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Although the easiest way to get around Bangkok is to simply hire a car and driver from the hotel travel desk, the city has a full range of public transportation methods and these are inexpensive to use as well as providing you with an excellent way of experiencing city life.  | Skytrain
The Bangkok Skytrain, or BTS, is a treat as much as a transportation system, gliding above the streets at rooftop level. Covering most of downtown, the system has two lines with an interchange at Siam Square. The Sukhumvit Line runs from Mo Chit (location of the main bus terminus for provincial services to the North and Northeast) to Siam Square and then along Sukhumvit Road to On Nut. The Silom Line runs from the National Stadium, through Siam Square, and to the river at Saphan Taksin. |
Both of the Skytrain lines are being extended, the Sukhumvit Line to Bang Na and Bearing, and the Silom Line due to cross the river and terminate at Wong Wien Ya.
Operating hours - 06:00-24:00hrs with trains every 3-6 minutes. During the peak periods of 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00 trains run every 2 minutes.
Fares - Single fare is between 10 and 40 baht depending on distance. A 1-day Tourist Pass is 100 baht, and a 3-day Tourist Pass 280 baht.
Metro
The Bangkok Metro, or MRT, is an underground railway system that runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, Bangkok's mainline railway terminus. Passengers can transfer to the Skytrain at three stations, namely Silom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park Operating hours - 06:00-24:00hrs with trains a maximum of every 10 minutes during off-peak hours and less than 5 minutes during the peak hours of 06:00-09:00 and 04:30-07:30.
Fares - Single journey tokens cost between 15 baht and 39 baht depending on distance (reduced rates for children and elders). Motorcycle Taxi
The fastest way of getting through Bangkok's traffic is by motorcycle taxi, and you can find one at a rank outside any hotel or landmark. Locals tend to use them as a feeder service between the main roads and destinations within the sois. Crash helmets are mandatory. Taxi
All Bangkok taxis are metered and air-conditioned, and the red-lit sign in the windscreen means that service is available. The drivers seldom speak English, but many have a radio connection to an English-language speaker. It is advisable to ask your hotel to write your destination in Thai, and to carry a hotel card for when you return to base. Tuk Tuk
The proud little tuk-tuk, a symbol of Bangkok, is fine for a short journey. Agree on the fare before you get in, as there is no meter or fixed charge. |  |
Boat
Travelling by boat along the Chao Phraya River is another travel option that is both practical and pleasurable. Chao Phraya Express boats ply up and down the river between southern Bangkok and and Nonthaburi, the province immediately to the north, with stops at some of Rattanakosin's main attractions. Passengers board at piers that have English language route maps, and pay the ticket collector on board. The Central Pier has an interchange with the Skytrain Saphan Taksin station.
For trips outside the set routes, you can hire a long-tail river taxi at any major pier.
Operating hours - The Chao Phraya Express 21 km route is served by 65 boats and operates between 06:00 to 19:30 pm daily.
Fares - From 10 baht to 34 baht, depending on the distance travelled. Saen Saeb Canal
The Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service operates along the Saen Saeb Canal through central Bangkok, providing a traffic-free trip between Siam Square and Banglamphu, or in the opposite direction, to Ramkhamhaeng and Bang Kapi. The 18 km route is served by 100 boats of 40-50 seats, and operates between 05:30am to 20:30pm daily. Prices are 10 to 20 baht, depending on distance travelled. Bus
Local buses, mostly operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, the BMTA, are the cheapest way of getting around but for a non-Thai speaker the routes can be bewildering. There are several classes of bus, ranging from the small green bus and the large red or white-and-blue buses, which are not air-conditioned, through to the blue-and-yellow and the orange buses, which have air-conditioning and are a comfortable way to travel. |
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