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Is it possible to leave Bangkok airport during a 10-hour layover?

May 25, 2022
4 years ago
Hi I will have a 10 hour layover in Bangkok, is it possible to leave the airport and go to the city for awhile then back again? Like a normal tourist but for a short while. I ask because I saw on quantas website that transiting between international flights, it is not allowed.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 10-hour layover in Bangkok can be challenging if you wish to leave the airport, especially for transit passengers. You will need a Thailand Pass, travel insurance, and vaccination certificates. Travelers should be aware that with customs and immigration procedures, traffic conditions, and the airport's distance from the city, you may have limited time for sightseeing. Many suggest that it's risky and may not be worth the effort given the constraints, leading to recommendations to consider alternative transit locations or simply relax at the airport.
Adrián ******************
You need the Thailand Pass to leave the airport I think 🤔
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Jonas *************
See if you can change the flights so you have longer time, if less than 24h it still counts as "transfer" and not stopover. I've done this before. The airline did the change for free. If you're lucky
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Josh ****
The airport is very far from the city and with Bangkok traffic it would be very risky to do via taxi. You can take the airport link and connect to the sky train but unless you know what your doing it will be time consuming. The airport isn't too busy these days do when you get back you could clear security and immigration quickly but you don't know if there is a big tour group ahead of you.
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Heath ***********
I would not even try it personally.
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Terary **********
Provided you had all the documents in order, it would take an hour from the time you land until you are outside the airport. BKK Airport has a train that can take you to the heart of the city, its about 1 hour ride. You're looking at minimum 4 hours to/from maybe more. That gives about 6 or fewer hours to mess around in BKK. To play it safe you would want to keep it to about 4 hours of messing around downtown.

I guess its worth it, but it's kinda of a pain in the ass. If I had never been here and had no plans on returning, I would do it.
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Gordon *******
Nope
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Paul *******
Depending on where you are coming from and going to, you're probably much better off transiting somewhere else. Even people coming from Phnom Penh/Vientiane/Yangon are now transiting in Singapore or Seoul rather than putting up with the shambles that is Bangkok. Pre-Covid, most of these folks would transit in BKK but not anymore, since the Thai government decided to kill tourism and airline transit traffic.
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Nguyen *****************
I would just change my itinerary and stay in Bangkok for a month.
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Glen *******
I think risky
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Sarah *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was just thinking of going to a spa close by and do like a 3-4 hour spa lol but now the airline just replied and said I can't leave the transit area so that's not an option :(
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Jim ********
@Sarah ****************
Next time plan out a few spa days in advance.
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Jim ********
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Alan *******
You mention you are transiting between international flights, will you go through Customs and Immigration in Bangkok? If so, you can leave the airport, but as mentioned by others, you will then need a Thailand Pass, Insurance and Vaccination records and also as mentioned, time is your enemy.
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Paul *******
@Alan ******
Or a PCR/ATK test (the latter effective June 1).
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
It's probably easier for you to transit in Singapore.
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Stuart *********
I couldn’t comment on whether it’s allowed. I suspect not but I’ll let others confirm.

Even if it were I doubt you get much done. 10 hours seems a long time but the city is anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours away depending on time of day and traffic. You’d want to be back at the airport 2 hours prior to do immigration and security. Say traffic is bad. 1 hour to clear immigration, 2 hours in, 2 hours back - 2 hours prior would mean you probably only have an hour or so in the city. Not worth the hassle.

Relax in the airport, have a meal and drink or two. Read a book.
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Paul *******
@Marc *******
Nothing you have said is of any value. It's all blah blah blah nonsense. Go away troll.
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Greg *********
Expert-level advice 👆🎯
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Stuart *********
You’d also need a ThailandPass to enter Thailand, and that means insurance and vaccination approval. Just can’t see it being worth it for you.
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Paul *******
@Stuart ********
Vax approval NOT needed. This month it's PCR next month ATK. Don't provide misleading advice. It's vax or test. There is no vaccine mandate.
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Marc ********
@Paul ******
Bla bla bla and still Thaipass required. Period
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Paul *******
@Marc *******
Yes I know but it's becoming easier. It's instant approval. For Thais, nothing needed but a passport in June. For foreigners, hopefully nothing by July.
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Marc ********
@Paul ******
You talk too much
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Marc ********
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Will ************
You will need to apply for a Thai Pass, have insurance, your vaccination cert, collect your bags and clear customs. Then checkin again 3 hours before your flight.
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Wayne *********
@Will ***********
one ticket transit you don't collect your bags they go straight onto the next flight
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Will ************
@Wayne ********
customs may want to check ALL bags
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Wayne *********
@Will ***********
customs don't check much anyway its an honest system red or green doors lol
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Wayne *********
@Will ***********
they will not have any to check they will be airside so nothing to do with customs in Thailand
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Wayne *********
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Dimitri ********
@Will ***********
You don't have to collect your bags. They will automatically go to your final destination. Also if you decide to leave the airport. If you are back in time there will be no problem.
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Dimitri ********
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Nigel ********
Yes, but you'll need a Thai Pass and travel insurance, plus meet the vax requirements
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Nick ************
@Nigel *******
like a normal tourist.
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Paul *******
Right.
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Paul *******
@Nigel *******
Vax not needed. This month PCR test is sufficient next month ATK
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Horst ********
Paul James not really correct. If you fully Vaccinated then you need only the Thailand Pass and the insurance. But if you unvaccinated you need 72 Hour before teavel a PCR Test, what you have uploaded to the Thailand Pass System.

And if you have only transfer in Thailand you do still have to have insurance
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Paul *******
@Horst *******
Yes I'm correct. For vaccinated persons, only vaccine certificate.
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Horst ********
@Paul ******
and Insurance
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Horst ********
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