Ruth Haines
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Thailand's main international airport, handling most long-haul international flights and located around 22 miles (35km) east of central Bangkok. The airport also caters to domestic flights operated by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai VietJet. Passengers connecting through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport have a minimum connection time of one hour and 15 minutes, although it is advisable to allow extra time. Those with separate tickets on Bangkok Airways will need to collect their luggage and check in for their next flight separately. However, passengers with international connections on participating carriers may be able to check through their baggage, obtain their boarding pass, and complete Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) procedures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) |
| Recommended hotel for layovers | Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport |
| Recommended hotel for short stays | Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport |
| Airlines for domestic connections | Thai and Thai Smile |
| Airlines for domestic flights | Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet |
| Minimum connection time | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Luggage | You will have to exit through baggage claim and proceed through departures upstairs |
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What You'll Learn
The transfer process is easier with a through ticket
The transfer process at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is much easier with a through ticket. This means that you booked all your flights on a single ticket. In this case, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination, and you won't have to collect it in Bangkok and check in again for your second flight. This can involve significant wait times, especially during busy periods.
Having a through ticket also means that the process at security and immigration is much quicker. In the transit area, you can avoid the long queues sometimes found at the main immigration desks. Passengers transferring to Customs/Immigration/Quarantine (CIQ) destinations may be able to clear immigration at their CIQ destination. These passengers are given a CIQ sticker to wear, which identifies them to airline staff and ensures they are directed to the correct locations.
If you have separate tickets for each flight, you will have to collect your bags and check in again for your second flight. This is true even if you don't have any checked luggage and already have your onward boarding pass.
Some airlines have a minimum connection time. For example, Bangkok Airways' minimum connection time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. If your through ticket has a tight connection time, the airline should do its best to speed you through on arrival. If your international flight is late to land in Bangkok and you miss the connection for your domestic flight, the airline will usually put you on the next available flight. However, it is always a good idea to check the airline's policies before booking.
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You must exit through baggage claim and proceed upstairs to departures
When transferring flights at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), you must exit through baggage claim and proceed upstairs to departures. This is the case even if you have no checked luggage and an onward boarding pass for your second flight. This process applies to all airlines that offer direct through-transfers from other airlines, such as Thai Airways, and when you have two eligible flights on one Bangkok Airways ticket.
If you have separate tickets for different airlines, such as Bangkok Airways, you will need to collect your bags in Bangkok and check in for your second flight separately. This can cause significant waits during busy times. To avoid this, consider booking with an airline that offers through tickets, where your luggage is checked through to your final destination, and you can proceed to your connecting flight more efficiently.
At Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, passengers with international connections on participating carriers may be able to check through baggage, receive their boarding pass, and complete Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) procedures. These passengers will be identified by their CIQ sticker and granted direct boarding access upon arrival. However, regardless of your carrier, you will still need to exit through baggage claim and proceed upstairs to departures.
If you require an overnight or extended layover during your transit through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are accommodation options available. The Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is conveniently located just two minutes from the airport with a free shuttle every 10 minutes. Alternatively, there are two capsule hotels within the airport: Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport, offering various stay options, including short naps and overnight stays.
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Two capsule hotels are available in the airport
When transferring flights at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), all passengers must exit through baggage claim and proceed through departures upstairs. This is the case even if you have no checked luggage and an onward boarding pass for your second flight.
If you have an extended layover, there are two capsule hotels within Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport. Both are located in the basement, past immigration. The Avagard Capsule Hotel offers direct access to check-in counters and other airport facilities. The capsules feature a queen-size bed, quality bedding, a sleep ambient control system, USB charging sockets, and reading lights. Free Wi-Fi is available in all sleeping pods, as well as in public areas. The hotel also provides express check-in, luggage storage, a safe deposit box, and locker space.
Check-in at the Avagard Capsule Hotel is from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am, and guests have access to their rooms for 24 hours from the time of check-in. It is important to note that this is not a standard hotel, and there is no front desk or after-hours check-in. The airport's public toilets are shared with all passengers and are located nearby.
The Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport offers overnight stays or short naps, with rates available for 3-, 4-, and 7-hour stays.
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Bangkok Airways' minimum connection time is 1 hour 15 minutes
Yes, it is possible to transit through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The airport is located around 22 miles (35 kilometres) east of the city centre and handles most long-haul international flights.
If you are transiting through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, it is recommended to allow for extra time, as the minimum connection time for Bangkok Airways is 1 hour and 15 minutes. This minimum connection time only allows for a quick transfer and it is advised to allow for a longer connection time if possible, especially if your incoming flight is delayed. For example, if your incoming flight is delayed by 30 minutes, a connection time of 1 hour and 45 minutes may be more suitable.
It is important to note that if you are travelling on separate tickets with Bangkok Airways, you will need to collect your bags and check in for your second flight separately. This can cause significant waits during busy times of the year. To avoid this, it is recommended to book your flights on one ticket, which allows for a smoother transfer as your luggage will be checked through to your final destination.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport offers a range of accommodation options for extended layovers or overnight stays, including the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, as well as two capsule hotels within the airport: Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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CIQ passengers are given a sticker to wear
Yes, you can transit through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The airport is located around 22 miles (35 kilometres) east of the city centre and handles most long-haul international flights.
Now, this is important: CIQ stands for Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine. Passengers transferring to CIQ destinations may be able to have their luggage checked through and clear immigration at their CIQ destination. As a CIQ passenger, you will be given a CIQ sticker to wear. This identifies you to the airline staff, who will then direct you to the right locations.
Here's what you need to know about the process: If you have a separate Bangkok Airways ticket, you will have to collect your bags in Bangkok and check in for your second flight separately. This is true for travel to and from Koh Samui or any domestic Bangkok Airways destination. To avoid this, book your flights through a single ticket. This means your luggage will be checked through to your final destination, and the security and immigration process will be quicker.
If you have a long layover, there are a few accommodation options near the airport. The Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is just a two-minute shuttle ride from the airport and offers 8-hour and 24-hour stays. For shorter stays, there are two capsule hotels within the airport: Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The best option for transferring flights is to book your flights on one ticket. This means your luggage will be checked through to your final destination and the process at security and immigration is much quicker.
Bangkok Airways' minimum connection time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, it is advisable to allow extra time in case of delays or cancellations.
Yes, Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is very close to the airport and offers a free shuttle every 10 minutes. There are also two capsule hotels within Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: Avagard Capsule Hotel and Boxtel @ Suvarnabhumi Airport.
