Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) BKK

Bangkok has two airports.  Don Mueng (mostly Domestic) and Suvarnabhumi (Domestic and primary International).  Suvarnabhumi (pronounced Soo-Wana-Poom) Airport is one of my favorites.  It is also one of the top 10 largest airports by floor size.  6,060,000 sq ft puts it just after Hong Kong (HKG), one of my other favorite airports.  To see how big this airport really is,  let’s compare it to one of the largest in the USA Denver International Airport (DEN).  Denver Airport Terminals are over 2,600,000 Sq Ft.  That is about 1/3 the size of BKK. 

BKK from above looks like two large Plus Signs connected  together, as seen below from Google Maps.  Also, south of the main terminal is a satelite terminal that runs the length of the two pluses from East to West. 

Each leg of the plusses is a “terminal” labeled “A” through “G”.  After exiting security, you enter the terminal right about where the two plus signs connect.  From there to the end of any one of the terminals can be up to 10-15 minutes walking.  I am a fast walker, and I timed myself at just 12 minutes. 

From Bangkok, traveling to Suvarnabhumi airport is quite easy.  Simply take the Bangkok Airport Rail Link.  It takes about 30 minutes or less and drops you off on the very bottom floor of the airport.  Finding your way from there is quite easy with the signs clearly labeled. 

Checkin counters are located on floor 4.

The ticketing / Check-in area is quite vast.  The Isles are labeled “A” through “W”.  simply find your airline and flight on one of the screens, and it will also tell you which isle your check-in is located.  Be prepared to walk. 

Below shows you 1/2 of the check-in area from above. 

Terminal A and B are domestic terminals.  They have a separate entrance.  The remainder terminals are all international.  From Floor 4, you take an escalator to floor 5 to clear security.  Then, you take an escalator back down to immigration.  Once processed, you take another esalator down into the terminal area. 

You are greeted by a mythical statue.  It is the 3-headed serpent Naga, named Vasuki, engaged in a captivating tug-of-war with its midd-section coiled around a stone, resembling a mountain.  Atop this stone sits Vishnu, one of the supreme deities in Hindu culture. 

BKK, has plenty of lounges spread throughout the airport.  Plan your lounge access beforehand.  As, you may end up walking quite a bit.  You are on floor 4.  The lounges and gates are located one floor below on floor 3.  Floor 4 resembles a huge mall, with food and shops. 

Finding the terminals and gates are quite easy, and signage is very clear.  The signs also give you a time to walk, which is fairly accurate unless you are a faster or slower walker. 

As stated before, floor 4 resembles a mall and doesnt look like an airport at all. 

The corridors are long.  Plan plenty of time to wander around.  Do not be a last minute aiport arrival person. 

Below is a photo of gate area F4, F5, F6 F3.  It shows the vastness of space and multiple floors.