The Bangkok airport rail link finally opened last week and I had a chance to ride it on the first day of full operations. Although the train system is not without its detractors, I'm already a fan. Taxis and cars and undeniably more comfortable, but rapid public transportation is more reliable, more predictable and less expensive. And, of course, it's usually better for the environment.
Here's what critics are saying:
- It's too expensive. The full fare is 150 baht per person to the airport, so if you're traveling with another person it's cheaper to take a taxi.
- It's inconvenient. If you're not staying near the main station or a Skytrain station, you'll need to take a taxi anyway once you get off the train.
- It's not much faster. If you're staying near the highway, it can take as little as 20 minutes to get to the airport, door to door. The fastest the train will get you there is 15 minutes, but that doesn't include the time it takes you to get to the station.
Should you take the Airport Link?
You have a number of options for getting to and from Bangkok's airport. Whether the Airport Rail Link is the right one depends on where you're staying in the city, what time of day you're leaving or arriving and how much stuff you have with you. If you are staying very close to a Skytrain stop and you don't have too much luggage, the Airport Rail Link will be fast and easy.
If you're staying in a part of the city not well-served by the Skytrain (unfortunately that includes the city's historic center), you may be better off taking a taxi or bus from the airport. The Airport Rail Link stops at Makasan Station in the center of Bangkok, and although that's not far from the Banglamphu area to the west, when traffic is bad the trip can take at least a half an hour.