The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is Bangkok’s airport train connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with central Bangkok at Phaya Thai. This public transport line runs 28.6 km (17.8 miles), serves eight stations, and usually takes about 26–27 minutes end to end. It opened for full commercial service on 23 August 2010, is owned by the State Railway of Thailand, and has been operated by Asia Era One Company Limited since 2021.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai |
| Length | 28.6 km (17.8 miles) |
| Stations | 8 stations (A1–A8) |
| Journey time | About 26–27 minutes |
| Operating hours | Daily from 05:30 to 00:00 |
| Frequency | Every 10–11 minutes (peak); 12–13 minutes (off-peak and weekends) |
| Fare | THB 15–45 (about USD 0.42–1.26) |
| Operator | Asia Era One Company Limited |
| Opened | 23 August 2010 |
Airport Rail Link Map
Airport Rail Link map in Bangkok showing its services and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download Airport Rail Link map in PDF format.
Airport Rail Link Lines and Stations
The Airport Rail Link route links Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with central Bangkok and ends at Phaya Thai. The system currently operates as an all-stop City Line, with trains calling at all eight stations from A1 to A8. For transportation in Bangkok, it is one of the fastest ways to avoid road traffic, especially at busy times.
The path train starts underground at Suvarnabhumi, then rises onto an elevated viaduct at Lat Krabang and continues above the SRT eastern railway corridor. Typical running time between the airport and Phaya Thai is about 26–27 minutes.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| A1 Suvarnabhumi | Underground airport station on the basement level with direct terminal access. |
| A2 Lat Krabang | Suburban station with interchange to the SRT Eastern Line. |
| A3 Ban Thap Chang | Interchange with the SRT Eastern Line. |
| A4 Hua Mak | Serves Hua Mak; connects with the SRT Eastern Line and other rail services, including the Yellow Line connection opened in 2023. |
| A5 Ramkhamhaeng | Serves the Ramkhamhaeng area; interchange with the SRT Eastern Line. |
| A6 Makkasan | Major interchange station with a covered walk of about 200 m (0.12 miles) to Phetchaburi MRT on the Blue Line. |
| A7 Ratchaprarop | Useful for Pratunam and the Baiyoke Tower area, with nearby hotels and markets. |
| A8 Phaya Thai | Terminus and interchange with the BTS Sukhumvit Line; the busiest ARL station. |
If you are checking the stations list or planning a stations map for your trip, the most important transfer points are Makkasan for the MRT and Phaya Thai for the BTS. From Suvarnabhumi, just follow the signs to the B floor. It is straightforward.
Timings
The Airport Rail Link timetable runs every day. In normal operation, opening hours begin around 05:30 and the closing time is around midnight, with slightly later last train timings on some weekends and public holidays.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Operating days | 7 days a week, 365 days a year |
| Typical operating hours | First trains around 05:30; last train around 00:00. On weekends and some public holidays, services may run until 00:08. |
| From Suvarnabhumi, Monday–Friday | Starting time 05:30, last train 00:00 |
| From Suvarnabhumi, Saturday–Sunday and public holidays | Starting time 05:30, last train 00:08 |
| From Phaya Thai, Monday–Friday | Starting time 05:30, last train 00:00 |
| From Phaya Thai, Saturday–Sunday and public holidays | Starting time 05:29, last train 00:08 |
| Peak frequency | Every 10 minutes from 06:00–09:00 and 16:00–20:00 |
| Off-peak and weekend frequency | About every 15 minutes |
| Running time | About 26–30 minutes between Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai |
If you are searching for timings today, opening times, schedule today, or the train schedule for a late airport arrival, check the latest route timetable before you travel. Service times can change.
For most passengers, the key thing to remember is simple: the line starts early, runs often, and the last train is around midnight. After that, you will need other local transport such as a taxi or ride-hailing service.
Airport Rail Link Fares and Cards
The Airport Rail Link uses distance-based fare pricing. Standard one-way ticket price ranges from THB 15 to THB 45, which is about USD 0.42 to USD 1.26 depending on exchange rate. Children under 12 years old and under 90 cm (2.95 ft) tall travel free.
Typical fares by destination (from Suvarnabhumi)
| Destination | Fare |
|---|---|
| Lat Krabang (A2) | THB 15 (about USD 0.42) |
| Ban Thap Chang (A3) | THB 20 (about USD 0.56) |
| Hua Mak (A4) | THB 25 (about USD 0.70) |
| Ramkhamhaeng (A5) | THB 30 (about USD 0.84) |
| Makkasan (A6) | THB 35 (about USD 0.98) |
| Ratchaprarop (A7) | THB 40 (about USD 1.12) |
| Phaya Thai (A8) | THB 45 (about USD 1.26) |
How to buy tickets
- You can buy a ticket at automatic machines or staffed counters in the station.
- Machines offer English. Select your destination and the number of passengers, and the system will calculate the fare.
- Machines accept Thai baht coins and banknotes.
- You will receive a plastic token. Tap it at the gate to enter, then insert it into the exit slot when you leave.
- Some vendors also sell tickets online in advance for station collection.
Contactless payments and cards
From late 2025, the ARL accepts EMV contactless credit and debit card payments at marked gates. Tap in when you enter and tap out when you exit. The line also has its own stored-value card for regular passengers.
Rabbit cards used on the BTS are not accepted on the ARL. When transferring between systems, you will usually need a separate ticket or card. So if you are comparing pass options, keep that in mind: this is not a single day pass system across all Bangkok rail networks.
Practical tips
- Keep your token or payment card with you until you exit.
- If you pay cash, smaller notes and coins make the process quicker.
- For many travellers, contactless payment is the easiest option.
- If you need a fare calculator, station machines effectively do that for you once you choose your destination.
- If you are transferring to BTS or MRT, allow a little extra time for the change.
Parking near Rail Link
The Suvarnabhumi ARL station is on the Basement (B) floor of the terminal. This guide does not include detailed station parking locations, parking charges, or parking charges per day.
- The ARL is often a better choice than driving, as it is quick and low-cost public transport into central Bangkok.
- Typical fare is THB 15-45 (about USD 0.42-1.26), and the airport-to-city running time is about 26-30 minutes.
- Trains have luggage areas, wide doors, and elevator access at stations, which makes the line practical even with bags.
- If you need to leave a car, check current station parking information, opening hours, and charges directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport or the station information desk.
- If the line is closed for the night or you miss the last train, alternatives mentioned here include airport taxis, hotel shuttles, and ride-sharing apps such as Grab.
In short, if you are researching station parking, verify the latest details locally before you travel.
Tips and Rules
The Airport Rail Link is usually the most predictable way to get between Suvarnabhumi Airport and central Bangkok. It is generally safe, easy to use, and well signed, but a few practical rules will make the trip smoother.
Before you travel
- Check the operating hours if you land late. The line usually starts around 05:30 and close is around midnight.
- Bring small Thai baht notes and coins for ticket machines, or use contactless bank cards at marked gates where available.
- Use a map or transport app to confirm which station is closest to your hotel.
- If you are travelling with a lot of luggage or in a group of three or more, a taxi may be more convenient.
Buying tickets
- Buy tickets from the machine or staffed kiosk. Choose English, select the station, pay, then collect your token and change.
- Keep your token or card until you exit the system.
- The ARL has its own card for frequent users. BTS Rabbit cards are not accepted here.
At the station and onboard
- Follow the blue Airport Rail Link signs from arrivals down to Basement Level B.
- Stand behind the marked platform lines and queue neatly.
- At Suvarnabhumi, passengers exit first before boarding starts.
- There are luggage areas, wide doors, and overhead racks, though space can be tight during rush hours.
- Stand on the right on escalators and offer priority seats to elderly passengers, pregnant people, monks, and passengers with disabilities.
- Keep your token or card ready until you leave through the exit gate.
Transfers and connections
- Phaya Thai connects to the BTS Sukhumvit Line.
- Makkasan connects to Phetchaburi MRT by a covered 200 m (0.12 miles) walk.
- Some other stations also connect to rail services with short walks, so allow a bit of extra time if you have luggage.
When not to use the ARL
- If you arrive after the last train, use a taxi or ride-hailing service.
- If you have oversized bags or a large group, door-to-door transport may be easier.
- If your hotel is far from any rail station, a direct taxi can save time.
If you are unsure about the route plan, ticket, or connections, ask at the station information desk. Staff can help.
History
The Airport Rail Link history begins with a contract signed in January 2005, followed by construction in July 2005. The project was built at an estimated cost of THB 25.9 billion, or about USD 725 million, and much of the alignment reused the corridor of the abandoned Hopewell project.
Test runs began in October 2009. A limited free trial opened in April 2010, and full commercial service started on 23 August 2010. The 28.6 km (17.8 miles) line was first operated by S.R.T. Electrified Train Company, a subsidiary of the State Railway of Thailand.
The project faced repeated delays before opening, largely because of Hopewell legacy issues, a long bidding process, and legal disputes related to land and compensation.
After launch, the system originally had both City Line and Express services. Express trains from Phaya Thai were added in June 2011, but low demand and rolling-stock shortages led to suspension in September 2014. Since then, the ARL has run only as an all-stop City Line, and the city check-in facilities were also discontinued in 2014.
Operations changed again in October 2021, when a special-purpose vehicle led by the Asia Era One consortium took over and the service was rebranded.
There have also been long-running plans for expansion north of Phaya Thai toward Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and Don Mueang Airport. The proposed extension is about 21.8 km (13.5 miles) and would add five stations: Ratchawithi, Krung Thep Aphiwat, Bang Khen, Laksi, and Don Mueang.
Planning accelerated in the early 2010s, but political instability slowed progress. Some work resumed in late 2016, and later proposals linked the ARL corridor to a future Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao high-speed railway. Construction for that wider project had still not started by 2024.