Asia - Who knows BKK airport?

I am traveling on an award ticket from JFK-ICN-BKK in August. Upon arriving in BKK I will fly on a purchased ticket on Bangkok Airways to USM (Koh Samui). I assume I will have to reclaim my bag from TG (operating the ICN-BKK flight) and re-check in with Bangkok Airways. Any suggestions on how much time I need to do all of that before I book my onward ticket?

I am traveling on an award ticket from JFK-ICN-BKK in August. Upon arriving in BKK I will fly on a purchased ticket on Bangkok Airways to USM (Koh Samui). I assume I will have to reclaim my bag from TG (operating the ICN-BKK flight) and re-check in with Bangkok Airways. Any suggestions on how much time I need to do all of that before I book my onward ticket?

No, You'll have to get you bags at BKK. This wi dial you into the 411 http://www.samui.org/airport/
The only way is if Samui has passport control at the airport. there is virtually no customs in BKK. No form etc.
Will you be in BKK long before going to Samui. Remember the best shopping is in BKK. YOu are going to be in the Jet Lag Zone a bit so I would plan some down days to chill. I chill in Phuket (Patong Beach) and then move on from there. I fine a softer enviro easier to slip into the new time zone....BTW??? why aren't you doing the JFK BKK non stop on TG with your award. I go HNL NRT BKK and it takes much longer than the 17 hrs you have JFK BKK on TG!

If you have more questions pls PM me as I'm in BKK 6 or 7 times a year and this have been giong on for about 6 years. I'm a Phuket addict but do know bangers well enought.............

I have flown in and out of BKK several times and I have flown Bangkok Air from BKK to Kho Samui, although I have not connected in BKK.

You will need to clear immigration and have you photo taken in BKK before you enter Thailand then travel downstairs and take a short walk to Bangkok Air check-in. You will have to clear security before boarding a bus that takes you to the aircraft. Immigration can take 5 minutes if you are one of the first off the bus and there isn’t a line. Or it can take 1 hour.

It depends on what time you arrive and what other flights arrive just before or at the same time you arrive from ICN.

Bottom line: minimum 1 hour, maximum 2 hours. IMO

It depends on what time you arrive and what other flights arrive just before or at the same time you arrive from ICN.

Bottom line: minimum 1 hour, maximum 2 hours. IMO

Thanks for the advice - the specifics are very helpful. I arrive at 1pm on a Thursday and was leaning towards 2 hours just to be safe.

You will need to clear immigration and have you photo taken in BKK before you enter Thailand...

I've been there 3 times in the past 3 years & have never had this done...

I've also done the Koh Samui flights coming of int'l as well. Depending on when your flight comes in from ICN, there are generally regular depatures on Bangkok Airways, so you can give yourself time.

Your BKK Airways flight flies out of the domestic terminal - which, with a cart pushing your luggage is easily a 15 minute walk down a long hallway (which, if you've never been to BKK, may take you a few minutes to figure out where it is). They usually open up the BKK Airways flights 1-2 hours before departure - I'd check in at LEAST 40 minutes before departure time & although there generally isn't a long security wait in the domestic terminal, sometimes it's a 5 minute wait. Checking in can sometimes take 20 minutes as well. So, based on this - with the fact that you have to wait for a 747 or whatever you're flying into BKK to unload, pick up your luggage, then clear customs (which in BKK - the passport control can take a while if 2 jets landed at the same time), I'd give myself a MINIMUm of 2 hours - but, preferably more than that - especially coming off a JFK-ICN & ICN-BKK flight. You may want time to stretch your legs, grab a drink or a quick non-airline meal, etc, etc. I think it's better to be a little more time cautious than it is to miss your flight. I once missed BKK Airways from USM to Krabi and the next available flight to fly standby on was literally 2 days later - no other carriers go to USM either & during high season, those flights do tend to sell out regularly!

I've been there 3 times in the past 3 years & have never had this done...I think "having your picture taken"
is referring to being face-scanned with a small webcam
just before they stamp your passport.

I entered via BKK twice in Feb-March,
and it happened both times.

Also was being done in PNH and MNL on recent entries.

bhatnasx - So very helpful - I am grateful. Bangkok Airway's flights to Koh Samui are surprisingly frequent (25/day), but I agree, a 2 -3 hour window seems the way to go.

I've been there 3 times in the past 3 years & have never had this done...

They started doing this at BKK sometime early 2005. On my first trip in Dec '04, there were no cameras. Then, in Jan '05, the cameras were set up, but no pictures were being taken yet. Then, in Feb '05 (and every trip after that), I had my picture taken.

Go ahead and book PG165 at 15:20.

Chances are you'll be checked-in waaay early, and if you ask they may send you out at 14:30 or 14:50. Or, if you miss it, there are still 8 more flights remaining. You can't lose, especially in August. That's low season.

In the schedule, note the aircraft types for each flight. Flight time for the AT7 turboprop is 1:30 vs. 1:00 for the 717, but both planes are comfortable. Here's a shot of the 717. http://www.ninedragons.com/samui/pg_717.jpg

I didn't want to fly on the 717 'cause I thought it might be some ancient 60's successor to the 707. Not. It's a McDonnell-Douglas concept from the mid-90's and it's perfect for this route.

I was there 2 weeks ago. The cameras were there at immigration, but they didn't seem to be using them. If they took my picture, I wasn't aware and I was fairly intentionally trying to stay away from the camera's line of sight.

If you have extra time at BKK, there are massage places (at least in the int'l departure areas). Not as cheap as in town, but not expensive either. After a long flight, it would be refreshing. My recollection was the cost was 800 Bhat / hour ($21/hr). And if you're in a hurry you can have two people work on you at once (one on head/shoulders and the other on your feet). This is wonderful.

Note: these are legitimate massage places. If you want the other kind, you'll have to go into town. And, as you know, what goes on in Bangkok, stays in Bangkok.

They started doing this at BKK sometime early 2005. On my first trip in Dec '04, there were no cameras. Then, in Jan '05, the cameras were set up, but no pictures were being taken yet. Then, in Feb '05 (and every trip after that), I had my picture taken.

This is for sure, but it only adds about 5-10 seconds to you "proccessing" time.

bhatnasx Good point about the flights to and from USM being sold out, sometimes for days. If you have a delay coming into BKK it would be best to allow for more time but I hate hanging around Don Muang.

As they say on LOS "up to you".

"Good point about the flights to and from USM being sold out..."

bhatnasx wrote that it was flights between Ko Samui and Krabi that were sold out, although there don't seem to be any such flights on PG's schedule.

A couple of alternatives:

- purchase a ticket now with a longer connection time, then stand-by for an earlier flight when you get to the domestic terminal and check-in.

- purchase a ticket when you arrive BKK.

In addition to the daily flights there are additional flights on certain days of the week. For the OP (Thursday departure in August) there are flights at 15:20 (PG 165); 16:00 (PG 173); 16:50 (PG 179); 17:20 (PG 175).

After clearing immigration, claiming any checked luggage and clearing customs I would personally walk to the domestic terminal, but only because I am unfamilar with any buses that might might be available. I usually make this walk in 10 min. or less. You'll need to proceed left (direction if coming down the escalator after immigration) through terminal 2, then go up one level ( two escalators ) and proceed in that same direction (left, or ~ south) through a long, enclosed, elevated walk-way. There should be 'yellow on black' signs indicating the directions to the domestic terminal. I think you may have to go down one level to check-in with Bangkok Airways, once you reach the domestic terminal.

[QUOTE=RobUAIntl]I was there 2 weeks ago. The cameras were there at immigration, but they didn't seem to be using them. If they took my picture, I wasn't aware and I was fairly intentionally trying to stay away from the camera's line of sight.QUOTE]

15 trips to BKK last year---

Get on the first bus if they remote park, which occurs 98% of the time on UA, it seems---Move to the far side ot the bus-you'll get off first-Be one of the fastest runners in your squad---Mainly because it's nearly mid-night (whoops you said SQ or TG, didn't you?) You will probably get a gate, but a good, not too obvious (no eye contact) trot would suffice-because everyone is in a rush--- The first 3 or 4 immigration stands you see may not be the fastest---You may want to keep moving down the line and hope the agent you get isn't on Ambien--- Entering and exiting BKK @ immigration they now have working cameras on their podium's, and they DO take your picture. What's cool is to hang out there for awhile and watch the people take off their hats, when directed by the officer, and hang them over the camera---It's a riot---
About 10 to30% thinks they are hat racks---

Japanese and Thai languages don't sound too much alike, so English finally gets the hat off the camera, but sometimes back on their head---

Go down stairs get your bags if ya got em (They are pretty fast getting them out) Now you will need to go to terminal #1 (Domestic), and check in you and your bags to Koh Samui--- Bangkok Air has a pretty nice lounge area for all passengers after you go thru srcurity at both airports---Free drinks and finger food, etc.
No 500 Baht to fly out of BKK on a domestic, but you'll need it when you leave Thailand--- And there there was around a 400 or 500 Bhat fee to leave Koh Samui airport---Don't remember the exact amount? Around 20 bucks, I think---

I'm still trying to get a refund for nearly $1,000 from BKKAIR (Seim Reap) that I was promised I'd get in 3 to 4 weeks and it's been 8 weeks-
Going back over in a few weeks and will run it down---AGAIN!!!

Koh Samui is wonderful-but if you get a chance go to Hua Hin---two hour drive south of BKK---Better beaches, in MHO---

Have fun---

A couple of alternatives:

- purchase a ticket now with a longer connection time, then stand-by for an earlier flight when you get to the domestic terminal and check-in.

- purchase a ticket when you arrive BKK.

.

Many flight fill up and may not be available when you get there---
And BKK Air domestic flights have ALWAYS been on time for me---
Thai Air flights domestic are a crap shoot---

I bought all of my Bangkok Air itineraries on their web sight, and had no problem---

Up-2-U how you want to connect--- Buy here or buy there-I'd buy the tickets here, but ALL passengers MUST fly on the itinerary of the person purchasing the ticket, or they'll cancel the other persons reservation (if it's not on their card, and you have separate res's.)---

You will need to go to ticketing near the check-in counter to trade your e-ticket confirmation for a paper ticket before you are allowed to check in---Only takes a few minutes, however---
I liked Bangkok Air-45 to an hour and box lunches and drinks---
Thai people are very, very lovely people, and take pride in their airlines---

One hour and 17 minutes LAS to SFO (TED) and any little mogul, is a cause for bis in order to read a magazine---

It's gonna be HOT-HOT-HOT, but the rainy season starts, not soon enough!
Enjoy! :)

Thanks to everyone. I am once again amazed by the knowledge here. I plan to book something later today. Cheers.

One other short-cut--- NEED A CAB?

If you ever stay in BKK and are not in transit---

After exiting customs, pass the 700 to 900 Baht taxi people with their clip boards, (and whatever you do, don't make eye contact with them) and also don't even look at the taxi line out side arrivals---go directly upstairs to departures and hail a cab--- 200 to 300 hundred Baht will get you anywhere in BKK--- Some cabs won't pick you up, and would rather sit in the cue, I guess, but most will- Some don't want to activate the meter from that location, but 300 max will get the taxi moving---

"Now sit back and relax and enjoy your TED flight"!
Whoops, wrong speach---
You ain't gonna relax during this ride, I can guarantee you that much! ;)

One other short-cut--- NEED A CAB?

If you ever stay in BKK and are not in transit---

After exiting customs, pass the 700 to 900 Baht taxi people with their clip boards, (and whatever you do, don't make eye contact with them) and also don't even look at the taxi line out side arrivals---go directly upstairs to departures and hail a cab--- 200 to 300 hundred Baht will get you anywhere in BKK--- Some cabs won't pick you up, and would rather sit in the cue, I guess, but most will- Some don't want to activate the meter from that location, but 300 max will get the taxi moving---

"Now sit back and relax and enjoy your TED flight"!
Whoops, wrong speach---
You ain't gonna relax during this ride, I can guarantee you that much! ;)

Your taxi recommendation has been mentioned here, and in several other forums, many, many times, but a reminder is probably due. For a while BKK taxi threads were popping up weekly, with no shortage of recommendations. After ~ 75 trips from BKK to town I still prefer to use the 'official' taxi booth on the lower, or Arrivals, level, if only for a slightly added measure of security. (Yes, it does cost 50 THB extra.) I'll check the length of the line from inside the terminal, and if it's longer than say 10 people I will head upstairs (one level, but two escalators) to the Departures level and take one of the taxis waiting there. I just go with 300 THB (no meter, but darn little tip, maybe 20 baht or a round-up), exclusive of any tolls, which is about what I pay anyway (inclusive of the 50 baht service charge, and a decent tip). These taxis are more or less "illegal" (standard cabs, red/blue; green/yellow; or single color - but by "illegal" I mean that they are probably not supposed to wait and pick up passengers on that level), they may have dropped off a passenger or just hang out there. I assume they have to pay a "fee" to the policemen standing nearby?

For heavy domestic travel days, say at the end of a holiday period or long weekend, the taxi queue from the domestic terminal, on either level, can be huge, one hour or more for the wait. What to do? Walk to the International Terminal and get a taxi there. Or walk directly out of any terminal, crossing various access roads and parking lots, to Viphawadi Rangsit Road and hail a taxi (done locally with arm extended below the waist, while wiggling the hand) heading to the left (your side of the road), or south-ish towards Bangkok center. It's also the custom to inquire about your destination, and the driver's willingness to take you, by opening one of the passenger side doors, and mentioning your destination and the word "meter". If it's raining, market forces prevail.

Did the BKK-USM having just gotten off a flight from Hanoi last March. It did take us 65 minutes before we got to the BKK Airways counter in the Domestic side. Our bags were the last ones that came in off the Hanoi flights though and it was the first time usual trial and error thing for finding and using the long hall like walkways that connect the int and domestic terminals. By the time we checkin and got our boarding pass, it was only 45 min left before departure (don't know when they normally close the counter as the tickets do state to check in 1 hour before flight). It was a close call. 2 hours layover for first timers is cutting it close but doable. Hanoi flight was using a small plane. We would have to wait a lot longer if it was a packed 747. Somebody has to be the last one to get the bags...and it was us on that trip.

Or walk directly out of any terminal, crossing various access roads and parking lots, to Viphawadi Rangsit Road and hail a taxi (done locally with arm extended below the waist, while wiggling the hand) heading to the left (your side of the road), or south-ish towards Bangkok center.

On my last arrival at BKK two years ago, I took the airport shuttle bus. It was painfully slow because it went to the other terminal to wait for more riders to load -- all the while waiting in the hot sun with no AC.

I could see that an elevated train line was then under construction, but was not yet complete to BKK airport. Is that it option now for arrivals with carry-on backpacks only?

Two years ago, the Let's Go travel guide for SE Asia said, "The easiest way to get into town (from the BKK airport) is by train, which has a terminal across the street from the airport." That was not true when the book was published because the train did not exist. Is it true now?

...Two years ago, the Let's Go travel guide for SE Asia said, "The easiest way to get into town (from the BKK airport) is by train, which has a terminal across the street from the airport." That was not true when the book was published because the train did not exist. Is it true now?
Let's Go was talking about the regular train, as in choo-choo, not the BTS. Here's the schedule (http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp) (look under Northern or Northeastern lines) for Don Muang.

The general ground transportation info for BKK is here (http://www.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/bia/html/service7.html#trans4).

...
For heavy domestic travel days, say at the end of a holiday period or long weekend, the taxi queue from the domestic terminal, on either level, can be huge, one hour or more for the wait. What to do? Walk to the International Terminal and get a taxi there. ...
Just to note that often at the domestic terminal you will find yourself going "backwards" in the queue as locals grab an arriving taxi before it formally can queue for new passengers.

The solution is as transpac says. Go to the International terminal (or to the road). If you have a lot of luggage and you're lucky, the free, airport terminal to terminal shuttle bus will be right there. Otherwise, if you don't want to walk at ground level in the pleasant Bangkok climate, go upstairs and walk in the air con corridor. There used to be a free golf cart shuttle in the corridor, though I don't know if it still is operating.

I could see that an elevated train line was then under construction, but was not yet complete to BKK airport. Is that it option now for arrivals with carry-on backpacks only?
The Hopewell elevated line (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/HopewellMain.shtml) -- also known, for obvious reasons, as the Hopeless line -- is not only not under construction, but actively under destruction.

On the upside, they're actively building a KL-style express rail link (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/srt/airportlink.shtml) to the new BKK. The link was supposed to open in 2007, but is highly likely to be delayed to 2008. There are also plans to extend the link all the way to Don Muang (the current BKK) at some point, but I'm not sure what the status of this is; construction certainly hasn't started yet.

Two years ago, the Let's Go travel guide for SE Asia said, "The easiest way to get into town (from the BKK airport) is by train, which has a terminal across the street from the airport." That was not true when the book was published because the train did not exist. Is it true now?
No, there has been an ordinary, non-elevated, commuter train running past the airport for close to 100 years now, it's part of the Bangkok-Ayutthaya main line. However, trains are in poor condition, run infrequently and go to Hualamphong station, which isn't particularly convenient for much tourists.

knowing both...taxi and airport bus....the bus is much safer....taxi drivers have no sense of fear..they drive faster to make more money....the airport bus has three routes...so easy to find one that goes where you want. 100 baht now.
three close calls in taxi's....never on the bus.

also...the tunnel to the general aviation terminal...is on the mezzanine level of terminal two....by the 7-11 store. great place to buy juices and beer if you are thirsty. 24 hours.

They can check your bags all the way to Koh Samui as long as you show them you have an eticket printed out ??? who says you have to clear customs in BKK ????thats not correct at all. You do it in Koh Samui as when you check in at the transit desk at BKK ,they mark your ticket as a transit passenger and then give you a sticker to put on your shirt. When you have checked in go back upstairs and enjoy the lounge its free to all passengers on Bangkok Airways.When you get off in Koh Samui you are met by an agent waving a board with your name on it,who takes you on a little private disneyland type bus and they clear you there. You only pay the fee when you leave. It makes zero sense to clear customs in BKK. And also you can use the Bangkok airways lounge in the aiport as well, right in the central part near the China Airline and SQ lounges. I sometimes wonder about the posts on this site