Bangkok Opens Handy Dandy Train Service from Airport to Downtown

September 1, 2010 at 8:36 AM | by kjb | Comments (2)

Nothing beats skipping the rental car counter in favor of a high-speed rail link to downtown, and that�s why we�re excited to hear that Bangkok just opened dedicated service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown.

As with any public works projects there were tons of delays, cost overruns, and other hassles; however, the train finally opened up last week, linking tourists, business people, and everyone else with easy access to the airport. The plans were first approved back in 2003, and it was actually supposed to open along with the airport in 2006; it certainly has been a long time coming.

The ride should only set you back around 100 baht for a ride�that�s like $3 or so, which is a decent deal considering the one-way trip is around 18 miles. The only downer is that they�re keeping things cheap to boost ridership, and the ticket price will likely increase to about $4.50 next year once the promotion is over.

Trains run every half hour, and they can reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour. There�s also a commuter line, which runs the same route with a few more stops in between the airport and downtown.

Be sure to mind the gap if you�re lucky enough to test out the tracks over the next couple of weeks, as large spaces between the train and the platform at some stations are just one of the issues engineers are working on. Also, there is a way to check-in for your flight, but the baggage check-in isn�t available just yet. So for now you�ll still have to lug your overweight suitcase onto the train.

Related Stories:
· Airport Rail Link [Official Site]
· Bangkok Airport Rail Link Opens After Long Delays [MSNBC]
· Airports coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a City Line train: Wikimedia]

Comments (2)

Return to » Bangkok Opens Handy Dandy Train Service from Airport to Downtown

Major problems with this new train service from Suvarnabhumi. The biggest issue is that this train ends up at the Makkasan train station in a part of Bangkok that isn't near any of the hotels and is profoundly unsafe. No where near the Skyrail. The walk from the station to the taxi rank is hugely difficult due to the bad footpaths. And since you'll have to take a taxi from this bad location to your hotel, you then expose yourself to the unregulated and increasingly corrupt taxi service in BKK. At least at the airport you have some protection from the pirates. A taxi from the airport is still the best alternative, especially during non-rush hour periods.

I would recommend the "City Line" train from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the City Centre, with a very convenient connection to the BTS Skytrain at "Phaya Thai" station. This would only cost 15 baht for person and take 30 minutes exactly. From "Phaya Thai", take the BTS to Silom, Siam or Sukhumvit, or you can take a taxi from there to Khaosan Road etc. The only difference between the "City Line" train and the "Express Line" train is that the former stops at all stations, but still gets you into the heart of the city within 30 minutes (no jam!).

Don't use the "Express Line" train to Makkasan as mentioned by JimMc. Not only it costs more (100 baht), but the connection bridge linking Makkasan and Phetchaburi MRT station is still under construction, hence not very convenient at the moment.

Jaunted

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