Leaving Bangkok (to airport) ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Leaving Bangkok (to airport)

Replies: 9 - Last Post: 07-Apr-2006 04:33 Last Post By: Alvin_525

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Posted
29-Jun-2005 12:46
by: dsl25

Posts: 5
Registered: 26/05/04

Leaving Bangkok (to airport)

The long list of Bangkok scams contains the famous "minibus to the airport" for about 100 b.

You'll be faced with an unbranded surviving minibus driven by a young thai wondering what the hell he's doing there trying to drive these crazy farangs out of this city.

Of course he doesn't speak a single word of english, never heard about smiling, but his only real concern is how to avoid paying for the highway and try to cope with the huge jam leading out of Bangkok.

Not only you'll have to spend 2 hours in this minibus - and thus might miss your flight - but you'll also be dropped out at terminal 1 (Thai Air + domestic flights) and have to walk to terminal 2 if you made the mistake to choose another ailrine.

Expect some posts to follow from people explaining how friendly thai people are and that, probably, I was unlucky or had a bad experience....

BUT, if you really want to be sure to escape from this country, land of cheap ready-made smiles for farangs who pay the price, just take a taxi and ask him to take the highway: 45 minutes, 300 baht.

Posted
29-Jun-2005 13:01
by: indochris

Posts: 26
Registered: 19/10/04

1

One of the best kept secrets at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport is the airport bus taking visitors into Bangkok. So commented a recent article in the Bangkok Post. The Airport Bus is fast, efficient, well run, easy to use, cheap, comfortable, air conditioned with space for luggage. Quite a nice way to be welcomed to Bangkok. There are 3 different routes which serve the main visitor areas of Bangkok(Khao San Road, Silom Road, Patpong, Sukhumvit, Pratunam). Bus fare is 70baht. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 5am to past midnight(depending on the route). The buses pick up from south end terminal 1, south end terminal 2 and north end domestic terminal, then head into town. Just look for the airport bus sign. Near by there’ll be some plastic chairs and a conductor in blue pants/white shirt waiting to make her next run who you can ask when the next bus is coming. Just hop on the bus, the conductor will come by to collect your fare/make change after the pick up at the Domestic Terminal. The Airport Bus stops at regular bus stops marked with the airport bus sign. If you ask the driver nicely, he’ll drop you off anywhere along the route. Just reverse the procedure going back to the airport. Even if the bus can’t drop you exactly where you’re going, it’ll probably be close enough to walk or take a taxi for 35baht.
Caution: Like anything else, the bus is subject to the horrendous traffic of Bangkok. If you're trying to
make a flight, plan accordingly and leave early enough. For peace of mind, it might be better to take a taxi.

Posted
29-Jun-2005 13:14
by: TedKarma

Posts: 342
Registered: 19/04/05

2

There is a shuttle that can run you back and forth between the terminals. It's not that long of a walk anyway.

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Posted
29-Jun-2005 13:38
by: Phish

Posts: 49
Registered: 23/02/02

3

I have been to Bankok 3 times till now, the first time I got ripped off by using a Limo, The second time took a returning Cab... The third time I took the BUS.

I would say, unless you need to depart or arrive at an odd time, or going to a part of town that the bus does not go to just take the tourist bus its very efficient and cheap.

Posted
29-Jun-2005 13:54
by: dearsirsam

Posts: 706
Registered: 05/09/00

4

Okay, I'll post one of those "you must have been unlucky" comments:
I've done the minubus to airport thing, probably 6 times, and never had any problem, usually about 45 minutes to an hour. Paid 60-80 a trip. Been dropped off at Term 1 when I was doing international, so at times I had to walk the few hundred meters to Terminal 2. But other times I think I told them which airline and they took me to the right terminal.
RoadRunner buses, I believe, are a common service in the Khao San area guesthouses.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

Posted
29-Jun-2005 18:52
by: Anil

Posts: 54
Registered: 06/10/00

5

let me guess? from Khao San Road?

The proper airport bus cost 100 baht per person, and if you're travelling alone and is near the route then it's a pretty good service.

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Posted
29-Jun-2005 18:57
by: Bisbee

Posts: 1,742
Registered: 07/10/03

6

Q]just take a taxi and ask him to take the highway: 45 minutes, 300 baht.

Taxi should be 150-200 baht and about 30 minutes.

Quote
dropped out at terminal 1 (Thai Air + domestic flights)

Domestic flights leave from the Domestic Terminal, not Terminal 1.

Life's what you make it!

Posted
08-Sep-2005 10:09
by: Voyager_2002

Posts: 3,812
Registered: 19/02/02

7

The airport bus is promoted on the maps they give tourists when you arrive at the airport, so not a secret. But of course the bus is also affected by the traffic. So I decided to take the train, in order to avoid traffic jams.

I thought I was well-organised. The day before my flight, I telephoned the railway station and established that there was a train leaving Hualompong at 8.20 am and the fare was 20 Baht. I also planned my journey from my hotel to Hualompong, which involved a transfer from Skytrain to subway. What I did not realise was that the BTS-MTR transfer involved a five-minute walk, and I had heavy luggage. As a result, I arrived at the station at ban on 8.20, and of course my train had already left! Fortunately there was another train, leaving at 8.30, that also stopped at the airport. However, this was a "special express", so my train ticket cost not 20 baht, but 220 baht! At least it was a comfortable ride.

Posted
09-Sep-2005 15:22
by: steve252

Posts: 1,263
Registered: 19/01/01

8

You can go to the Cambodian border for less than 100 baht

less than half, even! - it's 48 Baht - pics

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Posted
07-Apr-2006 04:33
by: Alvin_525

Posts: 93
Registered: 21/03/06

9

Should we be at Don Muang Airport at least 2 hours early for our flight? Is there a 4 am train or airport bus to the airport? Thanks

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