Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is visited by tens of millions of tourists every year. Most passengers landing in Thailand arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport), which serves as Thailand's main airport, and from where they go on an enjoyable vacation in the budding kingdom of Siam in the capital city of Bangkok, continue to another destination across the country or to neighboring countries in the Asian continent.
There are dozens of weekly flights from Israel to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, both by the local airlines (El Al and Arkia) and by many foreign companies. The large number of flights allows price competition between the companies, so that if in the past the price of a flight to Thailand was about $1,000, today you can also find flights at much lower prices, and even at half price (with a short layover).
It is also important to say that there is also a smaller airport located in Bangkok, it is Don Mueang International Airport, and it is mainly used For domestic flights within Thailand. This is the city's old airport and it is considered much less busy than the big airport, but in Thailand as in Thailand everything is relative and tens of millions of passengers still pass through it every year.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport - general information
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main and largest airport of the city of Bangkok and is also the newest of the two. Since its establishment, in 2006, the airport serves those arriving and departing from Thailand on international flights from all over the world and is used for domestic flights within Thailand itself.
As can be expected from the Kingdom of Siam, the airport was also carefully planned and designed in order to be seen from afar and to be an example and model of innovation and modernization. The passenger terminal that covers over 500 square kilometers was designed by the architect Helmut Jahn and is considered the fourth largest in the world. The control tower, which is over 130 meters high, is the tallest.
In terms of visitor traffic, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport stars in the list of the 10 busiest airports in the world. Since it is in the area of the watershed, preparations and adjustments were made to protect it from flooding, among other things in the form of a deep and long drainage canal that drains no less than six water reservoirs that can hold about 4 million cubic meters.
orientation and facilities
If you need to spend a few hours at the airport waiting for a connecting flight or a flight back to Israel, there are services and facilities at your disposal that will make your time pleasant and make the long wait not bad at all and even very pleasant.
First, it is important to note that in terms of orientation around the field, there is excellent signage (also in English), so if you feel lost, raise your eyes and follow the signage and arrows. These will lead you to all the relevant places for the passengers such as toilets, the boarding gate, duty free, currency exchange and more. If you still find yourself confused - take comfort in the fact that there is only one terminal in the place.
The airport duty free is considered to be large and varied so that the shopaholics who can't wait until the arrival to Bangkok city center, there are quite a few options. Among the shops in the complex you can find clothing, jewelry, accessories, alcohol and much more.
If you are after a long flight you will be happy to hear that in this modern airport, as you would expect from Thailand's main airport, there are several spa centers where you can indulge in a relaxing massage and in addition to these there are the lounges of the airlines, some of which offer free accommodation to club members (registration is usually free) Including food, drink and even bedrooms.
check in - Throughout the field there are stations that can be used by you to independently check in and print your flight tickets.
Money exchange - You can exchange and withdraw money at the airport, although you should take into account that, as in most airports, the exchange rate is not the most profitable. If it is not something urgent, it is recommended to change only a small amount and do the rest when you get to the city. In addition, please note that a significant number of the stands close at midnight and you will not be able to use them.
tax refunds - If you deserve a tax refund, go to the 4th floor where the appropriate booths are located.
WiFi – available throughout the terminal and at your disposal for free for two hours.
More at the airport - Medical center, post office, play areas for small children and many stations for charging cell phones and electrical devices.
Transportation to central Bangkok
a train
There are several convenient ways to get from the airport to downtown Bangkok, the most convenient and recommended of which is the Airport Rail Link train (or ARL for short) that operates between 06:00 and 00:00 and connects the airport with the capital city and with some of the hotels near the airport. The train station is on floor B and the journey to the city center is about half an hour.
bus
The buses leaving from the bus terminal at the airport stop at various stations in Bangkok and the suburbs, but this is a slower and less convenient option and considering the low price of a train ticket, there is no real reason to prefer this type of transportation over the previous one.
If you need to get to Don Mueang Airport there is a free shuttle line connecting the fields between 05:00 and 00:00.
cab
Taxis are available to passengers on the ground floor of the field and before you board one of them, make sure you are using the field's official taxi service. If you want to use the services of private drivers you will have to go up to the third floor. Either way, this is a shuttle to the door of the hotel, for which you will pay about NIS 70 for a taxi from the ground floor compared to half the price for the one leaving from the third floor.
Car Rental
Several major companies operate at the airport to rent a car You can find them on the arrivals floor, but it is of course recommended to book the vehicle in advance via the Internet in order to enjoy attractive prices and ensure the type of vehicle you want.
See Kahan in detail about all the ways to get to the city center from the airport.
nearby hotels
he O-Zone Airport Inn – A hostel that offers pleasant rooms with a private balcony, bathroom, air conditioning, TV and wireless internet. The local staff is kind and dedicated, and if you are interested in spending the night near the airport, you won't need more than that.
Happy Home Hostel – A short drive from the airport is this modest but colorful hostel, which offers basic facilities at an affordable price. Among the rooms on site you can choose a shared dormitory (including one for women only), a double room or a family room.
QG Resort - A simple 2-star resort located 10 minutes' drive from the airport and offering private rooms with wireless internet, air conditioning, TV and a cozy semi-detached room. Bicycles are available to visitors free of charge.
Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport - A 4-star hotel located right next to the airport and provides a shuttle service to the passenger terminal for the convenience of those staying there. The hotel has modern facilities such as a gym, spa center, restaurants and it has a car rental desk.
The Park Nine Hotel Suvarnabhumi - One of the luxury hotels located near the airport and will allow you to spend the night next to your flight in maximum comfort. Among the hotel's facilities you can enjoy a swimming pool, a gym and a cocktail bar.
Attractions nearby
If you are waiting for a connecting flight and have a few free hours that allow you to leave the airport and travel around the area, you have several options:
First, you can wander around the field - as mentioned, this is a large area that offers its guests quite a few facilities, including spa centers, shopping and quite a few restaurants.
If you want a more exciting activity, you can come to the area Samut Prakan Located near the airport where there is a fascinating open museum, an ancient city where it is pleasant to walk around, a crocodile farm and other places where you can walk with the little ones.
Other options - independent arrival at the nearby bathing beaches (Pattaya Beach and Bang Saen Beach) or a cruise of about two and a half hours with a Bang Pakong driver.
