Roberta Aguirre
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is one of the busiest and most modern airports in the world. With a long layover, there are plenty of things to do to keep you entertained, relaxed, and culturally enriched. From luxury shopping and authentic Thai cuisine to spa treatments and hidden lounges, Suvarnabhumi Airport has lots to offer. If you're looking to explore outside the airport, you can visit Khao San Road, Bangkok's famous backpacker district, or Yaowarat, one of the largest Chinatowns in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from Bangkok city centre | 25-30 km |
| Hotel in the airport | Miracle Transit Hotel, located on the 3rd floor of the terminal |
| Nearby hotels | Novotel Bangkok, Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi |
| Food options | Thai and Asian to-go counters, sit-down restaurants, convenience shops, Western options like Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks |
| Shopping | Luxury brands, duty-free shopping, Thai souvenirs, convenience stores |
| Lounges | Miracle Lounge, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge, Priority Pass Lounges, Coral Lounge |
| Gardens | Tropical Garden, Indoor Waterfalls |
| Art | Art installations, sculptures, traditional Thai art pieces |
| Attractions nearby | Khao San Road, Chinatown, Yaowarat, King Rama IX Park |
Explore related products
![Bangkok: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Thailand [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91aQaQPH4DL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Eat Thai food
If you're looking to eat Thai food during your layover at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you're in luck. The airport features a wide variety of dining options, including Thai and other Asian cuisines, as well as Western staples.
For a true taste of Thailand, head to the Magic Food Point food court, located on the first floor near Gate 8. Here, you'll find a range of affordable, local dishes, including the popular Zeed Zaad restaurant, which serves Som Tam (Spicy Papaya Salad) in a variety of ways, including with fermented fish, salted crab, or crispy pork. You can also sample classic Thai street food like Khao Ka Moo (Tender Pork Leg Meat with Rice) and a range of spicy salads and soups.
If you're looking for a more upscale dining experience, the airport lounges offer tasty food and a quieter atmosphere than the main terminal. You can purchase a one-time pass or use a lounge membership program to gain entry.
For a quick bite before your flight, Suvarnabhumi Airport also has fast-food outlets and international options, including Italian, Japanese, and French restaurants.
If you have a longer layover (10-12 hours), you might want to venture outside the airport to Khao San Road, about 29-32 km away. This famous backpacker district is known for its lively atmosphere, with food stalls and restaurants serving up a variety of Thai dishes and international fare.
With so many options, your layover in Bangkok is the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious Thai cuisine!
Breezing Past Airport Security Scanners: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shop for luxury brands
If you're looking to shop for luxury brands during your layover at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, head to the shopping mall on the fourth floor. There, you'll find a wide range of duty-free products, from the sublime to the luxurious, including leather goods, jewellery, and fashion items, and unique Thai products.
The fourth floor is home to some of the world's most recognised brands, including luxury boutiques where you can treat yourself or pick up a gift for a special partner. Browse brand-name collections and duty-free boutiques from well-known names such as Burberry, Bvlgari, and Cartier. You can also find luxury leather goods from brands like Longchamp, founded in Paris in 1948.
For locally made luxury, Jim Thompson Thai Silk offers beautiful silks at reasonable prices, while the Suvarnabhumi Airport OTOP shop features a large variety of arts and crafts from individual Thai villages, each with its own unique, inimitable product. You can also find other Made-in-Thailand products, souvenirs, dried fruit, aromatherapy, and snacks in shops like Memories of Thailand, OTOP, and Touch of Thailand.
If you're looking to rest between shopping sprees, book into a Miracle Lounge to relax and admire your purchases, or enjoy a Thai massage at the spa.
Modesto, California: Airport or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Relax in a lounge
If you're looking to relax and unwind during a layover at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are several airport lounges that offer a quiet respite from the bustling terminals. You don't need to be a first or business-class flyer to access these lounges; many are open to all passengers, regardless of their airline or class of service. Here are some options to consider:
Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge
Located in the International Terminal, airside, in Concourse E, this Priority Pass lounge is one of the best at Bangkok Airport. It boasts a stylish and elegant design with Arabic influences. Access can be purchased for around $40 USD per person, or you can enter for free if you're an elite member of Oman Air's Sinbad program or flying with Oman Air in Business Class. Enjoy a range of hot and cold beverages, including Nespresso coffee, tea, soft drinks, and Chandon Champagne. Satisfy your hunger with a variety of self-serve spirits and wines, as well as hot and cold dishes.
Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge
This lounge, located in Concourse G, exudes a smart and distinctly Japanese ambiance. It offers a wide variety of food options, including hot and cold dishes such as JAL Beef Curry rice, Japanese grilled mackerel, soy-glazed sweet potatoes, pastries, and desserts. The seating options are diverse, ranging from sofa seats and booths to large communal tables. The lounge also provides convenient facilities like toilets and showers.
Royal First Lounge
Indulge in luxury at the Royal First lounge, a spacious rectangular room adorned with plush seats and luxurious loungers adorned with colourful pillows. The decor seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Thai elements, creating a stylish and refined atmosphere. Flower arrangements add a subtle touch of colour. For those seeking privacy or a quiet workspace, six private rooms are available on the side. The dining experience is exceptional, with Thai dishes like shrimp wonton soup, shrimp pad thai, tom yum goong, and Panang curry with beef and rice. Attentive staff will take your orders directly from your seat. A small dining room at the back offers an intimate à la carte dining experience for 22 guests.
Miracle Transit Hotel
If you're looking for a quiet place to rest and relax, the Miracle Transit Hotel offers day rooms for 4-12 hours. Located on Airside, Level 3, International Departures, Concourse A, it provides a comfortable and private space to unwind or catch up on sleep during your layover.
Charlotte Airport: Which State Does CLT Call Home?
You may want to see also
Visit Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a famous backpacker district in Bangkok, constructed in 1892 and known for its crazy parties and nightlife. It is located about 29-32 km from the airport, which is about a 25-minute drive.
If you are looking for a cheap option to get to Khao San Road, you can take the bus for $1-2 USD, which takes about 41-44 minutes. The AE-2 bus goes to Banglamp, where Khao San is found, and costs $5 USD. The S1 shuttle bus outside of gate 7 on level 1 of the Suvarnabhumi terminal will also take you there. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority operates a bus every 20 minutes for $2 USD.
If you are looking for a faster option, you can take a taxi for $9-11 USD, which takes about 25 minutes. A taxi from Don Mueang Airport to Democracy Monument, which is a few minutes' walk from Khao San Road, costs 80-100 THB. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Link to Bangkok's city centre (Phaya Thai station) and then take a taxi from there to Khao San Road.
Khao San Road is packed with guesthouses, food stalls, cloth stores, and travellers from all around the world. You can find accommodation on Khao San Road, with hotel prices starting at $21 USD per night.
Stroller Availability at Heathrow: What Parents Need to Know
You may want to see also
Sleep in the airport
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is a sleep-friendly airport with plenty of armrest-free seating and some private, quieter spots. Here are some tips for sleeping in the airport:
Find a Quiet Spot
The Observation Deck on Floor 7 is a quiet area where staff and travellers can rest on the benches and charge their devices at the power outlets. The basement, particularly between Doors 7-10, and the area underneath the staircases, also have some quiet spots that fill up quickly. If you don't mind sleeping in a chair, Floor 3 has some quiet corners as there are few shops there.
Sleep Pods and Capsule Hotels
For single travellers seeking privacy, there are sleep pods available on the landside section of the airport. These pods provide a comfortable and quiet space to rest, with amenities like USB ports, earplugs, WiFi, power outlets, and air conditioning. The Avagard Capsule Hotel offers seven hours of access to a pod for $20, while an overnight stay of 15 hours costs $51.
Transit Hotels
If you prefer more comfort and privacy, the Miracle Transit Hotel on Level 3 offers day rooms for 4-12 hours. The Boxtel, located in the Airport Link Basement Floor, is another option for a good night's sleep.
Nearby Hotels
There are also many affordable hotels located within a few minutes' drive from the airport, and some provide free shuttle services. The Novotel Bangkok, for example, is just a 5-minute walk from the airport.
Airport Lounges
Airport lounges offer a quieter environment, tasty food, and WiFi access. Many lounges are accessible to all travellers, regardless of flight class, with the purchase of a one-time pass or through a lounge membership program.
Marshalltown, Iowa: Airport Accessibility and Aviation Options
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
BKK Airport, or Suvarnabhumi Airport, is one of the busiest and most modern airports in the world. If you have a long layover, you can visit Khao San Road, which is 29-32km from the airport. It's one of Bangkok's most famous backpacker districts, known for its crazy parties and nightlife. If you have a shorter layover, you can eat, shop, or get a Thai massage at the spa. There are over 50 dining venues and hundreds of shops, including luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. You can also relax in one of the airport's lounges, some of which offer free alcohol and premium snacks.
There are many options for authentic Thai food in BKK Airport, including Kin Ramen, Mango Tree, and Silom Village. If you're looking for Western food, there's also Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks.
Yes, there are several hotels near BKK Airport. The Miracle Transit Hotel is located on the 3rd floor of the Suvarnabhumi terminal, and there are also many other great hotels within a few minutes' drive from the airport, such as Novotel Bangkok and Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi.
One popular attraction near BKK Airport is King Rama IX Park, which is 4.9 miles from the airport. There's also the Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy, which is 8.8 miles away.
Yes, travellers can typically get away with sleeping in BKK Airport. There are several spots that are good for sleeping, such as the Observation Deck on the 7th Floor, seats near the Subway and 7-Eleven on the B Floor, and the area around the prayer room in the International Zone.
