Guest GaySacGuy Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 I haven't been on the new Skytrain from the airport to SalaDang, but I would like to know how to do it, and what train changes have to be made and where. I usually just take a taxi from the airport into Bangkok, but would like to give the train a try. Secondly, are there two different trains...on an express??? Any info appreciated. I have read some other post that talk about BKK to airport, but my planes always leave at such weird times that I would only be able to use to go to BKK. As a note, I will just have on bag, not heavy! Quote
pong Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 yes-there are 2 traintypes-on the same tracks. EXPRESS runs nonstop Airpt-Makkasan, in 15 mins, cost 150 THB. About noone uses it. At Makkasan you can-with a walk of about 300 mtrs- go to PHetburi stop of MRT=UNDERground=rot fay faa taay din in Thai, which has a strictly enforced LUGgage check, taking the metro toward Hualampong, go to Saladaeng station (maybe they call it Silom-obviously it is underground there). Looks inside pretty plush-like any western train. (about like BART in SFO-but slightly better seats). The CITYRAIL slow train makes 6-7 stops, incl also Makaasan, and continues to Phyathai station. There you can change to the BTS=skytrain, and to reach Sldng have to change again=cross the platform, at Siam station. This costs 45 bt (or 35 till MKsn). These trains also run ev 15 mins-and take about 26 mins endtoend. It is often quite overcrowded at the other stops. Looks inside like BTS. ALL trains only run from 6.00-0.00(midnight). Fare for MRT or BTS for the short sectors is about 30-35 bt. You have to buy a new token from a machine for that, on MRT/BTS only with coins. Maps: also for any other metro in this world: www.urbanrail.net Report and live review [also] by the dear shamelessmack on his wordpress site/blog. Do I really need to say you could also avail yourself of a taximeter at Mksn? in lieu of the MRT? But that makes a direct taxi just as good and probably even a little cheaper. PS: at the MO they have problems with some of the parts of the trains, that go much, much fatser as they thought in the tropics. THUS express is cancelled for a week or 2 and service on City reduced. But songkran holiday is coming anyway-much less people. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 pong's description is very accurate. I have not been to the Makkasan terminal but can see it every time I travel to/from the airport. It has had pretty bad reviews from people who have used it due to the major difficulties in getting there, lack of taxis, lack of signage etc. I'd suggest you take the much cheaper City Line from the airport direct to Phaya Thai station. It will still take less 30 minutes. Change there for the BTS - only a short walk across a wide pedestrian overpass. Get a ticket to Saladaeng - 2 stops to Siam, cross the platform to the Wongwian Yai line, then just 2 more stations to Saladaeng. Total cost: not more than Bt. 80. Quote
Guest Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 The City line was rather swift when I tried it. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted April 8, 2011 Posted April 8, 2011 I'd suggest you take the much cheaper City Line from the airport direct to Phaya Thai station. It will still take less 30 minutes. Change there for the BTS - only a short walk across a wide pedestrian overpass. Get a ticket to Saladaeng - 2 stops to Siam, cross the platform to the Wongwian Yai line, then just 2 more stations to Saladaeng. Total cost: not more than Bt. 80. Thanks for the info...I think I will try this route as I have never been on the subway...will have to try sometime. So if I get on city line to Phaya Thai, I can then hop on the BTS...ok..that works for me. I will try that next trip. My return to the airport is at 0430, so guess I will have to use a taxi. Thanks again. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted April 8, 2011 Posted April 8, 2011 Just so you are clear. The BTS is the Skytrain. The subway goes by the acronym MRT! Quote
2lz2p Posted April 9, 2011 Posted April 9, 2011 To give it a try, I took the airport bus from Jomtien (opposite Pan Pan) to airport and then took the city line to the stop before Makkasan (appeared to be closest to where I needed to go). On my return, I took the City Line from Phayathai. The City Line can get crowded, but getting on at the originating station (airport or Phayathai) you should be able to find a seat - before it starts picking up more passengers along the way. Also, you may have a bit of a wait for the train, but not much - at Phayathai I waited about 10 minutes before the train arrived. Quote
