Best ways to travel around Bangkok

Wherever your Thailand travel itinerary takes you, the chances are you are going to be spending at least a few days in Bangkok.  Like many capital cities around the world, the different transport options can be confusing for first-time visitors. To help you plan your travels in Bangkok, we’ve put together an introductory guide with the most useful transport options for tourists. 

Airport Rail Link

Depending on where you are staying in Bangkok, the Airport Rail Link (ARL) can be a convenient option. The train connects Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport with downtown Bangkok. The two most useful stations for most tourists are:

• Makkasan: connects with the MRT Metro (Blue Line) at Phetchaburi station
• Phaya Thai: connects with the BTS Skytrain (Sukhumvit Line) at Phaya Thai station

There were previously two routes on the ARL; the City Line and the Express Line. As of 2024, there is only the City Line which stops at all stations between Suvarnabhumi and Phaya Thai. However, the journey time into central Bangkok is still quick at 25 minutes and costs only 35 Baht from Suvarnabhumi to Makkasan or 45 Baht to Phaya Thai.

Trains run approximately every 15 minutes between 05.30 and midnight. Carriages and stations are clean and modern and the Airport Rail Link is a good option for solo travellers or anyone travelling light who wants to connect with the Skytrain or Metro. If you are travelling with family or have a lot of luggage, taking a taxi directly to or from your hotel may still be a better option than the ARL. 
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Ticket machines
When using ticket machines at locations such as the Airport Rail Link, BTS Skytrain, and MRT Metro, there is an English-language option on the touch-screen. Follow the prompts to issue the ticket which often comes in the form of a token. There are also booths where staff can issue tickets, but at peak times there can be long queues and you may find it quicker to use the ticket machines.

Despite plans, there is still no single ticket to combine all of the different modes of transport.

BTS Skytrain

Locals refer to this as the BTS (an abbreviation of Bangkok Mass Transit System) and it’s a fast and efficient way to travel around Bangkok. The modern, air-conditioned BTS system runs above the city streets and is a great way to beat Bangkok’s infamous traffic jams. The Skytrain runs from 6am to midnight and if used in conjunction with the MRT Metro (see below), covers many of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. 

Convenient stops include:

• Asok: for Benjakitti Forest Park, Terminal 21 shopping mall
• Siam: interchange station (connecting Silom Line and Sukhumvit Line), and central hub for shopping malls
• Saphan Taksin: for boat services on the Chao Phraya River

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MRT Metro

Known simply as the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit), the MRT Metro is another fast and efficient way to travel around Bangkok. The MRT subway system mostly runs underground and covers a number of the city’s popular tourist destinations including the Grand Palace. Several of the stations have been beautifully decorated to reflect the heritage of the area they serve. 

Notable stops on the MRT include:

• Sanam Chai: for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
• Wat Mangkon: for Chinatown
• Sam Yot: for Chinatown, Golden Mount, Loha Prasat, and Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing)
• Bang Sue: for Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal (for long-distance trains e.g. to Chiang Mai, and Red Line trains to Don Mueang Airport)

As with the BTS Skytrain, you can purchase tickets at any MRT Metro station or use a rechargeable card for multiple trips.

Route map

Good to know
The ARL, BTS and MRT are all clean, modern and efficient. With air-conditioning, the system is a pleasure to use in the heat of Bangkok. The BTS and MRT do get crowded during peak times and as good as the system is, not ideal if you are travelling with large bags when the trains are busy. Observe signs which say no eating or drinking and follow the lead from Thai people when it comes to politely queuing as you wait for the trains.

Taxis

Taxis are everywhere in Bangkok. Coming in a variety of colours, they are a cheap and easy option for getting to locations that aren’t near a BTS or MRT station. Taxis in Bangkok are supposed to use their meters and, for the most part, they do. However, taxis parked outside hotels and tourist attractions will often quote you a set price off the meter. You’ll almost always get a better price by walking to the nearest road and flagging down a moving taxi that will use the meter. 

Not all taxi drivers will speak English and if you have your destination written in Thai it can help. Showing a map on your phone is another option if the locations are shown in Thai.

As an alternative to the taxi meter, ride-hailing apps are a popular option for tourists and locals alike. There is no Uber in Thailand, but the two most commonly used apps are Bolt and Grab. 

Whichever taxi service you use, be prepared for traffic jams, especially during rush hour and when it’s raining. 

Tuk-Tuks

Tuk-tuks can be a fun way to get around Bangkok, especially if you are with children or are visiting Bangkok for the first time. They can be sanuk for a short trip, but will normally be more expensive than a taxi meter. You will need to negotiate the fare with the driver before getting in. Bangkok tuk-tuk drivers in tourist areas do have a reputation for inflating the price so use your common sense to decide what is a fair price before jumping in. 

To avoid rip-offs and scams but still enjoy all the fun of the tuk-tuks, you can arrange a tuk-tuk tour through a reputable company like Expique.

Chao Phraya Express Boats

The Chao Phraya River has been a major transportation route for centuries and continues to be used by locals on their daily commute. The Chao Phraya Express Boats are a fleet of river taxis that transport locals and tourists alike up and down the river. Quick, efficient, and cheap, they are a great way to travel to or from some of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital.

There are several different types of boats in the Chao Phraya Express fleet, each with its own route and schedule. The most convenient boats for visitors to Bangkok are the orange-flagged boats, which make stops close to most of the major tourist attractions along the river. Fares are a flat rate of 16 Baht.

• Central Pier (Tha Sathorn): for Saphan Taksin Skytrain station
• N5 (Tha Rachavongse): for Chinatown
• N8 (Tha Tien)*: for Wat Pho and cross-river ferry to Wat Arun 
• N9 (Tha Chang): for Grand Palace and Wat Pho

(*Pier has been renovated and is scheduled to reopen in March 2024)

There is also the option to travel on a dedicated tourist boat. While this is more expensive than the standard express boats used by commuters, the boats are more comfortable, less crowded, and a great option for first-time visitors. An all-day pass is around 150 Baht.

Canal boats

Bangkok was once crisscrossed by a network of canals. Although most have now made way for roads, it’s still possible to travel along some of the remaining routes. The canal boats provide a unique way to see another side to Bangkok. 

Taxi boats operate at frequent intervals along the central canal known as Khlong Saen Saep. Tourists are welcome to use these, but they are commuter boats and don’t allow passengers much time to get on or off. It’s hot, often smelly, and spray from the canal can hit you as the boats whizz along. If you’re adventurous these boasts can be a great experience, but give them a miss if you prefer comfort or aren’t as mobile as you once were.

If you’re travelling from the Sukhumvit area, there are several piers you can use including Asoke Pier (near Phetchaburi MRT station), Pratunam Pier (near Central World), and Hua Chang Pier (near National Stadium BTS station). The best route for sightseeing is travelling west towards the old city area. Get off at Panfa Leelard Pier and you can make the short walk across the ‘Crying Bridge‘ to the Golden Mount. 

For a more leisurely option, you can also take a private tour of the canals. Longtail boats can be hired at several piers including near Wat Arun or you can ask your hotel for advice. Tours can also be arranged online via Hidden Bangkok Boat and Co Van Kessel.

How to explore Bangkok’s canals

Walking

Walking might not be an obvious way to get around Bangkok, but can be a great way to explore parts of the city. You’ll need to be prepared for the heat and humidity and be sure to keep hydrated and wear comfortable shoes.

There are some wonderful walking routes in Bangkok, especially around the historic Rattanakosin old city area, Chinatown, and Talad Noi. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Bangkok office has put together some useful walking maps which detail interesting things to see and do and where to eat along the way. More details in the link here:
Bangkok walking routes

Bus

The standard buses in Bangkok aren’t ideal for first-time visitors, but there is a hop-on hop-off tourist bus that may be of interest.

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