Getting From Hualampong To Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok)

[J00ls]

I'm booking a ticket for the night train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok for this Thursday and realised I don't really know how to get from the station (Hualampong Station) to the airport (Suvarnabhumi). Whats the best way to go and how long does it take (roughly)? I'd like to avoid the expensive taxi route if possible. Got an 11am flight I'm trying to connect to. Is Hualampong on or near the sky train? This Farang would appreciate any help you can give, I'm starting to get a bit panicky about it!

[jdinasia]

From Hualomphong there is a subway that stops at Petchaburi station. Get off there and exit to the Citylink (skytrain route to the airport)

[UberBraun]

Yes, catch the MRT at Hualumphong and get off at Petchaburi.  Then catch the Rail link to the airport at Makasan station, a short walk if the tunnel is not yet completed.

I hope you leave plenty of time as it is not uncommon for trains from the North to be a tad late arriving into Bangkok.  Personally, I would suggest arriving into Bangkok at least the day before departing by air.

[Genericnic]

If you don't want to have to change trains on the MRT, you can catch the air conditioned Airport Express bus (AE4) just outside Hualomphong Station. The bus stop is on the east side of the station. You buy your ticket (150 Baht) across the street at Richly Travel Center. It will drop you off at departures on the 4th floor at the airport.

UberBraun is definitely right about the trains being late. I have never come from CM to Bangkok and been less than an hour late arriving.

David

[Lakegeneve]

As the UB stated it is not uncommon for O/N trains into BKK to arrive late, sometimes even by and hour or two. However, you'll know if the train is going to be late by the time you get to Rangsit so you can canvass these two options (late or otherwise). You can save some time by not going all the way to Hualamphong

1) Alight at Don Muang station, take the Terminal 1 pedestrian bridge to the other side of Vihanvadi-Rangsit road where there is a bus stop and catch either bus 555 or 554 (38 baht, buses run every 20-30 mins) to the Airport Transport Centre at the Airport (then a 10 min transfer bus to the terminal). Both take a max of an hour in normal traffic but if it is after 7am for the morning peak expect at least 90 mins.

I would only suggest this if you alight before 7am. In general option 2 is better during peak hour.

2) Alight at Bang Sue station and take the MRT to Phetchburi station and transfer to the Airport Link. This saves time (30mins) as the time it takes the SRT train to get to Hulamphong you will be at the Airport station. (There is no tunnel being built as the previous poster suggested - just take the signed exit).

Expect 30 mins from departing at Bang Sue, walking to the MRT & taking the MRT to Phetchburi station (36 baht); 5-8 mins walk to the City Line platform and then 25 mins from Makkasan station to the Airport (35baht). All up an hour. (Note that the trains to the Airport depart every 15 mins on the hour - from Phayathai station - and 2 mins later at Makkasan).

Here is a network map which may assist, http://www.bts.co.th/en/map.asp, and here is the site for the Airport Link for more info, http://airportrailli...h/en/index.html#

(Also, note that a taxi from Hualamphong to the Airport would only be around 270 baht including tolls and the entrance to the expressway is just east of the station)

[Robby nz]

I would add to that, if the train is running late get off at Don Muang station and get a taxi to the airport.

If very late you could get off at Rangsit and taxi from there.

The train takes about an hour from Don Muang station to Hualamphong.

[ovenman]

Second the notion of getting off the train at Bang Sue and picking up the subway (MRT) there. Nothing is gained by taking the train all the way to Hualamphong.

[jdinasia]

The more I think about it .... I would actually probably take a taxi. Just outside of Hualomphong station is an entry to the expressway. I'd grab a meter taxi from the official place at the train station and tell him to use the expressway. Carting bags up and down all the escalators etc just isn't worth it.

[J00ls]

Thanks for the exceedingly detailed and prompt answers. You guys are amazing! I didn't realise the train had a propensity for lateness. I guess I'm too used to the trains in Japan. Should I really go to bangkok a day early do you think? It'll involve a very last minute and quite sizable change in plans, but it is do-able. Ah, what to do!