BKK Bangkok · rules of Thailand
Can I leave Suvarnabhumi Airport on my layover?
Choose your passport and enter your layover. You get the official entry rule for Thailand and a time budget that counts the queue, the trip into Bangkok and the way back.
Choose your passport to see whether you can leave Suvarnabhumi Airport.
United States passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- 30-day visa exemption (from 15 Sep 2026), max two entries per calendar year; may be asked for onward ticket within 30 days, accommodation, THB 20,000 cash. TDAC required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside International transit area at BKK; not confirmed on an official page (see uncertain).
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
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For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Canada passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- As US.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
United Kingdom passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- As US.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Australia passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- As US.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
New Zealand passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- As US.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
EU / EEA / Switzerland passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- All 27 EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are on the 30-day list.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (3), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
India passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- India is on the 30-day visa exemption list. TDAC required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
China (mainland) passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Bilateral visa exemption agreement, 30 days.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Brazil passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Bilateral visa exemption agreement, 90 days.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Mexico passport
Not without a visa
- Leave the airport
- Mexico is not on any exemption or visa-on-arrival list effective 15 Sep 2026, so a visa (Thai e-Visa) is needed.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Visa General Information (Royal Thai Embassy, London):
eligible passport holders are allowed to enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption Scheme only twice within a calendar year.
South Africa passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- South Africa is on the 30-day list.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Philippines passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Philippines is on the 30-day list.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
Japan passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Japan is on the 30-day list.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
South Korea passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Bilateral visa exemption agreement, 90 days.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside As US.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. (adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), linked from washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024):
30-day visa exemption (60 Countries/Territories) ... Bilateral Agreement on Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders: 30 days China ...; 90 days Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Korea (ROK). Effective from 15 September 2026
-
Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026) (Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.):
If the purpose is for vacation and will stay less than 30 days in Thailand, U.S. passport holders don't need a visa.
BKK Your layover
Before you go
Going into Bangkok
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Leave your bags in Bangkok
Radical Storage
Book a luggage locker near the station or your sight, so you can walk the city light.
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Short tours in Bangkok
Klook
Skip-the-line tickets and short guided tours that fit a few hours.
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Fixed-price transfer from BKK
Kiwitaxi
A driver waiting at arrivals, useful when trains are not running or you travel in a group.
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Mobile data for the layover
Saily
An eSIM you install before you fly, for maps and your airline app in town.
Staying at BKK
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Lounge passes at BKK
Klook
Pay-per-visit lounge access where your card or ticket does not get you in.
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Missed your connection?
AirHelp
Check whether a delay or a missed connection entitles you to compensation.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. They never change what the planner tells you.
Who can leave BKK without a visa?
IMPORTANT CHANGE: the 60-day visa exemption of July 2024 was replaced by a new 30-day Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme effective 15 September 2026 (60 countries/territories, at most two entries per calendar year), alongside bilateral agreements (China 30 days; Brazil, Korea 90 days). Visa on arrival (15 days, THB 2,000) now covers only Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Everyone entering Thailand must submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days before arrival (since 1 May 2025). Airside connections at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) stay in the international transit area; no official page on airside transit rules was fetched.
| Passport | Leave the airport |
|---|---|
| United States | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Canada | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| United Kingdom | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Australia | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| New Zealand | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| India | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| China (mainland) | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Brazil | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| Mexico | Not without a visa |
| South Africa | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Philippines | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Japan | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| South Korea | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
13 of the 14 passports we cover can leave the airport without applying for a visa first (some need an online authorisation). Other passports: check the official sources linked in the planner.
Transit rules in Thailand
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Who: All foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea (since 1 May 2025)
- submit within 3 days before arrival, for every entry
- free of charge
- not a visa and cannot replace one
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, London, Royal Thai Embassy, London
Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 days), effective 15 September 2026
Who: Ordinary passport holders of 60 listed countries/territories
- tourism only
- max two entries per calendar year under the scheme
- may need proof of accommodation, onward travel within 30 days, THB 20,000 per person / 40,000 per family
- passport valid at least six months
- extension up to 30 days at the immigration officer's discretion
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C., Royal Thai Embassy, London, Royal Thai Embassy, London
Getting from BKK into Bangkok
We measure to Siam (via Phaya Thai BTS interchange). Times are the operators' own figures; ≈ marks a timetable-based estimate where no official door-to-door time is published.
| Option | Time | Fare | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (about 26-30 min), then BTS Skytrain to Siam source | ≈40 min | – | – |
| Airport Rail Link (City Line, operated by Asia Era One) from Level B1 to Phaya Thai, then BTS Sukhumvit Line 2 stops to Siam source | – | – | 05:30-24:00 |
| Bus S1 Suvarnabhumi - Khao San Road (Sanam Luang), from Level 1 Gate 7 (old town, not Siam) source | – | – | 06:00-20:00 |
| Public metered taxi, Level 1 between Gates 4-7 (queue ticket); meter from THB 35/40 plus THB 50 airport surcharge (expressway tolls extra) source | – | – | 24h |
Good to know: Single main terminal plus SAT-1 satellite (linked by automated people mover). Airport Rail Link ends at Phaya Thai; change to BTS for Siam/Sukhumvit. Rail runs 05:30-24:00 only. Bangkok's other airport, Don Mueang (DMK), is used by many low-cost carriers: a separate-airport connection needs a landside transfer (AOT shuttle bus DMK-BKK for passengers with tickets). Taxi time highly traffic-dependent.
If you stay in the airport
- Transit hotel
- Miracle Transit Hotel (Main Terminal Floor 3, transit area, Concourse A; stays of 6-12 h) source
- Left luggage
- Left luggage (bellugg), Terminal 1, 2nd floor (arrivals) near Tourist Police, and 4th floor behind check-in Row P; small bag THB 100 per 24 h source
- Free layover tour
- None that we know of.
Questions
Do I need a visa for a layover in Bangkok?
If you stay airside, it depends on your passport: IMPORTANT CHANGE: the 60-day visa exemption of July 2024 was replaced by a new 30-day Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme effective 15 September 2026 (60 countries/territories, at most two entries per calendar year), alongside bilateral agreements (China 30 days; Brazil, Korea 90 days). Visa on arrival (15 days, THB 2,000) now covers only Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Everyone entering Thailand must submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days before arrival (since 1 May 2025). Airside connections at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) stay in the international transit area; no official page on airside transit rules was fetched. Choose your passport above for the exact rule and its official source.
How long does it take to get from BKK to Bangkok?
The fastest public option, Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (about 26-30 min), then BTS Skytrain to Siam, takes about 40 minutes to Siam (via Phaya Thai BTS interchange) (timetable-based estimate). The planner adds 20% for waiting and delays.
How long a layover do I need to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport?
With our cautious defaults (45 minutes to get out, 120 minutes back before departure, the transfer both ways plus 20%), you need about 6 hours for 90 minutes in the city. Below that, stay in the airport.
Rules checked against official sources on 2026-11-01; airport facts from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Found something out of date? Tell us.