Bangkok International
Airport (BIA)
Commonly called "Don Muang" , it is the entry point
for a vast majority of visitors to Thailand annually. Considered
as one of the more modern and efficient international airports
in Asia, the singposts are easy to follow and written in both
English and Thai. Free luggage carts are provided at the terminal
gates. After clearing Immigration Services (vast number of
counters, but still slightly slow), take the escalator to
the reliable baggage claim area below. If you have nothing
to clear, the green customs channel provides a hasty exit
into the smiling kingdom of Thailand.
BIA consists of 2 international terminals and one domestic
terminal located adjacent to each other. Passengers can freely
walk between Terminals 1 and 2, while a covered, elevated
walkway connects Terminal 2 with the domestic terminal. A
free shuttle bus service covers the short distance between
terminals every 15 minutes.
The arrival hall of both terminals feature a variety of services
and facilities, including currency exchange booths, a tourist
information kiosk, metered taxi kiosk and airport limousine
counter. However, Terminal 1 has more facilities, such as
an automatic teller machine (ATM), a 24-hour post-office with
international telephone facilities, an airport clinic, a convenient
store, and a hotel reservation desk.
A number of restaurants and bars operate in both terminals'
departure hall, though more are located in Terminal 2, including
popular fast food venues such as Burger Kings, KFC, and Swensons,
and an internet caf?. Extra luggage can be stored up to 4
months at the left-luggage facility in Terminal 1.
For those departing or transitting through Bangkok, there
are a variety of facilities to entertain you. Duty free shops
restaurants/snack bars are generously scattered in both terminals.
KFC, the only fast food counter, is located by pier 4 of Terminal
2. A number of designer brand name boutiques sell their wares
at reasonable prices, such as Harrods, Jim Thompson and the
Mae Fah Luang Project, displaying handicrafts made by local
Thai artisans under the patronage of the deceased HRH Grandmother,
the present king's mother. An arcade game center for children
of all ages is located in the transit area of Terminal 1.
Getting To and From the Airport
Though the airport is located 25 km (16 miles) north of the
center of Bangkok, road travel time depends on the traffic
conditions. During peak rush hours, the simple journey can
take as long as 3 hours. Taxis : Seek out the taxi desk located
in the arrival hall of each terminal. They will set a rough
estimate pricing for your standardized, metered fare, not
to exceed 300 Baht. Because of airport regulations on taxis,
an additional 50 Baht surcharge will be added to the total
fare. Passengers are responsible for the expressway fees.
To enter the city, you will most likely pay 2 expressway fares,
25 Baht at the Don Muang Tollway (on ramp adjacent to airport)
and 40 Baht at the Rapid Express Tollway Agency's Dindaeng
junction. A tip of 10-20 Baht is a gesture of appreciation
for their service.
Airport Limousines : The desks for making such requests
are usually adjacent to the taxi desks at all terminals. A
uniformed chauffeur will drive you to your destination while
seated comfortably in a sedan or luxury car. A flat fee of
500 Baht (smaller car, ex. Mitsubishi) or 650 Baht (luxury
car, ex. Benz or Volvo) is charged for pick-up and delivery
to any venue within the perimeter of Bangkok. Though priced
slightly higher than a metered taxi, you're still responsible
for the expressway fares, but no subcharges. The limos are
well maintained and are all white in color. Tipping 10% of
the fare is the norm.
AAC Limousine offers round trip services from airport to
destinations around the country. Visit www.aaclimousine.com
for more information.
Hotel Limousines : Most hotels offer complimentary
limousine or minibus service if you have bookings with them.
The drivers would meet you in the arrival hall, holding up
poster cards with your names written on it.
Helicopter : A few luxury hotels offer helicopter
service for their guests
Airport Buses : An economical shuttle bus providing
service from the airport to major city areas providing accommodations
(No.1 to Silom, No.2 to Sanam Luang (Royal Field), No.3 to
Sukhumvit 55 and No.4 to Hua Lam Phong (central train station)).
The buses run every 15 minutes, operating from 5 am to midnight,
and costs 100 Baht per person.
Train : Located directly across the highway from the
airport, a covered walkway connects the arrival hall in Terminal
1 to the train station. Trains en route to Hua Lam Phong,
the main train station located in the center of town, appears
every 15-30 minutes.
Public Buses : Adventurous travelers without much
luggage may want to try getting into town on these, the most
economical method of all. Airport kiosk provides bus maps
and the bus stops are located on the highway in front of the
airport.
Hired Car : If you want to experience driving in Bangkok,
there are many car rental firms in Bangkok, including international
rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. The road
system is good and well posted with signs written in English.
An international driving license is required.
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