The distance from Bangkok Airport to Chinatown (Yaowarat) is about 30 km and there are 4 ways to get from Suvarnabhumi to Chinatown, i.e. by shuttle bus, private transfers, public taxi and train. Below you will find the details of each transportation method and which one is the best option.
1. Shuttle Bus
There is no direct bus from the BKK Airport to Chinatown. However, you can still travel to it through the Victory Monument and here are the steps:
- Take a direct shuttle bus from the Airport to Victory Monument, which is available on the level-1 of the terminal. The bus leaves every 30-35 mins.
- Once you reach Victory Monument, Take the bus number 29 straight to Hua Lamphong Bus Station, where you can drop off and walk for another 10-15 mins into the Chinatown. The bus here leaves every 15 mins,
Below are the details for taking the bus from the Airport:
- Cost: THB 30 from BKK to Victory Monument, and 15 THB from Victory Monument to Hua Lamphong Bus Station.
- Travel duration: 55-120 mins.
- Seating accommodation: AC, comfortable seat
- Suitable for: Passengers with at most 2 luggage
2. Private Transfers
Private transfers from Suvarnambhumi to Yaowarat is one of the most preferred ways of transportation because you don’t have to take multiple steps to travel and you get to enjoy the exclusive door-to-door services in a comfortable vehicle. This includes the like of private chauffeurs and taxis.
Below are the details for taking a private transfer service to Chinatown:
- Average cost: THB 1000 – THB 3000
- Travel duration: 30-35 mins
- Seating accommodation: AC, comfortable seat, spacious
- Suitable for: All types of passengers
- Additional information: Services are usually hassle-free and the provider handles everything from you the moment you leave the terminal.
Check out our vehicle fleet that you can book today for a Bangkok Airport transfer straight to your accommodation below:
SUV
Suitable for families travelling during holidays to Thailand and off-road adventures.
- Starting cost: THB 1,000
- No. of passengers: 2-4
- No. of luggage: 4-6
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux
Toyota Camry
A popular choice for those looking for a budget family airport transfer and road trips.
- Starting cost: THB 1,200
- No. of passengers: 2-4
- No. of luggage: 2-4
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux
Toyota Commuter
Suitable for families and those travelling in large group with spacious and comfortable seats.
- Starting cost: THB 1,500
- No. of passengers: 8-10
- No. of luggage: 10-15
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux
Toyota Commuter VIP
Similar to the commuter, commuter VIP provides you with an upgrade level of comfort and amenities.
- Starting cost: THB 2,000
- No. of passengers: 8-10
- No. of luggage: 10-15
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux, WIFI, Bluetooth, stereo speaker
Hyundai Staria
Suitable for small families and groups to transfer to and from the BKK Airport in a luxury and comfort style.
- Starting cost: THB 2,200
- No. of passengers: 2-6
- No. of luggage: 4-6
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux, WIFI, Bluetooth
BMW Series 5
Suitable for business and luxury private trip in a comfortable limousine taxi service.
- Starting cost: THB 2,500
- No. of passengers: 2-3
- No. of luggage: 2-4
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux
Benz E Class
Take your business and luxury private trip to the next level in a comfortable limousine Benz car.
- Starting cost: THB 2,800
- No. of passengers: 2-3
- No. of luggage: 2-4
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux
Toyota Alphard
A great choice for small groups or families travelling to and from the airport, and getting around Bangkok and Thailand.
- Starting cost: THB 3,000
- No. of passengers: 2-4
- No. of luggage: 4-6
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux, WIFI, Bluetooth
Toyota Alphard 2024
The all-new Toyota Alphard 40 series is the latest model in the premium minivan family that’s designed to be larger and more luxurious, making it suitable for all-round traveling trips
- Starting cost: THB 3,000
- No. of passengers: 2-4
- No. of luggage: 4-6
- Amenities: AC, audio, CD, Aux, WIFI, Bluetooth
3. Public Taxi
Travelling to Chinatown from the BKK using a taxi is considered to be the most preferred way of transportation. This is because it’s comfortable and you can enjoy a ride along the way, passing through the Bangkok city and downtown areas while not spending a fortune. The public taxi operates using a taximeter.
There are other options available right from the Bangkok Airport such as Grab and Bolt, which have slight higher fares than the metered taxis. However, you can feel safer and relaxed by using such private companies for transportation.
Below are the details for taking a taxi from the Airport:
- Average cost: THB 300- THB 500
- Travel duration: 40-45 mins
- Seating accommodation: AC, comfortable seat
- Suitable for: 1-3 passengers with not more than 2-4 luggage as most of the taxis are Sedan cars.
- Additional information: The public taxis are available on the level-1 of the terminal.
4. Train
Last but not least is to take the ARL rain to Chinatown from Bangkok Airport. It’s the most preferred way (after public taxi) since it’s relatively cheaper and also not a lot of hassle.
Here are the steps to take the train to China Town:
- Board the Airport Rail Link (ARL) from the Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai BTS Station which is available on the level-B of the terminal. Look for the train sign in the Airport
- Once you reach Phaya Thai Station, take the bus number 40 to go straight to China Town.
Below are the details for taking the train:
- Average cost: THB 45 for the ARL, THB 15 for the bus
- Travel duration: 30 mins from the Airport to Phaya Thai BTS Station, then another 50 mins to China Town via the bus number 40
- Seating accommodation: AC, less comfortable seat and sometime you need to stand as there are no available seats left
- Suitable for: Passengers with 1-2 luggage max.
- Additional information: The train is located on the B floor of the terminal and leaves every 15 mins.
About Chinatown
Bangkok Chinatown or commonly known as Yaowarat is one of the largest Chinatown in the world. The area serves as a home to many Chinese immigrant who migrated to Thailand in the 17th century. Over the past decades, Chinatown has quickly developed to be one of Bangkok’s famous commercial hub with many things to do and shops to explore. This iconic downtown area is also located near some of the iconic places like Wat Traimit and Sampeng Lane.
If you happen to visit Chinatown, there are many great hotels to stay at. Some of them are ASAI Bangkok, The Quatre Chao Phraya, and Metro Hotel. With lots of street food and restaurants in the area to choose from, some of the most famous ones are Rut & Lek Seafood, Hua Seng Hong Restaurant, and Shangarila Restaurant.