We used the new link on Friday from Swampy to Ramkhamhaeng. Trolleys weren't allowed on the ramp down to the trains. Fair enough, no airport does, but there were no signs saying otherwise!! I was halfway down the ramp when a guard started shouting at me that trolleys weren't allowed. The train was quick and we arrived at Ram station within 15 mins. Then the shit fight began!! After a 12 hour flight from London, we really wanted to lug 2 big suitcases and 2 shoulder bags down 4 flights of stairs as the lifts were broken or not in service. Then getting a taxi (I thought they would queue up underneath the station waiting for passengers) was a night mare as most taxis were already full when passing. OK, this was nothing to do with the airport link train, but it added to our frustration overall!
Generally, I would say YES, take the train if you have light/carry on luggage only. Otherwise, take a taxi.
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Suvarnabhumi Airport Link - What A Mess!
Started by webfact, 2010-08-26 10:52
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186 replies to this topic
#177
yoshiwara
Super Member Posted 2010-08-29 00:58:23
The BTS as we know is already massively overcrowded, and i pity the poor sod fresh off a 16 hour flight trying to find a spac for him, his wife, kids and bags on the 6pm BTS on a friday evening. The railway link will work, i think to BTS bit won't. Absolutely correct, The BTS and the MRT are now very overcrowded at rush hours. Some posters have pointed out that the BTS will start putting on 4-carriage trains. How long, I wonder, has the BTS authority been aware of the Airport Train service? Longer than most of us, I am sure. So why have they waited until now to put on the 4-carriage trains? These should have been in service long before now, but as so often happens, no one has taken the responsibility for making the decision in time. Even with 4 carriages - and remember these will only be on "some" trains, not all - there are going to be a lot of very frustrated Airport Train passengers angry that they and their luggage just cannot get on board.
As for the Hong Kong train comparison, are you joking? It's a nightmare in HK, and their train only takes you to the least likely places you need to go. NONE of the hotels on the actual HK Island are connected or near. Are you confusig Kowloon with HK? Hong Kong a nightmare? That in itself is a huge joke! You clearly have little experience of Hong Kong, for its one of the most user friendly airport train systems anywhere. The AIrport Express stops at three urban centres, including Kowloon and Hong Kong. At Hong Kong station, you link under the same rood with the subway system which takes you to much of the urban area (apart from the west and south of the island). At Kowloon and Hong Kong stations, Airport Express passengers have free shuttle bus door-to-door service to a large number of hotels. If that's not good enough for you, the taxi facilities are there - once again under the same roof. Unless it is peak rush hour or typhoon-type rain, I never have to wait more than a few minutes. Yes starbaseone has little understanding of HK. The shuttle bus only connects with selected hotels from either Kowloon or HK Station, but since one can wait for up to 20 minutes for a ride, it is probably as easy to get a taxi to one's desired destination. In rush hours waiting for a taxi can be a problem so unless one has a family in tow a walk to the linked MTR and then a cab at the other end is possible or even avoid the airport express altogether and take one of the frequent airport buses directly from the airport. For BKK the best bet may be to take the train as far as it goes when arriving and then a cab. Why people are making a meal out of this I don't know, but if there is any uncertainty about reliability of the service then a cab to the airport when one is catching a plane takes care of that one. #178
drtreelove
Senior Member Posted 2010-08-29 07:15:20
Does the train actually stop at Sruvanabhumi airport? Is it a matter of getting off the train close to or inside the terminal building? Yes, it stops inside the terminal on a basement level. I had no problem taking the train from the airport and transfering to the BTS at PhayaThai for destination Phra Kanong, with luggage. Smooth trip, nothing to grumble about. (Not peak commute hour.) Edited by drtreelove, 2010-08-29 07:15:48. #179
whybother
Gold Member Posted 2010-08-29 10:54:42
We used the new link on Friday from Swampy to Ramkhamhaeng. Trolleys weren't allowed on the ramp down to the trains. Fair enough, no airport does, but there were no signs saying otherwise!! I was halfway down the ramp when a guard started shouting at me that trolleys weren't allowed. The train was quick and we arrived at Ram station within 15 mins. Then the shit fight began!! After a 12 hour flight from London, we really wanted to lug 2 big suitcases and 2 shoulder bags down 4 flights of stairs as the lifts were broken or not in service. Then getting a taxi (I thought they would queue up underneath the station waiting for passengers) was a night mare as most taxis were already full when passing. OK, this was nothing to do with the airport link train, but it added to our frustration overall! Generally, I would say YES, take the train if you have light/carry on luggage only. Otherwise, take a taxi. So I would add, take the train to a COMMUTER station if you have light/carry on luggage only (that includes any BTS or MRT station), but take the express train to the city terminal (Makkasan) and catch a taxi from there IF you have large suitcases AND if that is more convenient for you. Everyone's situation is different. Everyone is coming from or going to different locations, so Makkasan is not going to suit everyone. If it's convenient for you to get to or from Makkasan station, then the Airport Express is probably suitable for you. Taking a train for 15 minutes has got to be better than sitting in traffic for 40 minutes (or an hour and 40 minutes during peak or rain affected traffic). #180
hunghung
Advanced Member Posted 2010-08-29 11:52:52
Enjoy the cheap transport while you can. I don't think 15B even covers the variable cost per person.
Perhaps the cheap fare is used to make people feel the poor construction may be forgiven and to help people involved escape inquiry. #181
politepoet
Member Posted 2010-08-29 14:27:34
'A philosphical thought'
I am still wondering of the nitpickers do have a clue where the new railway system was mend for others than fierce complaint like a spoiled kid that just have been given a new toy and after ample playing, or in some cases not playing at all, starts criticizing the quality. There's nothing wrong with the quality and you cannot deploy Pullman cars on a line like this. The plush seats ands teak wood design belongs definitely the past. By that time we were there in a complete other number and although this seems to be without any connection in fact it's well related. The new railway for all is a Mass Rapid Transport system in emphasizing the first word. That means for the time being you'll have to minimize your self. Especially during rush hours. It's no wonder why the locals along the line take this train instead the old one running below. The matter of turning yourself off is the same only the duration makes the difference. Furthermore it's only the beginning, it's screaming for extension and so do the BTS and MRTA. Not before the network is complete and that means a well connected series of lines and not three separate ones running from somewhere to nowhere but for some a desired destination. Things are on their way but it would be a perfect waist leaving the already build and finished infrastructure idle till the moment of completeness is there. And talking about Mass transportation, someone ever experienced a rush hour trip on the underground system of Beijing or trains in Japan with staff outside to push as many as possible people in an already brimful train. Herrings in a barrel and no room for individuality. Squeezed in the way we want to live together. I could sketch a science fiction situation in a more or less philosophical thought. We outnumber ourselves by which we also desire to live as close as close with another as possible. I only say one thing; a mega-metropolis based on yesteryears values is doomed to drawn in the success apparently it is. Edited by politepoet, 2010-08-29 14:32:45. #182
hughben
Senior Member Posted 2010-08-30 12:50:32
The city line - I have no complaints about.
As my hotel is near Ramkhamhaeng I used the city line and it was great. Much better than a taxi driver and his broken meter. There was torrential rain when I arrived at the airport, and I felt much safer in the train carriage than on the road in a speeding tail kissing taxi that has back seat belts that don't work. Getting into the city centre has never been easier. It got me from Ramkhamhaeng to PhayaThai in about ten minutes. I would however like them to install information on the each floor of the stations informing us of the times the next trains leave. Plus there needs to be maps of the city and surrounding areas in stations and there are no maps on the trains either. It is early days. The express train - although I haven't used it, I don't see the point unless your hotel is near the terminal station. #183
Sabre
Senior Member Posted 2010-09-04 02:26:15
I've used the airport link twice now, and was very happy with it both times. The trains look fine. Quite ordinary, new and clean. I can't see what people are complaining about. I would suggest people try it out before jumping on the bandwagon and whining about it, they might be pleasantly surprised.
#184
siamiam
Senior Member Posted 2010-09-04 09:19:20
I've used the airport link twice now, and was very happy with it both times. The trains look fine. Quite ordinary, new and clean. I can't see what people are complaining about. I would suggest people try it out before jumping on the bandwagon and whining about it, they might be pleasantly surprised. At noon on Monday I took the City Line from Suvarnabhumi to Ratchaprarop station that is located between Makkasan and PhayaThai. From the train I noticed an area that I was familiar with and knew I could catch a bus from there and so got off the train at that stop. I am a backpacker, or should I say that I carry my stuff in a backpack, even though several people have told me that I am too old to still be traveling that way. From the station platform I walked down a couple or three flights of stairs, which I enjoyed, (happy to still be able to use my legs). Normally I arrive at Suvarnabhumi in the wee hours of the morning and have always taken the good series of busses into the city. This time I decided to try the new train because I wasn't sure what the traffic situation would be on the roads at noon. I have to agree with Sabre on all points and I think that the new airport train is a very good addition to Bangkok's transportation system. Edited by siamiam, 2010-09-04 09:24:30. #185
geriatrickid
The consensus is that I am most excellent. Posted 2010-09-04 09:53:47
Remember when there was no train and we were all wondering when it would start? Seems to me that whatever is there is better than what was in place prior; which was nothing. Please give it a chance.
#186
Tony Clifton
Platinum Member Posted 2010-09-05 01:31:31
Maybe we will get clarification on it from then self-appointed chairman of the Suwarnabhumi airport committee, Thaksin Shinawatra who orchestrated this work of art.
#187
Rinrada
Titanium Member Posted 2010-09-05 02:32:39
Rough comparison of the express train services into the Smoke with ref Suwanna to Bangkok
 I know that there are deals to be had and a variety of special fares...ie one eyed war hero with no legs etc....but for the punter who turns up and wants to go quickly and NOW...... all standard SINGLE fares (used 50bt/£) Stansted Express train to London Liverpool St.= £19.80 (990 Bt) Luton Airport To London Kings Cross-Train = £13-80 (690 Bt) Gatwick Airport Express Train to London Victoria.= £16-90 (845 Bt) London Heathrow Espress Train yo London Paddington=£16-50 (825 Bt) Bangkok Suwanna Airport Express Train to Bangers = Bt 100 =£2-00 We know that ALL Toorists and Expats in LOS are millionaires and have money Toooooooo Much...BUT as far as I am concerned WELL DONE to the new boys on the Street ...Chuu Chuu..... 
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