Getting Around Bangkok
The APRICOT Secretariat as been made aware by several delegates that they have received unsolicited contact from a "transport company" claiming to provide transport services for APRICOT and that they got the delegate email "from the website".
APRICOT has not engaged any transportation provider for the event nor has APRICOT shared any delegate contact details with anyone outside of the APRICOT organisation.
Delegates are strongly recommended to follow the advice on this page and not engage with any unsolicited offer of transportation services.
Train from Suvarnabhumi Airport
The City Line train (aka the Airport Rail Link) is the best way to travel between the airport and the city centre. The railway operates from 06:00 to 00:00 only.
After exiting the baggage hall, use the escalators immediately adjacent to the baggage hall exit to go to the lower ground floor of the airport terminal, and then walk to the railway station.
The railway station also has several currency exchange booths, offering far better value for money than those located in the airport terminal itself.
Purchase your ticket from one of the several ticket machines. If you are heading to the Athenee Hotel, it is easiest to go all the way to Phaya Thai railway station (end of the line). The ticket (a token) costs 45 baht. When you arrive at Phaya Thai, exit the railway station after depositing your token in the gate, go down the escalators, heading in the direction of the BTS Sukhumvit line.
At Phaya Thai BTS Station (N2), you can buy a ticket (machine or kiosk) to Phloen Chit BTS Station (E2). Cost is around 35 baht. Take the BTS in direction of Kheha - Phloen Chit is 4 stops after Phaya Thai. The doors at each end of a carriage have more space for travellers with luggage than the centre doors - take note.
At Phloen Chit, the easiest way to get to Athenee or Indigo Hotels is to follow the signs to Central Embassy or Grande Centre Point (Exit 5). The stairs will take you down on to Wireless Road (left hand side), and both hotels are a short walk from there. If you are going to the Novotel Phloen Chit, Exit 4 is probably the best exit to use.
The BTS publishes station maps here.
One curiousity of all the BTS stations: there are stairs, escalators, and lifts to reach the ticketing level, but to get to the platform only escalators/stairs up, and stairs to go down. Be aware of this if you have bulky luggage.
Other options from Suvarnabhumi Airport
The other transport options from the airport include:
- transfer services organised by the hotels (delegates are responsible for organising this themselves when they book their accommodation)
- AOT Limo Service - counters are in the baggage claim hall and outside in the arrivals concourse. Vehicles range from Toyota Camry upwards, and cost around double that of a regular taxi. As an example, the airport to the Athenee Hotel cost 1200 baht in July 2023.
- Taxi - there are always plenty of licenced taxis available outside the Arrivals concourse - follow signs to the taxi stand. Insist that the driver turns the meter on rather than opting for a "flat rate".
- The Grab rideshare service is another popular option - the app will notify you where the pickup location is when you book your vehicle.
Please note that there is a likelihood of individuals approaching you in the Arrivals concourse and offering "informal" transport services from the airport to your accommodation. Do not engage with these services.
Light Rail Transport
The BTS has one ticketing system, and frequent travellers tend to buy a Rabbit Card. This is a preloaded card, valid for 2 years (after last use), and saves waiting in queues to buy tickets at kiosks or machines. The Rabbit Card works on the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line overhead railways. You will need photo id (ie passport) to buy one (cost 100 baht deposit, 50 baht is refundable)
The other transport system is the MRT. These days a credit card can be used at the station gates, again saving queuing for a ticket at the machines or kiosks (especially at peak periods). The MRT also has a stored value card (not compatible with the BTS system). Of course, using a credit card means fees and currency exchange; the price of convenience.
The entire Bangkok transport map is available at this useful site.
Taxis
Other options for getting around include Grab (ride share), as well as regular taxis. With taxis it is better to know where you are going, to help the driver. Which is why some travellers prefer using Grab. The tuk tuk is a more touristy way of getting around, but might not be a good option in Bangkok traffic, weather, congestion, etc.