Suvarnabhumi Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Suvarnabhumi lies about 30 km from the centre, but the Airport Rail Link makes the choice less binding than elsewhere: half an hour by train separates the terminal from Phaya Thai, and from there the BTS goes everywhere. A taxi into the city, by contrast, takes 45-60 minutes, longer when the expressways clog up. That is why anyone landing late at night or leaving on a dawn flight does well to stay near the terminal; those with a few days to spend in Bangkok gain more by sleeping in the city, choosing the district according to what they want to see.

At the airport

Air-conditioned underground pedestrian tunnel to the terminal, about 10 minutes on foot; alternatively the hotel shuttle, running 24 hours.

Best for: Those arriving in the dead of night or flying before 7 who don't want to depend on taxis or trains.

Pros

You walk to check-in, with no traffic and no train timetables to keep to
Airport Rail Link station 300 metres away, reached through the same tunnel
Free hotel shuttle running at any hour

Cons

Only one property: no competition, rates high for the area
There is no neighbourhood around it: evenings are spent in the hotel

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: The former Novotel, the only hotel inside the airport grounds: underground tunnel to the terminal and Airport Rail Link, plus a free shuttle running 24 hours from Gate 4 at arrivals.

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Airport area (Lat Krabang)

Airport area · Hotel shuttle to Gate 4 at arrivals (2nd floor), generally 15-25 minutes; it must be booked in advance.

Best for: One-night layovers or dawn departures, spending less than at the hotel inside the airport.

Pros

Free hotel shuttles, even during the night hours
Recent properties with a pool, at lower prices than at the terminal
To fly out you don't cross the city-centre traffic

Cons

The shuttle is booked beforehand: anyone landing without arranging it has to wait
Outlying area: in the evening there is little beyond the hotel restaurant
To reach the centre you must go back to the airport and take the train

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: Free shuttle every hour between hotel and terminal, running 24 hours (reservation required): handy for departures in the middle of the night too.
Divalux Resort & Spa Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport: Resort 20-25 minutes from the terminal with a free shuttle running 24 hours (to be booked at least 2 hours ahead); reviews praise the pool.

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Phaya Thai, terminus of the Airport Rail Link

Near the airport link · Direct Airport Rail Link to the terminal, about 30 minutes.

Best for: Those who want to visit the city but return to the airport with a single train, no taxi.

Pros

Direct train to the terminal, sheltered from expressway traffic
Instant change to the BTS Sukhumvit line for Siam and Chatuchak
Some hotels have covered walkways to the station

Cons

A district of offices and big arteries, quieter in the evening
The train doesn't cover night departures: you still need a taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai: Direct covered walkway to the Phaya Thai stations of the BTS and the Airport Rail Link: from the terminal to the lobby without stepping onto the street.

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Sukhumvit (Asok and Nana)

Neighbourhood · Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, covered passage to the Phetchaburi MRT and one stop to Sukhumvit; by taxi 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Those spending a few days in Bangkok who want restaurants, bars and the metro on the doorstep.

Pros

BTS and MRT cross at Asok: you reach almost every area without a taxi
A very wide choice, from simple hotels to skyscrapers with a pool
Nightlife until late between Soi 11 and Terminal 21

Cons

Getting to the airport takes two transport modes, or a taxi exposed to traffic
Around Nana the nights are noisy

Recommended hotels in this area

Grande Centre Point Terminal 21: In the same building as the Terminal 21 shopping centre, with direct access to the BTS Asok, which in turn connects to the MRT Sukhumvit.
Eleven Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 11: A few steps from the BTS Nana, with a pool and a rooftop restaurant: a more modest option in the heart of Soi 11.

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Chao Phraya riverside (Saphan Taksin)

Neighbourhood · Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, BTS to Siam and change to the Silom line as far as Saphan Taksin; by taxi 45-60 minutes outside rush hour.

Best for: Those who come for the temples and want to travel by boat to Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.

Pros

Sathorn pier is the departure point of the boats to the temples
BTS Saphan Taksin a short walk away to reach Siam and Silom
Historic hotels with river views

Cons

It is the zone farthest from the terminal among those proposed
By train you need two changes with your luggage

Recommended hotels in this area

Shangri-La Bangkok: Broad river frontage and a wing one minute from the BTS Saphan Taksin; reviews praise the breakfast at Next2 Café.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Central Pier: Between the BTS Saphan Taksin and Sathorn pier, breakfast included from 6: handy for setting off early by boat to the temples.

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