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[nurgut73]

good news in bad times....

[hotgeekus]

It wouldn't be Thai Visa without the complaining....

Several posters mention Tokyo, London, Paris..... now mention Bangkok....

Tokyo, Narita anyhow, anywhere costs 40 usd, and that gets you to Tokyo station from Narita, five stories down in the basement.  After going five stories up, you can then connect to a train going somewhere else or a taxi if you can find your way out of the station (over one hour train).  When you get to whereever you are going, you get to carry your luggage down a flight of stairs, and don't expect ANYONE to help you...

London, yes I have lived there too, used that one too.  You have to take a taxi to the station and then use the subway, and it takes in excess of an hour depending on which airport... and the cost makes you remember it...

Bangkok, has newer, cleaner (MUCH CLEANER) trains and fully airconditioned and working (MRT or BTS) and now they open a link to the airport and it ain't good enough, at a cost of less than 10 usd....

TIT with THAIVISA.....

[barry]

lets  see  what  its  like  on  December  6

[SirDougless]

rayw, on 2009-09-05 16:39:41, said:

May be more expensive than a taxi if there are 3 or 4 of you but hey don't forget the speed and comfort that the train will offer in comparison. One little worry is will you be able to get on these trains at busy times as waiting a further hour for the next express will be a big downer. Hope they are pretty long trains with plenty of seats as no way would I want to stand for the journey then a taxi would be preferable.

Anyway great news and a great positive step for Thailand

As I see things, it will be more expensive for 2 people than a taxi.  300 baht for the train and then a taxi to your hotel.  I usually stay at the DIG on Suk Soi 6 and there won't be many drivers wanting to do it for less than 100 baht even though they just have to turn off Petchaburi into Suk Soi 3.

I'll still get a taxi from the airport even if I have to pay the 400 baht 'negotiated' fee.  Saves lugging the luggage to the airport station and lugging it again down escalators to the taxi rank at the city end.  And given my experience on the 'sardine can' BTS today (why don't they add more carriages to the trains?), the taxi will be more comfortable.

Tourists don't worry about saving a few bucks, especially when they pay the equivalent of 1,100 baht (my cost) to get to the airport in their home city.  Could be good for the low income locals though.

[hkt83100]

barry, on 2009-09-05 17:51:44, said:

lets  see  what  its  like  on  December  6

Maybe Santa Claus will be on board? No, anyway: I love riding trains and for sure I will be using it. And I hate discussions like "meter is broken" or "too much traffic, I will not go there" or "the hotel just burned down, can I recommend another one?" or "did you book a room already?"  

[jb5music]

webfact, on 2009-09-05 14:13:04, said:

PaulDee, on 2009-09-05 07:01:03, said:

Where is Makkasan area? How close (or far) is it from everything else, like Sukhumvit, MBK, Silom, Victory Monument?

here is a map SARL-Makkasan-Station-City-Air-Terminal

Doesn't work? can't see a thing. No route drawn. Just a satellite photo of an unidentified terminal with a bunch of squares
randomly drawn. Don't understand anyway. You can take a free shuttle bus from airport upper level 2 blocks to the bus terminal.
Then take #552 street bus for 35 baht  to On Nut Road BTS. Or take a highway bus to pattaya for 106baht.

[jb5music]

jb5music, on 2009-09-05 19:07:50, said:

webfact, on 2009-09-05 14:13:04, said:

PaulDee, on 2009-09-05 07:01:03, said:

Where is Makkasan area? How close (or far) is it from everything else, like Sukhumvit, MBK, Silom, Victory Monument?

here is a map SARL-Makkasan-Station-City-Air-Terminal

Doesn't work? can't see a thing. No route drawn. Just a satellite photo of an unidentified terminal with a bunch of squares
randomly drawn. Don't understand anyway. You can take a free shuttle bus from airport upper level 2 blocks to the bus terminal.
Then take #552 street bus for 35 baht  to On Nut Road BTS. Or take a highway bus to pattaya for 106baht.

They should make really long range MRT trains going all over Thailand with extra cars you can put your motorbike on.
Replacing the KTM Diesel  Electric Dinosaur smog bombs with no cooling system thermostat. (cough cough)
Unless you like to take carbon-monoxide instead of crack. It's cheaper until you drop dead or pass out.

[rheinwiese]

TheWalkingMan, on 2009-09-05 15:06:16, said:

For us geographically challenged people what is the nearest Sky Train or Subway Station to City Air Terminal in Bangkok's Makkasan.  And is it a taxi ride away or a 2/3 minute walk.

Thank you,

TheWalkingMan

Make that at least 15 Minutes.
Nearest subway stations are either Rama 9 or Petchaburi.
40 Degrees heat, heavy luggage, perhaps crossing an overpass..........well, I would opt for a cab. From the airport.

Another point which haven't been discussed:
Suppose you arrive during morning and evening rush hours.
The BTS is already overcroweded.
Squeezing in with bags and suitcases might be quite a challenge.

But, let's see.

[pkarthik24]

good news... lets start.....

[lennois]

I live just up from the city link. Costs me under 200 baht to get to airport (+25 if i want to use the expressway.) So dont see why most would bother with the train to save maybe 50 baht.  

Obviously with 2 or more people a taxi is a complete no-brainer.

[Lancashirelad]

opalhort, on 2009-09-05 07:33:20, said:

It is run by the SRT (State Railway of Thailand), the same company that runs all other trains in Thailand except the BTS and MRTA (not sure about the acronym MRTA, I mean the subway)

opalhort

Mass Rapid Transit Authority

Edited by Lancashirelad, 2009-09-05 18:39:02.

[denissr]

webfact, on 2009-09-05 14:06:38, said:

Suttisan, on 2009-09-05 06:55:40, said:

It all depends how much the service costs, the tourists will still have to get a cab at the other end, i'll just use a taxi from the top floor at the airport as always and avoid the 50 baht sting.

I read somewhere couple of month ago a ride may cost between 15-150 Baht depending on what kind of train service you choose. Fast train (no stops 150 Baht) or stop at every station (between 15-45 Baht).

I'm the amateur here and I read this at the start of the discussion.

[plaaduk]

barry, on 2009-09-05 18:51:44, said:

lets see what its like on December 6

After having spent so much money to improve  transportation, the least we can do as
tourists, is to thank the Government. I look forward to riding it as well! I am sure further improvements will be made once its in use and any grey areas identified!

[toptuan]

infernalman7, on 2009-09-05 14:27:02, said:

jackinthebox, on 2009-09-05 14:16:08, said:

Congratulations. One step ahead in establishing different railway systems that are and always will be completely incompatible and incongruously, namely:
1. The 'classic' SRT with it's shaking and vibrating 1000mm gauge
2. The skytrain (in the sky) with 1435mm gauge
3. The MRT in the underground, operated by another company, with another tickets, another train and electrification system
4. The airport link, operated by the SRT, now suddenly with an overhead contact line (skytrain an underground get power trough railway based electrical lines!)

The last three ones build within only 10 years with absolutely NO way of upgrading, extension or connection between the lines.
Mai bpen drai. What London, NY, Paris or Tokyo do mustn't be good for Bangkok. So keep the transportmafia rolling.

4. Common ticketing system can be implemented very easily. All systems are now using the same RFID devices and gates. The main problem is just management nightmare where each operator doesn't really wanna talk with each other and set up a system that works.

Sad commentary that puts customer service and convenience far on the back burner behind the turf wars.  Sad commentary on ineffective politicians who can't use the force of government to make the parties hammer out an agreement for the good of the Thai public, expat community, and the millions of tourists Thailand sees every year.

I still remember my delightful trip to Hong Kong (2007) where you can buy one card (the Octopus, aptly named), and with it, ride just about anything that moves.  True, it doesn't take rocket science...just putting the public good ahead of one's turf.

Edited by toptuan, 2009-09-05 19:54:59.

[roger1999]

I'll be using this service for the safety benefits alone.  I don't know what the statistics are but I assume it's much safer than being in a car.  Let me know if I am wrong.

[toptuan]

lennois, on 2009-09-05 18:28:55, said:

I live just up from the city link. Costs me under 200 baht to get to airport (+25 if i want to use the expressway.) So dont see why most would bother with the train to save maybe 50 baht.  

Obviously with 2 or more people a taxi is a complete no-brainer.

Likewise, I regularly take the taxi to the airport from the Ramada Hotel (old D'Ma Pavilion) which is a stone's throw from the Airport City Terminal Station.   Cost: 150 baht, regularly.   Taxi is immeasurably more convenient, with true door-to-door service.  

Rail link will be good back up for bad-traffic hours or inclement weather which normally slows street traffic to a crawl.

[roadking96cube]

I always stay at Nana so what I gather from the last three pages to get there I would take the airport train to the last stop.Then have a 15 minute walk to a air train station which i could then ride to Polen Chit or Nana air train station.We usally can negotiate a taxi from the airport to Nana for 450Baht so maybe if two or more of us,a taxi will still be the way to travel.Be back end of october to December what with a new airport train and Thai Air now flying straight back to Brisbane and free tourist visa's for a year I'm just glad I'm a member of Thai Visa .com or I wouldn't know none of this new's keep up the good work.cheers

[beudf00]

With luggage a taxi will remain more convenient

Edited by beudf00, 2009-09-05 21:19:12.

[chrisdom]

It's a 15 min journey from the terminal (Makkasan) to airport. Very smooth and very fast (standing wouldn't be too tough if the train is not over crowded).
Layout for express is typical 2x2 seating - on the slower local train - like Skytrain is now - lengthways.
You can check in luggage and people at the terminal (not sure if all airlines or just Thai - there are not enough desks for every airline unless they somehow have a plan to staqgger or combine check ins) and lose the big bags there.
Not sure if the express goes on to Phaya Thai or just the local service.
I was on a trial run last week - was very impressed with both speed and comfort.
5 minute walk from MRTA Petchaburi (but the footpath is not suitcase friendly and the assumption seems to be that passengers will come by taxi / car.
I cannot fathom out how the return journey works though. I assume you have to reclaim baggage at the airport still and somehow it gets rechecked in for the journey to the City terminal as there is a special (secure?) place for baggage on the train.
Bound to be teething problems but time will sort those out hopefully.
Taxis will still be more cost effective for 3 or more people (just) but if you take account of the hassle, the tips, the expressway tolls, the airport surcharge plus the (hopefully) speed and convenience of checking in, getting there quickly etc. it's a hard one to call. You do, of course, still have to get there and that makes the continued use of taxis more likely.
If you look at the time and cost it will take most people to get there, wait for the train, there is still unlikely to be much real advantage to most.
I wish it luck - if nothing else, it's a great ride!!!

[toptuan]

hotgeekus, on 2009-09-05 16:57:20, said:

It wouldn't be Thai Visa without the complaining....

Several posters mention Tokyo, London, Paris..... now mention Bangkok....

Tokyo, Narita anyhow, anywhere costs 40 usd, and that gets you to Tokyo station from Narita, five stories down in the basement.  After going five stories up, you can then connect to a train going somewhere else or a taxi if you can find your way out of the station (over one hour train).  When you get to whereever you are going, you get to carry your luggage down a flight of stairs, and don't expect ANYONE to help you...

Tokyo-Narita & Bangkok-Swampy are comparing apples and oranges on cost.  The distance in Japan is nearly 3 times the distance, and the train is one of their ultra-modern high speed/high-tech trains.  

And on service?  What's this about "don't expect anyone to help you with your luggage"?  I've yet to have anyone lug my luggage around in Thailand for me!  But have been assisted dozens of times in Japan with heavy luggage containing heavy product samples.  Yes, at train stations!    I'm afraid you paint to too-broad of a brush.

[Heng]

Any info on park and ride garages (especially at the airport)?  

[jamesjdaly]

I really don't believe all the bleaters and whingers in this thread!  

Look, we've got a new express train to the airport. If you don't like the thing, don't fuggin use it. Use the great, friendly taxi drivers.

[martyboy]

A bit more expensive is not a problem, at least there is a fair chance you will get there. Last 100mph burn up down the freeway in a taxi left me in a cold sweat.

[geriatrickid]

jamesjdaly, on 2009-09-05 22:04:56, said:

I really don't believe all the bleaters and whingers in this thread!

Look, we've got a new express train to the airport. If you don't like the thing, don't fuggin use it. Use the great, friendly taxi drivers.

Thank you.
I am delighted by the announcement. It's a positive development and certainly will make life easier for a great many people.  This is a great advantage for the airport workers and alot of visitors. More importantly it will improve the quality of live for tens thousands of people as their commutes to work will be shortened as road traffic will be reduced, both by the numbers using the roads and for others by the ability to take the train cutting their travel time. No more running the gauntlet of slimey touts. That in itself is worth something to me.   I intend to use it whenever I can, so will my friends.

If a few miserables sods in TV want to nitpick, bless their lonely bereft hearts.  The number of people that will benefit will certainly be greater than the brain shriveled constipated grumps that can get a "better deal" to their brothel. If 150 baht for the train ticket is too much to bear, then they have bigger problems to worry about than this.

[MaiChai]

85M baht to train the staff? Thats alot of money. Probably more than the staff get paid for a year?