Metro
All three types of subway operating in Bangkok operate from 6:00 to 00:00, have air conditioning in the cabin, and are equipped with an audio service that announces stops in English. To purchase tickets, there are special terminals at metro stations with instructions on how much it costs to travel the distance a tourist needs.
Subway (BTS)
The SkyTrain (BTS) has only recently opened in 1999. It's a great way to cross the Chao Phraya River quickly and comfortably (including a TV in the carriage), as well as to reach the capital's major cultural and architectural monuments. The subway runs through Bangkok's northern, central and western districts.
- The two elevated lines (25 stations in total) Sukhumvit and Silom share the Siam station.
- Mo Chit, Asot and Sala Daeng stations have access to the traditional underground subway (MRT).
Trip cost is equal to between 15 to 55 THB.
Important! Be sure to keep your ticket until the end of the trip, as it will need to be presented at the exit of the subway - scanning machines compare the price of the ticket and the route traveled. The most convenient way to buy a full-day unlimited pass for 130 THB or a 15-ride SmartPass for 405 THB.
The underground subway (MRT)
The traditional subway in Bangkok is more often used by locals than tourists, as it doesn't allow access to popular attractions.
The 19 subway trains run at 5-minute intervals during rush hours and 10-minute intervals at other times.
Fare ranges from 15 to 40 THB. A child ticket is half the price of an adult ticket. For the maximum distance, a child ticket costs 20 THB.
Metro to the airport
A land-speed direct Airport Rail Link train to Suvarnabhumi Airport is considered a separate type of metro. The trip will take about half an hour (the branch is almost 30 kilometers long). This method is faster and cheaper than shuttle buses and only loses out if you have significant luggage.
Airport Rail Link has eight stations. At Paya Thai station, you can transfer to the regular land metro. Metro trains to the airport from Bangkok run at 15-minute intervals.
Ticket price is 45 THB.
Bangkok buses
The Bangkok bus is one of the most popular and convenient modes of transportation in Bangkok. A few vehicles operate around the clock. The rest of the fleet is on the routes from 5:00 to 23:00. Almost every bus runs together with a conductor. Capital buses come in two types:
- cheap
fare from 6 to 8 THB red and blue-and-white buses, which are mostly ridden by locals. They are not air-conditioned (the maximum is a fan over the driver's head), usually have no glass on the windows and are often overcrowded;
- blue-and-white and orange comfort buses
these are geared primarily toward commuters. These buses have glass, air conditioning. They are freer, but they run much less frequently around the city. The cost of such transportation is from 15 to 25 TNV.
Thai buses can change routes frequently, so tourists should be careful.
Transfer buses
To get to Bangkok from other cities and vice versa (for example, from the capital to Pattaya), you can book transfer buses online in advance. This is very convenient, as tourists are met at the specified place, it is agreed in advance how long the trip will take and how much it will cost. Upon request, the driver can add a child car seat.
Water transportation
Bangkok's cheapest form of public transportation has three types of vessels: express trains, tourist boats and water cabs.
Ships, boats, ferries
The Chao Praya River Ferry in Bangkok is a great transportation, mainly for the tourist water promenade (Royal Palace, Temple of the Lying Buddha, Temple of the Golden Buddha). There are a few ships specifically for commuters, equipped with English-speaking guides.
The main pier of the water transportation is located near the BTS "Saphan Taksin" elevated bus station. After the "Kaosan Road" stop, the cultural landmarks end and usually only locals remain on the ferry.
The operating schedule of the water transportation is from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Fare - from 10 to 40 THB. The most budget ferries are yellow in color and have special flags. They are priced at less than 15 THB.
Water taxi
A maneuverable motorboat for 4 passengers allows you to quickly get to your desired destination on Bangkok's main waterway, Chao Praya. On the water, all the rules of a regular land cab apply: the cab driver (boat driver) can not only drop tourists off at a certain place, but also wait for a while.
The rental cost of the whole boat is 800 THB.
Taxi Types
Tuk-tuk
This originally hand-built transportation is considered a symbol of Bangkok in particular and Thailand in general. The tuk-tuk is a motorcycle that has had several seats added to the back. They can accommodate 3 passengers with small suitcases.
The price of a tuk-tuk depends on the distance. A short ride will cost up to 20 THB (you can haggle with the driver). For a walk around the whole of Bangkok, you'll have to shell out around 300 THB.
Motototaxis
The motorcycle is such a common mode of transportation in Thailand that there is a separate kind of cab here - the motorcycle cab. A motorcycle cab is the fastest way to get to your destination, despite the frequent traffic jams in the capital. However, traveling on a motorcycle, due to the extremely high speed, is not safe.
A standard cab (taxi-meter)
The standard cab in Bangkok has a traditionally bright body color (e.g. green, yellow or pink). The cabin is usually air-conditioned. In order to understand whether the cab is free or not, you should pay attention to the scoreboard on top of the car. If it's lit up, the driver is ready to pick up a new passenger.
Price: the first 2 km - 35 THB, then on average 1 km costs - 5 THB. The average price of a ride around the city - from 80 to 200 THB. Almost all of Bangkok can be traveled for 200 THB. To get from the capital to Pattaya will cost 1500 THB.
The only downside to these cabs is that the drivers barely understand English. In order to be sure that the driver can maintain a conversation in English, it is worth ordering a cab on special sites. The advantage of this service is that you can choose any class of cab, from economy to premium, as well as minibuses of any capacity.
Important! In this form of transportation in Bangkok, make sure that the driver turns on the meter, otherwise the fare will double. However, after 6pm, negotiated fares are the norm and drivers rarely turn on the meter.
