Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport: Location And More

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is one of the two largest international airports in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from downtown Bangkok. The airport is named after the Sanskrit for land of gold and was officially opened for domestic and international commercial flights in September 2006. It is now the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways and serves over 38 million people a year.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located near Bangkok, Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is located near Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the two largest international airports in the country, serving over 38 million people annually. The airport is situated in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from downtown Bangkok. It covers an area of 3,240 hectares (32.4 square kilometres or 8,000 acres), making it one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia.

The airport is named Suvarnabhumi, which means "land of gold" in Sanskrit, reflecting the region's rich history and cultural significance. It is a major hub for aviation and cargo air freight, with convenient transport links to the city centre. Bangkok's public transport system offers a range of options for travellers, including taxis, tuk-tuks, and buses. The Airport Rail Link provides a direct connection to the city centre, while the ARL Station is located underground at the airport, offering easy access to the city.

The airport has five main entrance routes, with the most convenient being the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). Another main entrance is through the Samut Prakan Province, connecting an elevated highway from Bang Na to Bang Pakong. The airport also provides a free shuttle bus service to the public transport terminal, from which travellers can take buses to the city centre, such as line 551 to BTS Victory Monument Station.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a modern and advanced airport, serving as the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways. It also serves as a regional gateway, connecting to various destinations in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. The airport officially opened for domestic and international flights in 2006, providing efficient transportation options for travellers visiting Bangkok and the surrounding regions.

It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located near Bangkok, Thailand. Covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), it is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. It is also a major cargo air freight hub, having been ranked the 20th busiest in 2019.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a regional hub for aviation and a gateway for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is the main hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai AirAsia. The airport is also one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, with a 6% capacity boost adding over 142,000 new seats. This growth reflects Thailand's popularity as a tourist destination and its appeal to international travellers.

The airport's location, formerly known as Cobra Swamp, was chosen in 1973, and it was officially opened for domestic and international flights in September 2006. The name Suvarnabhumi, meaning "land of gold" or "realm of gold" in Sanskrit, was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes the word Bhūmi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has five main access routes, with the most convenient being via the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway (Motorway 7). The airport has seven different car park zones, and a free shuttle bus service operates between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The airport also has an underground ARL station with hours of service from 06:00 to 00:00, and it is served by three air-conditioned city bus routes.

The airport is named after the Sanskrit for land of gold

Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK, ICAO: VTBS) is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Located mostly in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, it covers an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), making it one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. The airport is also a major Cargo Air Freight Hub and a regional hub for aviation.

The name Suvarnabhumi is derived from the Sanskrit words "Suvarṇa," meaning "gold," and "Bhūmi," meaning "land." Thus, Suvarnabhumi translates to "land of gold" or "golden land." The name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes the word "Bhūmi." The term "Suvarṇabhūmi" is commonly associated with the Buddhist golden kingdom, thought to have been located somewhere to the east of the Ganges, possibly in Southeast Asia.

In Thailand, government proclamations and national museums assert that Suvarnabhumi was situated on the coast of the central plains, near the ancient city of U Thong. This area is believed to be the origin of the Indianised Dvaravati culture and the Mon Dvaravati Culture. The Thai government named the airport Suvarnabhumi in celebration of this tradition, although these claims remain unsubstantiated.

The term "Suvarṇabhūmi" has also been associated with various locations throughout the Southeast Asian region. It has been linked to the ancient kingdom of Suwannaphum, the Funan Kingdom or Nokor Phnom in present-day Cambodia, and the Malay Peninsula. The term may also refer to a powerful coastal or island kingdom in present-day Indonesia, possibly centred on Sumatra or Java, due to their historical gold production areas.

Overall, the name Suvarnabhumi Airport reflects the historical and cultural associations of the term "Suvarṇabhūmi" in Sanskrit, capturing the idea of a prosperous and golden land.

It is accessible by taxi, tuk-tuk, bus, train, and bike

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located near Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. The airport is accessible by taxi, tuk-tuk, bus, train, and bike.

Taxi

Taxis are a simple, comfortable, and quick way to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city centre. The journey usually takes around half an hour, and the price on the meter typically ranges from 250 baht to 300 baht (approximately US$7.50 to US$9). The taxi rank is located on the first floor, near the arrivals area. It is recommended to follow the signs for "Public Taxis" and avoid individuals offering "Official Taxis" in the terminal, as they may overcharge. It is also important to ensure that the driver agrees to use the meter. Pre-booking a transfer service is another option, which provides added convenience as the driver will wait for you in arrivals with your name on a sign.

Tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are another option for travelling between the airport and the city centre. They can be found in the city centre, but it is unclear if they can be accessed directly from the airport.

Bus

For travellers on a budget or those seeking a local experience, taking a local bus from the airport is an option. A free shuttle bus is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which takes passengers to the public transport terminal about 2 miles (3 km) away, where public buses depart. The most common bus route to the city centre is line 551 to BTS Victory Monument station, which costs around 40 baht (approximately US$0.60) and operates from 5 am to 10 pm. From the BTS Victory Monument station, passengers may need to take another form of transportation to reach their final destination.

Train

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) provides a cheap and reliable way to get to Bangkok city centre from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The ARL station is located on the underground floor of the airport, with hours of service from 6 am to midnight. The ARL has two interchange stations: Phaya Thai, which connects to the BTS Green Line, and Makkasan, which links to the MRT Blue Line via the Phetchaburi station. The ARL is expected to complement the SRT Red Line commuter service in the future.

Bike

Cyclists can access the Sky Lane, a cycling track around the perimeter of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The entrance to the Sky Lane is in the northeastern corner of the airport area. It is a controlled-access, one-direction, two-lane track exclusively for cycling, ensuring a safe and vehicle-free riding experience. At 23.5 km, it is the longest cycling track in Asia.

It is one of two airports in Bangkok, the other being Don Mueang Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located near Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the two largest international airports in the city, the other being Don Mueang Airport. Don Mueang Airport is the older and smaller airport of the two. Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from downtown Bangkok. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. It is also a major cargo air freight hub, with a designated Airport Free Zone. The airport covers an area of 3,240 hectares (32.4 square kilometres or 8,000 acres). The name Suvarnabhumi is Sanskrit for "land of gold", and was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Bangkok's public transport system is easily accessible from Suvarnabhumi Airport. There is a free shuttle bus that takes passengers to the public transport terminal about 3 kilometres away, from which public buses depart. The most common bus route to the city centre is line 551 to BTS Victory Monument station, which costs around $0.60 and operates from 5 am to 10 pm. The Airport Rail Link is another cheap and reliable way to reach the city centre. The ARL station is located on the underground floor of the airport and operates from 6 am to midnight. The ARL also has interchange stations, Phaya Thai and Makkasan, which link to other train services. Travellers can also take a metered taxi from the airport to the city centre, which costs around $2 and takes about half an hour.

Frequently asked questions