Almost all travelers to Thailand will pass through Suvarnabhumi Airport at some point. Bangkok’s large airport is an international hub in Southeast Asia and a gateway for holidays, travel, long stays, and work assignments in Thailand.
There is a lot going on at BKK again. Entry requirements are very simple, and the airport is being prepared for new record passenger numbers — for example with the new satellite terminal.
You’ll find restaurants, shops, and food stalls everywhere, so getting something to eat is never a problem. In Thailand, going hungry is hardly ever an issue anyway. AIS and TrueMove shops selling Thai SIM cards are also located throughout the airport. You don’t have to miss out on a massage or good exchange rates for money, and there is also an extensive duty-free selection.
So keep reading to get my personal tips and useful advice.
Topics: Massage — Food — Smoking at the airport — Sleeping
Information on smoking, cabs, WLAN and changing money can be found at More 7 tips for Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Tip No. 1: What do I do if I have to wait for a longer period of time?
- Tip No. 2: Hungry! Where can I get something to eat at Bangkok Airport?
- Tip No. 3: How long does it take to get from the check-in to your plane?
- Tip No. 4: Where can I smoke at Bangkok Airport?
- Tip No. 5: How long do I need to get to the city centre?
- Bonus Tip: If you need to stay overnight
Did you also find a cheap flight to Bangkok with Qatar or Skyscanner? I always compare several of these so-called metasearch engines to get an overview and then book the best (sometimes cheapest) connection.
International flights usually arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Domestic flights can also land at Don Muang Airport in the northwest of the city, which is the older of the two. Almost all so-called low-cost airlines now have to land at Don Muang.
My guess is that Thai Airways, the state-owned airline, wants to gain a few advantages this way. After all, who wants to drive across the city to another airport for a connecting flight within Thailand? Even if it is comparatively cheap for 150 Baht on the airport shuttle bus. Bangkok Airways also flies to Suvarnabhumi. You pay for this with slightly more expensive tickets and get a better service and a bit more legroom. Thai VietjetAir also starts here and offers surprisingly low prices.
Tip No. 1: What do I do if I have to wait for a longer period of time?
My answer to this is: shopping, eating, relaxing. My tip for relaxing at Bangkok Airport is a massage (see below for information) or one of the spacious Miracle Lounges at Bangkok Airport, where you can not only eat well and relax, but also take a shower.
You can find massage services in several locations. They are available in areas A, C, E, and G (after security), as well as twice in the main building before you go through security — for example, right after arrival.
On the 3rd floor, roughly in the middle of the terminal, there is a Thai massage shop. They offer wonderfully relaxing foot massages, among other treatments — perfect after a long shopping day before your flight home.
At the moment, a 30-minute foot massage plus 15 minutes of head and shoulder massage costs 950 baht. Of course, traditional Thai massage is also available.
The small massage store at the bottom of the airport right next to the airport link is open. For 700 baht you can get an hour’s traditional Thai massage here. If you don’t have that much time, you should treat yourself to a 30-minute massage. For 350 baht you’re in for a treat. Not much money to do something good for yourself.
What makes this airport massage special is that it is open 24 hours a day.
You can also relax in one of the Lounges Bangkok Airport. Unfortunately, you can only get there on departure. But there are also some in the area for domestic flights (for example in wing A).
Shopping is best done in the duty free area. In addition to the typical alcoholic beverages and perfumes, there are also branded goods and typical Thai products.
Tip No. 2: Hungry! Where can I get something to eat at Bangkok Airport?
No one will starve in Thailand! And certainly not at the country’s largest airport. Even in Corona times with significantly fewer travelers, there were enough restaurants etc. In addition to the good restaurants with a wide range of food on the 3rd floor, there are a few cafés in the basement near the airport link. In addition, instead of the former FamilyMart and 7/11 stores, there is now a Lawson (the same from Japan) on the 2nd floor.
And then there’s the food court on the first floor on the far right (west) for low-budget travelers: Magic Food with two dozen food stalls,
Typical Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Khao Pad, noodle soup etc. are comparatively inexpensive here. Payment is made with a prepaid card, which is topped up at the entrance on the left and can also be returned there.
At these prices, however, you can’t expect much in the way of atmosphere, peace and comfort. When the dining room is filled with Chinese tour groups, it can get noisy. In my opinion, the food is mediocre. But there are delicious smoothies.
After the security checks (for international flights) on the way to the gates, there are plenty of opportunities to satisfy your hunger. Burger King is also there and seems to have a magnetic attraction for many travelers. You know what you’ve got. The Japanese restaurant next door could be exotic.
IMPORTANT: Security checks for domestic flights now take place at the gate. This means you can carry drinks with you all the way to the gate.
Tip No. 3: How long does it take to get from the check-in to your plane?
Allow one hour plus the waiting time at the check-in counter. Yes, the lines at Bangkok Airport are long. This gives you plenty of opportunity to admire the steel construction of the roof at Suvarnabhumi, which was manufactured by a German company.
First, there is the security check, where you may be delayed if items are not packed correctly or if there is a long queue. Attention: from this point on, you are no longer allowed to carry drinks with you.
For domestic flights, security checks now take place directly at the gate. This means you can carry drinks with you all the way to the gate.
For international flights, you now also go through Immigration, where they check whether you have overstayed your visa. You will receive an exit stamp in your passport.
Important note for holders of a single-entry visa: If you do not have a re-entry permit, your visa will become invalid with this exit stamp.
If you forgot to get a re-entry permit, you can still obtain it at the airport. In the waiting area in front of the Immigration counters, there is a counter on the left where you can get a re-entry permit for 1,200 THB.
The waiting time can be shortened with online check-in. This can be done on the airline’s website from 24 hours (or 48 hours for some airlines) before departure. Or you can check in yourself at one of the terminals in front of the airline counters. There you can print out your boarding pass and enjoy the short queue of people waiting at a special “baggage drop” counter.
Tip No. 4: Where can I smoke at Bangkok Airport?
Does Suvarnabhumi Airport have a heart for smokers? It seems so.
Until recently, smoking inside the building was completely prohibited. However, special smoking cabins with state-of-the-art ventilation systems have now been installed, featuring negative pressure and double doors. One of these cabins is located in the new satellite terminal, and three more can be found on the 4th floor (departure area).
Also new are the outdoor smoking cabins in front of the building on the 2nd and 4th floors. On the far right and left sides in front of the terminal, the new “smoking rooms” have been set up.
I am curious to see whether people will still be found smoking in corners outside the airport building. Smoking outside the designated areas is subject to a fine of 5,000 baht. In reality, however, I still see people smoking in various places—especially where limousine and taxi drivers gather. In the area of the S1 buses on the lower level, smoking is certainly not allowed either, yet it still happens.
Tip No. 5: How long do I need to get to the city centre?
There is traffic chaos in the city center of Bangkok at certain times. Therefore, it can sometimes take longer than an hour to get to places like the Grand Palace, the royal palace, by taxi. If you want to use a longer layover at Suvarnabhumi Airport for speed-shopping in the famous malls of Sukhumvit, the Airport Link is faster. Trains run from the basement of the airport to the city center every 15 minutes from 5.30 am to midnight for 90 baht.
I recommend taking the train to Makasan or the terminus. From there you can continue by MRT (subway), Skytrain (elevated train), cab or motorcycle cab (only for the hardy).
Allow at least one hour for the one-way trip. And please don’t forget to make your way to the airport early enough. You need to be there in time for check-in and allow for the long walk to the gate and plane.
The cheapest way is to take the S1 bus, which goes to Silom Road and Khao San. Cost: 60 baht. Departure: from 6 am to 8 pm behind the cab rank.
If you want to continue your journey straight from the airport, you can hire a car. A comparison portal provides a good overview of good prices and what is available.
Bonus Tip: If you need to stay overnight
More and more often I find tips if an overnight stay at the airport is necessary. In some airports it is very difficult to find a place to lie down or rest horizontally for a few hours. Fortunately, in Bangkok there are the following comfortable and inexpensive alternatives.
If you want or need to sleep at Bangkok Airport, you can choose between high-quality and correspondingly high-priced hotels (such as the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport) or one of the many accommodation options in a nearby district. This is because the long journey into the city center is usually not worthwhile for those who have to stay overnight because of a connecting flight.
The Divalux Resort & Spa in Lat Krabang is the perfect choice. It offers all you need after a long flight (a short transfer, a quiet rooam, and a good bed) and more (restaurant, pool, escellent service). Only 15 minutes by taxi from the airport and with a 24 hour reception and restaurant. The hotel also offers an inclusive shuttle service to the airport.
My recommendations for Hotels close to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok
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The closest hotel is the Novotel, which can be reached via an entrance in the basement without having to leave the airport building.
A friend recently had to spend a few hours at the airport at night because of a booking error. The Boxotel is ideal for such cases. If you can only sleep lying down and urgently need a few hours’ sleep, you can get a comfortable bed in a tiny room for as little as 650 baht (for 2 hours). Located in the basement in the passage to the Novotel at the Airport Link station.
The cheaper alternative “Avagard” has been available right next door since 2024. 2 hours cost 500 THB in the Japanese capsule hotel-style boxes.
I really like Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. The roof construction and the glass facade are fascinating. The paintings and the garden are beautiful to look at. I particularly like the orchid arrangements and the two guards at the check-in counters. There is a lot to discover. Have fun with it!
You can find more airport tips here:
- Where are the taxis?
- Where can I change money cheaply at Bangkok Airport?
- Where can I smoke at the airport?
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