

I agree with mikethediver - the cheapest (but not quickest) option is to take bus N511 (less than 50 bahts) from bus terminal then change it to another one in the city center.
List of the city buses running from airport transport terminal can be found at www.bmta.co.th web site:
http://www.bmta.co.th/en/bus_search.php?cat=15&place=Suvannabhumi+Airport&Submit=+++Go+++

Alternatively you can reach Phaya Thai station using skytrain (see: http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/02-route-current.aspx) and take bus N503 to Democracy Monument (near KhaoSan).
See:
http://www.bmta.co.th/en/bus_search.php?cat=0&place=Phaya+Thai+Police+Station&Submit=+++Go+++
Unfortunately bus N556 no longer runs from Survanabhumi bus terminal.

think this is the most up to date i can find, posted by someone who has been pretty trustworthy & the most detailed about public transport in BKK over the years - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/483568-update-on-city-and-other-buses-to-airport-suvannaphumi/

in short, says that:
- 551 bus has been replaced by vans, which travel directly from Suvarnabhumi (no stops along the way) to Victory Monument
- 556 bus route has been shortened, from southern bus terminal it goes only as far as Makkasan station (to tie up with the airport rail link?), no longer all the way to Suvarnabhumi

not sure if there will be further changes to routes of buses/vans with the recent opening of the BTS skytrain extension beyond On Nut.

Pablo, when are you arriving? I'm in the same boat as you. I get to BKK airport at 08:20 on Thursday morning. I'll probably take a taxi myself.

Gary, not for a while yet, land in Thailand in Jan next year, just trying to get a scope on things.

Have a good trip!

There should be other people arriving in December as well. You might need to wait a couple days at the airport but you should be able to find someone to share with.

'sheeed

....so is there a bus from the Airport to KSR?
christay2009, there is no direct bus from airport to KSR, but you can reach KSR from airport by bus:
- take shuttle bus (free of charge) from airport to airport's transport terminal;
- take bus 551 to Victory Monument
- take one of several buses to KSR area (Democracy Monument)
This is the cheapest way. But it takes long time.
If the taxi direct to KSR (or other destination) still too expensive for you, there is "mid-priced" way:
- take raillink to Makkasan or Phaya Thai station;
- take bus 503 to KSR.

Probably about 5,000 USD, but I've never actually priced it myself. I only know it exists.

Good point. If only I could get one of those apartments with the helipads now.

I'm thinking of getting the train (either BTS or MRT) from the airport and then a taxi. What station is closest to Khao San Road and how much can I expect to pay in the taxi?

If I was going from the airport to KSR, I would use the rail link, then skytrain, then river boat... it's a little long, but simple and cheap.

Hi All,

I will be in BKK in August and coming from the United States. Due to such a long flight and arriving in the evening, I would like to take a taxi for the most convenient transportation.

Should I demand the meter? Last time the driver told me the rate was significantly less with a set price which included tolls. Perhaps meter is better?

What should be the most honest and responsible rate from the airport to Lumphini Park?

Any advice will be most appreciated!!

Thanks Wanderingcat!

Thanks cyberbvlad, will just get the skytrain and a taxi