Swampy Train connection

[charlesh]

Seems it is destined to become another white elephant used mainly by GF's who are waving goodbye to their farang at Swampy before beating a hasty retreat back to Nana.

Yeah Margaret and don't want to pay the 150 Bht. Quite used to a free ride I expect like most Thais.

[STEVE G]

To be fair I think that anyone who expects to take several pieces of luggage - or even one large case - onto the BST at all is missing the point of that mode of transport. It equates to doing the same on the London Underground for example. Even the regular trains in the LOS don't have adequate storeage for luggage - although of course they should.
Bangkoks' mass transit systems are for mass transit - commuter traffic - the briefcase and Prada carrier bag crowd.
So the question is - how did the BMA or whoever come to the conclusion that a skytrain airport link was the right thing in the first place? If it is aimed just at backpackers or business travellers who can cope with one small bag then the estimate of useage should be adjusted down accordingly. And realistically the link is never going to have to cater for the majority of package deal tourists who are ferried around by coach either.
Seems it is destined to become another white elephant used mainly by GF's who are waving goodbye to their farang at Swampy before beating a hasty retreat back to Nana.

I suppose, like the London Underground link to Heathrow, it's actually of more use to the huge numbers of people who work at the airport rather than actual travellers.

[Jimbob]

quote]
I suppose, like the London Underground link to Heathrow, it's actually of more use to the huge numbers of people who work at the airport rather than actual travellers.[/quote]
Many many travellers on the Piccadilly line with bags you have to climb over. Only cheap option- 'eathrow to the city. It's at saturation level. Might be awhile before it happens on the BKK airport line.

[Pleng]

Pretty much every time I fly from Heathrow, I take my luggage with me on the underground. Never had any real problems.

[lomuamart]

Just wanted to check with anyone who'd used the Swampy train link recently.
I know I can get a taxi, but as I'm only going to be away for a few days and therefore traveling light, I'm considering the minibus to Victory Monument.
Was in BKK earlier in the week on my way to Asok on the skytrain and I heard the announcement of the next station (or maybe two on) as the connecting point for the airport.
That seems pretty easy to me as long as the train's still running and goes regularly.
Can anyone give me details of how it all works? I'll probably be looking to get the airport connection from the skytrain around 5-5.30pm.
Thanks in advance.

[Vital Spark]

Lomu: Went on it a few weeks ago and it worked like a dream. Got a minibus to Victory Monument, up to the BTS and get a ticket for the next station (towards On Nut) to Payathai (sp?). Hop off there and follow the signs for the Airport Link. It's a litle bit of a walk, but you don't have to go to ground level, you just go along a series of walkways connected to the BTS. Go to the kiosk and buy a disk, follow everyone else and be guided by the helpful staff, hop onto the train and enjoy the view.

It's infinitely better, if you don't have much luggage, than getting a taxi.

Good luck.
VS

[Governor]

You can connect from the BTS to the Airport Link, there's a walkway, at Phaya Thai, that's one stop from Victory Monument.

There are two services to the airport, the City Line and The Express Service. The City Line stops at all seven stations and takes about 30 mins, I think it costs 45 Baht for a single journey. The Express used to start from Makkasan but they have extended some trains to start from Phaya Thai, I think every other one, as not many people were using the service, the express costs 90 Baht each way or 150 Baht for a return withing two weeks.

I always use the City Line, though it does get crowded during the rush hour, though they are more frequent. You buy a disc at the ticket office, or machine, very similar to the MRT.

Edit - I really must learn to type quicker.

[lomuamart]

Thanks for the replies. Seems the easiest way to go and I'll try it out.

[lomuamart]

Having used the service both ways now, thought I'd post about how easy it is. I appreciate that I'm going over old ground from VS and Governor.
Minibus HH to Victory Monument - 180 THB - BTS from there to Phaya Thai (one stop) - 15 THB. A 5 min easy walk to the Express train. Get the Express service rather than City. 20 mins to Swampy, non-stop, and 90 THB. Train every 30 mins. Straight into departures. A piece of cake for the grand sum of 285 THB. Would be more difficult with loads of luggage though?
And how's this? I touched down at exactly 05.55 this morning. Again, touch down, not inside the terminal. I walked into my house at 10.00 Four hours from touchdown to final destination. Brilliant.
OK, helped by all Imm desks being open and not having to wait for more than 15 mins to clear. and baggage was right there. On the other side of the coin, I had to "pay a visit" as it had been non-stop eating in southern India for 5 days and so just missed a train. Had to wait another 30 mins, so I could have been back here for 09.30.
And very few people are using it. Space and views as VS said.

[Pleng]

Unless you're in a rush and know the express train is leaving before the city train, I wouldn't recommend getting the express. City is about a third of the price.

[lomuamart]

Well, that's another perspective.
IMHO, wait the full 30 mins if you've just missed an Express train. It might cost marginally more but it's probably a lot less hassle depending on the time of day and rush hours.
I mean, when the thing starts, no-one's going to get on until your destination. Sit down and relax for the extra few Baht.
Before going through the cattle track of airport departures why not treat yourself to some smiling staff from central BKK to the airport? After that, up there, it's business as usual.
Edited because I couldn't spell staff.

[Pleng]

Maybe, but you're going to start off with a relatively empty train at Phaya Thai so you have no worries getting a seat. I don't think either of the lines get anywhere near as rammed as the usual sky train lines. If I was going to treat myself to comfort I'd probably just grab a taxi I suppose... horses for courses!

[lomuamart]

pleng,
The direct train is exactly that. No stops until Swampy. Takes 20 mi9ns and runs every 30 mins.
If you want to save some Baht get the City line. If you want to spend more then get a taxi.
Up to you. I was just singing the praises of this alternative.

[Big Boy]

If I'm reading correctly, Lomu is saying the Express train costs 90 Baht. How much money are you actually looking at saving with the City train?

[Nereus]

I don`t use it, but know people that do. At certain times of the day the city line train gets crowded with working people, add even a couple of small bags, and you are going to wish you spent the few extra Baht on the express.