Bangkok, the capital of Thailand! Some find it a delightful city while others want to leave as soon as possible. The fact is that Bangkok is always busy and traffic is often jammed. To still get to all the fun highlights in Bangkok, you can use several public transportation options. Below we tell you more about the 8 best options for transportation in Bangkok.
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Always have a local SIM card that allows you to use the Internet. So you can easily look up your route yourself via Google Maps. Google Maps shows the shortest and easiest route to get to your destination by public transportation.
1. MRT Metro
Bangkok does not have as extensive a subway system as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. There are few lines and stations. The Blue Line is the most frequently used and passes a number of highlights. Buying a ticket is easy: at the station there are ticket machines everywhere where you can buy tickets with cash or you go to a ticket booth where you indicate where you want to go. You can then use the ticket or a coin to get to the subway. When you get to your final station you put the coin or ticket in the gate and then you can exit the subway station again. A ticket costs on average 20 – 40 baht (€0.50 – 1)
The subways are very crowded during rush hour early in the morning and in the afternoon. Still, there is always room for even more people. There are four subway stations where you can transfer to the BTS Skytrain.
2. BTS Skytrain
The BTS Skytrain is Bangkok’s overground subway system. This subway connects Bangkok’s popular neighborhoods. Therefore, you will probably use the BTS more than the MRT. Buying a ticket works the same as with the MRT.
There are two BTS lines as well as an Airport Rail Link. It is directly connected to Bangkok’s international airport: Suvarnabhumi airport. Ideal if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a cab after you land and want to get to your hotel quickly.
Tip: check out the list of the 15 best activities in Bangkok here!
3. Grab/Bolt
In Bangkok, many drivers drive for Grab and Bolt. These are apps that allow you to safely book a cab to your destination. You immediately see how much the ride costs, you see exactly where the driver is and what the license plate number is (so you recognize him). After arriving at your final destination, simply pay the amount in cash. This is the safest way of getting a cab because Grab and Bolt always screen the drivers and you can also leave feedback in the app about the driver.
4. Motortaxi
There are extremely many motorcycle cabs driving around Bangkok. This is the easiest and, more importantly, fastest way to get around in this huge city. Motorcycles can easily maneuver through traffic and do not have to sit in traffic jams. Yet sometimes it can also be dangerous, especially if you need to take a ride that takes you a little further. They can safely drive 80 kilometers per hour with you behind. You should consider for yourself whether you want to do this and possibly offer to pay a little extra if he drives a little less fast. You can recognize the motorcycle cabs by the yellow and orange vests they wear or you can also order a motorcycle cab through Grab and Bolt. You will automatically see the option in the app.
5. Cab
Wherever you look in Bangkok: cabs are everywhere. There are green-yellow cabs and pink cabs. We ourselves are not normally a fan of the cab because you get ripped off quickly and therefore it can be a little more dangerous than the Grab or Bolt. Still, sometimes you can’t escape taking the cab, especially at night. Then always indicate that the meter should be on. If the cab driver does not want to do this you get out again immediately and try another. The cab’s starting fare is 35 baht (€1) and each kilometer costs 10 – 15 baht.
6. Tuktuk
If you are in Asia, you really must have sat in a tuktuk at least once. Bangkok’s tuktuks are colorful and cruise everywhere in between. The tuktuks are at once one of the most expensive means of transportation in Bangkok: for a 10-minute ride, you’ll soon pay 200 baht. Make sure you try to haggle some before you get in.
7. Boat
Another, very nice, option for transportation in Bangkok is by boat! The Chao Phraya River is the main river that runs through the city. Many attractions in Bangkok, such as Wat Arun, Chinatown and Iconsiam are on the waterfront. So by boat you can easily get to these places.
You can easily buy tickets from the ticket sellers on the pier. They will also help you board the right boat because there are many different providers and types of boats. Tickets cost 20 – 30 baht ( €0.50 – 0.80). We really loved the transportation in Bangkok by boat and highly recommend it to everyone! This route is also clearly marked out on Google Maps.
8. City Bus
The city bus is a wonderful way to explore Bangkok. It’s a very slow option because traffic is (almost) always jammed but at least you will have great views. There are different types of city buses: some are brand new with air conditioning and others are almost falling apart. A ride of a few kilometers can take a really long time by bus. They can drive badly through the traffic jams and they stop very often. Again, it is useful to keep your Google Maps handy because everything is called out in Thai, otherwise you have no idea when you will get to your destination.
Buying a ticket is very simple. You just get on the bus and after a while someone comes up to you and asks you where to go. To him you pay. A ticket costs between 5 and 20 baht (€0.20 – 0.50).
Conclusion on transportation in Bangkok
Transportation in Bangkok is less set on the subway than in other Asian cities but nevertheless well organized. With so many options, you can always choose something suitable. In addition, transportation in Bangkok is very cheap and you can easily get to all the sights. It is advisable to take a ride by boat and take a motorcycle cab for the other stretches if you want to get to your destination quickly.
Are you still looking for a nice hostel, hotel or apartment in Bangkok? Then check out our list of the nicest accommodations in Bangkok!
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