Location
overview and Attractions
and Activities guides
to Bangkok
Getting around the city
of Angels
Bangkok’s heaving traffic
is legendary, presenting
a constant challenge
for residents and visitors
alike. River and canal
boats, along with the
BTS skytrain and MRT
subway systems, offer
some reliable alternatives
to getting stuck on
the roads. Nonetheless,
traffic remains horrendous,
particularly mid-week.
Below is a layman’s
guide to inner-city
transport choices.
RAIL
(SKYTRAIN)
The Bangkok Transit
System, or BTS, is a
two-line elevated train
network covering the
major commercial areas,
from up north at Mo
Chit all the way past
Siam Square to On Nut
and from down-town National
Monument all the way
over the river to Wongwian
Yai. Trains run every
few minutes from 6am
to midnight, making
the BTS a quick and
reliable transport option,
especially during heavy
traffic jams. Depending
on stops involved, fares
range from Bht 15 to
40; special tourist
passes allowing unlimited
travel for one day (Bht
120) are also available.
www.bts.so.th.
SUBWAY
Bangkok’s Mass Rapid
Transit (MRT) is another
fast and reliable way
to get around town.
The 18-station line
stretches 20kms from
Hualamphong (near the
central railway station)
up to Bang Sue in the
north. Subways run from
6am to midnight daily,
with trains arriving
every 5-7 minutes. The
underground connects
with the BTS at MRT
Silom/BTS Sala Daeng,
MRT Sukhumvit/BTS Asok
and MRT Chatuchak Park/BTS
Mo Chi. Subway fares
range from Bht 15 to
39 depending on distance.
www.bangkokmetro.co.th.
RIVER
CANAL
BOAT
Khlong Saen Saep canal
boats operate from
Banglamphu across
the city to Ramkhamhaeng
University. However,
you have to be quick
to board them as they
don’t usually wait
around long. Canal
(khlong) boats tend
to be frequent and
cost around Bht 8
to 18 depending on
distance. Tickets
are bought onboard.
Note that the piers
are a tad hidden,
which makes them somewhat
difficult to find,
pick up a handy route
map from any pier
to help.
EXPRESS
RIVER BOAT
Bangkok’s vast network
of inter-city waterways
offer a quick and
colourful alternative
for visiting some
of city’s top sights,
such as the Grand
Palace. Express boats
ply the Chao Phraya
River from Saphan
Taksin Bridge up to
Nonthaburi, stopping
at some 30 main piers
along the way. Fares
range from Bht 9 to
32 depending on the
distance, with tickets
being purchased either
onboard or at the
pier, depending on
how much time you
have. Boats depart
every 20 minutes or
so between 5:030am
and 6:00pm. Cross-river
services operate throughout
the day from each
pier for just Bht
3. Like their klong
brethren, these tugs
don’t hang around,
so make getting on
and off a hasty affair.
ROAD
BUS
Bangkok has an extensive
and inexpensive public
bus service. Both
open-air and air-conditioned
vehicles area available,
respectively for Bht
5 and Bht 7.50-23.
As most destinations
are noted only in
Thai, it is advisable
to get a bus route
map, available at
hotels, TAT offices
and bookshops. Note
that for many of the
buses you board in
the middle set of
doors and exit from
the front and rear.
Tickets sellers will
come to you once onboard.
MOTORCYCLE TAXI
In Bangkok’s heavy
traffic, motorcycle
taxis are the fastest,
albeit most dangerous,
form of road transport.
Easily recognisable
by their colourful
oranges vests, motorbike
taxi drivers gather
in groups beside department
stores, outside restaurants,
at the end of long
sois or nearby tourist
spots. As with tuk-tuks,
fares definitely have
to be negotiated beforehand.
On average you are
looking at Bht 10-30
for a 3-10 minute
ride. Whilst drivers
wear helmets, they
will not offer or
have a spare one on
hand for passengers,
you ride at your own
risk.
TAXI
Bangkok has thousands
of metered, air-con
taxies available 24
hours. Flag fall is
Bht 35 (for the first
2km) and the fare
climbs in Bht 2 increments
from there. Be sure
the driver switches
the meter on as this
is a popular swindle
played on unsuspecting
visiting guests. Whilst
there is no tipping
expected, rounding
the fare up to the
nearest Bht 5 or 10
is considered nice.
Note that additional
passengers are not
charged, nor is baggage.
For trips to and from
the airport, passengers
should pay the expressway
toll fees. When boarding
from the queue outside
the terminal, an additional
Bht 50 surcharge is
added.
TUK-TUK
Those three-wheeled
taxis (or samlor)
are best known as
tuk-tuks, so named
for the steady whirr
of their engines.
A 10 minute ride should
cost around Bht 40,
but always bargain
before boarding as
drivers can be notoriously
sneaky when it comes
payment time. Also,
be on guard if a tuk-tuk
driver offers to deliver
you anywhere for Bht
10, it’s part of a
setup that will lead
you to an overpriced
souvenir or jewellery
shop.
