Hi all - I will be arriving at 5:30 am in Suvarnabhumi on a Tuesday in October. I figure by the time I clear immigration and customs it will be around 7:30 - 8:00 am, right smack in the middle of rush hour. I've been told that the best way to get to Salaya is to go to the official taxi stand and take a cab from there. I've also been told that it shouldn't cost more than 1,000 Bht although the trip could last up to one and a half hours. Any additional tips, information from those who've made this journey before?

youre-like so many newbies, FAAAR too pessimistic. You will have passed last check-customs, with luggage in hand by 6.30-if plane is on time-maybe earlier. Yes, no need to repeat that taxi is by far the quickest and reliable way-have that essential info: the full adress, written in Thai, in hand to show the desk that organises the taxis-you pay meter, +50 bt airportfee+ all tolls (likely 70 total), and its imperative that you have a 500 and some 100s in That baht for payment-at the far end. Do not worry so much about jams-thats maybe 2-3 kms along expressway-last part into BKK.

BUT; there is now a spelndid alternative: via the new southern tollway-bypassing bigcity BKK-will cost some more kms-just make sure to tell driver-or ask desk to inform him.

If luggage is not too big and you are very well used to using transit: take ARL=raillink to end, Phyathai, walk UP=north a little, at FAR end (after skytrain stop) to a giant traffic circle, Victory Monument, or use the BTS-skytrain for this 1 stop on (15 bt),find bus 515-the student express all the way into mahidol/SalaYa, as its full of students, just ask for directions on board to them. Total cost: 45 bt-train+23 bt-bus. COuld with some luck be made in 2 hrs-but again: ONLY if you are used to transit away from safehome, and not to fearful of asking other people and not the proverbial TV-whiner.

To add to what asanee has said,

If you decide to take the ARL (Airport Link) then the BTS to Victory Monument, when you walk out of the BTS and reach Victory Monument traffic circle you can go left or right, go down the the staircase on the left to get to the bus stop. That is where the 515 picks up passengers. There is also a van at the bottom of the stairs that goes to Mahidol, Salaya if you do not want to take the 515 bus. I'm not sure how much it costs, but I am guessing it is around 30 baht. It would be faster than the bus since it would not be making as many stops along the way.

Thank you very much. I'm used to taking the transit both at home and away from home so I'm optimistic that I'll be able to manage. Many thanks for your suggestions. Very much appreciated.