Public Transport In Bangkok: A Tourist’s Guide To BTS, MRT, Tuk-Tuks & More

Bangkok is a fairly simple city to navigate when it comes to sightseeing, food, and hotels. However, what can get tricky to navigate is the public transport system in the city. Bangkok is huge and densely packed, meaning getting from point A to point B in the city is not a cakewalk! Add frequent traffic jams, language barriers, and seemingly confusing routes and tourists end up in a dilemma! Worry not, team unstumbled’s at your rescue. Here is a comprehensive guide on public transport in Bangkok.

BTS, MRT, Tuk-Tuks, And More: Guide To Public Transport In Bangkok

BTS Sky Train

You must’ve heard a lot about the BTS Sky Train from international tourists in Bangkok, and let us tell you that the train deserves all the hype it gets! While the rest of the city gets stuck in traffic jams, the BTS Sky Train is your key to smooth, hassle-free rides through the city. 

The electric train system is great for exploring key tourist destinations in Bangkok like Siam Paragon, MBK Center, and Central World as they are well-connected to the BTS Sky Train. Just remember that the timings between 7 AM and 9 AM and then 5 PM to 7 PM are considered to be the rush hours – so be careful when traveling in this train during these times.

Lines: Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line

Interchange station: Siam Station

Frequency: 5 to 10 mins

Timings: 5:15 AM till midnight

Fares: Starting 15 Thai Baht – THB (INR 39)

Bangkok MRT Subway

While the BTS Sky Train eases travel above the ground, the Bangkok Metropolitan Rail Transit eases travel under the ground, that too for millions of passengers each year. The MRT is slightly slower than the BTS Sky Train but handles most of the city commute, thanks to widespread connectivity in and around the city. 

The MRT, just like the BTS Sky Train, is a train system that facilitates the city’s traffic, meaning it is best to avoid it during peak rush hours. However, despite that, the MRT remains a convenient, affordable, and well-connected means of public transport in Bangkok.

Lines: Purple Line and Blue Line

Interchange station: Tao Poon Station

Frequency: 5 to 10 mins

Timings: 6:00 AM till midnight

Fares: Starting 15 Thai Baht – THB (INR 39).

Note that you can also exchange to the BTS Sky Train via the MRT. For this, you must alight at the Sala Deng, Asok, and Mo Chit stations.

Tuk-Tuks

Just like Indian cities have their autorickshaws, Thailand has its tuk-tuks. These Thai  autorickshaws are a fast and cheap means of getting in and around the city. After all, no trip to Bangkok is complete without a mandatory tuk-tuk ride on Bangkok’s streets. They’re fast, convenient, and most importantly, so iconic! While these autorickshaws are a fun way of exploring Bangkok, you must keep these things in mind:

• Prices can vary depending on the distance and destination you’re traveling, so prepare to haggle!
• Tuk-tuks are great for short trips within the city but do not rely on them for longer travel.
• Take care of your belongings when riding a tuk-tuk through a crowded or touristy area. Basically, beware of snatchers!
• Keep translation apps like Google Translate to communicate with the tuk-tuk driver.
• With no seat belts and closed doors, riding a tuk-tuk is a comparatively less safer option than riding a train or a bus.

Taxis

Taxis are a great way of traveling within the city, and while it is safer than a tuk-tuk, it is a more expensive deal. Taxis are also way more comfortable than tuk-tuks, thanks to air-conditioning. This proves especially helpful when traveling in Bangkok in the peak sunny hours. However, it is essential that you pick a taxi by first going through all the pointers mentioned below:

• Prefer metered taxis over non-metered ones. Metered taxis offer a fair price for your journey whereas you’ll have to haggle with the driver of a non-metered taxi to settle on the fare.
• Taxi fares can start from THB 35 (INR 92) but fares can increase in traffic jams, making it more expensive than most other forms of transport.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Ride-hailing services come especially handy when you do not wish to haggle your way through a ride and are looking for a safe and cheap way of getting in and around a city. Luckily, Bangkok has an amazing network of ride-hailing services that include both taxis and bikes. 

And the best way to make use of this service is to use apps like Grab and InDrive, preferably Grab. Often dubbed as the Uber of Southeast Asia, Grab offers affordable and quick rides within Bangkok as well as services like hotel bookings and food delivery. Grab and InDrive’s ride-hailing services are also perfect for solo travelers or travelers who cannot drive. This makes transport in Bangkok even more convenient, accessible, and affordable.

Bangkok Buses

Buses are a great means of public transport that cover both short and long distance routes. Hop on a bus and you’re ready to explore Bangkok just like the locals. However, remember that the bus service in Bangkok isn’t exactly the most peaceful – we’re talking about long traffic jams, loud vehicle noises, sweaty passengers, and unexpected delays. Despite that, millions of locals use buses to commute within the city. 

There are different kinds of buses –  air-conditioned (AC), non air-conditioned, short distance, long-distance, private, as well as minibuses. So, it can get a little confusing for a new traveler to navigate the bus system in Bangkok. If you don’t wish to end up in a confused state of chaos, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Preferably carry cash and that too in small Thai Baht denominations to purchase bus tickets.
• Keep Google Translate handy at all times.
• Download apps like Moovit and Google Maps to plan out your routes.
• Also, keep a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) map handy with you. You can get it at almost any bus station.
• Press the buzzer inside the bus to signal the driver that you wish to disembark on the upcoming bus stop.
• Buses are usually operational between 5 AM and 11 PM, with long-distance or overnight buses being a few exceptions.
• Bus fares generally start at around 8 THB (INR 21) but are slightly higher for AC buses.

Boats And Ferries

Boats and ferries tell us that the best way to deal with the road traffic in Bangkok is to simply avoid it! While boats and ferries are not as popular forms of transport in the city, they’re still widely used by locals and tourists alike. These boats and ferries ferry passengers between two points or have a multi-point route, ensuring flexibility and convenience. But before you hop on a boat ride, remember these pointers:

• There are different kinds of boat rides that indicate different routes and stops, so make sure you get all the information of your route before embarking on a boat ride.
• While there are frequent hop-on hop-off boat services in Bangkok, you can also opt for customized boat rides. You can customize the routes as well as some services, but remember that these are comparatively expensive.
• During peak hours, boats can witness large crowds. So, avoid these rides during the peak hours or prepare in advance for facing the crowd.
• As most boat rides are situated along the Chao Phraya river, routes are limited.
• Fares for boats and ferries start anywhere between THB 10 to THB 40 (INR 26 to INR 105).

Comparison At A Glance

Summing Up

Public transport in Bangkok is all about the mix-and-match formula: use a combination of different transport methods to reach your destination. Be it a convenient taxi ride, a fun tuk-tuk ride, or a scenic ferry on the Chao Phraya, these modes of transport are what makes exploring Bangkok even more fun! Be informed, keep cash handy, and consult the locals when confused – and we assure you that your experience would be worth it!