A1 bus - what time does it start from BTS Morchit?

[10years]

According to the Transit Bangkok website, the A1 shuttle bus starts running at 8:30 in the morning, but doesn't say if that's from Don Mueang or from Morchit or from both.

Plan to take the Skytrain to Morchit and catch the A1 to go to Don Mueang for a AirAsia international flite at 11:25am. Will I have enough time?

[Lakegeneve]

The AOT website is an easier check for running times, http://donmueangairportthai.com/en/381-public-transport

However, you could just call the BMTA (who provide the buses) of the DMK Airport Transport Info number and check, see post #63

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/583608-shuttle-service-don-mueang-suvarnabhumi-airports-starts-oct-1/page-3

However, the are around a dozen buses or mini vans that you can take from Mo Chit BTS station which head straight up Vihavadi rd to DMK airport (disembark at the stop where the Amari/DMK station overpass is). The 510 would be an easy start

[Bkungbank]

BUs number 29 runs day and night both air-cond and without air. Better direct to Wat Don cross the bridge after Don Meuang train station the next stop don't depend too much for them to call you when you reach as some times they forget.Morning to have to get ready before 4-5 hours as Vipawadi road jammed .

510 also avaible but wait too long and fewer bus and I think 29 better.

Edited August 20, 2014 by Bkungbank

[10years]

Is the Amari/DMK bus stop the same stop as Wat Don?

Is Vipawadi road jammed even going outbound after the BTS Morchit station?

Would it be better to take the SRT train if there's going to be a 4-5 hour jam?

[Lakegeneve]

Is the Amari/DMK bus stop the same stop as Wat Don?

Is Vipawadi road jammed even going outbound after the BTS Morchit station?

Would it be better to take the SRT train if there's going to be a 4-5 hour jam?

He is exaggerating just a little on the time front (well by a lot actually). You can also get off there for the Wat but there may be another stop just beyond that is closer - idk.

Northbound is okay in the morning especially after 9amish. I would estimate that it will take around 25-30mins, 40 max if there is some rain.

Just make it clear that you want to go to the airport where DM station is, you should be fine. You'll see the old domestic terminal and T2 before you stop which is opposite T1 so that will give you an idea.

[10years]

Ok, thanks

[Lakegeneve]

^ I neglected to explictly state that the bus stop is right adjacent to the DM station.

I did actually check out of my own interest on the start time sof the A1

The first A1 bus departs DMK at 7am

The first A1 bus from Mo Chit departs at 7:30am

So a little early than the 8:30am stated on the website

[10years]

Got to the Skytrain Morchit station early and didn’t have to wait long before a A1 swung by at 8:15am. It picked up some more people on the way and then stopped at its own bus stop. There are about 3 signs in Thai and English, but you might miss them because they look like only Thai. Also saw plenty of #510 A/C buses.

On the signs, there is something in Thai with :MRT 2” visible. I don’t know if that means the exit #2 of the subway or Morchit 2. The operating hours on the signs are 7-24.

The amazing thing was that I caught the bus at 8:15 and by the time I had cleared all formalities at the DMK, it was only 9:00!

The bus left its bus stop at 8:17 and took all of 15 minutes to land at the airport. That's because it almost immediately climbed up the ramp and took the tollway all the way. There was very little traffic on the tollway so the bus just flew

At the airport, I went to the restroom, which took a little time because unlike at Swampy, you can’t just walk straight through the check-in area to go the toilets in the back. You have to walk all the around the check-in area.

Then I went to the check-in counter and there was no wait. I went to passport control (no need to go upstairs to get X-rayed) and again there was no wait.

Was escorted to an office behind the front lines where people pay their overdue fines, but there was a desk – the first on the right – that was for re-entry permits. The jovial lady did everything while I sat at the desk. No need for her to get someone to sign off.

However, she gave me a royal interrogation and didn’t seem to believe what I said to her questions. She kept asking me if I had a wife and kids, here or back in the home country. No, none I kept saying.

Finally she asked me for the fee and I gave her B4,000 and she took it and just gave me a big smile. After waiting for a few seconds, when she didn’t do anything, I mentioned that there was supposed to be B200 in change. Then she said something about that was supposed to be a tip! After a brief exchange of words, I finally got my change.

I'd advise anyone to give them the exact amount – B3,800!

Edited August 21, 2014 by 10years

[edwardandtubs]

That A1 shuttle bus is great. At the airport after a load of BS from taxi drivers at the departure level I went back down and walked straight on to the A1 bus without waiting and it was an easy ride to the BTS.

If anyone can say exactly where it leaves from BTS Mochit that would be helpful.

[10years]

^{When you arrive at the Skytrain Morchit station, just take either the front or back exit to your left. The bus stop for outbound buses in general is between them. The A1 bus will pass slowly by that bus stop to pick up passengers, then proceed to its own stop and wait there for awhile before getting on the tollway.}

^{BTW, the driver on my bus was a woman.}

[10years]

Couple points that I missed.

RE re-entry permit: DMK uses the manual process, so you have to bring your own filled-in form, photo, and passport copies.

RE bus stop: this is the same bus stop used to catch #52 to Immigration at CW.