From BKK to Chinatown (Yaowarat)
For Chinatown (Yaowarat), the MRT Blue line stops right in the district at Wat Mangkon. From Suvarnabhumi, take the Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, change to the MRT, and ride to Wat Mangkon or Hua Lamphong. A taxi is about 370–530 THB.
Suvarnabhumi to Chinatown at a glance
| Option | Cost (THB) | Time | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link + MRT | 50–90 | 45–55 min | 1 | Going straight into Yaowarat |
| Taxi / Grab | 370–530 | 45–65 min | 0 | Luggage, evening food trips |
| Public bus | under 50 | 85–110 min | 0–1 | Cheapest to Yaowarat |
| Private transfer | Fixed quote | 50–65 min | 0 | Fixed price to the door |
By Airport Rail Link and MRT
Take the Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, walk across to MRT Phetchaburi, and ride the MRT Blue line to Wat Mangkon — the station in the middle of Chinatown — or Hua Lamphong at its edge.
The Blue line runs underground straight beneath the old city, so it avoids the notorious traffic around Yaowarat, especially at night when the street-food crowds arrive.
By taxi or Grab
A metered taxi is about 370–530 THB including surcharge and tolls. Convenient with luggage, but Yaowarat's narrow streets clog up in the evening, so the MRT is often faster after dark.
About Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Bangkok's Chinatown, centred on Yaowarat Road, is one of the city's oldest and most atmospheric quarters — gold shops and herbal-medicine stores by day, and a legendary street-food scene that fills the pavements after dark. It sits in the old town, near Hua Lamphong and the river.
The MRT Blue line's Wat Mangkon station put Chinatown on the metro map, so it is now easy to reach without braving the traffic. Evenings are the draw: come hungry, and expect narrow, crowded lanes rather than wide boulevards.
Going the other way: Chinatown to the airport
Chinatown is the awkward one in reverse, because the district’s own station is on the wrong line for the airport. From Wat Mangkon take the MRT Blue line north to Phetchaburi, then walk through to Makkasan for the Airport Rail Link. Hua Lamphong works as a starting point too if you are at the southern end of Yaowarat.
That is one change plus a connecting walk, so Chinatown deserves a wider buffer than the districts sitting on the ARL itself — and Yaowarat’s street grid is slow for a taxi to get out of in the evening, which is exactly when the market crowds build. Work backwards from your boarding time, not your departure time: when to leave Bangkok for your flight explains where that gap comes from.
Suvarnabhumi to Chinatown — FAQ
- Does the MRT go to Chinatown?
- Yes — Wat Mangkon station on the MRT Blue line is in the heart of Yaowarat, with Hua Lamphong nearby.
- How do I get from the airport train to the MRT?
- Ride the Airport Rail Link to Makkasan and change to the MRT Blue line at the adjoining Phetchaburi station.
- Is a taxi worth it to Chinatown?
- It is easy with luggage at about 370–530 THB, but in the evening the MRT usually beats the traffic into Yaowarat.
Fares and times are indicative · last checked 27 July 2026