Airport train link?

[Pom Michael]

Just go down to B1 level - take the elevator of the escalators and head down!

[kamui]

NEWS UPDATE... 9th August 2010

Airport Link a [color:red]Potential Tourism Bonanza[/color]

 

Won't happen unless the whole system will be very much improved.

 

The long-awaited opening of the Airport Rail Link on Aug 23 will substantially [color:red]enhance the convenience[/color] of visiting Bangkok but a number of critical missing links impede connectivity with the city's mass-transit systems.

 

Providing easy access [color:red]right under the Suvarnabhumi terminal[/color], the Rail Link is smooth and efficient. The cars are spacious with plenty of room for luggage. Visitors will also enjoy panoramic views of Bangkok, including greenery, housing estates, temples, mosques, malls and office towers.

 

But at least three problems will impede what would otherwise have been a seamless flow of passengers between the Rail Link, the BTS SkyTrain and the MRT underground rail line as they commute from the airport to various destinations, and vice versa:

 

- The BTS-Rail Link interchange at Phya Thai: There is no escalator down from the BTS station to the level of the connecting walkway to the Rail Link station. The existing escalator only goes up. Those going down must use steps, a problem if one has luggage. There are no luggage trolleys at the station either. Besides, a small part of the walkway from the SkyTrain station to the Rail Link station is being built but is projected to be completed by the launch date.

 

- The MRT-Rail Link connection at Makkasan: This should have been possible from the Makkasan terminal to the Phetchaburi MRT station, but it does not exist. An MRT executive said a walkway was awaiting approval, and would take three months to build once approved. Hence, those getting off at the Makkasan Rail Link terminal cannot access the Phetchaburi MRT station.

 

- Lack of a single commuter ticket between the airport Rail Link, the SkyTrain and the MRT is the biggest obstacle. Arriving visitors heading for say, the Hua Lamphong rail terminal, will have to first buy the Rail Link ticket, then a SkyTrain ticket and then an MRT ticket separately at each interchange.

 

 

Yeah, I just try envision recent arrivals:

12 hours of flight, tired, sweaty and with 22 Kg suitcase. The humidity makes me feel even worse and it's raining. Additionally I don't know the exact location of my hotel.

 

Under this circumstance the last thing I would do is to take the airport link, need to by at least two different ticket, walk down stairs and tried to find my hotel by foot after I have left the Skytrain at Nana or Asoke.

 

Or think of first time visitors to BKK, elder couples with at least two suitcases, or a youg family with suitcases, a kid and a baby stroller.

[Hamokhamok]

Thanks Pom

[Hamokhamok]

I agree with you but I've looked at the location of Makkasan Station versus Soi 18 (Darjeeling Hotel) as a good example and it seems a straight run down Asoke Road from the Station by taxi. Probably no more than 15 minutes in a taxi and another 15 by train and probably 15 minutes getting to the station. I don't think thats too bad.

 

Worth a try I think and not bad at 15 baht until the end of 2010 from what I can gather.

 

You'll also be able to check in at Makkasan too.

 

I'm sure there will be more info once it opens on Aug 23rd.

[buffalo_bill]

Up to anybody's individual decision of course but this unit makes only sense for travellers who are totally broke already on arrival or on a sado-maso experience trip .

[shygye]

It's best suited for locals with min. luggage. Bet it will be a magnet to theft gangs.

[bust]

Think I will stick with the taxi

[kamui]

I agree with you but I've looked at the location of Makkasan Station versus Soi 18 (Darjeeling Hotel) as a good example and it seems a straight run down Asoke Road from the Station by taxi. Probably no more than 15 minutes in a taxi and another 15 by train and probably 15 minutes getting to the station. I don't think thats too bad.

 

Worth a try I think and not bad at 15 baht until the end of 2010 from what I can gather.

 

You'll also be able to check in at Makkasan too.

 

I'm sure there will be more info once it opens on Aug 23rd.

 

I am looking forward to your test run!

[Nervous God]

Saw it running last night when I came into town

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

Yes......running but only testing like 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening. But TiT and that could be all wrong but it's what they posted on the website before.

 

My opinion (and I know it means shit) it that this will be one of the biggest busts of Thailand's business history. I hope sincerely I'm wrong with all the time (way way way overdue) and money (way way way overbudget) spent on this project that it works but I don't know if it will. There are things that need to be done to make it more convenient but can't see that happening.

 

It might be a decent commuter transport for residents but I think once the visitors use it and then understand that taxis are a MUCH better option, it will just fade away.