Airport Rail Link Bangkok Guide: Routes, Stations, Fares & Tips (2026)

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is the fastest and most predictable way between Suvarnabhumi Airport and central Bangkok. The trip to Phaya Thai takes about 26 to 30 minutes and costs THB 45, and because the train runs on its own elevated track, Bangkok’s traffic never slows it down. It also connects directly with the BTS Skytrain and the MRT.

The Airport Rail Link is not the right choice for everyone. Your luggage, arrival time and hotel location all make a difference. Below, we explain how the line works, which stations and transfers are most useful, what it costs, and when a taxi or Grab is the smarter option.

Use the table of contents below to jump straight to the part you need.

What Is the Airport Rail Link?

The Airport Rail Link is an elevated rail line connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with Phaya Thai in central Bangkok. Owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), it opened in 2010 as a traffic-free alternative to the long drive into the city.

It is worth knowing that the ARL is not a dedicated airport express. It is also a busy commuter line that stops at all eight stations, so you share the train with office workers and students heading into the city. That affects luggage space and rush-hour crowding, which we cover further down.

Three stations connect to Bangkok’s wider rail network: Phaya Thai for the BTS Skytrain, Makkasan for the MRT Blue Line, and Hua Mak for the MRT Yellow Line. From the airport, you can reach most of central Bangkok without ever sitting in traffic.

Bangkok Rail Transit Map: Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT, & More

View the full Bangkok rail transit map

This map shows the Airport Rail Link, BTS Skytrain, MRT Blue, Purple, Pink and Yellow Lines, the SRT Red Line, the Gold Line and other rail connections.

Tip: save the full-size map to your phone before you land, so you can check routes and interchange stations even before your SIM or eSIM is working.

Open the full-size map

Airport Rail Link Route & Stations

The Airport Rail Link has eight stations on a single line with no branches, so it is easy to follow and hard to get wrong. Announcements are made in Thai, English and Chinese, and every station is coded A1 to A8 on signs and maps.

Here is what each station is useful for, with the fare from the airport.

Suvarnabhumi (A1)

The airport terminus is on Basement Level B, one floor below the taxi and bus level. It is the only air-conditioned station on the line, and you will usually find ATMs and currency exchange counters right by the entrance.

Boarding here works a little differently than on most metro systems. When a train arrives, everyone gets off first, then the doors close briefly while staff check and clean the carriages. Boarding starts when a staff member signals, often with a whistle.

Lat Krabang (A2)

From the airport: THB 15

The first stop after the airport, mainly used by commuters and students from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Useful if you are staying at an airport-area hotel or spending one night near the airport after a late arrival. The Paseo Mall and Robinson Lifestyle Lat Krabang are nearby, but a short taxi ride is easier than walking in the heat.

Ban Thap Chang (A3)

From the airport: THB 20

A small residential station with no visitor sights or hotel areas nearby. Most travellers simply ride through.

Hua Mak (A4)

From the airport: THB 25

The station for the MRT Yellow Line, which runs along the Srinakarin corridor toward Samrong and north to Lat Phrao. Useful if you are heading to Seacon Square, Thanya Park or accommodation in East Bangkok. The two stations are not directly connected, so read our Hua Mak transfer directions before you go.

Ramkhamhaeng (A5)

From the airport: THB 30

A busy, local area with markets, small restaurants and Ramkhamhaeng University nearby. Mainly useful if your accommodation, workplace or university is along Ramkhamhaeng Road.

Makkasan (A6)

From the airport: THB 35

The main transfer station for the MRT Blue Line, via a covered skywalk to Phetchaburi MRT station of about 7 to 10 minutes. Often the most direct route to Asok, Sukhumvit and Silom. See our Makkasan transfer directions.

Ratchaprarop (A7)

From the airport: THB 40

In the Pratunam area, close to Platinum Fashion Mall, wholesale markets and plenty of budget to mid-range hotels. There is no BTS or MRT connection here, but if your hotel is within walking distance, it saves you a transfer.

Phaya Thai (A8)

From the airport: THB 45

The city terminus and the most common transfer point, with a direct walkway to the BTS Skytrain for Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom. See our Phaya Thai transfer directions.

Travel Time & Operating Hours

The full journey between Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai takes about 26 to 30 minutes, and because the train never meets road traffic, that time barely changes through the day.

Trains run daily from around 5:30 am until midnight, roughly every 10 minutes at peak times (6:00 to 9:00 am and 4:00 to 8:00 pm) and every 15 minutes off-peak and at weekends. First and last departure times can shift slightly, so check them before a very early flight or a late-night arrival.

Weekday rush hours can get crowded, especially heading toward the airport in the evening. See our rush hour tips if you are travelling with large luggage.

Fares & Tickets

Fares are distance-based, from THB 15 for one stop to THB 45 for the full journey between Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai. Children under 90 cm travel free. Taller children pay the adult fare.

Paying with Contactless Cards (Tap to Pay)

Since November 2025, the easiest way to pay is to tap a contactless credit, debit or prepaid card at the entry gate. Most international cards work, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB and UnionPay. Look for the contactless logo on the gates marked for card payment. Tap again when you exit, and the correct fare is charged automatically.

At Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai, it works slightly differently. Instead of tapping at the gate itself, you tap your card on a separate reader in front of an open gate, wait for the green light, then walk through. Staff are usually nearby if you are unsure.

Ticket Prices

Other Payment Options

If you prefer not to pay by card, there are two alternatives.

Single-Journey Tokens

Buy a token from the ticket machines (English menu available) or a staffed counter. Machines take coins and notes, but smaller notes work best, as large bills are not always accepted. Tap the token at the entry gate, then insert it into the exit gate at the end of your trip.

Stored-Value Card

The Airport Rail Link has its own rechargeable stored-value card. It is mainly used by commuters and residents, but it can save time at the machines if you use the line regularly.

Important: Tickets Do Not Carry Over to BTS or MRT

Airport Rail Link tokens and cards are not valid on the BTS or MRT, and Rabbit cards are not accepted on the Airport Rail Link. If you transfer, you pay separately on the next line. Payment options differ between systems, so check our BTS Skytrain and MRT guides for how to pay on each.

How to Transfer to BTS and MRT

Three Airport Rail Link stations connect to Bangkok’s wider rail network, so you can reach most of the city without entering road traffic. Remember that you pay separately on each line, as tickets do not carry over.

Transfer to BTS at Phaya Thai

At a glance: a few minutes’ walk, fully covered, easy with luggage.

Phaya Thai is the last stop and the most convenient transfer for most visitors. From the Airport Rail Link platform, take the escalators down one level and follow the signs across the elevated walkway to the BTS station.

From Phaya Thai BTS station, you can easily reach:

• Siam (central shopping district)
• Sukhumvit
• Silom, via an interchange at Siam

For fares and how to pay on the BTS, see our BTS Skytrain guide.

Transfer to MRT Blue Line at Makkasan

At a glance: 7 to 10 minutes on foot, mostly covered, manageable with luggage but quite warm during the day.

From the Airport Rail Link platform, follow the signs to the elevated walkway leading to Phetchaburi station on the MRT Blue Line.

At the end of the walkway, go down the escalators and past a few food shops and a restaurant. Turn right around the corner, then right again to reach the escalators down to the MRT entrance. After a brief security check, another set of escalators takes you down to the concourse, with the ticket office and machines on your right. Tap a contactless bank card at the gate, or buy a single-journey token.

This transfer is particularly useful for reaching:

• Asok and Sukhumvit (one stop to Sukhumvit MRT)
• Silom and Lumphini
• Hua Lamphong and Chinatown
• Bang Sue and other stops on the MRT Blue Line loop

Transfer to MRT Yellow Line at Hua Mak

At a glance: about 10 minutes, partly at street level along a busy road, best with light luggage.

The Airport Rail Link and MRT Yellow Line stations at Hua Mak are not directly connected. From the Airport Rail Link station, follow the signs to Exit 1 and go down to street level. This exit is signposted Srinagarindra Road, another spelling of Srinakarin Road. Walk in that direction, turn left and cross the railway. Take care here, as traffic on Srinakarin Road passes close and there is no proper sidewalk.

On your left, you will then see the entrance below, with stairs on the left and a lift on the right.

Go up to the elevated walkway by stairs, escalator or lift. From there, it is about five minutes to Hua Mak station on the MRT Yellow Line.

This transfer is useful for the Srinakarin corridor, Samrong, Lat Phrao, and places such as Seacon Square and Thanya Park. Most short-term visitors staying in central Bangkok will not need it.

Which Transfer Should You Choose?

• Phaya Thai: best for BTS destinations, including Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom
• Makkasan: best for MRT Blue Line destinations, including Asok, Sukhumvit and Silom
• Hua Mak: best for East Bangkok and the MRT Yellow Line corridor
• Ratchaprarop: no transfer needed if your hotel is in Pratunam

Luggage & Comfort on the Airport Rail Link

The Airport Rail Link is modern and air-conditioned, but it is a commuter line rather than a dedicated airport train, and that affects space and comfort at busy times.

Luggage Space

There are no dedicated luggage racks, only open standing areas near the doors. Standard suitcases are usually fine, especially outside rush hour. With very large or multiple bags, stand by the doors or at the ends of the carriage, where there is more room.

Heat at Stations

Suvarnabhumi station is inside the airport and therSuvarnabhumi is the only air-conditioned station. The other seven are elevated and open to the heat, with ceiling fans on some platforms. If you just miss a train, the wait on a midday platform can feel long, so keep water handy. You will often see commuters with small handheld fans.

Accessibility

All stations have lifts, and boarding is near level, so the line works well with a wheelchair, stroller or heavy luggage. The main exception is the Hua Mak transfer to the MRT Yellow Line, which involves a walk along a busy road. Phaya Thai and Makkasan are the easiest transfer stations.

Rush Hour Considerations

On weekdays from roughly 7:00 to 9:00 am and 4:00 to 8:00 pm, trains fill with office workers.

The evening rush toward the airport is the hardest. At Makkasan in particular, trains can arrive already full, and you may need to wait for the second or even third train. With large bags, avoid the middle carriages, which fill first, and allow extra time.

Airport Rail Link vs Taxi, Grab & Airport Bus

The right choice depends on your arrival time, luggage, group size and where you are staying.

When the Airport Rail Link Is the Best Choice

• You arrive during peak traffic hours
• You are travelling alone or with one suitcase
• Your hotel is near a BTS or MRT station
• You want a predictable journey time

When a Taxi May Be Better

Outside rush hour, a taxi can be just as fast and takes you door to door. In short, road transport usually wins in the four situations below.

When Not to Use the Airport Rail Link

Late-Night Arrivals & Early Flights

Trains run from around 5:30 am until midnight, so the Airport Rail Link does not cover very late arrivals or very early departures.

If you land late in the evening, immigration and baggage claim can easily take an hour or more. Unless you are confident you will be on the platform well before midnight, a taxi, Grab or LINE MAN is the safer option.

For early flights, the first train from Phaya Thai only reaches the airport around 6:00 am. That is too late for most international departures before about 8:00 am, so book a taxi or ride instead.

Very Large or Multiple Suitcases

With several oversized bags, crowded trains and platform transfers become hard work. A door-to-door car is more comfortable.

Group Travel

For three or four people, the combined train and onward BTS or MRT fares start to approach the cost of one taxi, which also takes you straight to the door.

Hotels Far from Rail Lines

If your hotel is not within walking distance of a BTS or MRT station, you will need a taxi or Grab at the other end anyway. Going directly from the airport usually saves time.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi

Just landed? Here is how to get from the arrivals hall to the train.

1. Clear Immigration & Collect Your Luggage

After immigration and customs, you come out into the arrivals hall on Level 2.

2. Go Down to Basement Level B

Take the escalators or lifts all the way down to Level B (Basement). Do not stop at Level 1, which is for taxis and public buses. The train station is one floor further down.

3. Follow the Airport Rail Link Signs

Signs for the Airport Rail Link are placed throughout the terminal and lead you down to the station entrance on Level B. If you need cash, there are usually ATMs and exchange counters right outside.

4. Pay Your Fare

The quickest option is a contactless credit or debit card: no ticket needed, just tap and go. Otherwise, buy a single-journey token for your destination from a ticket machine or the staffed counter. It costs THB 45 to Phaya Thai.

5. Enter Through the Gates

Tap your card on the contactless reader in front of the marked gate and wait for the green light, or tap your token on the gate reader.

6. Wait for the Next Train

Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes. When one arrives, all passengers get off first, and staff briefly check the carriages before boarding starts.

7. Exit at Your Destination

Tap the same card again at the exit gate, or insert your token into the slot. If you are transferring to the BTS or MRT, follow the signs and pay separately on the next line.

Going to the Airport

The trip works the same way in reverse. Board any train toward Suvarnabhumi, as every train terminates at the airport. From the station on Level B, take the lifts or escalators up to Departures on Level 4. On weekday evenings, allow extra time for crowded trains, and see our rush hour tips.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Airport Rail Link

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Planning Your Arrival in Bangkok

For most travellers, the Airport Rail Link offers the best balance of speed, cost and reliability, especially when traffic is heavy. Whether it is the right choice for you depends on your luggage, arrival time and where you are staying.

These guides help with the rest of your journey:

Suvarnabhumi Airport Guide: arrivals, departures, SIM cards and getting to the city
Getting Around Bangkok: how the BTS, MRT, taxis and boats fit together
BTS Skytrain Guide: routes, stations, fares and how to pay
Bangkok MRT Guide: lines, fares and key interchange stations

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