BKK-Bangkok Airport Rail Link Discussion [PRE-2014 ARCHIVE]
#16
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
My wife is going to BKK to interpret a conference a few days after the opening of the new airport rail link. Now, in the past we have always taken a taxi to get to our favorite hotel, the Marriott on the river. If she was to take this new train, she would have to do a route like this: airport link city line to Phaya Thai, transfer, Siam, transfer, go to the end of the line, ride the boat to the hotel???? Am I making this too complicated or is this the best route if she was to take it? It seems so much easier to catch cab and go straight to the hotel, like everyone has said!
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hoosier in Dubai
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I agree, a couple would be better off taking a taxi. However on my recent trip to Bangkok, I found taxis can be a hassle, and taking the SkyTrain was convenient. This was my first trip, and a taxi from the airport to the Hilton was 600 THB going, 500 return. Perhaps I was overcharged, but I was told 500 THB was usual for this trip.
On reading Wikipedia, it seems the airport train will connect to the BTS station at Phaya Thai (N2).
On reading Wikipedia, it seems the airport train will connect to the BTS station at Phaya Thai (N2).
If you are coming in or departing on a US flight the times are such there isn't any traffic anyway and depending on where you are staying if there is traffic you will still be stuck in it going to the station.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: LAX
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it will be good if the On Nut end gets extended to Bang Na and BITEC convention center where it will meet the other line . But you will still need to change trains there ,
a backpack or rolling small suitcase might be OK, but all the stops on the skytrain that I remember do NOT have escalators going down for exiting , so you have to drag your suitcase down a flight of stairs , no fun there...
I will probably never take that Airport link umless I am going to meet someone at the airport during the daytime so you can avoid the traffic ,
But return flights to Narita-USA leave before the skytrain opens !
Glad its happening , but there is no way it can work in BKK or the same idea at LAX and many other airports ,
its just a status thing to have an "airport link"
Rally , who paid 400 baht for his taxi into town last month.....
a backpack or rolling small suitcase might be OK, but all the stops on the skytrain that I remember do NOT have escalators going down for exiting , so you have to drag your suitcase down a flight of stairs , no fun there...
I will probably never take that Airport link umless I am going to meet someone at the airport during the daytime so you can avoid the traffic ,
But return flights to Narita-USA leave before the skytrain opens !
Glad its happening , but there is no way it can work in BKK or the same idea at LAX and many other airports ,
its just a status thing to have an "airport link"
Rally , who paid 400 baht for his taxi into town last month.....
#19
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: ROP, Royal Skies, BAEC (Blue)
Posts: 89
Suvarnabhumi Airport Link not until Dec 5
The Nation reports that the cabinet has approved the opening of the airport link on 5 December to Makkasan and Phyathai. It was reported to be opening on 12 August, so, not surprisingly, it is further delayed.
#20
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 236
Sites like 2Bangkok are good resources for following the progress (or lack thereof) of Bangkok's mass transit projects. Plenty of good pictures too since it seems that anyone can walk onto construction sites.
#22
Suspended
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3,723
Who would ever have expected that a large public works project in Bangkok would miss it's schedule?
I am shocked!
SHOCKED, I say!
I am shocked!
SHOCKED, I say!
#23
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I read in The Nation today that they are also looking to cut back the free travel during the 3 month trial phase to just 1 month of free travel.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
The Thai media's use of "trial run" is confusing -- they've actually been running trains up and down the line in testing for several months now. The 5 December date is when the public trial period starts, means that people can use the line "for real", although probably with limited schedules.
#25
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
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Airport-Bangkok Link faces further delay
Strike ends after govt pledge of union's role in SRT reorganisation
The opening of the high-speed rail link between Suvarnabhumi Airport and inner Bangkok, scheduled for December 5, could be further delayed following this week's strike by railroad workers.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009...s_30105911.php
hell of an excuse, eh?
The opening of the high-speed rail link between Suvarnabhumi Airport and inner Bangkok, scheduled for December 5, could be further delayed following this week's strike by railroad workers.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009...s_30105911.php
hell of an excuse, eh?
#26
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, Rayong, Thailand, USA, Florida, NY and California
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Yes, you were grossly overcharged.....and whomever told you 500b was usual, is not your friend.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
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Airlines hope rail link is ready on time
The system will provide an efficient transport option between Suvarnabhumi and the city centre for some 50,000 passengers and 15,000 airline staff and airport workers who need to commute every day and endure the frustrations of long bus waits and unscrupulous taxi drivers ...
The government has tentatively fixed the airport rail link fare at 150 baht per person per trip on the express line, which does not make stops between the airport and Makkasan city terminal, a journey that takes 15 minutes.
The planned fare for the city line, which stops at the six stations along the way with a total running time of 30 minutes, is 45 baht for a single ride.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-ready-on-time
The government has tentatively fixed the airport rail link fare at 150 baht per person per trip on the express line, which does not make stops between the airport and Makkasan city terminal, a journey that takes 15 minutes.
The planned fare for the city line, which stops at the six stations along the way with a total running time of 30 minutes, is 45 baht for a single ride.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-ready-on-time
#29
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
What a terrible piece of journalism. "International airlines urged the government to ensure that the long-delayed airport link project is up and running at its latest promised date" indeed -- only they didn't mention that the "latest promised date" has been now been pushed back to April 2010.
#30
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
A sneak peek inside the Makkasan City Air Terminal and the airport train station:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bang...5624#post25624
Looks quite functional, I'm reminded of the KLIA Ekspres. Also looks pretty much ready to go to me, I wonder why it's still going to take another year to get it open?
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bang...5624#post25624
Looks quite functional, I'm reminded of the KLIA Ekspres. Also looks pretty much ready to go to me, I wonder why it's still going to take another year to get it open?