Suvarnabhumi: Getting to and from AIT
When the Suvarnabhumi International Airport opens on 28 September 2006, members of the AIT community will have to make some adjustments when planning their air travel. The trip to the new airport takes at least an hour, and the cost of transportation is substantially higher. Below are some useful tips about getting to and from the new airport. This information will soon be posted on the AIT Web site at https://oldweb.ait.ac.th/interimpage/AIT_user/about_ait/index.asp
Or, go to the 'About AIT' page and click on 'Visiting AIT.' The information will be posted to the Web by the end of Friday, 25 August.
On the Web site will be maps in English and in Thai that show directions from the airport. As many taxi and limousine drivers will be unfamiliar with AIT's location, the maps are available to print and hand to the driver. Additionally available is a simplified map of the airport, showing the main terminal building in relation to the different ground transportation areas.
AIT taxi drivers estimate a fare to the new airport of about 500 baht, but most admit they have not made the trip yet, and this fare is dependent on traffic. Returning from the new airport stands to be even more costly and complicated, with no taxis available at the terminal building itself.
Taxi service
Public taxi service is available at the public transportation center of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but not at the terminal building itself. To get a taxi, a passenger must take the AOT shuttle bus from level 2 or level 4 of the passenger terminal building (express route recommended free of charge) to the transportation center.
Tell the taxi driver you would like to go to the Asian Institute of Technology (they are usually more familiar with simply 'AIT') beside Thammasat University Rangsit. Not all drivers on queue at the transportation center may easily recognize AIT but then when you mention Thammasat Rangsit, they can recognize your direction.
Taxi meter plug down starts at 35 baht and adds up 1 baht for every 2 kilometers. It is widely practiced that when a taxi passes through an expressway or motorway, the passenger carries the toll expense. Tolls between the airport and AIT total 60 baht.
An estimated 600 baht amount will be shown on the meter by the time you reach AIT under normal traffic conditions and about 700 baht when the traffic is heavy during busy hours. Always insist on the use of the meter.
Limousine service
Passengers should contact limousine/car rental counters located at the Arrival Hall, level 2 of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport passenger terminal building to get the service. Providers will call a limousine to pick up the passenger at limousine parking lots in front of the passenger terminal building.
Airport limousine drivers are usually trained, certified and know the road and traffic. A limousine service from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to AIT will cost approximately 1,500 baht inclusive of tollway or motorway fees.
Public transportation
Public buses can be taken at the bus terminal at public transportation center. There are six public bus routes at 35 baht flat rate each route that ply from Suvarnabhumi Airport (SA) to destination below as follows:
Bus No. 549 SA to Minburi and vice versa
Bus No. 550 SA to Happy Land and vice versa
Bus No. 551 SA to Victory Monument and vice versa
Bus No. 552 SA to On-Nut sky train station and vice versa
Bus No. 553 SA to Samutprakarn and vice versa
Bus No. 554 SA to Don Muang (Bangkok International Airport) and vice versa
If passengers are traveling on light baggage, it is cheaper to take Bus No. 554. When getting off at the Don Muang (Bangkok International Airport), you may take local buses no. 29 or 39 and tell the conductor you are getting off at AIT (again say it with 'beside Thammasat Rangsit University'). The fare will cost about 16 baht.
Otherwise, you may also prefer to take another taxi when you get off at Don Muang (Bangkok International Airport) and the fare will be about 200 baht (by meter). It is always advisable to insist on the use of the meter.
Personal car
Private cars should be parked at the car park buildings/ lots in front of the passenger terminal building or at long-term parking opposite the public transportation center. (Passengers must take an AOT shuttle bus to the long-term parking).