How to get around Bangkok [easily]- BTS – MRT – Boats

Ready to find out how to get around Bangkok?

Bangkok is a big, bustling and chaotic city that among other things (things that are much more exciting), has gained a reputation for its horrendous traffic.

While there is no denying Bangkok’s traffic situation, there is ways to avoid being the one wasting time stuck in it. To achieve this its important to understand, or have an idea how the public transport network in Bangkok works.

Bangkok has a solid public transport network. From the futuristic skytrain (BTS) and underground train (MRT) and public river boats to more conventional buses, taxis and obviously the iconic tuk-tuks, there’s various ways to get around Bangkok.

The best option to move around Bangkok will depend on where you are and where you’re going. That’s because certain options such as the BTS, MRT and river boats are only available in certain parts of the city. So now let’s see how to get around Bangkok.

Bangkok layout

To properly understand how Bangkok’s transportation system works, it’s important to know how Bangkok is actually laid out. Having a good idea of the city layout will help you easily understand everything else in this guide and ultimately make the most out of your time in Asia’s city of Angels.

Central Bangkok is divided into 2 rather distinct sections: Old Bangkok and Modern Bangkok.

Old Bangkok sits to the east and is a relatively compact area that is home to the majority of cultural and historic sites and old neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Banglamphu and Thonburi. While there is a limited mass transit infrastructure, traffic isn’t so bad so taxis and public buses are still quite efficient. The Chao Phraya river boats are also a convenient option to move around this part of Bangkok.

Modern Bangkok incorporates a very big area that extends east from the city’s old quarters. This part of the city includes Sukhumvit and Siam to the North and Silom and Sathon to the South. While this part of the city is densely populated and consequentially suffers from congested traffic, there is a solid public transport and mass transit network which make it convenient to get around.

BTS Skytrain

The BTS skytrain is easily the most convenient and straightforward way to move around the modern part of Bangkok. There is 2 BTS lines: Sukhumvit line (green line on mass transit map) and Silom line (turquoise line on mass transit map)

The lines meet at Siam station close to the malls Siam Paragon, MBK and Central World.

Sukhumvit line travels north from Siam station connecting to stops such as Phaya Thai, Ari and Mo Chit, and east which includes the stops Nana, Asoke, Thonlo and Ekkamai.

Silom line travels south and then extends west crossing over the Chao Phraya river. Popular stops are all located along the first part of the journey and these include Sala Daeng (near Lumphini park), Saint Louis and Saphan Taksin to interchange with river boats and to get to Icon Siam.

MRT Underground

There are a few MRT lines in Bangkok but I’m referring to the blue line. It’s the first MRT line that was built and an underground railway and and another mass rapid transit option to get around Bangkok. This line connects areas of modern Bangkok such as Asoke and Sala Daeng to Old Bangkok (Hua Lamphong, Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Sanam Chai).

Riverboats

The Chao Phraya river is like a massive highway that weaves through (mostly) Old Bangkok. Using the river boats is a convenient way to get around Bangkok especially if visiting cultural sites because many are located on or close to the river.

Take one of the river boats to Tha Tien Pier for Wat Arun, Wat Pho and The Grand Palace and Phra Arthit pier across the road from Rambuttri and Khaosan road. If you’re in modern Bangkok, ride the BTS to Saphan Taksin station. This is the interchange to the boats where you can also charter a private boat and take the ferry to Icon Siam (the nicest mall in Bangkok with an unbelievable view from inside a massive Apple store).

Dive into Bangkok culture after dark

Discover Bangkok’s enchanting nightlife on a tuk-tuk tour. Glide through the city’s illuminated streets, marvel at ancient temples and modern skyscrapers, and explore bustling markets and palaces. Indulge in street food delights as your local guide unveils the city’s secrets. →book it here

Tuk-Tuks

Nothing beats the thrill of riding a tuk-tuk with bright neon lights, pumping loud music and zig-zagging through traffic at high speed. Tuk-tuks are fun and an icon of this amazing Kingdom. A trip to Thailand isn’t complete before experiencing a tuk-tuk ride.

Tuk-tuks operate the same way as taxi, minus the meter. You give the driver your destination, you get a fixed price, you always negotiate. And make sure you do because while tuk-tuks are fun, they are also the most expensive way to get around Bangkok.

Taxis

While the BTS, MRT and river boats are a great way to move around the majority of Bangkok, the stops may still be a few kilometers away from where you need to go. In these cases, taxis are a convenient and affordable option. When using a taxi in Bangkok make sure you ask the driver to use the meter, most will accept while other may refuse and instead give you a fixed price. If that is the case, you can either negotiate a price or politely decline and wave down another taxi. A 4km taxi ride

GRAB – Ride Hailing

GRAB is the equivalent of UBER and works exactly the same way. You download the app, order a car that will pick you up and take you where you need to go. It’s practical especially when you can’t find any available taxis. While GRAB is convenient in some cases, you must know that rides are more expensive than metered taxis. We found that a GRAB ride was often double what we eventually paid for a taxi by meter.

Buses

In Bangkok you’ll find all sorts of buses in a rainbow of colors: orange, red, peach, blue. Some are banged up and have no A/C, other are modern and have freezing air condition. So yes there is buses, but there in no way I could explain how system works, it’s just too complicated and personally I have only used buses for about 5 routes. A bus ride will cost between ฿8 and ฿20 for the modern A/C buses.

Songtaews

A common way to travel short distances is with a songtaews which is basically a van (of any size) with 2 benches fitted in the back. Songtaews literally means 2 rows. One of the best places to use songtaews is along the side streets branching off Sukhumvit road. You’ll find these vans going up and down the road and terminating their journey at the BTS stop. The vans operate like buses, so passengers will get on and off and a ride costs ฿10 regardless of the distance.

Final thoughts

To recap, keep these things in mind on how to get around in each area.

Sukhumvit – BTS skytrain (green line on map) Siam station is interchange to Silom

Silom – BTS skytrain (turquoise line on map) Siam station is interchange to Sukhumvit

Old Bangkok – River boats, taxis, tuk-tuks, buses?