When you are in a foreign city, navigating the public transport system can be quite difficult. However, when it comes to public transport in Bangkok, the scenario is quite the opposite. The system is perfectly organised and well signposted in English, making it easy to navigate the public transport network.
Visitors to the city have many public transport options to choose from when travelling around Bangkok. Some of the most notable are rickshaws, tuk-tuks, motorbikes and regular taxis, buses, ferries and the metro – you can also get around on foot.
The subway and skytrain systems connect the main business, entertainment and shopping districts of Bangkok city, while express boats and river taxis can be used to explore the many historical attractions and sites along the river. If you are looking for a cheap mode of transport that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, then taxis are the way to go. Once considered one of the city’s greatest attractions, tuk-tuks are rapidly disappearing from the streets. Nevertheless, it is well worth taking a ride in one if you are visiting Bangkok.
Let us take a closer look at the different forms of public transport in Bangkok.
Public Transportation System in Bangkok Map
Map of Public Transportation in Bangkok showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the map in PDF format.
BTS Skytrain services
A convenient and efficient way to travel around Bangkok’s inner circles, the Skytrain is cheap enough to make for an enjoyable and relaxing journey. Modern, smooth and hi-tech, this elevated train does not usually run to all parts of the city, so you will need to use the services of a tuk-tuk or taxi to reach your destination.
The various stations are well marked and maintained, while the service is very frequent – you may not have to wait at all for a train to arrive. The Skytrain service can be used to reach destinations along the river, while the network has numerous hotels along the route, giving you the opportunity to stay away from the horrors of Bangkok’s city traffic.
A major problem with this service is that it is not very convenient for the elderly. As an elevated service, it can only be reached by stairs in most places, while only a few places have lifts. The BTS runs until midnight and has recently been extended to many stations west of the river. If you stay near Siam Centre, which is the junction of the two BTS lines, you can cover a large area of Bangkok with this public transport system.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Ferry Service
Cruising along a river that runs through the heart of one of the world’s great cities, lined on either side with a host of major attractions, has an old-world, romantic feel to it. Although the water in the river is not the cleanest and you are constantly splashed with smelly water, this scenario does not change. For this reason, a trip on the Chao Phraya River with the express boat service is not to be missed.
The Chao Phraya River has no less than five different boat lines: the Tourist Boat Line, the Orange Flag Line, the Green Flag Line, the Yellow Flag Line and the No Flag Line. Each of these flag lines has a different purpose. The no-flag line only stops at each pier on the route during peak times. The green, yellow and orange lines make scheduled stops at different piers throughout the day. Although it is more expensive to travel on the tourist boat, the journey is more comfortable and you will be provided with an audio guide in English that provides information on the various attractions along the waterfront.
Getting on one of the many ferry services in Bangkok is very easy as people along the pier are eager to sell you tickets at local prices. You can also use the service to cross the river on various routes at reasonable prices.
Bangkok Subway or Metro MRT service
The Metro is one of the latest additions to Bangkok’s public transport system. Although there is only one line in operation at the moment, tourists will find it very useful for travelling around the city. Moreover, you can really enjoy the modernity and cleanliness of these stations located in the heart of an otherwise chaotic city. There are interchange stations at Asoke and Silom where you can switch between the MRT and BTS services, although it is not practical to use both networks at the same time. However, you will need magnetic tokens to travel on the metro, while frequent users can consider buying a smartcard.
Bangkok Taxi service
Apart from the BTS and MRT services in Bangkok, taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around the city. Most of these vehicles are spacious and new, and while there are such conventional colours as red-blue and green-yellow taxis in Bangkok, you might just catch a funky coloured vehicle with shades of pink, red and even bright orange. If you are near one of the many tourist attractions, shopping malls or hotels, finding a taxi will not be too difficult. However, be prepared to be in trouble if it starts to rain.
Communicating with taxi drivers can be a problem as they do not speak enough English. Try to be imaginative and innovative when explaining things to them. Metered taxis usually work, although in some cases you may need to make a firm but polite request to the driver to switch on the meter to save you the trouble of negotiating later. Remember the souls behind the wheel who spend their days weaving through the city’s legendary traffic, and be generous with your tip.
Public bus service in Bangkok
The city of Bangkok has an extensive bus network. However, due to the fact that there are better ways to travel around the city and that the bus routes do not provide much information in English, most tourists tend to stay away from this form of public transport. However, if you are looking for an adventurous trip and want to experience different aspects of the city’s culture, a bus ride is a good idea. Just tell the conductor where you want to go and he will direct you to your stop.
As well as all these modern public transport options, there is also the tuk-tuk, Bangkok’s famous and historic means of transport. In fact, many people feel that if you do not take a tuk-tuk at least once during your stay in Bangkok, your tour is incomplete. However, it may be wise to save the experience for a city where the air is less polluted and the roads less congested. Tuk-tuks are essentially three-wheeled motorised vehicles that can be found all over the city. They are not metered and fares have to be negotiated with the drivers. Never use them as your main means of transport as they lack basic comfort and are more expensive than a taxi. Around some of the tourist sites, drivers may take you to shopping areas stating that one of the tourist sites is closed – be aware of their dishonest schemes. Travelling by tuk-tuk should be seen as a heritage experience and nothing more.
You may have heard the infamous stories about Bangkok’s traffic. Sure, they are all true to a T. Getting stuck in one of the city’s many traffic jams is to be expected, and it is a waste of valuable time. However, thanks to Bangkok’s modern and excellent public transport network, getting from one part of the city to another is surprisingly easy.
