In Bangkok 在曼谷 [Bangkok Airport Link Suvarnabhumi Airport TrainTransfers To Bangkok City]

I often travel to Bangkok for business. Usually reliant on airport meter taxi that brings me directly from the airport to my hotel. Although the cost of travelling on Bangkok is generally low and affordable for many travellers. There's one thing that really bothers me is their unpredicted traffic on the road. So this will be my first review comparing an airport taxi to few selected locations/ hotels and vs. the airport express train in Bangkok.

Here are the key information that extracted from the official website:

The much-awaited Airport Rail Link (06:00-midnight) that connects downtown Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi International Airport is a smart alternative to the airport’s express buses or taxis. The City Line makes six stops between downtown (Phayathai Station) and the airport, completing each run in 30 minutes, making this a quick and convenient transport option for getting in and out of Bangkok.

The Airport Rail Link connects you to the MRT underground at Makkasan City Interchange Station (MRT Petchaburi Station) and the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station. Please note, the baggage check-in at Makkasan Station is no longer available. 

From Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi), the entrance to the Airport Rail Link service is on the First Floor.Please bear in mind for those who travel with budget air, i.e. air asia. There is not direct airport express that connects to the Don Mueng airpor - the budget terminal.

The airport express train also use by many locals during the day time. The one way fare is seems cheap. The ticket that I bought was 45 Baht one way from the Phayathai station to the Suvarnabhum station. It takes a little walk from the BTS station to the airport rail link, just approx. 5-10 mins and covered with shelter. It is pretty safe and convenient on a rainy day. 

BTS station connects to airport express link.

Going up to airport express train platform. 

The current (based on September 2015) fare seems cheaper for single traveller compared to the one way taxi fare. I'm not sure if this is a promo fare or new revised ticket fare. 

Tips:-   if you do not have heavy luggage or neither travel in a big group. It is a wiser choice to use airport express train to avoid bad traffic. Good thing is that there's an escalator service at the Phayathai station going up to the main platform. Which you do not need to carry your luggage up and walk up by stairs. But there's no escalators service for coming down. So just bear in mind and plan well which types of transportation that fits.