Getting around Thailand’s largest city can feel overwhelming, but as locals adopt a faster, cleaner, and often less expensive connection system, traffic jams in Bangkok once reduced somewhat, but sadly not completely.
Of course, that’s not ideal, and there will still be instances where passengers need to hail a taxi or tuk-tuk, especially after midnight. Walking or cycling for any significant distance during the hottest part of the day is better than using the BTS Skytrain, the MRT or even taking the ferry across the Chao Phraya River. Avoid trying to go too far in one day; the heat and traffic in Bangkok will make you feel more trouble than on a vacation. So how to travel around in Bangkok? This article will give you the best answer.
How To Travel Around In Bangkok? With 8 Great Transportations
BTS Skytrain
How to travel around in Bangkok? The Skytrain in Bangkok is a great option for getting through busy places, especially along Sukhumvit Road where traffic is constantly stopped. It feels amazing to look down at all those brake lights as you fly by above!
Siam Station, a significant junction linking the two BTS lines Silom and Sukhumvit (seen on maps in light green), is the hub of the Skytrain system (dark green on maps).
- Hours: From roughly 5:30 a.m. till midnight, trains operate every 5-10 minutes; timetables vary by about 30 minutes depending on the station. Ticket offices are open from six in the morning to midnight, but significant public holidays may change hours.
- Fares: Single-trip costs are determined by distance and range from 16 to 59 baht (50 cents to $1.90). The price from your present station is plainly shown on the ticketing machines. A one-way trip often costs $1 or less on average. A 24-hour unlimited ride pass costs 140 baht (about $4.50) for one day.
- Ticketing: The BTS makes use of ticket cards that are purchased from machines (many of which only accept pennies) or the ticketing window (if it is open). While tickets aren’t checked on trains, they are necessary to pass through the turnstiles when you arrive, so keep it close by! You will have to wait for a bus attendant and pay the maximum cost if you misplace your ticket or stay more than two hours on the “interior.”
- Accessibility: While other BTS stations require a lot of stair climbing, some offer escalators. Except for Saphan Taksin Station, which serves as the river taxi system’s interchange, all stations have elevators.
Arriving at and Leaving from the Airport: The Airport Rail Link is connected to Sukhumvit Line’s Phaya Thai Station.
MRT Subway
Although it may seem a bit slower than the Skytrain, Bangkok’s Metropolitan Rail Transit is equally helpful when you wonder how to travel around in Bangkok. The subway is used by almost 400,000 people daily to avoid traffic on the surface. The busiest subway line, the Blue Line, has two sections: the Purple Line.
Tao Poon Station serves as the junction of the Blue Line and Purple Line.
- Hours of Operation: MRT operates from about 6 a.m. to midnight. Depending on the time of day, trains run every 5 to 10 minutes.
- Fares: Price varies from 15 to 50 baht (45 cents to $1.60), depending on the distance traveled. An average long ride will cost no more than $1.
- Ticketing: The subway has ticket machines that take a small amount of Thai Baht and sell an RFID token that must be pressed to enter the platform. To leave, the token must be given up.
- Accessibility: Each subway station has an elevator.
- BTS transfer: BTS Skytrain and subway are connected at Sala Daeng, Asok, and Mo Chit. You will request a new ticket.
- How to get to and from the airport: Makkasan Station and Phetchaburi Station are connected by Airport Railroad at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
- Ticketing: The subway has ticket machines that take a small amount of Thai Baht and sell an RFID token that must be pressed to enter the platform. To leave, the token must be given up.
- Accessibility: Each subway station has an elevator.
Trains
Another way you can get around when talking about how to travel around in Bangkok. Metro and long-distance trains gather at Hua Lamphong station, near Chinatown. The ruined giant, built in 1916, will become a museum in 2021. The new station in Bang Sue will develop into the largest train station in Southeast Asia. Hua Lamphong Station is commonly known as Krungthep (Bangkok) Station outside of Bangkok.
For all stations and trains in Bangkok, the usual bans—no eating, drinking, or smoking—apply. Some people are shocked to learn that photography and video recording are also prohibited.
You should be ready to make room for any monks or pregnant women when they board any public transport option in Bangkok.
Bus
How to travel around in Bangkok? The Bangkok Mass Transport Authority operates an extensive bus network that covers the entire city. Riding an air-conditioned car is more expensive than a car without air conditioning. Tickets cost between 6.50 baht and 23 baht, or about $0.20 and $0.60. On the bus, tickets can be purchased. Although some buses run around the clock, most run from 5 am to 11 pm. Buses won’t stop unless you wave them off; The bus stop sign is blue.
Taxi/ Grab Car
This is probably a familiar vehicle when you think about how to travel around in Bangkok. Taxis are an inexpensive way to get around the city, but keep in mind that they can get stuck in traffic. In fact, if the driver gets stuck in traffic, there will be a 1.25 baht surcharge. Without traffic, the first two kilometers (about 0.5 miles) cost 35 baht (just over $1), with the price increasing by 2 baht for each subsequent kilometer. To protect yourself from fraud, you should stay away from taxis that lack meters. Since they often work with reputable businesses, ask your hotel to assist you with calling a taxi. Uber, a ride-hailing service, is also available in Bangkok.
Boat
Using a boat is one of the best ways to travel around in Bangkok. With a few boats and ferries along the waterfront, traffic congestion can be avoided.
Along with escaping the heavy traffic and its incessant sirens, you can enjoy the famous sights of the river.
You can expect to see some stunning sights, like the stately Palace of Thailand, the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the architecturally stunning Wat Arun, and the sunset over the Chao Phraya River.
Chao Phraya Express Boat, Saen Saep Express Boat, etc. are some of the prominent boat businesses in Bangkok. The daily boat service usually runs from 6:30 to 19:30.
Tuk-Tuk
In Bangkok, riding a tuk-tuk is an activity not to be missed.
It’s incredibly fun to drive shiny tricycles through the streets of Bangkok at dawn or dusk. These tuk-tuks are modeled after World War II rickshaws.
Sitting in a tuk-tuk and enjoying the cool breeze while the driver moves at breakneck speed and makes sharp turns will be like riding a roller coaster.
However, you should be aware of this choice of vehicle when discussing how to travel around in Bangkok drivers often charge exorbitant prices, often 2-3 times higher than the price of people. So before getting in one, haggle on the price.
Motorbike Taxi
How to travel around in Bangkok? Another typical mode of transportation in Bangkok is the motorbike taxi. Since drivers are confident enough to steer clear of Bangkok’s clogged highways and are competent at navigating the city, they can transport passengers to their destination faster than a bus or cab.
Get on tight and get ready for an exciting ride as the motorbike taxi may travel at speeds as low as 60 to 70 km/h and occasionally up to 100 km/h.
Their orange outfits’ backs have numbers that serve as a means of identification. If you wish to take one, you must bargain over the price.
From 5:00 to 12:00, motorbike taxis are accessible, and the fare ranges from 20 to 100 baht depending on the destination and distance.
