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BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Commonly called "Don Muang",
it is the entry point for a vast majority of
visitors to Thailand annually. Considered as
one of the more modern and efficient international
airports in Asia, the singposts are easy to
follow and written in both English and Thai.
Free luggage carts are provided at the terminal
gates. After clearing Immigration Services (vast
number of counters, but still slightly slow),
take the escalator to the reliable baggage claim
area below. If you have nothing to clear, the
green customs channel provides a hasty exit
into the smiling kingdom of Thailand.
BIA consists
of 2 international terminals and one domestic
terminal located adjacent to each other. Passengers
can freely walk between Terminals 1 and 2, while
a covered, elevated walkway connects Terminal
2 with the domestic terminal. A free shuttle
bus service covers the short distance between
terminals every 15 minutes.
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The arrival hall of both
terminals feature a variety of services and facilities, including
currency exchange booths, a tourist information kiosk, metered
taxi kiosk and airport limousine counter. However, Terminal
1 has more facilities, such as an automatic teller machine
(ATM), a 24-hour post-office with international telephone
facilities, an airport clinic, a convenient store, and a hotel
reservation desk.
A number of restaurants and
bars operate in both terminals' departure hall, though more
are located in Terminal 2, including popular fast food venues
such as Burger Kings, KFC, and Swensons, and an internet caf?.
Extra luggage can be stored up to 4 months at the left-luggage
facility in Terminal 1.
For those departing or transitting
through Bangkok, there are a variety of facilities to entertain
you. Duty free shops restaurants/snack bars are generously
scattered in both terminals. KFC, the only fast food counter,
is located by pier 4 of Terminal 2. A number of designer brand
name boutiques sell their wares at reasonable prices, such
as Harrods, Jim Thompson and the Mae Fah Luang Project, displaying
handicrafts made by local Thai artisans under the patronage
of the deceased HRH Grandmother, the present king's mother.
An arcade game center for children of all ages is located
in the transit area of Terminal 1.
Getting To and From
the Airport
Though the airport is located 25 km (16 miles) north
of the center of Bangkok, road travel time depends on the
traffic conditions. During peak rush hours, the simple journey
can take as long as 3 hours.
Taxis
Seek out the taxi desk located in the arrival hall of each
terminal. They will set a rough estimate pricing for your
standardized, metered fare, not to exceed 300 Baht. Because
of airport regulations on taxis, an additional 50 Baht surcharge
will be added to the total fare. Passengers are responsible
for the expressway fees. To enter the city, you will most
likely pay 2 expressway fares, 25 Baht at the Don Muang Tollway
(on ramp adjacent to airport) and 40 Baht at the Rapid Express
Tollway Agency's Dindaeng junction. A tip of 10-20 Baht is
a gesture of appreciation for their service.
Airport Limousines
The desks for making such requests are usually adjacent to
the taxi desks at all terminals. A uniformed chauffeur will
drive you to your destination while seated comfortably in
a sedan or luxury car. A flat fee of 500 Baht (smaller car,
ex. Mitsubishi) or 650 Baht (luxury car, ex. Benz or Volvo)
is charged for pick-up and delivery to any venue within the
perimeter of Bangkok. Though priced slightly higher than a
metered taxi, you're still responsible for the expressway
fares, but no subcharges. The limos are well maintained and
are all white in color. Tipping 10% of the fare is the norm.
Hotel Limousines
Most hotels offer complimentary limousine or minibus service
if you have bookings with them. The drivers would meet you
in the arrival hall, holding up poster cards with your names
written on it.
Helicopter
A few luxury hotels offer helicopter service for their guests
Airport Buses
An economical shuttle bus providing service from the airport
to major city areas providing accommodations (No.1 to Silom,
No.2 to Sanam Luang (Royal Field), No.3 to Sukhumvit 55 and
No.4 to Hua Lam Phong (central train station)). The buses
run every 15 minutes, operating from 5 am to midnight, and
costs 100 Baht per person.
Train
Located directly across the highway from the airport, a covered
walkway connects the arrival hall in Terminal 1 to the train
station. Trains en route to Hua Lam Phong, the main train
station located in the center of town, appears every 15-30
minutes.
Public Buses
Adventurous travelers without much luggage may want to try
getting into town on these, the most economical method of
all. Airport kiosk provides bus maps and the bus stops are
located on the highway in front of the airport.
Hired Car
If you want to experience driving in Bangkok, there are many
car rental firms in Bangkok, including international rental
companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. The road system
is good and well posted with signs written in English. An
international driving license is required.
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