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Thailand Airport Information
Bangkok International Airport
Commonly
called "Don Muang", it is the entry point for a vast majority
of visitors to Thailand annually. Considered as one of the more modern
and efficient international airports in Asia, the signposts are easy
to follow and written in both English and Thai. Free luggage carts are
provided at the terminal gates. After clearing Immigration Services
(vast number of counters, but still slightly slow), take the escalator
to the reliable baggage claim area below. If you have nothing to clear,
the green customs channel provides a hasty exit into the smiling kingdom
of Thailand.
Airport consists of two international terminals and one domestic
terminal located adjacent to each other. Passengers can freely walk
between Terminals 1 and 2, while a covered, elevated walkway connects
Terminal 2 with the domestic terminal. A free shuttle bus service covers
the short distance between terminals every 15 minutes.
The arrival hall of both terminals feature a variety of services
and facilities, including currency exchange booths, a tourist information
kiosk, metered taxi kiosk and airport limousine counter. However, Terminal
1 has more facilities, such as an automatic teller machine (ATM), a
24-hour post-office with international telephone facilities, an airport
clinic, a convenient store, and a hotel reservation desk.
A number of restaurants and bars operate in both terminals' departure
hall, though more are located in Terminal 2, including popular fast
food venues such as Burger Kings, KFC, and Swenson's, and an internet
cafe?. Extra luggage can be stored up to 4 months at the left-luggage
facility in Terminal 1.
For those departing or transiting through Bangkok, there are a variety
of facilities to entertain you. Duty free shops restaurants/snack bars
are generously scattered in both terminals. KFC, the only fast food
counter, is located by pier 4 of Terminal 2. A number of designer brand
name boutiques sell their wares at reasonable prices, such as Harrods,
Jim Thompson and the Mae Fah Luang Project, displaying handicrafts made
by local Thai artisans under the patronage of the deceased HRH Grandmother,
the present king's mother. An arcade game centre for children of all
ages is located in the transit area of Terminal 1.
Getting To and From the Airport
Though the airport is located 25 km (16 miles) north of the centre of
Bangkok, road travel time depends on the traffic conditions. During
peak rush hours, the simple journey can take as long as 3 hours.
Taxis : Seek out the taxi desk located in the arrival
hall of each terminal. They will set a rough estimate pricing for your
standardized, metered fare, not to exceed 300 Baht. Because of airport
regulations on taxis, an additional 50 Baht surcharge will be added
to the total fare. Passengers are responsible for the expressway fees.
To enter the city, you will most likely pay 2 expressway fares, 25 Baht
at the Don Muang Tollway (on ramp adjacent to airport) and 40 Baht at
the Rapid Express Tollway Agency's Dindaeng junction. A tip of 10-20
Baht is a gesture of appreciation for their service.
Airport Limousines : The desks for making such requests
are usually adjacent to the taxi desks at all terminals. A uniformed
chauffeur will drive you to your destination while seated comfortably
in a sedan or luxury car. A flat fee of 500 Baht (smaller car, ex. Mitsubishi)
or 650 Baht (luxury car, ex. Mercedes Benz or Volvo) is charged for
pick-up and delivery to any venue within the perimeter of Bangkok. Though
priced slightly higher than a metered taxi, you're still responsible
for the expressway fares, but no surcharges. The limos are well maintained
and are all white in colour. Tipping 10% of the fare is the norm.
AAC Limousine offers round trip services from airport to
destinations around the country. Visit www.aaclimousine.com for more
information.
Hotel Limousines : Most hotels offer complimentary
limousine or minibus service if you have bookings with them. The drivers
would meet you in the arrival hall, holding up poster cards with your
names written on it.
Helicopter : A few luxury hotels offer helicopter
service for their guests
Airport Buses : An economical shuttle bus providing
service from the airport to major city areas providing accommodations
(No.1 to Silom, No.2 to Sanam Luang (Royal Field), No.3 to Sukhumvit
55 and No.4 to Hua Lam Phong (central train station)). The buses run
every 15 minutes, operating from 5 am to midnight, and costs 100 Baht
per person.
Train : Located directly across the highway from
the airport, a covered walkway connects the arrival hall in Terminal
1 to the train station. Trains en route to Hua Lam Phong, the main train
station located in the centre of town, appears every 15-30 minutes.
Public Buses : Adventurous travellers without much
luggage may want to try getting into town on these, the most economical
method of all. Airport kiosk provides bus maps and the bus stops are
located on the highway in front of the airport.
Hired Car : If you want to experience driving in
Bangkok, there are many car rental firms in Bangkok, including international
car rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. The road system
is good and well posted with signs written in English. An international
driving license is required.
Source:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
