is Bangkok's Airplane Graveyard worth it?: everything you need to know before a visit + how to get there
Bangkok is home to a world of hidden treasures and off-beat delights. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Thailand’s capital, and in a world continually exposed by Instagram, is the airplane graveyard that sits right along a main road.
Similarly to Yongma Land, it’s a bit of a photo trap for tourists who hear about it and dig dilapidated attractions. However, if you are looking for something a little more off-the-beaten-path in a city that is a high-traffic tourist zone, the airplane graveyard is a good place to start!
KEEP READING FOR THE LOWDOWN ON WHERE TO FIND THE AIRPLANE GRAVEYARD + HOW TO GET THERE
What's the story behind the airplane graveyard in Bangkok ↴
To be clear, this isn’t the site of a wreck. I wouldn’t be into taking photos and clambering over plane carnage if it were the marking of a tragic event. The airplane graveyard is, essentially, the culmination of a building development project falling through and a rich investor buying airplanes at an auction to create an airplane-themed beer park on the land. The beer park was called “Runway”, but it flopped after only being open for a year, and the land owner has since allowed a family to live on the land and charge admission in exchange for them keeping out hoodlums.
How to get to Bangkok's airplane graveyard ↴
The easiest way is to get a Grab taxi using the Grab app. Of course, this isn’t the cheapest way, but it will get you there the quickest with the least amount of hassle.
You can get to the graveyard via the Khlong Saen Saep express boat. Go to the last stop, Wat Si Bun Ruang, and then walk about 10-15 minutes to the graveyard.
DON’T GET LOST! I’VE PINNED THE AIRPLANE GRAVEYARD’S LOCATION FOR YOU ONE THE MAP BELOW!
Admission to Bangkok's airplane graveyard ↴
At the gate, you will be charged 200 THB {USD $6.29} per person for unlimited time and a {plastic} bottle of ice cold water. The local currency, Thai Baht, is the only form of payment that is accepted. There are blogs that say this is donation-based and that you can haggle down the price, but I found this inaccurate. The women at the gate charged everyone the same and there was a sign listing the cost. If you take the time to make the journey all the way to the graveyard, be prepared to pay the full amount.
ECO TIP: Try to discourage the consumption of plastic by bringing your own water and declining the plastic bottle you get upon entry. Perhaps, if no one takes the bottled water, they’ll stop handing them out?
What to expect + is it worth a visit to Bangkok's airplane graveyard ↴
The airplane graveyard is not an official tourist attraction and it isn’t managed like one. There are safety hazards, like jagged metal and less than stable ladders. It’s run entirely by the family that the landlord allows to live there, working as free security. It’s also incredibly hot. The airplanes give off a lot of heat, especially since one of them still has its insulation. Be prepared to sweat heaps.
You’re basically paying to see a couple of planes, including one Jumbo aircraft, laying in a field with free reign to play around and take photos. It’s an ideal place for those looking for a unique photo or for people who enjoy derelict buildings and other rundown areas. Whether its worth it or not is up to you. I found it a fun and different way to spend an hour or two in a city I’ve frequented.
