Suvarnabhumi Airport
Also known as: Bangkok Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, BKK Airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, New Bangkok Airport.
Private transfer from BKKSee pricesSee pricesAbout Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main international airport for Bangkok, Thailand. It sits in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 km east of downtown Bangkok. It is a different airport from Don Mueang (DMK) in the north of the city, which handles many low-cost flights; check which one your ticket shows.
Thai Airways is based here and flies across Asia, Europe and Australia. Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet Air link the city with Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Koh Samui, while Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Japan Airlines and United Airlines connect Bangkok with their hubs.
All check-in, immigration and baggage claim take place in one large main terminal. Some flights board at the SAT-1 satellite concourse, reached by an underground automated people mover.
The Airport Rail Link runs from a station under the terminal to Phaya Thai in about 27 minutes, and taxis reach Sukhumvit or Silom in 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. From the airport, travelers head to Sukhumvit, Silom, Khao San Road, Pattaya and Hua Hin, or connect to Don Mueang for domestic flights.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Airports of Thailand (AOT)
- Passengers per year
About 62.9 million in 2025
- Runways
Three runways: 01/19 and 02L/20R (4,000 m) and 02R/20L (3,700 m)
- Main airline
Thai Airways International
- Opened
September 2006
Arrival tips for Suvarnabhumi Airport
After landing, you walk or take the people mover to immigration in the main terminal. Foreign visitors must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival; since 15 September 2026 the visa exemption for most eligible nationalities is 30 days. Immigration lines are usually longest from about 1 pm to 5 pm.
Screens behind passport control show your baggage belt. After customs you come out into the arrivals hall on Level 2, where pre-booked drivers wait with name signs and the AOT Limousine counters are located.
For a public taxi, go down to Level 1, where the stand sits between Gates 4 and 7. Take a ticket from the kiosk, keep the slip with the driver's details, and make sure the meter is on; use this queue rather than drivers who approach you inside the hall. Grab and Bolt pick up at Level 1, Gate 4, and the Airport Rail Link station is on the basement level.
Bangkok is hot all year, with a rainy season from about May to October. Thailand uses Indochina Time (UTC+7) with no daylight saving, and the currency is the Thai baht.
Ground transportation
The Airport Rail Link suits light travelers heading downtown, while a taxi or pre-arranged car is easier with luggage or late at night.
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Book a transfer from BKKAirport Rail Link
Trains leave from the basement level every 10 to 13 minutes from 05:30 to midnight and reach Phaya Thai in about 27 minutes, with connections to the BTS at Phaya Thai and the MRT at Makkasan. Carrying large bags through transfers can be tiring.
Taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Metered public taxis leave from the Level 1 stand between Gates 4 and 7, 24 hours a day. The ride to Sukhumvit or Silom takes 45 to 75 minutes, and evening traffic can make it longer.
Rideshare
Grab is the airport's official ride-hailing partner and picks up at a dedicated area on Level 1, Gate 4, where Bolt also picks up. Fares can rise at busy times.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers and AOT Limousine cars meet passengers in the Level 2 arrivals hall. This is the simplest option for groups, heavy luggage or long trips to Pattaya or Hua Hin.
Bus to Khao San Road and Pattaya
The S1 airport bus to Khao San Road leaves from Level 1, Gate 7, between 06:00 and 20:00 and takes 60 to 90 minutes. Roong Reuang Coach buses to Pattaya leave from Level 1 near Gate 8 and take about two hours.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Automated people mover
An underground train links the main terminal with SAT-1 in a few minutes. It runs airside, so there is no need to clear security again.
- 2
Arriving at SAT-1
If your flight parks at SAT-1, follow the signs to the people mover; immigration and baggage claim are in the main terminal.
- 3
Shuttle to Don Mueang
A free shuttle runs between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang every 30 minutes from 05:00 to midnight for passengers holding a connecting ticket or boarding pass. At Suvarnabhumi it leaves from Level 2, Gate 3, and the ride takes 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
Terminals
Main Terminal
Handles check-in, immigration, baggage claim and arrivals for all international and domestic flights, with arrivals on Level 2 and departures on Level 4.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air France, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines
SAT-1 Satellite
A midfield concourse with 28 gates, fully open since 2024, used for boarding and arriving flights only. Passengers reach it from the main terminal by the automated people mover.
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Suvarnabhumi Airport from Bangkok city center?
Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 25 km east of downtown Bangkok, in Samut Prakan province. The Airport Rail Link reaches Phaya Thai in about 27 minutes. By taxi, Sukhumvit and Silom are usually 45 to 75 minutes away, and the trip can take longer in evening traffic or heavy rain.
Is Suvarnabhumi the same as Don Mueang Airport?
No. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) are two separate Bangkok airports. Suvarnabhumi is east of the city and handles most long-haul flights, while Don Mueang is in the north and serves many low-cost airlines. A free shuttle links them for passengers with a connecting ticket, taking 1 to 2 hours.
How many terminals does Suvarnabhumi Airport have?
Suvarnabhumi has one large main terminal for all international and domestic flights, plus the SAT-1 satellite concourse. SAT-1 has 28 gates and is used only for boarding and arriving. An underground automated people mover links it to the main terminal, where check-in, immigration and baggage claim take place.
Which airlines fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Thai Airways is the main airline at Suvarnabhumi and flies across Asia, Europe and Australia. Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet Air serve Thai cities such as Phuket and Chiang Mai. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Air France and United Airlines also fly here.
Where is the taxi stand at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
The public taxi stand is on Level 1, one floor below arrivals, between Gates 4 and 7, and it operates 24 hours. Take a queue ticket from the kiosk, which gives you a lane number and a slip with the driver's details. Ask for the meter, and return to the queue if a driver refuses.
How do I take the train from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok?
Take the Airport Rail Link from the station on the airport's basement level. Trains run from 05:30 to midnight every 10 to 13 minutes and reach Phaya Thai, the last stop, in about 27 minutes. Change to the BTS Skytrain at Phaya Thai or to the MRT Blue Line at Makkasan.
Can I use Grab at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Yes. Grab is the official ride-hailing partner of Airports of Thailand and has a pickup area on Level 1 at Gate 4, with staff on site around the clock. Bolt also picks up at Level 1, Gate 4. Fares are shown in the app before you confirm the ride.
Do I need an arrival card to enter Thailand?
Yes. All foreign visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival, and it is free. Since 15 September 2026, travelers from most visa-exempt countries can stay 30 days, so check the rules for your passport.
How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya?
Pattaya is about 120 km southeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport, roughly 90 minutes by car on Motorway 7 when roads are clear. Roong Reuang Coach buses leave from Level 1 near Gate 8 and take about two hours. Taxis and pre-arranged cars also make the trip.
How do I get to Khao San Road from Suvarnabhumi Airport?
The S1 airport bus runs directly to Khao San Road from Level 1, Gate 7, between 06:00 and 20:00, and takes 60 to 90 minutes. It accepts cash only. Taxis from the Level 1 stand and Grab are other options, especially after the bus stops running in the evening.
What time zone is Bangkok in and what is the weather like?
Bangkok uses Indochina Time (UTC+7) all year, with no daylight saving time. The climate is hot throughout the year, with a rainy season from about May to October. Thailand's currency is the Thai baht, and ATMs and exchange counters are available inside the airport.
How busy is Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Suvarnabhumi handled about 62.9 million passengers in 2025, around 50 million of them on international flights. It is operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT) and has three runways. Immigration lines tend to be longest in the early afternoon, so allow extra time when you arrive between about 1 pm and 5 pm.