Bus, Water Shuttles Bypass Traffic-Clogged City Roads

By Robert Selwitz / April 13, 1997

<I>Bangkok</I> - Although a trip between Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport and downtown sometimes feels as long as the inbound flight (see story, Page 29), there are alternatives to being mired in a city-bound taxi.

For starters, a fleet of modern air-conditioned buses can bring you to your hotel for less than $3. Departing every 15 minutes, the airport shuttle has three routes. A1 route stops include the Century, Indra, Swissôtel, World Trade Centre, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Regent and Dusit Thani hotels. A2 will take you to the Siam City, Florida, Princess and Majestic hotels, and A3 will deliver you to the Golden Gate, Grace, Raja, Holiday, Ambassador, Manhattan, Miami and Tara hotels.

Pickup points include the front of the airport branch of the Thai Military Bank, and the first and second buildings of the international arrivals terminal. Transit times run between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 hours.

For travelers staying at riverfront hotels, the worst of the street traffic can be bypassed by taking the Airport RiverJet Express, offering a road link from the airport to the Rama VII public pier. After purchasing tickets ($28) at counter number five in the international terminal arrival hall, or at the Prabhirarb Counter in the domestic terminal, passengers are driven to a dock, where they board the 40-passenger craft. Daily drop-off points include the Shangri-La, Sheraton Royal, Oriental and Marriott Royal Garden Riverside hotels.