Getting Around Bangkok

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Situated at the heart of the country, Bangkok is equipped with several modes of transportation that allow convenient traveling to and within Thailand. It is a major center of international flights throughout Asia and served as a domestic Hub of Thailand. Daily flights of many airlines operate to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the main gateway for visitors entering Thailand. The Bangkok international airport connects with major countries of the world and all regions of Thailand whereas some domestic flights are available at Don Muang Airport. Those traveling on the road will find 4 main highway networks which connects Bangkok to the four regions of Thailand. Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) links Bangkok to the North. Highway No.2 (Mitraphap Road) links Bangkok to the Northeast. Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit Road) links Bangkok to the East Coast. Highway No. 4 (Phetchkasem Road) links Bangkok to the South. The centers for bus and train services to various destinations in Thailand are also located in Bangkok. Tickets for bus services are available at three public bus terminals in Bangkok where as the train ticket can be bought from the Hualamphong Train Station.   switzerland honeymoon package   Interlaken Holiday Rental

A lively city with millions of people, Bangkok provides a variety of excellent and efficient transportations to get people from one place to another. Whether it is the simple buses and taxis, all time favorite Tuk Tuk, adventurous motorcycle taxi, elevated Sky Train, underground Metro, river taxis across the water, or even the airport rail link to Suvararnabhumi Airport, all can be found anytime and almost everywhere within this City of Angels.

Buses

The most common method of transports amongst the Thais is the bus service due to its extensive numbers, choices and inexpensive fares. Many kinds of buses in Bangkok include air-conditioned buses, mini buses, and air-conditioned micro buses with the fare ranging from 7-25 baht. A bus route map can be obtained from most hotels, bookshops and the TAT office, and the number to call for bus route information is 184.

Taxis

The colorful metered taxis can be easily spotted and taken everywhere in Bangkok, with the set fare of 35 baht for the first three kilometers, then approximately five baht for every additional kilometer. It is recommended to ensure that the meter is switched on before you start the journey to avoid being charged an unreasonable fare. Passengers are also responsible to pay the toll when traveling on the expressway.

Tuk Tuk

The famous Tuk Tuk or three-wheeled mini taxi with open-air seating is a popular choice for traveling within Bangkok amongst the tourists. It is cheaper than taxis and suitable only for shorter journeys. It costs from 20 baht to 100 baht depending on the length of the journey, and you are advised to make sure to negotiate the fares before the journey starts as there is no meter.

Motorcycle Taxis

If you want the quickest way to travel in the busy Bangkok when the streets are jammed, look for the drivers with numbered orange vests. They are the motorcycle taxi drivers, who can be found in almost every major street corner and are eager to weave you through the traffics. Before your journey, remember to negotiate the fares and wearing helmets, not only for your own safety but also because it is against the law to ride a motorcycle without one.

Skytrain

Run by (BTS) Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Sky train is one of the quickest and most convenient ways of traveling within Bangkok. It is one of the light elevated railways in the world. There are two lines of BTS Sky Train, Sukhumvit and Silom, which operate everyday from 6:00 a.m. till midnight. The Sukhumvit line runs between Moh Chit station near Chatuchak market and On Nut station at Sukhumvit Soi 77. The Silom line runs between Saphan Taksin station by the Chao Phraya River and the National Stadium station on Rama I Road. The two lines connect at Siam station with two platform levels. The trains run every few minutes and the fares range from 15 to 40 baht per journey, with a variety of passes such as Single Journey Pass, Daily Pass, or Smart Pass. Due to its popularity, the train lines continue to expand, with the grand opening of the BTS Green Line, extending from Saphan Taksin station further to Taksin Road station in late 2009; and the Light Green Line, extending from On Nut station to Baring station near Samut Prakarn in 2010.

Bangkok Metro

An alternative means of traveling in Bangkok in a hurry is the metro, or the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which is built by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and run by Bangkok Metro Public Company limited. The MRT or known in Thai as Rot Fai Fah Maha Nakhon or Rot Fai Tai Din, the underground train, runs from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.

The single line metro extends in a wide loop from Hua Lumphong, the main rail station, then back via the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to the smaller rail station of Bang Sue to the north. The subway intersects with BTS Sky Train at three stations; Silom (BTS’s Saladaeng station), Sukhumvit (BTS’s Asoke station) and Chatuchak (BTS’s Mo Chit station). The fare ranges from 16 to 41 baht depending on the distance traveled and there are also One-Day, Three-Day and 30-Day Pass available.

Airport Rail Link

Located about 25 kilometers east of Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be linked to the city with high-speed rail link in late 2009. The City Airport Terminal is in Makkasan/Asoke and there are other seven city terminals including Phayathai, Ratchaprarop, Ramkamhaeng, Huamak, Bantubchang, Ladkrabung and Suvarnabhumi. This Airport Rail Link is connected BTS’s Sukhumvit Line and the MRT’s Blue Line at Phaya Thai and Phetchaburi stations.

River Taxis
Many of the major tourist attractions are along the river Chao Phraya , making river taxis another convenient, fast and comfortable way of traveling in Bangkok. River taxis run along the Chao Phraya River costing 6 baht, depending on the length of the journey. Long-tail boats are fast and take you on a fascinating journey through the city’s canal network and there is also a two-hour private tour that costs about 500 baht. There are many types of ferries crossing the river between Bangkok and Thonburi at various places. Major riverside hotels also provide their own shuttle services.

The Chao Phraya Express Boat Company runs its long, white express boats as a regular river bus service, and also charter boats. There are four express boat routes:

Local line round trips between Nonthaburi Pier and Wat Ratchasingkhorn, a riverside temple in Yannawa area. Boats call at 34 piers and the service is every quarter of an hour from 6:00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Orange Flag Express round trips between Nonthaburi Pier and Wat Ratchasingkhorn stopping at 18 piers from 5:50 a.m until 7:00 p.m.
Yellow Flag Express round trips between Nonthaburi Pier to Thon Buri's Ratburana Pier stopping at 10 piers from 6:10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Green-Yellow Flag Express round trips from Nonthaburi Pier to Sathon Pier, stopping at 3 piers from 6:15 a.m. to 6:05 p.m

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