Airport Rail Link Bangkok is a mass transit system, connecting the main airport of Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi - BKK) with Bangkok city. Taking this Bangkok Airport train is the cheapest and easiest way to get into the city center from Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is located on the eastern side of Bangkok.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Train
The Airport Rail Link train line in Bangkok covers a distance of 28 km and consists of 8 stations. The journey from the airport to the last station on the route (Phaya Thai) normally takes less than 30 minutes, making it the fastest way to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city.
Previously there was a non-stop express train service, but it is not available anymore, and all the trains stop at every station (even if in some places you might still see signs leading to the Express Line).
The Airport Rail Link is well connected with other Bangkok mass transit systems, and these connections help reach various important areas of Bangkok very conveniently. The Airport Rail Link train line is connected with the underground MRT Blue Line at Makkasan Station, with the BTS SkyTrain at Phaya Thai Station, and with the newly opened MRT Yellow Line at Hua Mak Station.
To simplify things when traveling on Bangkok city train systems such as the BTS SkyTrain and MRT Yellow or Pink Line, consider getting a Bangkok Rabbit Card, as with it you won't need to queue up and buy separate tickets for each ride. Even if this card can't be used on the Airport Rail Link, it's still worth it in most cases, as BTS lines are used most frequently for exploring the city.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Map
The Bangkok Airport Rail Link line consists of 8 stations. Stations on Bangkok Airport train route:
A1 Suvarnabhumi - the station at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is the starting point of this airport train line.
A2 Lat Krabang - the station suitable for travelers who wish to stay close to Bangkok Airport but don't want to overpay for the airport hotel. Close to the station, you can find affordable hotels such as Golden Jade and A-Port, as well as local markets, The Paseo Mall Lat Krabang, and Robinson Lifestyle Ladkrabang shopping malls.
A3 Ban Thap Chang - the station in the residential area of Bangkok.
A4 Hua Mak - the station connected with the MRT Yellow Line Hua Mak station and close to a good Halal hotel, Zayn Hotel Bangkok.
A5 Ramkhamhaeng - the station in the residential area of Bangkok, connected with an affordable Nasa Bangkok Hotel by a skywalk and located next to Ramnueng Pier of the Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service.
A6 Makkasan - the station connected with the MRT Blue Line Phetchaburi station (more about this connection - ARL Makkasan to MRT Phetchaburi). For a convenient connection with BKK Airport and other areas of the city, you can stay in close proximity to the station at Lancaster Bangkok (luxury), Mercure Bangkok Makkasan (mid-range), or FX Hotel Metrolink Makkasan (affordable).
A7 Ratchaprarop - the station in the Pratunam shopping district, close to the famous Pratunam Market. In walking distance from the station, you can find several very popular and well-rated places to stay, such as Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok and The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam. Right next to the station you can find a nice affordable hotel, KC Place Hotel Pratunam.
A8 Phaya Thai - the station connected with BTS Phaya Thai station. The surrounding area of this station is also a good place to stay, as from there you can easily take public transportation to/from the airport and various popular areas such as Siam and Sukhumvit. Good accommodation options in this area include Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai (luxury), Hotel Tranz (mid-range), and Top High Airport Link Hotel (affordable). Plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars can also be found in the area.
Finding one of the Bangkok Airport train stations isn’t difficult, as they are elevated and can be easily noticed from a distance. There are road signs leading to the station as well.
Check the Bangkok Airport Rail Link map and find the station closest to you.
Airport Rail Link Suvarnabhumi Station
Airport Rail Link Suvarnabhumi Station is located on Floor “B” of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Finding the train station at the airport is easy, as you will see many signs leading to "Airport Rail Link", "Train to City", or "City Line".
For more details, check our guide to taking the train from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Airport Rail Link Bangkok Timetable
Airport Rail Link Bangkok operates daily from 05:30 to midnight.
Actually, the first train departs from the start of the route at 05:10-05:15, and the last departure is scheduled at 00:00, with the last train normally reaching the final station at around 00:30.
Airport Rail Link train frequency depends on the day of the week and the time of the day, as on weekends and public holidays trains are less frequent.
On weekdays, airport trains are scheduled to depart every 9 minutes. However, early in the morning (before 06:30) and late in the evening (after 21:00), train departures can be slightly less frequent.
On weekends and public holidays, trains depart every 12 minutes. Train departures before 07:00 in the morning and after 21:00 in the evening might be slightly less frequent.
The Airport Rail Link Bangkok timetable for a specific station can be found at the station as seen below. The next train departure is also clearly displayed on the digital board.
Bangkok Airport Train Tickets
Bangkok Airport train tickets for a single journey can be purchased at ticket vending machines. You need Thai Baht coins or banknotes for buying a ticket, as only cash is accepted.
At Airport Rail Link stations, tickets can only be purchased for this airport line, and you will need to buy another ticket at MRT Metro or BTS station if you are looking to extend your trip on another train line.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link Ticket Price
Bangkok Airport Rail Link ticket price for a single journey varies from 15 to 45 THB, depending on the distance.
Current Bangkok Airport train ticket prices are the following:
- 1 station, or the same station for getting in and out - 15 THB
- 2 stations - 20 THB
- 3 stations - 25 THB
- 4 stations - 30 THB
- 5 stations - 35 THB
- 6 stations - 40 THB
- 7 stations - 45 THB
The exact fare for your journey can also be found on the Bangkok Airport Train Fare Table at the station (see below).
How to buy Airport Rail Link tickets
To buy a Bangkok Airport train ticket for a single journey, you need to use a ticket vending machine. All these machines accept coins and banknotes.
These ticket vending machines are easy to use, as you can choose between English and Thai on the touchscreen. Then you just need to choose your destination and a number of tickets.
The exact fare will appear on the screen.
You need 1, 5, or 10 Baht coins or 20, 50, or 100 Baht banknotes, as 2 Baht coins, satangs, and larger banknotes are not accepted.
Insert coins and banknotes into dedicated slots.
When the amount inserted will reach the required fare, your ticket (token) and change will fall down into the chamber below. Take the token and your change (if any).
Steps of the process for purchasing tokens are also displayed on the machine.
At the Airport Rail Link Station Ticket Office, it is possible to purchase a Store Value Card (Smart Pass) - a smart card that can be topped up for multiple rides. Stored Value Card can be bought and topped at any ARL Station Ticket Office. The card can also be topped up using the ticket vending machine.
However, if you are visiting Bangkok only as a tourist for a short stay, getting such a card would hardly be worth it.
How to use Airport Rail Link Ticket
When you get your token, proceed to the metallic gates. Green arrow signs indicate entry points - you need to choose one of them.
Touch your token to the indicated place on the metallic part of the gate. The gate will open then. Quickly walk through as the gate stays open for just a couple of seconds.
Don’t lose the token, as at the exit you will have to insert it into the dedicated slot for the gate to open.
Taking the Airport Rail Link Train
When you enter the paid area of the train station, you need to choose the platform. The platforms are named by the last station of the line (Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai). Just choose the correct direction and go up to the train by an escalator.
When you get to the platform, you will notice that Airport Rail Link station platforms have yellow arrows in a black background pointing towards the track and black arrows in a yellow background pointing from the track. You should wait in a line behind the yellow arrows on a black background.
The doors of the train will open directly in front of the arrows pointing back from the track, and passengers will disembark the train there.
There’s a map inside the train showing stations on the line. The name of the next station is clearly announced in advance so you have time to prepare for disembarking the train.
If you choose the wrong direction or miss your station, don’t worry and just swap platforms at the next station. You don’t need to buy a new ticket if you just change platforms and don’t leave the station.
Tips
Get a discounted SIM card with an internet plan at the airport in Thailand (to save money, pre-book a Thai SIM card online) and stay connected during your trip on the Bangkok Airport train. Otherwise, if your mobile phone is eSIM compatible, you can get eSIM Thailand by instant email delivery and use it right after landing in Bangkok.
Airport Rail Link is just one part of the complex public transportation system in the Thai capital. Get familiar with other means of transportation used for public transportation in Bangkok.
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok? You should choose one of the areas well connected with Airport Rail Link, MRT, or BTS, as it can really save you time. Our recommendations for choosing the right area to stay in Bangkok can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok?
Any Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions about public transportation in Bangkok and ask your own question if it's not answered there yet.
