Transport in Bangkok

City transport in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the largest cities not only in Asia, but also in the world. The traffic here is quite busy because of the intricate network of roads, streets and alleys. In our article we will tell you what types of transport are available in Bangkok so that you would not get lost in this metropolis.

Bus

The most popular and busiest type of transport in Bangkok is a public bus. There are about 300 routes in the city along which 11 thousand buses move. You can find the scheme of bus lines in any travel agency.

All Bangkok buses are divided into several types and vary in their prices:

• red buses with a white stripe (without air conditioning) - 7 THB;

• blue buses (without air conditioning) - 8 THB;

• night buses - 8 THB;

• express buses (cream and red color) - 8.50 THB;

• blue and white buses (with air conditioning) - from 10 to 19 THB;

• Euro-buses (yellow and orange) - from 12 to 24 THB;

City buses in Bangkok do not stop at every stop, so you need to warn the driver in advance that you want to get off. You can also wave a hand to the approaching bus and it will stop. The main disadvantage is that the average speed of buses in the city is only about 10 kilometers per hour, as the city is practically always paralyzed by numerous traffic jams.

Taxi

All taxis officially registered and operating in Bangkok have a Taxi-Meter sign on the roof and the cars are painted in bright colors: yellow-green and red-blue. Fee for the ride is counted according to the meter, therefore make sure that the driver has turned on the meter.

Tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuk is a very popular type of transport in Asia. It is a motorcycle with a sidecar and a roof attached to the rear. Tuk-tuks are designed to carry two or three passengers. The main advantage of tuk-tuks is their mobility, they can go where buses and taxes can’t. They can be very useful when you need to travel short distances around the city center. There are also some disadvantages: tuk-tuk is not cheap, there are no meters, so you need to agree on the cost with the driver in advance. A typical short trip within the city costs 30 THB. Tuk-tuk is forbidden to travel on freeways. One more disadvantage is that passengers will have to breathe in the gassed city air, as there are no air conditioners in the half-open tuk-tuks.

Skytrain

SkyTrain runs through the city center, it is the fastest, most convenient and safest way to travel in Bangkok. Instead of being stuck in traffic jams of many kilometers, you can use the skytrain which runs from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, with an average traffic interval of 3-6 minutes, and at peak hours - 2 minutes. Modern comfortable electric trains with air-conditions are almost 100% reliable. Each train 65 meters long can transport up to 1000 people, their movement is automatic.

Currently, there are three lines - Sukhumvit, Silom and Link Airport. The first two lines cover most of central, residential and tourist areas. The third line connects the city center with Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The fare for Skytrain varies depending on the number of stops and starts from 15 THB per stop. Tickets can be bought at vending machines near the stations. Having passed through the turnstile, do not throw out the purchased ticket, it will be needed when leaving the metro - a special machine will compare the cost of the trip with the cost of the ticket. If the second cost is less than the first, then a siren will sound and you will have to buy a new ticket.

Underground metro MRT

In the summer of 2004, the first underground metro in Bangkok was launched. The line ran along the eastern part of the city and connected Bang Su Northern Railway Station with Hua Lam Phong Railway Station located near the city center.

The fare is about 16–42 THB. Ticket price depends on the number of stations. For the convenience of payment, you can purchase a special card - a one-day pass - 120 THB, for 3 days - 230 THB or a rechargeable card, which costs 230 THB (150 THB per account + 50 THB deposit + 30 THB for issuing a card), it is valid at all underground metro stations.

For the convenience of passengers, special transfer stations from the metro to Skytrain were organized: metro Si Lom - s. Saladaeng, m. Sukhumvit - s. Aso k, m. Chatuchak Park - s. Mochit. In the Bangkok subway, it is forbidden to eat food, have drinks and take photos You should also keep tokens until the end of the trip. The metro functions in the same way as Skytrain - from 6 a.m. to midnight.

River transport

One of the convenient ways to avoid traffic jams, especially for those who live near the river and canals, is a river taxi. In addition, travel by water is a great opportunity to explore the city. You can learn more about the river transport here.

Although Bangkok scares with its intricate shreds and busy traffic, you can easily get to the right place if you use public transport. To start your trip with pleasant moments, you can book a transfer from the airport and get to the hotel with comfort.