Airport Rail Link - myth or real?

Is the ever-promised rail link yet in existence? I extended by 7 hour stopover to 2 days 7 hours and now must pick a hotel convenient to my midnight arrival and 7am departure on the last weekend in November. I am inclined to find a place on the river and just endure the travel time when traffic is light. Any feedback is appreciated.

Airport Rail Link - myth or real?

It%26#39;s real, I think DragonC posted recently that trials are being run already, but don%26#39;t expect it to be available for your use in late Novemeber.

There%26#39;s nothing difficult or expensive about getting a taxi to whichever hotel you choose... Advice for that here;

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293916-s301/Bangkok:…

...and here;

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-c116554/Thail…

Airport Rail Link - myth or real?

Trials of the airport link are underway. It was due to fully open on 5 December, but that has been put back to after the new year, for reasons unknown. Daily trails with some free rides start on5 December. The government have just announced that Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) have been contracted to run the service.

Which happens to be the Kings birthday ! ( 5th dec )

may of been the reason it was moved to another date !

I think that%26#39;s why they picked that date, after the earlier date (Queens Birthday?) passed the project by.

Is this link an extension of an existing Skytrain line? If so I cannot imagine trying to manhandle anything but the smallest amount of luggage on and off the trains, particularly during peak periods.

No its not part of the skytrain but a dedicatecd airport service that links to the skytrain.

So I guess once you have linked to the Skytrain my concerns re luggage are valid. I don%26#39;t envisage the cab drivers losing much business to the rail link.

There is a major terminal station at Makkasan with parking lot and taxi ranks, as well as check in desks, but this is well before the interchange with the skytrain.

There will be two services. The Airport Express will go straight to Makkasan without stopping in 15 minutes, where you%26#39;ll take a taxi to your hotel. Sukhumvit is about a 60 baht cab ride away.

The commuter service will stop at every station, taking longer, but will go beyond Makkasan to Phaya Thai, where it will link with the BTS Skytrain.

If you travel light might prove useful, however as stated above I think most people will use the taxi. :)