Replacing Don Muaeng Airport (DMK) as the main international airport serving Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi was completed in September 2006 and is also known as the New Bangkok International Airport to distinguish it from Don Muaeng. Low-cost, charter and non-connecting carriers now operate out of Don Muaeng International Airport to ease the congestion on Suvarnabhumi, which is the busiest airport in Southeast Asia. Expansion plans and a new domestic terminal will see the airport accommodate up to 65 million passengers a year on completion in 2018.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Quick Facts

Distance from CBD: 30 kilometres
Number of airlines: over 80 airlines operate from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Number of destinations served: 155 destinations in 50+ countries
Number of terminals: One
Number of runways: Two

Check-in

The airline check-in areas are located in the Departures Hall on the fourth floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex at Suvarnabhumi Airport and include self-service check-in kiosks for select airlines as well as full-service check-in counters. Airlines that provide automatic self check-in system services at Suvarnabhumi are Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Air France, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Transaero Airlines, British Airways and Delta. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport check-in at least three hours before your international flight. Check-in closes one hour before departure. Ensure you have your plane tickets, a valid passport, visas and baggage ready for your arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Baggage

If you need to store your luggage at the airport for a few days, or do not want to carry your baggage around the airport with you, Suvarnabhumi Airport offers storage services at the Left Baggage Service counter on the second floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex in the Arrival Hall, at Baggage Claim on the second floor, and behind check-in counter Q on the fourth floor in the Departure Hall.  Baggage storage is charged by the bag at a daily rate. For unclaimed or lost property, contact the Baggage Tracking Service counter at Lost Property on the fourth floor in the Departure Hall between Gates 5 and 6.

Money Exchange

Currency exchange services are available from more than 30 counters throughout the passenger terminal to convert your money into Thai Baht. Money exchange services, ATMs and banks are located before and after security on the Basement B floor, second floor, third floor and fourth floors of the Passenger Terminal Complex. You can also pre-purchase Thai Baht or load a Cash Passport travel money card with multiple currencies at Travel  Money Oz before you fly.

Internet Access/ Wi-Fi

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, travellers can enjoy free Wi-Fi connection for up to two hours per day. The airport also has 126 standalone internet kiosks for free 15-minute access to check your email or browse online, which can be found at Concourse A, E, F and G on the third floor of the terminal. There are also two internet cafes: one at Gate 10 on the fourth floor and one at the bridge on the second floor.

Business Services

For any internet or general office services such as photocopying, printing and faxing, the CAT Telecom shop (located in the Departures Hall behind check-in counter U on the fourth floor of the terminal) is the only 24-hour onsite business services provider available to the general public at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Those with access to a First Class or Business Class airline lounge can use the facilities there.

Family Services

If you are travelling with children, there are a few amenities to help kids pass the time while waiting for flights. Playgrounds for the little ones to expend some energy are concentrated on the fourth floor at Concourse C, E, F and G near the transfer lounges in the Passenger Terminal Complex.  If you have a smartphone, tablet or laptop, you can also take advantage of the complimentary two-hour Wi-Fi throughout the airport.  You will also find plenty of family-friendly meal options in the transit hall on the third floor and at other eateries throughout the airport. For any last-minute necessities such as nappies, formula and wipes, there are a number of Boots Pharmacy outlets onsite.

Concierge

The Fast Track Service at Suvarnabhumi Airport allows passengers to speed through immigration and customs to your waiting limousine in under 20 minutes. A designated agent will escort you from the arrivals or departures gate through the fast-track immigration process to your baggage, and then through customs to a limousine services and away from the airport or to the VIP lounge on the second floor for a fee. Fast Track Services include the immigration process, luggage carrying service, and the added limousine service and VIP meet and greet and VIP lounge access if required.

Showers

Located within the airport terminal itself, Louis’ Tavern Dayrooms & CIP Lounges has six locations where you can use the 24-hour shower amenities as part of the entry fee. The lounges can be found after passport control at Concourse A, C, F and G on the third floor.

Airport Lounges

Louis’ Tavern Dayrooms & CIP Lounges

With six different locations across the third floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex at Concourse A, C, F and G, the 24-hour facilities include TV, VIP rooms, internet access, showers, spa, saunas and a restaurant serving snacks, refreshments and light meals. You can also choose to bed down in a standard or suite room for a four-hourly or six-hourly rate while in transit, which includes free breakfast and Wi-Fi access.

Transfer Passenger Lounges

On either side of the third floor of the terminal at Concourse B and D are the Transfer Passenger Lounges – free areas with adjustable chairs and TVs for travellers to relax while waiting for their flight.

Airline Lounges

Several airlines have lounges for their customers and club members to use at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Walk-ins may also be granted access for a fee – check with your airline about lounge entry requirements if you wish to access the amenities and relax in comfort before your flight. Here are some of the international airlines with lounges at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways operates seven Royal Orchid lounges at Suvarnabhumi Airport for its First and Business Class passengers. The Royal First Lounge at Concourse D on the third floor of the airport terminal is open from 05:00 to 01:00 for Royal First Class and Star Alliance First Class passengers as well as Royal Orchid Plus Platinum cardholders, and offers VIP rooms, a la carte dining, showers and slumber rooms.

The five Royal Silk Lounges, at Concourse C, D and E on the third floor (and Concourse A on the second floor for Royal Silk Class domestic passengers, open 05:00 to 23:30), are designated for Royal First Class and Star Alliance First Class clients and Royal Orchid Plus Platinum cardholders. Royal Silk Lounge perks include buffet bars, Wi-Fi, showers and a kid's area. Opening hours are 05:00 to 02:00.

The Royal Orchid Lounge at Concourse E is open to First Class and Business Class passengers and Royal Orchid Plus Gold and Star Alliance Gold cardholders travelling on any Star Alliance flights departing the same day. Amenities include private rooms, a buffet bar, showers, Wi-Fi and slumber rooms. Open from 05:00 to 02:00 daily.

Qantas

The Qantas International Business Lounge is located on the third floor of the Passenger Terminal Complex at Concourse G near Gate 1 to 5. Qantas First Class and International Business passengers, Emirates First Class and International Business travellers and those flying on a Jetstar Business Max fare are eligible to use the facilities of this lounge. Qantas Club Members and Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers; Emirates Platinum and Gold Skyward Members and select oneworld customers can also enjoy the amenities at the Qantas International Business Lounge.

Perks include dining and bar services as well as hot and cold beverages. Lounge guests may also use the bathroom and shower facilities, relax with magazines and newspapers and stay connected with internet and complimentary Wi-Fi while waiting for their flight. Opening hours are 14:30 to 18:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and from 14:30 to 21:45 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Cathay Pacific

With two locations at Concourse D and Concourse G on the third floor of the terminal, Cathay Pacific has lounges for First Class and Business Class customers flying with the airline, Dragonair or with oneworld carriers. The Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge grants access to Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and oneworld First Class passengers; Marco Polo Diamond members and Emerald oneworld members. The Business Class Lounge welcomes First and Business Class passengers travelling with Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and oneworld carriers; Marco Polo Diamond, Gold and Silver cardholders; Cargo Clan Elite members; and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire Frequent Flyers.

The Business Class Lounge is open daily from 05:30 to 18:30 (closed from 12:00 to 13:00), and the opening hours for the First Class Lounge are 05:30 to 19:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 05:30 to 22:00 on Thursdays and Sundays and 05:30 to 00:30 on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Facilities include office amenities, buffet and snacks, hot and cold beverages and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Terminal 1

Suvarnabhumi Airport has a single passenger terminal that currently serves both domestic and international travellers. Comprising seven floors and two basement levels, the multi-storey building handles ground transportation, arrivals and departures, shops and restaurants, Thai Airways International and Star Alliance offices, and the one-stop service centre. Within the terminal there are also seven four-storey concourse buildings: Building A services domestic passengers, Building B serves international travellers between the hours of 21:00 and 04:00, and buildings C, D, E, F and G are exclusively for international passengers.

To travel between the Public Transport Centre and the Passenger Terminal, a free 24-hour shuttle bus operates an express route to the fourth and second floors that runs every five minutes and four other lines that service the airport areas and run every five to 30 minutes, depending on the route and the time of day.

Bangkok Airport Transfers

There are plenty of transportation options to travel between the airport and central Bangkok, including five road routes, trains, buses and private transfer services.

The Fastest: Airport Rail Link

The non-stop Airport Railway Link is the quickest way to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown Bangkok, taking 15 minutes to arrive at Makkasan Station via the Makkasan Express Line or 17 minutes to get to Phaya Thai on the Phaya Thai Express Line. Another option is the 30-minute journey along the Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line, which stops at six stations to Phaya Thai Station. For an easy transfer to the Skytrain, Phaya Thai is your best option. Trains run between 06:00 and 24:00 daily from Basement B floor of the passenger terminal and depart every half hour for the express lines and every 15 to 20 minutes for the city line.

The Cheapest:  BMTA Bus

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates five city bus routes from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city centre, departing from the Public Transport Centre, a few kilometres away from the passenger terminal. Air-conditioned public buses and vans travel to Happy Land (05:00 – 24:00), Samuthprakarn (05:00 – 22:00), Samae Dam Garage, plus two services to Rangsit. Travel time is around one to two hours, depending on traffic.

The Bor Khor Sor inter-city bus also departs from the Public Transport Centre to several destinations within Thailand. The free transfer bus between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muaeng Airport leaves from the second floor of the passenger terminal at Gate 5 and operates every half hour or on the hour between 05:00 and 24:00 daily. To get to the Public Transport Centre, take the free shuttle bus from the second floor of the passenger terminal at Gate 5.

Limousines, Taxis and Car Hire

Metered taxis are another affordable way to travel from the airport to downtown Bangkok and your accommodation, and the 24-hour taxi stand can be found at Gates 4 and 7 on the first floor of the terminal, or take the free shuttle bus to the Public Transport Centre where more taxis are available. Airport taxi limousines, which charge by the distance, can be reserved from the Airport Limousine Service Counter on the second floor of the terminal at the Baggage Claim and Arrival Hall exits.

If you wish to brave the Bangkok traffic, car hire is available from the second floor of the passenger terminal near Gate 8 from rental companies including Avis, Budget and Hertz.

Parking

Short Stay Parking

Suvarnabhumi Airport has four short term carpark lots located near the Passenger Terminal Complex. The third floor of the terminal provides direct access to the fifth floors of the indoor carparks 2 and 3 from Gates 3 and 8. Carparks 1 and 4 are located outside the terminal. Parking rates for carparks 1, 2, 3 and 4 start from an hourly rate up to six hours and then a flat rate from seven to 24 hours.

Long Stay Parking

If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport while you travel, Suvarnabhumi Airport has one Long Term Car Park, which is located outside the Public Transport Centre. Long Term parking starts from hourly fee that goes up to a daily rate. To get to the airport terminal from the Long Term Car Park, take the free shuttle bus.

Valet Parking

While the airport does not offer valet parking services, guests staying at the onsite Hotel Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, located next to the Passenger Terminal Complex, can access valet parking at the hotel.

Terminal Transfers

With just the single Passenger Terminal Complex, travellers in transit can easily move between floors using the escalators and elevators. Want to zip around the massive terminal faster? Passengers can reserve an electric buggy car for a maximum of three people. To access other areas of the airport such as the carparks and Public Transport Centre, there is a free airport shuttle bus that operates 24 hours a day from the first, second (Arrivals) and fourth (Departures) floors of the terminal. The shuttle bus has three routes, including an express line, and runs every five to 10 minutes during peak times and between 10 to 30 minutes at all other times. 

To relax, recharge and refresh yourself after a late-night arrival or while in transit, Suvarnabhumi Airport has onsite and nearby accommodation options for the weary or time-poor traveller. Located within the airport terminal itself on the fourth floor at Concourse G, the Louis’ Tavern Dayrooms & CIP Lounges is Bangkok Internationals’s transit hotel with standard and suite rooms available for a four-hourly and six-hourly rate so you can rest without having to leave the airport.

Located just outside the terminal area, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is a 10-minute walk through an air-conditioned walkway or a five-minute journey via the complimentary hotel shuttle. The 4-star hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, gym and five restaurants and bars onsite for a relaxing stay between flights. Other hotels close to the Bangkok International Airport include some well-known international chains and local boutique options. To book your Suvarnabhumi Airport accommodation, search below or see more accommodation options.