From the plane to the train in Thailand
Six airports, honestly rated on the only thing that matters when you land: how you get onto a train, how long it takes, and what it costs. Two put rails in the terminal. One has no railway at all.
BKKBangkokSuvarnabhumi Airport
The Airport Rail Link runs from level B under the terminal. One change puts you on the MRT for Krung Thep Aphiwat.
27 minAirport Rail Link into the city฿35to Makkasan, the MRT interchangeAirport guide
DMKBangkokDon Mueang Airport
A covered walkway joins the terminal to Don Mueang station. The SRT Red Line runs straight through to Krung Thep Aphiwat.
≈20 minRed Line to Krung Thep Aphiwat฿33Red Line fare, no changesAirport guide
CNXChiang MaiChiang Mai Airport
No rails here — Chiang Mai has no metro either. A short taxi ride puts you at the northern line terminus.
15–25 mintaxi to Chiang Mai station฿150–250official airport taxiAirport guide
HDYHat YaiHat Yai Airport
The southern line passes right through town — a short taxi ride puts you at Hat Yai station for the trains north.
15–25 minto Hat Yai station฿250–350taxi including airport feeAirport guide
URTSurat ThaniSurat Thani Airport
Airport and railway station share the same district — the easiest air-to-rail hop in the south, and the gateway to the gulf islands.
≈15–20 minto Surat Thani stationPhun Phinwhere the trains actually stopAirport guide
There is no railway anywhere on Phuket — and none planned. This page covers what actually works instead.
Why there is no trainLooking for the trains themselves?
Every long-distance route in Thailand starts at Krung Thep Aphiwat in Bangkok. Pick a destination and see the schedules — we book Thai trains by hand, because foreign cards are refused often enough on the SRT site to plan for it.