Travelling around Bangkok

There are a few different ways to get around Bangkok depending on where you're staying and where you're headed...

Skytrain

Bangkok Metro and Skytrain map

The Skytrain is an elevated train that is also known as BTS. At the time of writing, there are two lines, the Sukhumvit line (light green) and the Silom line (dark green).

They're useful for avoiding Bangkok's crazy traffic if you need to get around "new Bangkok", that is to say, the areas around Silom, Sukhumvit, and Siam Square. Trains run frequently between 6 am and midnight, and ticket prices range from 15 THB (US$ 0.40) to 52 THB (US$ 1.40) or 140 THB (US$ 3.80) for a day pass. Ticket machines only accept coins, but the ticket offices will swap your notes for change.

Metro

Bangkok's metro system (MRT) is also good for traveling between the Sukhumvit or Silom districts to reach Hualamphong Train Station. It's cheap: tickets cost from 16 THB (US$ 0.40) to 42 THB (US$ 1.10) or 120 THB (US$ 3.20) for a one-day pass and again, the trains run frequently from 6 am to midnight.

The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market is located at Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit BTS line and Chatuchak Park on the MRT line. 

Boats

Bangkok is split in two by the Chao Phraya River, and the west bank (formerly Thonburi) is still home to a pretty extensive canal system. One of the best ways (although not necessarily the quickest) to visit sights along the river bank, like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple, is by boat. The main pier (Tha Sathon, or Central Pier) connects with the Saphan Taksin BTS station. 

The Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) departs every 10 - 20 minutes between 6 am and 7 pm. Tickets cost 15 THB (US$ 0.40) and the boat stops at most major piers between Wat Rajsingkorn in the south of Bangkok, to Nonthaburi in the north.

The tourist boat (blue flag) runs from Central Pier to Phra Athit/Banglamphu Pier (number 13 on our map). It departs every 30 minutes from 9:30 am to 5 pm and stops at 8 main piers on the route. Tickets cost 40 THB (US$ 1.10). The 150 THB (US$ 4) all-day ticket offered by touts isn't usually worth it.

To cross the river, there are countless ferries that run every few minutes all day and into the night, charging just 3 THB (US$ 0.10).

Taxi

Traveling around Bangkok by taxi is surprisingly cheap - sometimes even more so than the Skytrain - plus, it's comfortable and easy, and the drivers are usually really friendly. 

Taxis have to use their meters - if a driver refuses to do so, find a different taxi! The meter starts at 35 THB (US$ 0.90) and journeys to most places in central Bangkok will cost between 60 THB (US$ 1.60) to 90 THB (US$ 2.40). Remember that tolls are paid by the passenger. If you can't find a taxi willing to use the meter late at night, there are taxi apps available: Grab Taxi and All Thai Taxi.

Don't expect your driver to speak English. An address written in Thai is a good bet to ensure you'll get to the right place!

Grab

This new app-based taxi company is a good way to get around Bangkok. journeys are reserved via a mobile application, and the journey has a fixed fare meaning that you'll avoid arguments and haggling with taxi drivers. The application allows payment by card, or you can pay the driver in cash.

• Grab

Tuk-tuks

Those iconic motorized rickshaws are used by locals and tourists alike for short journeys that aren't worth the taxi fare. Tourists, however, are usually overcharged for these noisy and polluted trips! It's better to go at night when the pollution isn't as bad (or to save this experience for another city!) and try and haggle the price down to 60 THB (US$ 1.60). Super cheap tuk-tuks are usually too good to be true and will take you to gem shops and massage parlors in the hope of some commission.

Bikes

While cycling has gotten more and more popular in Bangkok over the years, it's still a bit of a minefield out there thanks to dangerous roads, crazy traffic, sweltering heat, and pollution (hopefully the bike trend will help that though!). If you feel the need to pedal around the Thai capital, we recommend booking a Bike Tour with a guide who can show you the safest places to cycle.

Recommendations

We recommend using the metro and Skytrain as much as possible, not only to avoid traffic jams but also for your safety.

In Bangkok taxis can be even scarier than in cities like Cairo. In Bangkok the cars are modern, and the drivers like to drive fast. And the majority of taxis don't have seatbelts in the back, so travelers are quite unprotected.

The same can be said too for the tuk-tuks in the city, where you're the only crumple zone...