The Airport Rail Link City Line is probably the most popular mode of transport to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, escaping the traffic jams around. Coming in from the BTS Sukhumvit Line, it was an easy transfer to the Airport Rail Link City Line by a linkbridge connecting the two stations above ground level.
At the escalators up, it seems like the path has changed as there is no more security screening, and the up escalator is now on the left.
Heading up the new escalator.
As the Airport Rail Link City Line no longer sells single-trip tickets from the manned counter, passengers must buy it only from the ticket machines, which results in a queue for everyone.
Queuing up to buy my Airport Rail Link City Line ticket. You should note that you should standby loose or small change to buy your Airport Rail Link City Line ticket as while the machine accepts notes, change is only return in coins, so if you put in a big note, you’ll strike a “jackpot” with your change being returned in 5 or 10 Baht coins only.
Alternatively, you can buy your ticket online from KLOOK at a discount to save the jackpot problem.
Click here to buy your Klook discounted Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (ARL) Ticket!
Heading up to the platform. Thankfully, the train was just arriving as I got up, so I needn’t wait much other than for passengers to alight from the train.
The Siemens Desiro Class 360/2 City Line Train at Phaya Thai Airport Rail Link Station.
New platform gap fillers have also been installed at the edge of the platform, minimizing the platform gap between the train and platform. This makes it a lot easier to drag up rolling luggage now as the wheels almost do not fall in between the platform gap.
The interior of the Siemens Desiro Class 360/2 City Line Train. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as crowded as I had expected considering that this is evening time. The public holiday might be playing a part here.
The route map of the Airport Rail Link City Line above the doors of the Siemens Desiro Class 360/2 City Line Train.
Departing from Phaya Thai, heading for Ratchaprarop.
More passengers bound for the airport boarded at Ratchaprarop and Makkasan, the two more popular stations in the city getting from Pratunam and the interchange from the MRT Blue Line respectively.
Heading on parallel to the SRT Eastern Line.
Turning right into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport premises after Lat Krabang.
Descending into the airport’s basement.
The (almost) empty interior of the Siemens Desiro Class 360/2 City Line Train after (almost) all passengers had disembarked at Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link Station.
Passengers bound for Phaya Thai have to wait at the platform while the train gets checked through before being allowed to board.
Heading up out of the platform.
Heading to the ticket gates at the concourse to exit from the paid area.
Taking the ramp up to the airport terminal building. If you see people clustering on the travellator, it may be faster to simply walk on the regular path beside it.
Here, I got the lift up to the departures level to check-in for my flight.
Overall, another pleasant, fuss-free train ride with the Airport Rail Link City Line, getting from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi Airport in just 28 minutes.