Travel tips
If you include the old part of the city, Bangkok’s city centre spans about 13 sq km which, when you factor in the tropical heat, is a little challenging to explore on foot. While it is possible to get around by walking, it’s somewhat uncomfortable and impractical. For example, getting from such highlights as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho to the shopping centres of Siam Square would take over 1 hour, covering about 5.6 km. Fortunately, there is a good range of public and private transport services to make things easier.
How do the BTS and MRT work?
The most convenient public transport systems in Bangkok are the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System, otherwise known as the Skytrain) and the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit). While very similar in nature, they are operated by separate companies and require different passes to ride. However, between them, they provide easy, comfortable and affordable transport around most of the centre of Bangkok and into some popular outlying neighbourhoods.
- Trains arrive every 3-6 minutes on both systems. The BTS runs from 6 am to midnight while the MRT starts from 5.30 am on weekdays and 6 am on weekends and holidays.
- Tickets for both systems are sold at the stations and must be purchased before you can access the platforms. Both use rechargeable cards, but you will need separate cards for the BTS and MRT.
Travelling by public buses
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) provides bus services to people living and working in Bangkok and provinces like Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, and Nakhon Pathom). BMTA covers over 100 routes and has more than 3,000 buses, including regular and air-conditioned buses as well as privately-owned buses and minibuses.
- Most buses (except for all-night ones) run between 5 am and 11 pm daily.
- Regular buses cost less than expressway buses. There are air-conditioned buses (cream-blue), all-night buses (cream-red), and EURO II buses (yellow-orange). Fares depend on the distance travelled.
- Tickets are bought from the conductor on the bus but remember to bring some small change. With the cost of tickets being so low, they will struggle to make change from even 100 baht.
Travelling by songthaews in Bangkok
Like most major cities in Thailand, Bangkok has a number of songthaew routes circling around busy neighbourhoods. Songthaews are covered pick-up trucks with 2 benches fitted in the back, giving them their name that literally translates to “2 rows”. They generally follow a circular route but it’s often hard to figure out exactly where it’s going. It’s best to ask the driver before you get on board. They will also tell you how much money you need to give them at the end of the trip. It usually isn’t much, but prices vary between areas and routes.
Tuk-tuks in Bangkok
The iconic tuk-tuk is one of Thailand’s most famous vehicles. The brightly-colour motorised rickshaws can be seen lined up outside most major tourist attractions and patrolling the older parts of the city. While riding in one is a bit of an adventure, there is no meter or formalised fee structure, so you will have to haggle the price with the driver before you depart. However, they are surprisingly speedy and agile, and their small size allows them to use routes that cars would struggle with, so they can be good for getting around quickly.
Taking a taxi
Taxis can be hailed on the street in Bangkok, and they’re not difficult to spot. They are painted in vivid colours, with different combinations denoting different cooperatives and companies.
- All taxis use a meter and the rates are regulated. Just make sure the driver switches the meter on at the start of the trip.
- Taxis mostly only take cash, though some may accept payment by bank transfer using a QR code.
- Tips are not mandatory, but you can round up the bill if you’re happy with your driver’s service.
- For shorter trips, motorbike taxis are quicker, though riding one can be a little scary. Each driver wears a distinctive orange vest. These do not have a meter so you will need to negotiate the price before departing.
Water taxis in Bangkok
You can explore a surprising amount of Bangkok from the water, either on the Chao Phraya River or the many khlongs (canals) that spread out from it. There are several different types of water taxis to choose from:
- Express Boat river taxis operate like buses along the river. Depending on exactly which service you choose, they may stop at every pier, main piers or only at the first and last. Costs vary by service.
- There are 32 separate river-crossing ferry services along the Chao Phraya River. Tickets are very cheap and they sail from one bank to the other and back throughout the day. This is especially convenient if you want to get from the Grand Palace to Wat Arun.
- Long-tail boats are the tuk-tuks of the waterways. While they are generally quick and quirky, you will need to haggle to get the price to a sensible level.
- Canal boats are the buses of the khlongs. Large, loud and surprisingly speedy, they run right through the city from the Old City to Ramkamheng. There’s usually a boat every 5-20 minutes, with the cost depending on the distance travelled, though rarely exceeding 20 baht.
Cycling around Bangkok with Pun Pun
The Pun Pun bike-sharing system provides a greener way of getting around Bangkok. There are about 50 stations around the city centre with space for 10 bikes at each, operating from 6 am to midnight.
- You will need to register at the Pun Pun Smart Bike Service website and then collect your Pun Pun smart card from one of the major bike stations. The card price includes life insurance as well as credit.
- To use a bike, tap your card on the screen at a station and enter your verification code. Choose your bike and take your card on the dock to unlock the bike.
- Use for less than 15 minutes is free and between 15 minutes and an hour costs you your first amount of baht. The price then increases in small increments up to a maximum amount of baht for more than 8 hours of cycling.
- Note that Bangkok’s roads can be very hazardous, so be extremely careful if you choose to get around by cycling.
