When you first arrive in a new country, the first problem encountered is how to get from the airport to your hotel. The airport for Bangkok is at Don Muang which is north of the city. It can take anywhere from 40 minutes to two hours to get into the city. One thing you will soon learn about traffic in Bangkok is that it is very unpredictable.

Going from the airport to downtown Bangkok you have a number of choices: ordinary bus (cheap but slow), train (cheap but only goes to Chinatown area), airport bus (cheap if you are alone but limited routes), meter taxi (only cheap if there are two or more of you), limousine (expensive and not really a limousine) and hotel pickup (you have to book in advance). The so-called limousine service will also take you straight to Pattaya.

Airport Bus - This service cost 100 baht per person. There are three routes and buses depart every half hour between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. [MORE]

Limousine Service - For air-conditioned comfort, these guys will take you into town for 600-700 baht (usually including toll way fees). Don't be fooled by the name as they are not limousines. Also, as you walk out from Customs these touts will come up to you asking if you want a taxi. These are not public taxis which are found outside. They are private companies with cars not much more comfortable than the meter taxis (see below). However, these guys will also take you straight to places like Pattaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya. You can also rent a van with them if there is a group of you.

Meter Taxi - There is a taxi stand inside both Terminal 1 and 2. Everything is organized by the airport authority in order to protect the passenger. You have to pay a 50 baht surcharge for this but you are given details of the taxi driver on a piece of paper which you can later use to complain if needed. You should always insist on using the meter. On top of your fare you have to pay toll fares (30 baht for the first section and 40 baht for the second section if taken). A taxi ride into town could cost your 250-500 baht depending on the location of your hotel and amount of traffic. If you don't want to pay the 50 baht surcharge or if there is a long queue you can make your way to the main road. However, taxis are not really allowed to stop there so you will need to get in quickly. [MORE]

Buses - You have to make your way to the main highway to catch a bus. The buses are usually full so it might not be so convenient if you have a lot of luggage. Normal buses run day and night with reduced services after 10 p.m. Air-conditioned buses stop running after about 8.30 p.m.

Train - This is probably the quickest way into town but it will only take you as far as Hualamphong Station. This is in the Chinatown area. The station is on the other side of the highway. To help get your bearings, follow the signs to Amari Airport Hotel which is close by. If you have arrived in Terminal 2 then just walk 5-10 minutes north to Terminal 1 for the connecting bridge to the train station.

Both terminals have left luggage services. These cost 90 baht for the first 24 hours then 45 baht per 12 hour period. After two months they will start charging you 180 baht per 24 hour period. The maximum length of time you can keep baggage here is 3 months.

If you are returning to the airport always leave plenty of time. Don't forget you need to check-in two hours before an international flight. Make sure you save 500 baht for the departure tax.

At present, international flights arrive at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 at Don Muang airport in north Bangkok. However, at the end of 2005, the new international airport will open south-east of Bangkok in Samut Prakan province.