Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Flights & Information

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is one of two airports serving Bangkok, and is the main international gateway to Thailand. Pronounced su-wanna-poom, the airport enjoys nonstop flights to Europe, Australia and the Middle East, as well as throughout the rest of Asia. It’s the hub of Thai Airways, though you’ll also see tails from literally dozens of international airlines there. As a former resident of Bangkok, I have many, many insights to share about my one-time “home” airport.

How to get to and from BKK and Bangkok

A variety of public and private transport options can take you between BKK and Bangkok’s city center, though the best one varies depending on your situation. I personally try to ride the Airport Rail Link (ARL) whenever I can.

Taxis and Grab cars

Most travelers arriving at BKK head down to the basement to get a taxi, or open up Grab (Southeast Asia’s equivalent to Uber) and call a ride that way. Both of these options are easy enough, but have drawbacks, especially when going to Bangkok.

First, taxis often use scammy meters, or refuse to use the meter outright and charge you a ridiculous flat fee. Grab cars, meanwhile, have to park off-site, necessitating a long wait for your ride. In both cases, insane traffic can make the 30 km (18 mile) drive into the city take up to an hour, sometimes longer.

Airport Rail Link (ARL) plus BTS or MRT

As far as public transportation is concerned, the ARL is the main relevant option for international arrivals. Frequent trains take you from the airport to city center stops Makkasan (which connects with the MRT underground) and Phaya Thai (which connects with the BTS SkyTrain) in about 20 minutes.

I recommend getting off at Makkasan and transferring to the MRT if you’re staying in Asok, Silom or Chinatown, which are nearer to stops along the MRT. If you’re staying in areas like Ari, Siam, Chidlom or Ratchadamri, ride to Phaya Thai and take the BTS.

Private car vs. public transport

Now, in some instances, even I will choose a private car over public transport. First and foremost, if I arrive early in the morning or late at night. The train isn’t running, nor is traffic bad at these times anyway. I also tend to prefer a cab or Grab when heading to the airport.

Another reason it might make sense to avoid the ARL? If your hotel or Airbnb isn’t near an MRT or BTS station. In this case, a third option (a private transfer arranged in advance with your accommodation) can be the best choice, particularly if you’re staying along the Chao Phraya River or at Khao San Road.

Navigating security lines at BKK

Getting through security and immigration at BKK can be a nightmare, especially during busy periods. Part of this is because of how it’s laid out. You need to go up an escalator to one of two main security areas, each of which splits off into two security sub-queues.

After clearing the security check, which is pretty stringent by Southeast Asian standards, you head down an escalator to immigration, where you can also go either left or right. One tip I offer here is that while the “left” side is technically reserved for Thai passport holders, this is almost never enforced.

BKK does offer priority screening which, when entering the main check-in hall, is located to the far left, just behind first- and business-class check-in for Thai Airways. As a holder of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) I am thankfully entitled to use this, and always do.

The priority lane is also open to handicapped and pregnant passengers and people traveling on diplomatic passports. It has traditionally been accessible to first- and business-class travelers as well, though I’ve heard reports that this has not been possible in recent months.

If you don’t have priority access, I recommend leaving at least 90 minutes to get through security and immigration. This is because after you finally enter the airport’s secure area, you often have quite a long walk to your gate, especially if your gate is in the newly-opened satellite concourse.

Flying domestically? The system is a bit different. You’ll proceed to a document check and then go down an escalator into the domestic concourse. There are shops, restaurants and lounges here.

You’ll proceed through security only when you’re ready to proceed to your gate, which may be in either of concourses A or B. Note that while there are two separate security queues (one for A and another for B), you can access any domestic gate after clearing any security line.

Airline lounges and alternatives at BKK

BKK has perhaps the most impressive array of airport lounges anywhere in the world, in my opinion. In addition to lounges operated by its home carrier Thai Airways (TG), airlines from Japan Airlines (JL), to EVA Air (BR), to Air France (AF), to Qatar Airways (QR) operate branded lounges within the airport’s five main international concourses.

Beyond these, you can find general-use lounges operated under the brand Miracle Lounge located throughout the airport, including in the satellite. All the Miracle Lounges and several of the airline lounges are accessible to holders of the popular Priority Pass credential, which is part of why I love the lounge situation at BKK so much.

Sometimes, if I get to the airport a bit early or my flight is delayed, I’ll visit many lounges. It’s fun to sample different foods; all lounges offer local Thai options, while airline-operated ones tend to spotlight the cuisines of their home countries. All international BKK lounges also have open bars, which is great if, like me, you enjoy getting a slight buzz before boarding.

If you’re flying domestically, you can access the domestic Miracle Lounge using Priority Pass, or domestic lounges operated by Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways (PG) if you’re flying on either of them. I personally prefer Miracle Lounge regardless, as I find that it has a better selection of food and drink than the TG or PG lounges.

While there are no longer any “landside” lounges outside of the secure area, the airport’s second floor does feature many restaurants, a Boots pharmacy and a 7-Eleven convenience store. These can be a lifesaver if you arrive at the airport before it’s possible to check-in.

Luggage storage at BKK

There are a few luggage storage services at BKK Airport, but my personal favorite is the AIRPORTEL, located in the basement just outside the entrance to the Airport Rail Link. This is especially convenient if you plan to head into the city via ARL and come back the same way. Drop your bags; go sightseeing; come back; pick it up!

Don’t plan to go into the city? As their name suggests, AIRPORTEL does also offer sleeping pods, which can be an affordable and convenient option compared to higher-end airport hotels at BKK.

Transfers at BKK

International to domestic transfer

BKK has an efficient transfer system, whether you’re going from international to domestic, or vice-versa. If you’re arriving internationally but traveling to a domestic Thai destination, follow the signs to domestic transfer.

In most cases, you’ll need to clear immigration and then, a secondary security check. In some cases, however, the immigration officer will give you a “CIQ” sticker, which will mean that you’ll need to clear passport control at your final destination.

Domestic to international transfer

Transferring from a domestic to international flight, meanwhile, can be a bit more complicated. If you don’t have bags or if they’ve been checked to your final destination, you can simply follow the signs to international transfer. You’ll proceed through a dedicated security check and passport control queue, which tends to be quick and painless.

What if, on the other hand, you have to collect bags? You’ll need to pick them up with all other arriving domestic passengers, then proceed into the main arrivals area. You’ll then go up to the fourth floor check-in area and proceed through security and immigration as if you’d just arrived at the airport from central Bangkok.

The most realistic way to avoid this is to ask your domestic airline if they can check a bag on your international carrier. This is possible in more cases than you think, such as if you’re flying Thai Airways domestically but continuing internationally on one of its Star Alliance partners, like ANA (NH) or Singapore Airlines (SQ).

Do note that while transfers at BKK are pretty quick, since most flights operate within the same terminal building, you’ll need to build in extra time if your international flight departs or arrives from an “S” gate in the satellite concourse.

Transfers between BKK and DMK

Additionally, if you are booking a domestic flight to connect to or from an international flight, make sure both are using the same airport. Bangkok’s other airport, Don Mueang (DMK), is located literally across town from BKK. Even in the best-case scenario, connecting between these two airports will take you three hours. In my opinion, it’s not worth any money you might save on your ticket.