Most long-haul flights land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), about 30 km east of the centre. The Airport Rail Link runs from the terminal to Phaya Thai station in under half an hour, connecting with the BTS Skytrain; metered taxis leave from the official rank on the ground floor. Don Mueang (DMK), to the north, handles most low-cost domestic and regional flights and is linked to the city by the SRT Red Line and airport buses.
Long-distance trains use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue), on the MRT Blue Line. Overnight sleepers run north to Chiang Mai and south towards Surat Thani and beyond. Buses to the north and north-east leave from Mo Chit, and those to the south and west from the Southern Terminal.
Routes at a glance
| From | Best route | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport | Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, or metered taxi | About 30–60 minutes | Around 45 THB by rail; roughly 300–450 THB by taxi with tolls |
| Don Mueang Airport | SRT Red Line, airport bus or taxi | About 30–60 minutes | Under 100 THB by rail or bus; roughly 250–400 THB by taxi |
| Chiang Mai | Flight, or overnight sleeper train | About 1 h 15 min by air; 10–13 hours by train | Train berths roughly 800–1,500 THB |
| Phuket or Krabi | Direct flight | About 1 h 20 min | Fares vary widely by date |
| Kanchanaburi | Bus or minivan; slow train from Thonburi station | About 2.5–3 hours | Around 100–200 THB |
| Khao Yai (Pak Chong) | Train, bus or minivan to Pak Chong | About 2.5–3.5 hours | Around 150–300 THB |
Getting around Bangkok
Use rails and the river wherever you can. The BTS Skytrain and MRT are fast, air-conditioned and cheap; Chao Phraya Express boats link the riverside sights; and the Saen Saep canal boats cut across the centre from east to west. Taxis are inexpensive if the driver uses the meter — ask before you get in — and ride-hailing apps give fixed prices. Tuk-tuks are fun for a short hop but agree the fare first and decline any offer of a detour to a shop.
