Stop using the Airport Taxis! Airport Rail Link Bangkok Suvarnabhumi 

I normally get the same train to Phaya Thai, have I been doing it all wrong?

I find it quicker and more convenient to take taxis. I hired a private luxury vehicle on one visit.

Phayathai interchange bts to sukumvit line

I've been thinking of using this when I go back now in a couple of weeks, thanks for showing the ease of use! ARL to Makkasan, hop onto the MRT and head up to Sutthisan and walk down to my hotel. Easypeasy!

The biggest deficiency is that the last train is at midnight. With many flights arriving around that time, it would be great if the trains ran later.

When you arrive in the city center via the Airport Rail Link line, you will also find interchange stations for BTS and MRT trains, from which you can easily continue your journey to most parts of Bangkok. Great post. It's very informative for many first-time visitors to Bangkok, in my opinion. Most of them are usually heading for the taxi stand, which is expensive given Bangkok's traffic. I prefer that they use the alternative mode of transportation between the airport and town, and vice versa. Save a lot of money and time.

Yes tried the Airport Rail once and it was packed with people (locals mainly, and hardly any seat or even a place to stand. If you have big suitcases would be very inconvenience. If you are a light traveller thats perfect but if you are not using the taxi is the best option

I refuse to use Taxis in Thailand I know there not all bad but unfortunately some just give it a bad name . Trains are fantastic in Thailand and reliable. Fantastic Vlog .

Informative as always Rob. Arriving next month and would’ve taken a taxi from the airport had I not watched this vid. Considering the horrific daytime traffic and higher taxi costs, the efficient Airport Link is a no brainer.

Airport link train is cheap and convenient.

Nice Video mate, been going there for 30 years and often use meter taxi or privet cars. The view of the city in daytime looks cool but as you show in your vid, traffic is a nightmare. My first trip to Bangkok arrived around 4pm and holy crap did I get stuck in traffic. If you can avoid daytime arrival you will have better options.

I always avoid taxis because I know its the number 1 fraud in the world. I rather walk than take a taxi even if its only a $1 or 2 more because I hate being ripped off!

Excellent video. BUT you left out one piece of valuable advice ... How can an International Arriving Passenger happen to have 35 baht in COINS in their pocket ? Maybe some day the system will upgrade to include using international credit cards for payment.

while i totally agree with this method it also depends on people's circumstances. if you have a lot of luggage or are arriving after midnight, when the train stops running, taxis may be your better option. Last month i did 35 baht on the train, 25 baht on subway to Silom, walked the last 10 minutes. Someone else i talked to ubered a ride for 400 baht.

Any logical reason for the ARL, BTS and MRT not running 24/7? If they ran all the time, it would be much easier to get around if you're coming in/leaving in the middle of the night.

Good video but first timers will be confused by the lack of reference to the BTS. Depending on where they're staying, taking the rail link to the end and changing to the BTS may be better.

Good advice - Except if you have more luggage than you can comfortably carry or your hotel is more than 100 metres from the BTS station. Instead of going down several floors to the rail link i always go up to the Departures level. There you will always find taxis more than happy to pick up a fare rather than returning into "town" empty. Just insist they use the meter and tell them you will pay the toll. A little over 300 baht to be dropped at your hotel door. So it might cost an extra 200 baht but trust me, so much easier.

I used the MRT and also sometiimes the Raillink nearly every day. Beside the Route to the airport you can also easily use the Raillink to come fast to other areas of bangkok.. Even faster than the MRT in some cases. I made a video "How to use...the Citylin" for this too but it needs some more time till I finish it. Good work mate

Just beware of thieves operating at the ARL/MRT interchange at Makkasan Station. They operate in groups of three. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your backpack in front of you.

Nach einem12h Flug mit Gepäck anschließend noch zu Fuß das Hotel suchen bei 35 Grad Außentemperatur um 20 Euro fürs Taxi zu sparen? Kann man machen, muss man aber nicht. Als Rucksack-Tourist schon eher, ja. Dennoch danke für den Tipp.

Exactly taxi drivers who will not put the meter on because they want to rip us off so catch the train

Hey Question...from the Makasan station I would need to grab a ride or another connection on the rail link to get to Asoke ?

good advice for new travellers, i'm flying back today and love using the trains soo cheap and fast.

If I have luggage can I bring it on BTS ? And if it difficult?

Thank you for the useful information. Would it be feasible to take the Airport rail to Makkasan station like you said, and continue with a GRAB to my final destination on the river in the Phra Nakhon area? Is there a good pick-up area at Makkasan station for Grab/Bolt ride shares or tuktuk? Or should I take it father (Phaya Thai)?

Nahhhh. The taxis aren’t too dear. Plus they drop you to your door. No hopping on or off trains. No transits. Just A to B in the shortest and most comfortable way possible.

The downside of coming to Thailand for me is that my plane always arrive in Bangkok 6-7 am and the earlies check-in in hotels are around 2 pm.

The airport link can be nice, but I feel like it's a bit situational. If I have multiple bags, no I don't really feel like lugging them around between the ARL, MRT, and BTS, and that also means I'm paying for the MRT and BTS on top of the ARL price. If I hop in a cab after the ARL, well then I'm just getting in the cab where the traffic starts anyways, and I might have to hail a few of them until I get one who agrees to use the meter (this gets even more miserable on a hot April day). The cabs at the airport are certified and have to use the meter, so no funny business there (although there is a 40-50thb airport surcharge). Also the ARL runs every 10 minutes during peak hours only (6:00-9:00 & 16:00-20:00), off times + weekends are 15 minutes, so if you just miss the train and have to wait another 10-15min, it can be just as long as a cab ride. If I'm coming in solo and have nothing but a backpack I'll do the airport rail...if I have luggage or traveling with someone/in a group, I go taxi (split the cab fare while you're at it).

Bangkok airport to Pattaya is there rail service available

Most of the time the taxi will be faster. As you pretty much always have to change station at phaya thai to get to your hotel via the rail link and then the sky train.

The train is brilliant. Unless if you travel with big luggage. Then it's a hassle.

Im Comfortable with Taxis 😊👌 At 52Yrs old too old for complaining complaining in moaning 🤣👌 For God ❤❤❤ a Cheerful Giver 2Corinthians 9 V 7 We only Live once Enjoy Life to the fullest thankU Jesus Amen ☝️

I don't know, but I never had issues to use a taxi in Bangkok. I do not do it often, but most times they switch on the metre without I had to say it. Twice I had to pay a flat rate from Nana to my condo in Thonglor (was during Football World Championchip in 2022), but else no.

Thanks to google maps, a half hour study on the maps of the airport link, MRT and the BTS it's a breeze to avoid the traffic hell of Bangkok. I go for the second time and this year i booked my hotel in Silom, even to that area it is a 1.15 hour ride to my hotel. Straight lines, fast, no traffic noise, and very cheap. So your video is spot on..! Thanks

For a family of 4, we could have 2 big & 2 small luggage. Better to use the Taxi to the City

Ive done both modes and when Bangkok Friday night taxi is gridlocked this is great.

I would agree with you regarding the high price of taxis, the crooked taxi drivers, and poor service (Thai drivers are not helpful with luggage but they expect fat tips). But taking the Rail link and then transferring to the MRT, and then again another potential (shorter) taxi ride to final destination, if you add up all the cost of Rail, MRT, and final taxi, it's not that much cheaper, and certainly takes a lot more time. While each individual ride may not take up too much time, the transfer time and then the waiting time for the next ride all add up to time wasted. Time is money. Worse thing is having to negotiate the walking distance from station to station, and then to the final taxi. I'd much rather use a metered taxi and get door to door service.

What if you have a family of 4 with full language and rush hour period 5pm … still by train .

I have been traveling to Thailand several times a year for the last 10 years. I used to use the ARL, but I just got so sick of dragging my luggage from Makkasan station along Phetchaburi Road to my hotel. Now I always use a taxi, i'd much prefer paying the extra few bucks for the convenience. If you are travelling light, the yes I would recommend the ARL.

Yep, the airport link is clean, convenient, easy and fast. ( but what when you are a couple with a child and luggage?> taxi) I am surprised about your pronunciation of the Thai places. I wonder where you picked that up.

I will be staying around pratunam/platinum mall area so which station do I get off? Thanks

Is the rail link an option for three people with three carry ons and three suit cases? We are staying at the panthumwan at the mbk center. I was thinking I would go in on the link, get off at one of the stops and take a cab to the hotel. I didn’t wanna take all that luggage on the bts. Which stop would be the best to get off at, and avoid the Bangkok traffic?

Seems fine with small luggage

I've very recently used the rail system to get from Sukhumvit road to the airport. It cost under 100 baht for one line change. A cab will cost at the very least 500 baht and some cabs are charging 800 baht. The rail system is great

If I remember correctly there is a change machine there where you buy your token as most people when they arrive don't have thai coins on them

Very helpful thanks! Even if a person has never used a train system in a big city they should cope with Bangkok. And it's only the tokens that make it different to say the London Tube or Paris Metro. And the different train companies in Bangkok of course.

This was great advice from Rob guys! I took this exact airport link on my recent trip to Koh Samui. It was so simple, and so cheap. Great info as always man!

So if I'm going to Wongamat, where is my exit?

Good idea I'm sick of those buggers refusing to turn on the meter what station do I get off I want to go don muang thanks anybody

Can we take Bolt at the bangkok airport now?

Can we take Bolt at the bangkok airport now?

If you carry a bit, taxi is the way. Who care about cheap. You looking for convenient. All this clip going by BTS is kind of bs, why don’t you carry a few more hing and not just your backpack. It’s easy when you have just backpack.

Best way to get into town

Hi there.. I arrive at midnight and so I chose to stay at a place just outside the airport. I heard it's a short taxi ride maybe 3-5 minutes for around 120-150 baht. How can I make sure I don't get scammed? And also, the next day I will go to Salaya outside the city. What is the best way to get there? Thanks for your help.

MRT/Skytrain + Canal Boat + Motorcycle Taxi = Non-existent Bangkok traffic jam experience. Just maybe bring a compact sized helmet if your gonna take motorcycle taxis for slightly long rides for "safety" reasons and not getting pulled over by the cops.

Awesome video brotha! Very informational, I’ll be traveling to Thailand for 1 month in December. I’ll be flying into Bangkok & will use your recommendation. Does it run 24/7? I may arrive late. Thanks for help.

23 to 30 hrs. Take whatever transportation you want. For me taxis have a/c and get to hotel quicker

❤thank you 🙏

Airport link the best way to town so fast so good

Yup.. i prefer by LRT more than taxi...

Are there ticketing counters as well?

an option if you arrive before midnight

How much were the taxis in comparison?

Yeah - all well and good but. the trains don't go everywhere in Bangkok and try struggling with luggage on the MRT and BTS. I'd still have to catch a taxi from a station in Central Bangkok to get to my location. Ok for you to spout off here but the taxi's are the way I prefer to travel. 29 years of using taxi's from both airports suit me. I know the tricks of the trade.

I subscribed

Great video, can I use a card on the ticket machine?

Hi.. can we use grab apps in Bangkok??

As an avid rail enthusiast and supporter, I approve of the message in this video!

Thanks for this. Will Try to contact through social media re. Questions. 👍

Hi mate we arrive on 19th December 😊

What nonsense, you have to go to a station, which station ? then you have to find your hotel, take a taxi get ripped off etc., Just take Grab ( the Thai Unber ) is the most convenient way not expensive at all.

I’m sure if have a lot of baggage they’ll still have to take a taxi if there’s no luggage cars on the train. Luckily I live in Thailand so I travel with just a backpack.

Whenever we fly in to BKK, one of my wife's relatives pick us up and then we stay in Sattahip near Pattaya. Then we have a choice of several vehicles to choose from.

My flight arrives at 11:45 PM. I won't get past customs and out of the airport until 1 AM or later. The train doesn't run at that time.

You could do an "Amazing Race" style video with other RU-vidrs from the airport using taxi/bus/train and see who makes it to a certain location the quickest ;) How much of a price difference is there between the train and taxi? Was hoping you were going to mention that in the vid.

Great video, very informative, clear and simple. I'm coming to Bangkok next week, I'll be bringing you along for other great tips👍

Always use the trains , its so easy

Found your videos just about 4-5 months ago and they just speak to me; really interesting factoids and fantastic editing. I even bought one of your tshirts and wear it at least once a week - LOL!

This is a video for people without any big luggages.

W😯W👏👍👍👍👍👍

Would you suggest this with a checked luggage & carry on? & does it run 24/7

Yes mate but you still have to hump your suitcases up and escalators.

I guess i gona need some small change if i decide to take the rail

What if you have several suitcases to carry? Say to Chit Lom, some BTS have no escalators nor elevators. Thanks much.

Any scooter or car rental nearby Rob

Why is everyone driving to makkasan instead to the end at phaya thai?

3 minutes in before you say "rail link" ....zzzzZZZZZ

"Third world country my arse". Couldn't agree more. Great upload

You should have more likes from this handy video 👍

thanks, i will try the rail link to chinatown next time

I paid 700 baut tolls not included, from airport to my hotel. It was 500 tolls included to go back using the cab the hotel scheduled. Rail link is so crowded. Not the first couple stops but it gets to capacity.

The problem if your from America is that you always arrive around 11:30 PM at night and by the time you go through Immigration and Security and get your baggage, it is too late to take the rail link. Also flights back to America are around 8:00 in the morning and having to be there 3 hours early for International flights makes you half to be there at 5:00 AM in the morning. Plus a taxi ride makes it even earlier like 4:00 AM in the morning that you need to start back to the airport. So for American's, the rail link just doesn't work out,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The good old token which I know all too well lol. Decent vid mate 👍

Very useful VDO , thanks for up loaded.

Thanks for this....absolutely the best vlog on youtube.. Ya doin a crackin job of these videos.

Try that with a wife two kids and ten bags! Taxi every time for me!

can we take our luggage with us in the MRT?

Why would I wanna go by train into town whit a tired girlfriend and a bunch of bags and then have to change to the MRT and then walk all the way from Saphan Taksin to Lebua when a cab is about 10-15€ ??

Thank you mate very helpfull !!! to Sukhumvit ASOKE can also switch and take the BTS

I'm looking at Google maps. When I arrive at the airport to says I that a bus to bangkok Silom, which bus, where do I catch it, what color is the bus, how much?