After stepping out of the airport for the first time and being hit with the hot, humid air of Bangkok, finding how to traverse this heaving metropolis can be overwhelming. Tyla Fergusson-Platt is on hand to show you how to transfer from the airport to your accomodation on a budget.

Grab Taxi

The easiest option but also the most expensive. Grab taxi works just the same as Uber, but with being in Thailand expect much cheaper than back home. Bangkok is a huge city and prices will fluctuate wildly. On my last trip an hour long drive to my air bnb cost me only £10. If you have no luggage go for a Grab bike, sometimes half the cost of a car and gets you there much faster. Download the Grab app from the app store.

At Don Mueang airport pick up points for Grab are at arrival Gate 2 and Gate 5.

At Survaranabhumi international airport pick up points are at passenger terminal level 1 at gate 4. Be aware that the grab point at this airport is extremely busy and waiting times are usually 15 minutes minimum. It is best to stay in contact with the driver and provide pictures to him if you are unable to locate him.

Airport Bus

There are two main airports that serve Bangkok, Don Mueang airport and Survaranabhumi international airport. See below for both bus transport options.

Don Mueang International Airport

If you are arriving from Don Mueang airport there are four options for buses, all very cheap. They can be all caught at the service hall building next to international terminal 1, right at the far end of the terminal building.

A1 Bus

For accommodation near: Chatuchak

30 Baht (cash or card on bus)

05:45am – midnight (departs every 15 mins)

Don Mueang airport – BTS Mo Chit/MRT Chatuchak Park – Chatuchak Weekend Market – JJ Mall – Mo Chit Bus Terminal

A2 Bus

For accommodation near: Phaya Thai and Din Daeng

30 Baht (cash or card on bus)

06:00am – 23:00pm (every 20-30mins)

Don Mueang airport – Veterans general hospital – Din Daeng (ONCB) – Santiphap Park – Victory Monument

A3 Bus

For accommodation near: Din Daeng, Pratunam, Ratchathani, Pathum Wan

50 Baht (cash or card on bus)

06:20am – 23:00pm (Every 30 – 40 mins) – final destination takes an hour to arrive to

Don Mueang airport – ARL Ratchapranop – Partu Nam – Centralworld – BTS Ratchdawri – BTS Sala Daeng/ MRT Si Lom – Lumphini Park

A4 Bus

For accommodation near: Banglamphu, Phra Nakhon

50 Baht (cash or card on bus)

06:10am – 23:00pm (every 30-40 mins)

Don Mueang airport – Mission Hospital, Mahanak – Opposite National Economic and Social Development – Opposite Wat Khae Nanh Loeng – Thai Airways Building – Wat Ratcha Ram – Satriwittaya School – Bang Lumphoo – Krisda City – Wat Chanasongkram – National Gallery – Sanamluang Bus Terminal

Survaranabhumi International Airport

The bus terminal for this airport requires a free shuttle bus to get there. The shuttle bus can be caught at Level 1 near exit 3 and 8.

At the bus terminal you will find a live bus schedule board which shows all the scheduled times. Buses link Bangkok and its suburbs. The price of the ticket is around 35 baht, but it is cash only so you will have to withdraw money to buy a ticket on the bus.

Buses run from between 4am/5am – 10pm/11pm.

Airport rail link

Another cheap option is the airport railway link which links the airports to central Bangkok.

Heres how to catch them from both airports:

Survaranabhumi International Airport

This rail link goes all the way to Makkasan station which is close to the centre of Bangkok. From here you can transfer to the blue line MRT metro service for further onward connections. The ticket costs around 35 baht depending on distance.

The station can be found on the basement level of the airport. Take the escalator down two levels from the arrivals hall.

Suvarnabhumi Airport – Lad Krabang – Ban Thap Chang – Hua Mark – Ramkhamhaeng – Makkasan – Ratchaprarop – Phayathai 

Don Mueang International Airport

Unlike at Survaranabhumi airport, at Don Mueang airport the train station is not located within the airport. However it is only a short 5 minute walk from arrivals. Follow the signposts for ‘MRT red line’. There are machines at the station where tickets can be purchased and cost 33 Baht.

The train links you to Bang Sue station, from here you can follow links on the MRT blue line to the centre of Bangkok.