Bus Station

[eggomaniac]

I have read there is a free shuttle bus to a bus station at the airport.

Here are a few related questions...

Do you catch it near the free shuttle bus that goes to the Novotel Hotel?

Where and by what route is the easiest to get to the free shuttle bus?

Do you have to pass the gauntlet of touts?

Is the bus station a bit more relaxed than the airport to meet HER family, the Arrival party, in terms of parking for them, getting into a relaxed cafe?

[last time it was a midnight blur on a concrete expressway where all the taxis were. They had a few vehicles, tons of kids, we took a taxi for us and another for our luggage, Maybe the bus station is more cordial?]

Is this bus station inside the airport compound? [exact location would be appreciated so I could view on Google Earth.]

Is the new Rapid transit near the bus station, same shuttle?

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When we meet them this time, not Thai style, I would like a more relaxed place than a concrete jungle with taxis whizzing by.

I have thought of saying to meet at the Novotel front doors, now am wondering about this bus station.

I am also thinking of Rapid transitting to some nice park, so they don't even have to drive to airport!?

[tartempion]

See http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/50

Free shuttle buses run every few minutes, have express and ordinary, but don't make much difference, not many people use them so not many ring the bell to get off. Think they stop outer curb at two places, not sure gate 4 and 7???

The Transportation Centre is not a fancy place to have family waiting for you, why don't you just use the Meeting Point at arrivals level?

Why don't you meet at one of the coffee shops on Level 3, easy place for family to wait.

Don't you have a moblie to call them as soon as you arrive? easy to find the place where your family is having a drink.

Your family can take one of the 55x buses to the airport at 34 baht and take the free shuttle from the Transportation centre

Edited October 18, 2009 by tartempion

[asanee]

the airport citybuses are now 33 bt-and even less for very short trips

for parking a real car it does not matter-in fact i think its harder to get to busterminal as to airport itself fromparking

the difference between stops end expres is no more-also the difference between serving arrivals and departs is no more-they serve both-and circle down to other

the touts dont harm you-just sail by -I know some soi near Silom where they are far, far more cumbersome-and also some non-Thai airports for ditto. Anyway, any arriving passenger has to go past them-impossible to leave airport without at least seeing some of them. the STOP for shuttle bus is clearly marked and now beyond the taxi-fenced off area-ask some guard to pen the gates for you and point the way, this at both ARR and DEP

at busterminal most of the former shops (like the biggest 7 in Thailand) have CLOSED since last year)-its all open air

also the shuttles are very often-just before/after work times, very heavily used by airport staff-their main customer base anyway. As one may expect from airport staff-many of them speak enough basic english and will be helpful. And all speak Thai-for the family

I guess the choice is not hard now-as first responder has pointed out.

[eggomaniac]

The Transportation Centre is not a fancy place to have family waiting for you, why don't you just use the Meeting Point at arrivals level?

They usually come in 2 to 4 vehicles, lots of kids. Is it convenient for them to park and have a little gathering in the Meeting Point, then walk or shuttle to the parking lot to their cars? Is the Meeting Point the best Option for family picking us up in their private cars.

I found the Bus Station on Google Earth. Yes, it is sterile but better than concrete ramps we met at last time.

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From the Panorama pictures on Google Earth, it looks like there is plenty of free and covered drop off parking at the bus station. It seems it would be more convenient for THEM if the 3 of us, with our 3 suitcases, stepped off a shuttle bus right in front of where they are parked and waiting?

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hmmm [i'm not 'worried' per se about touts. There can be worse panhandlers in Vancouver. On a Cambodian border run there was the most 'aggressive' ones I've seen.]

I'm just curious if the Bus Station has the same level of hounds?

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The first night we are staying at HER sister's in Chatujak. I am wondering why it might NOT be a good idea for the 3 of us to hop Rapid Transit and save them the return drive to the airport?

Would 3 suitcases with a 5 year old be too much of a struggle?

[MJo]

From short term parking (right next to terminal) you just need to cross the bridge (20m) and you are in the terminal 3rd floor and there is number of cafes and restaurants to wait if they do not want to drag all the kids downstairs for the meeting point which might be bit crowded depending on arrival time. I would assume it is much nicer to wait than trying to find parking in the bus terminal and hang out there waiting you to make your way there especially if you have taxi full of luggage with you.

[eggomaniac]

This is a Google Earth aerial of the North West corner of the Airport.

Is the red star I 'painted' the access point for public vehicles?

[eggomaniac]

From short term parking (right next to terminal) you just need to cross the bridge (20m) and you are in the terminal 3rd floor and there is number of cafes and restaurants to wait if they do not want to drag all the kids downstairs for the meeting point which might be bit crowded depending on arrival time. I would assume it is much nicer to wait than trying to find parking in the bus terminal and hang out there waiting you to make your way there especially if you have taxi full of luggage with you.

Mjo, this is beginning to sound like a civilized option. So when we clear Arrival and get luggage, we head for the 3rd floor. Meet, relax, eat, take pictures, then walk across a bridge to where they parked? kharbkoon khab.