New AirLink rail system get you from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok in 15 minutes
WoWasis tested the new Airport Rail Link train shortly after its inaugural run, and as advertised it took us from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the centrally located Makkasan station in 15 minutes. It cost 40 bhat for the trip (soon to be raised to 150 baht), and the train raced along the course at up to 160 km/hour. The cars are Spartan but serviceable, the seats are of hard molded plastic, in two rows lining each side of the car, subway style.
There are two versions of the train, express and local. The SA Express Line runs only to Makkasan, while the SA City Line stops at a series of eight stations. The service runs from 6 am to midnight daily, and the train station at the airport is located on level B1, right under the Customs exit for arrivals, and well-signed. Trains run every 15 minutes, and stop at each station for approximately 3 minutes.
The airport rail connects to seven stations in all, including its terminus at Phaya Thai, where passengers may connect with the BTS skytrain. Slightly higher fares will be charged for stations beyond Makkasan. By mid-2011, a skywalk will be finished, connecting passengers arriving at Makkasan station with the Pechaburi MRT subway station.
Although we didn’t test it, a luggage check-in system at Makkasan city air terminal delivering luggage directly to the airport will also be available for travelers. It is planned that passengers wishing to check in their luggage on the train will be able to do so from 3 to 13 hours prior to their boarding time.
Taxi vs Train?
Typically, our taxi costs 270 baht for the airport trip to Sukhumvit Soi 3, and takes roughly ½ hour, with no traffic. The train takes 15 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for taxi from Makkasan to Sukhumvit. The taxi was 80 baht, so with an eventual fare of 150 for the train, the total is 230 baht. These are non-rush hour times.
So what’s best for you? For us, the price is about the same, so we’ll stick with the taxi. If your destination is at one of the Airport Rail Link stops, or near a BTS skytrain or MRT subway stop, the rail would make a lot of sense, especially during high traffic hours.
More on the rail link: http://www.bangkokairporttrain.com/index.html
From the airport to Sukhumvit Soi 20 at 7am, you’ll run into commute traffic during the week if you take a taxi. We’d recommend the airport train to Makkasan, then take the MRT from the adjacent Phetburi station to the Sukhumvit station. At that point,can take a taxi to your nearby hotel. Be sure you hale your taxi on the even-numbered streets side of Sukhumvit so your taxi doesn’t have to cross Sukhumvit. During the weekend, we’d recommend taking a taxi directly from the airport.
We typically taxi a taxi for the return trip to the airport, as we tend to buy things, and it’s easier to take the extra bags in a taxi than on the train.
hi , I need to reach my hotel from airport to Sukhumvit Soi 20 . Please let me know should I take a Taxi or train . I will reach my 7:00 AM Bangkok time .
The train ticket which are priced at 150 THB/person are for round trip . What is the validation of the round trip ticket ?
Yes. The Express Line train overtakes the City Line train at Hua Mak station.
Thanks for clarifying. Presumably the faster express would overtake the slower City Line when in the same direction.
“soon to be raised to 150 baht” This is incorrect.
The fare for the City Line is between 15 and 40 baht. No increase in fare is planned.
The fare for the Express Line (including baggage check-in) is presently 150 baht.