We have a flight that gets us into BKK at 19:35 on a Friday night. We are staying at the Pen. However, I would like to change the flight to get in earlier so we can enjoy more time in Bangkok before we leave for our next destination. The new flight would get us in at 16:40 on a Friday.

My question is about traffic. Will a flight arriving at 16:40 be too much of a mess to even attempt due to traffic?

What about the RiverJet Express? Is that an option? Does it even save time?

What is the traffic patterns in Bangkok? Is there ever a ease in congestion due to "going against traffic"?
Thanks!!

16.40 on a Friday is a nightmare. By the time you're out of the airport, after 17.00, the traffic is at it's worst.

You will be going in the opposite of the flow at first until you hit Bangkok then you'll join in the jam.

I wouldn't change the 19.35 flight!

I don't think RiverJet Express exists anymore. That was supposed to be a quick way to get to the OLD airport, but I don't think it ever did take off.

I would look at it this way: You'll probably lose around an hour of that extra three hours you'll get by changing your flight. So, is an extra two hours in Bangkok worth it?

All very good points! What if we did an earlier flight and arrived at 15:35? Same day...Friday.

Traffic start to build up from around 4ish so the earlier the better.

i remember the jet boat...that was about 10 years ago, but i think it stopped after a short period...in any case that was to and from the old airport, which is in a different direction....

i would fly in when i want...i would not worry that much about the traffic...it is what it is....han. and michael live there so know best of course...

besides what do you think you are going to be able to accomplish at that late time of the day?? maybe a nice dinner someplace instead of a rushed one....

Immigration has been extremely slow in BKK lately. I've experience 45-60 minutes in the immigration lines the last 3 times (today is the exception when there was nobody in line. I was first to the counter). Only problem then was I had to wait 15 minutes to get our bags.

So arriving at 15:35 still might not get you out of the airport before 16:30.

I knew you BKK pro's could help. I think we will just keep our later flight. Thanks to all who have responded!!

Our THAI AIR flight departs BKK to LAX on a Thursday night @ 7:30 PM.

What time should we have Tong's shuttle driver pick us up at the Peninsula?

Is 4 PM okay?

I figure if it takes us an hour, we will still get to BKK 2.5 hours before our flight departs.

We are in P/E seats, so I already have my seat.

Thanks.

Consult with both the concierge and Tong. They will be able to tell you best. You do need extra time for flights to the US because they have 3 security screenings, once when you enter the secure area, once when you enter the gate area and once again right before the boarding door. Even for a 6:00 AM flight all the security took us over an hour and there were no lines. On the TV monitors, the flights flash for final boarding more than an hour before actual departure time...probably because of the security check at the gate and boarding gate.

plus the gates are usually a long way from the area of immigration

I take the BKK-LAX flight quite often. I always leave the Sheraton Grande about 4:30. Takes 30 minutes from Suk Soi 14. Flight usually leaves for the C concourse. Very nice TG lounges right before you pass through security. If you're in Biz class, be sure to take advantage of the free massage at the Thai Airways spa. It's near the main TG lounge just after you pass through immigration.