BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 20 March 2009 : by David Walker

Customer Rating : 4/5

I like any airport where there is a fast track for premium passengers - HKG take note! Landside is effective, many check in desks and great staff. Airside, a little confusing as it all looks the same, despite the fact that you could be more or less anywhere. Different levels also confusing, if you walk from lounge to smoking areas. Seems to be different levels in security for different flights, some you get the full security check, others nothing. Always find it way too hot whenever I have been there - even inside the terminal.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 10 March 2009 : by J Marshall

Customer Rating : 4/5

Suvanabhumi Airport is a good airport when compared to LHR, JFK, HKG or LAX. It is all under one roof. There is a reasonable amount of English spoken. The airport is clean and new. While it may seem that the duty free items are expensive, alcohol is very pricey in Thailand, so you're much better off getting your booze here. We travel with our children quite often and the immigration people couldn't have be more helpful (they held our kids while we finished up paperwork and took us at the head of newly opened up line). The only negative is the amount of walking, which is exacerbated by traveling with children.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 18 February 2009 : by N Sutherland

Customer Rating : 3/5

Been through BKK many times now. Airside is not good for all of the reasons listed below. Landside is slightly better. If you're departing from BKK and travelling Economy. delay going through Immigration till about an hour before your flight departs. That should be sufficient time to get through Immigration, Security etc., but keep an eye on the queues. Shopping is poor and over-priced, but there are more food places landside than Airside and more seating on the lower levels if you have a lengthy wait. There is nothing out at the Gates - so don't go there until they're close to boarding your flight. I've not tried any of the Pay Lounges but the airline lounges are nothing special either. If you're transiting and have sufficient time consider going through Immigration and waiting Landside - and if you have lots of time, go into town (allow 1 hour each way). I think there's a left luggage place in Departures. Very new, very modern building but not much thought given to the comfort of the millions of passengers who will use the place. The Designers had a couple of good models in SIN and ICN - pity they didn't copy them.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 9 February 2009 : by E Shields

Customer Rating : 2/5

Just endured 18 hours at BKK. Would have paid for hotel if I had known it was going to be anywhere near that length of time but was told to come back in two hours - every two hours for a whole day. There were 150 of us who failed to connect to SYD flight (which means they let the plane go out half empty) because of fog. Nowhere to sit in BKK airport - backpackers were OK -they rolled out their bags and slept on floor. All plastic seats long since taken - scores of weary travelers sitting on the ledge beside the moving walkways. Someone in the planning department certainly screwed up when they designed this airport!

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 9 February 2009 : by Y Leung

Customer Rating : 1/5

This is a new airport which is extremely poorly designed. We have to clear immigration first but after that entered a promenade full of shops. We have to walk a very long distance to our gate C2. Clearance through security is right before entering the gates. The waiting area is very narrow and insufficient for all passengers. The departure area just irritates passengers.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 9 February 2009 : by Michael Robinson

Customer Rating : 3/5

I found this airport cold, impersonal and confusing. It just seems like a series of long featureless tunnels. You cannot take bottled water on to your flight due to the nothing to buy after security. On my London-Brisbane stopover of a couple of hours it was ok, but 7 hours on the way back was nightmarish. I would recommend however the massage place though, neck and back for around $20 for 45 minutes, it really did make me feel better and ready to face the 12 hour flight on to London. A two hour delay on our flight, not announced until arrival at the gate made it very uncomfortable with not even a bottle of water to while away the hours. I prefer to fly Thai, but that airport makes me wonder.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 27 January 2009 : by Michael Scott

Customer Rating : 2/5

The airport is little more than a shopping mall, with no thought given to passenger comfort or convenience. There is very little seating, and too few toilets. Duty-free prices are extraordinarily high - approximately twice what you might pay in a normal department store or supermarket in London. Restaurants and cafes are almost four times normal Bangkok prices. Away from the shops, the airport is often gloomy and little more than bare concrete. Not a pleasant airport, and not one I would want to spend a lengthy stopover at.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 19 December 2008 : by Farouk Mogheth

Customer Rating : 1/5

One of things that I am experiencing more and more upon arrival in Suvarnabhumi airport is the aggressive manner the taxis have become. I live in Thailand for 4 years and it was never an issue to take a city taxi with a meter. Today even though the desk outside takes your address and presents itself as the official controller of the taxis, they are only interested in the 50THB "airport tax" - when you ask what tax, she says "Airport tax!". Taxis handle you as in a Bangkok downtown flee market asking a fix price (excl. the tax) of a minimum 500THB. Locals of course realize that the trip including freeways amount maximum to 200THB to the CBD. Go upstairs to the departure area and there will be ample hassle free taxis happy to take you to the city. and asking the airport management to deal with this issue. Its a horrific first experience for newcomers and the issue is getting out of control.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 26 November 2008 : by D Braun

Customer Rating : 2/5

It's unbelievable that this is a fairly new airport and reportedly cost billions. It's badly designed, largely unfriendly and lacking in basic services. We had a night flight and were stunned at how ugly and unaccommodating the departure areas are. Once you pass security, you go into a long, long section that's dark and gray, with absolutely nothing - no plants, no posters, no shops - to warm up the appearance. And the too-few seats are metal and uncomfortable. We felt as if we had gone into a prison. I hope never to have to use this airport again.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 22 November 2008 : by Peter Kubler

Customer Rating : 1/5

This fairly new airport must rate as one of the worst if you have more than 5 minutes sto over. I have been through this airport several times since it opened. I could not find anywhere comfortable to sit apart from the odd steel chair and finally went to a Priority Paid Lounge as I had 3 hours to wait. The designers obviously did not even consider that people may have several hours to wait between flights or assumed everyone flies first class and have access to airline lounges. The management should visit Singapore Airport and see how comfortable this airport is by comparison. Even the old Don Muang airport was more comfortable than this new monstrosity. I rate this airport with the likes of Vienna and Frankfurt Airport, efficient enough but no thought given to passenger comfort.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 13 November 2008 : by P Millar

Customer Rating : 3/5

After using this airport over 10 times in the last 2 years I have to say it is a little disappointing. Check-in is no trouble, but the queues at immigration can be a little lengthy. Once through, airside is just OK. Nothing special and the place has a almost 'un-finished' feel about it. Especially in the gate areas where there is nothing to do. Air-con in the restaurant areas appears to not be working well and its sometimes baking there. Ensure plenty of time to get to your gate as its a bit of a walk, but easy enough. Arrivals are usually pain-free and immigration coming into the country is often much quicker if you rush off the flight.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 7 November 2008 : by T Vincent

Customer Rating : 3/5

On arrival quite a long way to walk but you generally pass the immigration quickly. It does not take more than 40 minutes to get out of the airport once landed. Once out, public transportation are not clearly indicated. Public taxis are not so easy to find and there are a lot of agressive touts in the terminal. On departure, usually long queues at the immigration. Then, once again a long walk to the gates. It looks more like a shopping mall than an airport as there are duty free shops. Shopping is not interesting as prices are very high. Drinks and food is expensive too. One time I had a long queue at the X-ray machines (nearly 30 minutes). Not enough toilets too. So what to say about Suvarnabhumi airport? I really miss Don Muang!

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 5 November 2008 : by Helen Bowles

Customer Rating : 3/5

Arrived into Bangkok in the afternoon and transferred to Phuket, did not have to worry about our bags as they were checked in to Phuket. We found connections quite easy, and was a painless to get through into departure lounge. On the way back as this time were flying in from Samui had to pick up bags, waited about 20mins or so, found check in for Eva Air ok then went through to passport control where it was a bit of a joke, plenty of desks open for Thai passport holders only which had no queues at all, but all other passport queues were jam packed and waited about 30 mins to get through.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 23 October 2008 : by Geoff Hudson

Customer Rating : 3/5

Flight from SYD arrived at BKK 1am in the morning. Only two unsmiling personnel in passport control counters, so a very long queue. Took 45 minutes to get to baggage collection. Not good enough for a country who pride themselves on smiles and service. While the airport is huge, it is not difficult to find your way around after you get used to it. Duty free shops are a joke with prices higher than elsewhere.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 18 October 2008 : by Andrew Spooner

Customer Rating : 2/5

Outbound - airside nowhere to sit, bad food, surly staff who respond to the simplest questions with blank looks, overpriced duty free where everything is more expensive than in the city. Passport control and security are handled well but that is it. Inbound - gates are located miles from immigration and the walk to collect you bag is akin to a post-flight fitness test. The wait times for bags is often lengthy. If you're flying domestic try the old Don Muang airport - no long distance hikes and bags arrive in seconds plus Thai run a free bus to the nearest metro station. Noticed comment on metered taxis - just get out if they refuse to turn on the meter. A normal run to downtown BKK (toll fees are always paid by passenger - it's advisable to pay these fees as traffic can be horrific) should be no more than 220-300baht with toll fees. Best place to pick up taxis is upstairs at departures though you have be confident about where you're going.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 18 October 2008 : by B Walberer

Customer Rating : 2/5

I have passed through the new BKK airport quite a few times in the last 2 years and I consider it a major disappointment, considering how new it is. In terms of passenger comfort and amenities it is far inferior to other airports in this region, such as KUL, ICN, and SIN. In particular, there are no dedicated public areas where passengers can relax, free Wi-Fi internet access is not offered, and the gate areas after security are quite barren, devoid of any shops. The air conditioning throughout the terminal is also uneven. The use of buses to bring passengers to the planes for domestic flights is also a minor irritant.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 16 October 2008 : by Paul Edwards

Customer Rating : 2/5

I live In Thailand, Passed through the airport last week only to discover that the upper restaurants on level 6 have both been closed - a few police were in that area and when asked they said it was their new security area. What a joke, they mean their new canteen! Typical Thailand to ruin what was a great place to relax and watch the planes whilst waiting for a flight - now you can only use the restaurants on the 4th floor. Airports of Thailand must be losing a fortune with these restaurants closed.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 5 September 2008 : by D Smullen

Customer Rating : 4/5

Arrivals is very easy and has been quick even at busy times.I would advise when departing is to go through final security as late as reasonably possible, because there is nothing beyond it except steel seats, no food not even a vending machine. If you are arriving for the first time, ignore all the taxi hawks in the terminal, just outside are the metered taxis, book and pay the lady at the desk. I pay 1200bht to get to Pattaya which is very good value, and all the drivers have been good company. Another thing I would like to say about this airport, it provides smoking rooms.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 2 September 2008 : by Tom Harkish

Customer Rating : 2/5

I live in Bangkok and fly in and out of this airport regularly. It is clean, light and modern. That said, I have some major criticisms, some of which are surprising as this place was built after many of the other leading airports of Asia and should have learned from them. These include: Signage remains horrible. Finding the lounges is challenging and it can be confusing on where to go for immigration, connections; After customs they force you go through the upscale shopping gauntlet. Related to this, the complete lack of moving sidewalks to get to gates (not an issue on arrival as they do have them there), in order that you have to go through the gauntlet mentioned above. This can mean a kilometer of walking with your bags; No places to eat down by the gates; No ATM machines after customs, as mentioned in earlier reviews; The limo vendors hassling you immediately after exiting baggage claims; The bottlenecks of people waiting for arriving friends who you have to push through in order to reach the exits; The 50 baht taxi charge combined with often long waiting lines at the taxi stand. This is a poorly designed - yet attractive from outside - airport, with a number of congestion problems that should have been thought out in the blueprint stage of development. Which is too bad, as they have spent billions on the thing. It looks nice, but doesn't always work so well, and requires long walks - which may be good for my health but which I would rather avoid.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 14 August 2008 : by G King

Customer Rating : 4/5

We used Bangkok Airport twice in early August, arriving and departing on Thai Airways. We liked the new terminal building with lots of natural light. At departure the queues and procedures went smoothly. We missed the signs to the gates and walked a long way in the wrong direction before asking gate staff and being redirected. There were lots of brand name shops -- none of the smaller quirky and more local shops you find in other airports -- just big brands that you can buy anywhere. We found very few food outlets which mostly involved perching on stools at counters in the middle of the shopping concourse. With a couple of hours to wait, we would have liked the comfy lounge bars we have found in other airports. There is no food or shops after passing through security. There was almost no lounge seating before passing through security and the gate seating was very cold and functional - rows of metal seats. We minimised our time there.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 12 August 2008 : by J White

Customer Rating : 3/5

I recently travelled in Thailand and had to pass through the airport 3 times. The other comments are pretty comprehensive but the one thing I would add is the non-availability of bottled drinking water once you go through security at the gate. At most other airports there is the opportunity to buy water once you've gone through security, and you can then take it on the plane. However here, your carry on luggage is not scanned until you arrive at the gate (having gone past duty free and all the shops). There seems to be a completely illogical policy which says you can take liquids over 100ml through if you have bought them in a King Power duty free shop and they have put them in a special sealed bag (which is just a plastic bag and can presumably be opened as soon as you're on the other side of the scanner). No other bottled water, even if bought in the airport and still sealed will be allowed through. I found this most annoying.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 5 August 2008 : by J Henson

Customer Rating : 4/5

Outbound - Very impressed with the airport. Wide open spaces, very light, and clean. Immigration queue was very short and the official was efficient if not particularly friendly. Bags off quickly. The only thing I did not like was the amount of people in arrivals hassling you with taxi offers. My advice is to ignore them. For transport to central Bangkok remember: 1) There is an official taxi rank outside where you wait in a covered area and will be given a ticket where someone will translate your English into Thai and write your destination on a piece of paper for the taxi driver. Thai taxi drivers will normally refuse to go on a meter from the airport and there are toll roads. You should not pay more than B500 (inc tolls). 2) There is a bus (but you pick it up from departures) which has several routes including to Khao San Rd for B150. Its decent with air con and uses the faster toll roads. Return - Check in very slow (although I assume this is more to do with Gulf Air!) very long queue at passport control. Excellent variety of shops and places to eat. However, the shops are London/Western prices so if you want gifts buy them before the airport!

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 1 August 2008 : by Glynn Hammond

Customer Rating : 3/5

I have just passed through BKK three times in the last month. The one thing that does stand out is that there are no ATM machines airside. Once you go through immigration to duty free (or just happen to be in transit) there is no way of accessing money. I had no currency at all and so had to go thirsty. There are ATM machines that accept Thai cards and give out USD. Not very useful. When asked, the staff at the change places just looked blankly.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 26 July 2008 : by Francisco Pinyata

Customer Rating : 3/5

Flew in from Amsterdam on a China Airlines flight. A spacious and well lit airport with clean restrooms and more than adequate seating areas. Duty free shops reasonably priced and staff very polite and helpful. One point I'm about to stress that I must say I didn't like was the laid back attitude by airport security here. My companion and I were lightly frisked by a 20-something girl and never was asked to go through the metal detector again after making the lights go full red. I was carrying a small bag full of electronics in my hand luggage that day that aroused suspicion upon inspection at Oslo Gardemoen and Amsterdam Schiphol. Security there asked me to show them the contents of the suspicious bag. The same bag was completely ignored by Bangkok security. The feeling of security is always paramount for today's travller and they really let down here.

BANGKOK SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT review : 15 July 2008 : by James Halley

Customer Rating : 2/5

I have been a major critic of this airport from the beginning, so credit where it is due. The number of urinals in some of the mens toilets has dramatically increased. Signage is still an issue - signs saying airline lounges - yes, ok, but which airline? And still getting bussed in and out to/from main terminals. The domestic immigration counter is a huge plus for those of us living up country and is arguably the best initiative so far. Flying Bangkok Airways next week transitting from Chiang Mai so this is going to be a first with this combination.