Getting from the airport to the city by taking cab always cost a bomb and it happens in any country. For instance in Malaysia, it costs around RM100 (USD 33) to get a cab from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur city. If it’s shared among a group of 4 people with limited luggage that are able to fit into a car, taking a cab could be a good option. However if you’re travelling alone or with your partner, it would be wiser to opt for cheaper transportation if travel budget is a concern.

I traveled alone to Bangkok few days ago and decided to take Airport Express train to Sukhumvit, a bustling business, shopping and entertainment district that I will be staying at for 3 weeks. Taking Airport express train is pretty convenient as the Airport Express station is located just at the basement of airport and you can purchase the ticket directly from the counter at the basement.

The 28.6km Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (SARL) provides 2 different trains:

1. Suvarnabhumi Airport Express (SA Express Line – Red Line)

• Leaves from the main Makkasan SARL station and travels directly to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
• 150 Baht for single trip, less people and faster as there wasn’t any stop.
• The approximate travel time is 15 minutes (non-stop).
• Open for service everyday from 6am to midnight.

2. Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line (SA City Line – Blue Line)

• 15 – 45 baht depend on which station you’re going/departing.
• Takes 30 minutes to reach the airport, departing from Phaya Thai, Ratchaprarop, Makkasan, Asoke, Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Mak, Ban Thap Chang, and Lat Krabang stations, and will end at the last stop of Suvarnabhumi.
• More crowded as most locals would opt for cheaper City Line.
• Leaves every 15 minutes and stop at all 8 SARL stations. It runs 24 hours a day.

As it was pretty late at night when I arrived Suvarnabhumi Airport, I decided to take Express Line to have more comfortable ride and to save my travel time. I purchased a single trip ticket from the counter at Basement 1, where Airport Rail Link station is located. There were only few people waiting at the Express Line platform and the train came almost immediately. The Express train is very new, the aisle is wide enough to pull through my big baggage, the seats are comfortable, and most importantly it was very empty. It was a comfortable 15 minutes ride to get to Makkasan SARL station.

Airport Express Ticket

Express Line – empty huh?

However, from Makkasan SARL station to Sukhumvit requires a 10 minutes walk to MRT station which isn’t interlinked with Makkasan SARL station. I had to walk down to street level and exit Makkasan SARL station building and continue walking on the street, crossing few roads before getting to the nearest MRT station. It was kinda inconvenient having to carry my 20kg luggage while walking across the roads.

The nearest MRT station in Makkasan is Petchaburi station. I purchased the ticket at MRT station which costs only 20 baht to get to Sukhumvit.

Happy experiences when travel from Airport to Sukhumvit:

• Express line is fast and empty.
• The staffs working at Airport Rail Link and MRT are very helpful. My journey was quite smooth with their assistance despite being the first time taking trains in Bangkok.
• The staff in Petchaburi MRT station led me all the way from ticket counter to the train platform without my request. And what was shocking was that when the train reached the Sukhumvit station, the moment the train door opened, there was a staff standing right in front of me offered to bring me to the exit. He then led me all the way from the train into the lift and to the exit of the station. I was really pleased with their services as it was quite inconvenient having to walk through few escalators with a big luggage.

Not so pleasant experiences when travel from Airport to Sukhumvit:

• I was pestered by a cab driver on my way from Makkasan SARL station to Petchaburi MRT station. The cab driver lied to me that the Petchaburi MRT station was far away from where I was and he offered me a ride to Sukhumvit for 200 baht.
• Vehicles in Bangkok just won’t stop at zebra crossing.
• Getting to Petchburi MRT station from main Makkasan SARL station involves walking about 400 meters over dodgy pavement, across train tracks, and through the traffic. It’s especially not easy carrying a big luggage.

Directions from Makkasan SARL station to Petchaburi Station:

1. Once board the train at Makkasan SARL station, walk down to street level and exit the building.
2. Follow the signboards to MRT. You should be under the railway line structure.
3. Walk straight until you reach a busy road, you will see a street intersection at your right.
4. Turn right and cross the road, continue to walk for another 1 minute you shall be able to see the station on your right.

Note: You may also take a cab from Makkasan SARL station to your destination if you do not wish to travel by MRT.

Total transportation costs from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Sukhumvit:

• Airport Express Line – 150 baht
• MRT from Petchaburi to Sukhumvit (Asoke Station) – 20 baht
• Total 170 baht

Bangkok Railway Map