TRAVEL BLOG
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok
I arrived at Bangkok's new international airport one week after it had opened. Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces Don Mueang International Airport. Suvarnabhumi is the world's second largest single building and airport terminal (Hong Kong International having the biggest).
I had heard of some major delays and other teething problems that you might expect from a newly opened airport. Fortunately by the time I got there everything went smoothly. It was about 40 minutes from the aircraft reaching the terminal to me exiting the building. In all, it was 10 minutes waiting for the plane door to open, 10 minute walk through the terminal, 10 minute wait at passport control, then 10 minutes to collect my bag.
Getting to and from the airport is another matter. I got the AE2 bus service to Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Rd and that took 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was at 7 in the evening. That was 45 minutes on the expressway, then 1 hour of crawling through Bangkok's legendary traffic congestion. This time might be longer during the day, so if you are going to or from the airport, give your self plenty of time.
There is an express train that is being built to service the airport, but this will not be ready for another 2 years. It was due to be ready when the airport opened, but engineering faults have delayed its construction.
I had heard of some major delays and other teething problems that you might expect from a newly opened airport. Fortunately by the time I got there everything went smoothly. It was about 40 minutes from the aircraft reaching the terminal to me exiting the building. In all, it was 10 minutes waiting for the plane door to open, 10 minute walk through the terminal, 10 minute wait at passport control, then 10 minutes to collect my bag.
Getting to and from the airport is another matter. I got the AE2 bus service to Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Rd and that took 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was at 7 in the evening. That was 45 minutes on the expressway, then 1 hour of crawling through Bangkok's legendary traffic congestion. This time might be longer during the day, so if you are going to or from the airport, give your self plenty of time.
There is an express train that is being built to service the airport, but this will not be ready for another 2 years. It was due to be ready when the airport opened, but engineering faults have delayed its construction.
Labels: airport, bangkok, don-mueang, suvarnabhumi, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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