Airport taxis

The Airport Express buses at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (pronounced Sawannapoom)are a cheap and convenient way to get to your hotel from the airport without having to take a costly taxi or a complicated city bus. A ticket costs only 150 baht ($5 US).

With four diferent bus routes chances are good that your hotel could be close to the bus line. Here is a list of the four lines.
AE1: Surawaong and Silom Road
AE2: Khao San Road
AE3: Sukhumvit Road
AE4: Hua Lamphong Railway Station

To find the buses go to the lower level (below the baggage claim area) and go to the furthest end of the building (left as you are looking out the windows) and look for the Airport Express desk.

When you check in they ask you where you are going and then give the list to the driver so he will stop and tell you where to get off the bus. The buses are never crowded and the storage racks inside the bus are easy to get your bags into or out of. The buses run from 5 AM till midnight.

The buses take the highway till they get closer to the city and then take the busy city streets to drop off passengers so if you are further down the line expect a bit of city traffic but take that as a way to see a little more of the city and the ride will become more enjoyable. The typical taxi ride might be 35 minutes long while the bus may take 45 to 50 minutes.

For more info about the airport and the Airport Express bus line check out the Thaiways website at:
http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bangkok/bangkok_arrival.html

The new airport in Bangkok has made gettting a meter taxi much easier.  Walk all the way downstairs to the taxi queue and wait in line for the metered taxis.  On your way downstairs there are many touts asking to take you in their taxis- don't listen to them.

On average (with the mandatory 50 baht airport fee) a taxi from the airport to the middle of town will cost between 200-300 baht.  (5-9 US dollars).

Also, if you want, the taxis in the queue can take you anywhere in the country- there is a posted list with fixed prices to other provinces.  Once I missed the last bus back to my village and I took a taxi from the airport- 2500 baht, 3 hours.  It was pricey for me but it was hella fast and I needed to be home by morning.