Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

The new Bangkok Airport (opened September 2006) is called Suvarnabhumi (pronounced: Sowannapoem) which means ‘Golden Country’. It is 30 kilometers east of the city centre and has encountered quite a few customer problems. Therefore, travelers complain about the enormous distances that they have to walk and the lack of seating places and restrooms. Furthermore, there are problems with the asphalt of the runway: it started to crack a few months after the completion. Budget airlines will gladly return to the old airport, Don Muang, north of the city.

The terminal consists of seven wings: A and B are for domestic flights, and C through G are for international flights.

Prices are given here in the local currency, the baht. € 1.00 = 46 baht (January 2007).

Be advised: At departure you must pay a 700 baht airport tax. This tax is not included in your ticket. For domestic flights you pay a 100 baht tax.

Local transport

Train

There is no train connection with the airport yet. Work is being done on an express train connection that should be ready in October 2008, a year later then planned. The train station is in the basement of the terminal (Level -1). The rail connection will connect with the Sukhumvit Line from the Skytrain in Bangkok.

Car and bus

There are several access roads, but most people get to the airport via the highway Bangkok – Chon Buri. The exit to the airport is clearly indicated. In Thailand they drive on the left side.

There are four express busses (tel: +66(0)2 622 3000) to the centre of the city. A ticket costs 150 baht and busses leave from the first level. Airport Express line 1 goes to Silom Road, line 2 to Khao San Road (backpacker area), line 3 to Central World via Sukhumvit Road and line 4 to the central train station Hua Lamphong via the Victory Monument.

Furthermore, many local busses connect the airport with the city, but you must first take a shuttle bus to the Public Transportation Center. Busses from the Transport Company (tel: +66(0)2 134 4097/8) also leave from there to other destinations such as Pattaya and Nong Khai.

Car rental Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

In the Arrivals Hall there are many local and international car rental companies represented. There is a central counter for reservations. Rental cars are by the Public Transportation Center by the entrance to the airport. You can also reserve a rental car in advance using the service EasyTerra provides. They compare the rates of several providers in a single quote.

Taxi

Taxis are outside the Arrivals Hall. A ride to the centre of Bangkok costs about 300 – 400 baht, plus a toll fee of about 60 baht. Limousines with a driver can be reserved at the counter from AOT (Airports of Thailand, tel: +66(0)81 652 4444) in the Arrivals Hall.

Airport Parking

In front of the terminal there is a parking garage that has two parts (A and B) for short term parking. The area for long term parking can be found left of the airport entrance. On the right side of the road to the terminal there is a large area where you may park for free.

Services

Hotels

There is one hotel at the airport. The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport (tel: +66(0)2 13 11111) is across from the terminal. For more hotels and reserving online you can go to Booking.com. They have a large offering of hotels with great internet rates.

Shops and restaurants

The airport has many snack bars, cafes and restaurants that are mainly situated in the Departures Hall on the fourth level. You can also find there most of the shops, but there are also shops on the second (Arrivals Hall) and third (services) levels.

Baggage

By the baggage belts in the Arrivals Hall there are two counters for lost and found items.

Information

There are many information counters that are available through tel: +66(0)2 132 9324/5/6/7 (Departures Hall) or tel: +66(0)2 132 9328/9 (Arrivals Hall). Furthermore, there is a counter from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) in the Arrivals Hall.

Business

In the Departures Hall you can find the KP Lounge that offers business services and has offices and meeting rooms to rent. Extensive business facilities are available in the Novotel (see Hotels). The hotel has a large conference room and further offers secretarial support and translation services.

Handicapped persons

The airport is accessible for handicapped persons. There are adapted elevators, restrooms and telephones. In the parking garage there are places reserved for handicapped persons. For assistance you can contact the Customer Services Department (tel: +66(0)2 132 3888).

Other services

There are money exchange offices in the Arrivals Hall. Cash machines can be found throughout the terminal. There are also many public telephones and computers with internet connection. Wireless internet is available. The Airport Medical Center on the first level is available by telephone at tel: +66(0)2 132 7777.

Contact

Address

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Moo 1 Nongprue Bang Phli
Samutprakarn
10540 Bangkok
Thailand

Telephone, fax, email

Telephone: +66(0)2 132 1888
Fax: +66(0)2 132 1889
E-mail: aotpr@airportthai.co.th

Airport codes

IATA airport code: BKK
ICAO airport code: VTBS