Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

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Big Boy
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Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Big Boy »

I'm looking for recent experiences of the time it's taking to get through Suvarnabhumi passport control/baggage collection.

My dilemma is we will be arriving at 13:35 on a Saturday afternoon. I'm trying to decide if I should book the 15:00 bus (preferable), or should I wait, be safe and book the 16:30 bus (3 hours from touchdown to onward departure sounds horrendous).
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by robcar »

I had the same dilemma when I last came back (May last year). As a single traveller the easy answer for me was to book them both lol, but I understand where you're coming from. Getting through customs etc. was about an hour.

In my case I was in plenty of time for the first bus but the extra 300baht was a cheap enough price for insurance.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Big Boy »

I've been hearing reports that passport control has really become quite quick, with hardly any delay whatsoever, but I'm hoping a recent flyer can confirm this, or tell me it is a myth.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Bristolian »

There is no way that you can be sure. I have been through the airport 5 or 6 times in the last month and the best time through was less than 30 minutes and the worst 1 hour 15 minutes. The baggage area is very efficient but immegration can be patchy depending on number of flights landing and number of officers actually on duty.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by jingjoe »

I arrived at airport on 24april , one large check in bag, was through passport control in about 10mins, waited 10mins for bag, nobody to inspect bag on exit, straight down to the hua hin bus departure floor.All completed in about 30mins from landing to check in counter for the hua hin bus...I was travelling alone late afternoon arrival.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Big Boy »

Hmmm..... thanks Bristolian, your 1 hour 15 minutes sort of swings it. If we get through faster, we might be able to pay for an earlier bus. Thank you - the later bus it is then :cry:

jingjoe, that was the answer I was looking for, but common sense tells me that I'm not that lucky. It is low season now, so hopefully, if we are as lucky as you, we'll be able to change to the 15:00 bus.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by STEVE G »

I've generally got through in about 30 minutes on the last few trips but just with hand luggage, immigration has been much more efficient than it was in the past. If you book on the later bus, they'll change the ticket to an earlier one for 30bt if they have seats.
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Post by dalmatiandave »

Book both.

I recently flew Philippine Airlines Manila to Bangkok due to arrive 1155 but due delays arrived 1320. I knew I was going to be delayed when in Manila airport but even though I had wifi I just couldn't get the BellTravel service to respond.
When I hit the desk at 1345 in Swampy I found out the next available bus to Hua Hin was 1930.

I jumped in my mates taxi to Pattaya for one night, I didn't want to wait at the airport for 6 hours.

Took the Pattaya to Hua Hin bus next day which goes via Swampy.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by dtaai-maai »

Yes, that was the first thing that occurred to me when reading the above posts - clearance times are all very well, but not much use if the plane is 2 hours late...
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Big Boy »

:laugh: If the plane is 2 hours late, the 16:30 isn't going to be much use either :wink:
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by oakdale160 »

And time of day is no guide, I have been thru in 25m mid afternoon and 90min at midnight.
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Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Dieter78 »

I came through last Saturday just after 12pm, took about 15min at immigration, and about 45min waiting for the luggage. If you are in a rush you can buy immigration fast track online.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by Big Boy »

Thank for all of your help, but Bristolian's 1:15 did it for me. Just cutting it too fine.
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by HHTel »

My mother always arrives 'requiring assistance' which means she gets a wheelchair and a 'minder'. Fast tracked all the way through!
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Re: Transit times through Suvarnabhumi inbound

Post by gerryha »

As most have said, times have improved noticibly lately. We came back recently on one of those double decker thingys and even that went smoothly. However never take anything for granted then there is the dreaded "flight time change", they are never delayed anymore.

Get the later bus. Have a bite downstairs in the food hall then spend sometime marvelling at the ability of Thousands of Chinese tourists to unnerringly folow a single little flag.
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