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How to get around Thailand: all the means of transport
General information about transport in Thailand
Thailand's transport network is quite dense and can take you almost anywhere in the country, at least by bus. The bus is the most popular means of transport and the one most used by locals, and there are also many minivan companies. The train serves all four corners of Thailand, but not all the major cities: there is no train to popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Sukhothai or Krabi.Around thirty towns in Thailand have an airport with at least one flight to Bangkok (though not always daily). To reach the Thai islands, there are ferry and speedboat companies, and sometimes local longtail boats for short distances. And if you plan to rent a vehicle to explore Thailand's roads, it's best to learn a few rules first.
For transport in Bangkok, besides the famous tuk-tuks and multicolored taxis, there are several public transport options: metro, Skytrain, buses, Chao Phraya Express boats and the boats on the khlongs (Bangkok's canals). The metro network has grown a lot in recent years, and several new lines are under construction.
Transport in Thailand
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Public transport in Thailand
Trains in Thailand
The train is certainly the cheapest means of transport in Thailand, and 3rd class tickets are very cheap. But trains are also very slow – their average speed is about 40 km/h – and Thai trains are often late. Still, traveling by train in Thailand is pleasant if you have time and are not in a hurry. There are several classes, from 3rd to 1st, and several types of train, some faster than others. Not all of the country's major destinations can be reached by train. The Thai rail network is being modernized, with faster trains and future links to Laos and China. Train hotline: 1690Search a train in Thailand
Buses in Thailand
For long journeys, the bus is the No. 1 means of transport in Thailand: buses and minivans can take you almost anywhere in the country. The bus network is very dense and departures are frequent. The public bus company (Transport Co., Ltd.) generally offers the cheapest tickets, but there are also many private companies running regular buses and more comfortable “VIP buses”. Apart from some local buses covering short distances, most buses are in excellent condition and air-conditioned. Thailand public bus hotline: 1490Find buses in Thailand
Domestic flights in Thailand
Around thirty cities in Thailand have an airport. There is generally at least one flight to and from Bangkok, though not always daily. Flying around Thailand is a good way to avoid long journeys by road or rail, and it is not necessarily much more expensive: low-cost airlines, especially Nok Air, often run promotions on their websites. Bangkok has two airports, so be careful to go to the right one so you don't miss your flight!Search for a domestic flight in Thailand
Boats and ferries in Thailand
Thailand has many beautiful islands and, apart from Koh Samui and Phuket, which have their own airports, you have to take a boat to get there: ferry, speedboat, night boat or sometimes a longtail boat – there are several options. Combined bus + ferry tickets are also available, especially to the most popular islands from Khao San Road in Bangkok (see our search tool). Websites like 12Go also sell combined train or bus + ferry tickets to most Thai islands.Find boats (or bus + ferry) in Thailand
Minivans in Thailand
Besides buses, many companies run air-conditioned minivan services. They are faster and carry 12 to 18 passengers, and their fares are a little higher than a bus ticket. Note that there isn't much legroom if you are tall, and drivers sometimes drive fast and recklessly. You may also have to pay for an extra seat for your luggage.
Taxi and ride-hailing apps in Thailand
Not every Thai city has metered taxis – far from it – and some only have a few. Only in Bangkok are there so many that you can easily flag one down in the street. In recent years, smartphone apps to book a taxi or a car with driver have taken off in the country: GRAB is undoubtedly the leader, but Bolt and, more recently, inDrive are challenging it.
Songthaews in Thailand
Songthaews are shared taxis or local buses: pickups or small trucks with wooden benches in the back where passengers sit. You pay according to the distance, and they are used for short trips. In some cities, songthaews form the local bus network. To get on, wave at one as it approaches, and press the buzzer when you want to get off. In some tourist areas, it is important to agree on the price with the driver before getting in.
Using public transport in Bangkok
In addition to the famous tuk-tuks and taxis, Bangkok has a public transport system that is a very good way to avoid traffic jams and get around cheaply. Don't hesitate to take the Skytrain and metro (air-conditioned), the Chao Phraya Express boats, the boats on the khlongs (Bangkok's canals) or city buses. I especially recommend using the BTS and MRT whenever possible. Bangkok's metro network keeps growing and will become huge and very convenient in the coming years, but it is already very good for tourists.
Direct buses to Cambodia
For a few years now, there have been direct buses to Cambodia from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Everything is taken care of: you just have to cross the border and get your visa yourself, then get back on the same bus to continue to Siem Reap, the town closest to Angkor, or Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.Book Bangkok-Siem Reap tickets online
Private transport in Thailand
Taxis in Thailand
Taxis in Thailand are supposed to have a meter and start it as soon as you get in. If the driver doesn't want to use it, insist – it is mandatory! There is a starting fare plus a price per kilometer. Otherwise, even if you are very good at haggling, you will always pay more than the metered fare. You can also hire a taxi for very long journeys, and use apps like GRAB to book a taxi in major cities. Note that not all cities in Thailand have taxis: outside Bangkok, metered taxis are quite rare.
Tuk-tuks in Thailand
The tuk-tuk is probably the best-known means of transport in Thailand – a tourist attraction in itself. Contrary to what you might think, it is not always the cheapest way to get around Bangkok: a taxi ride often costs less (and it's air-conditioned). But it's still a fun way to get around Bangkok, and you have to ride a tuk-tuk at least once when you come to Thailand. It's part of the experience! Always agree on the price with the driver before getting in.
Motorcycle taxis in Thailand
There are motorcycle taxis almost everywhere in Thailand – they are much more common than four-wheeled taxis. The drivers are easy to recognize with their colorful vests (usually orange). Thais use them a lot. The motorcycle taxi is the cheapest and fastest individual means of transport, but only a few drivers offer their passengers a helmet. Always ask for one!
Samlors in Thailand
The Thai word “samlor” (or samlaw) means three wheels. It is also used for tuk-tuks, but here we are talking about cycle rickshaws. Passengers sit in a kind of basket on a short bench. These rickshaws usually carry only two passengers, three at most. They are not found everywhere in Thailand and are becoming rarer, but they still exist. Their drivers work hard and earn only a few baht, so if you have the opportunity, use them to help them support their families. And it's nice to slow down sometimes and take the time to look around.
Longtail boats in Thailand
Longtail boats are long, narrow boats powered by an engine with a long propeller shaft that looks like a tail – hence their name. They are not specifically intended to carry passengers, but they sometimes offer their services to take people somewhere or on a tour. In Bangkok, for example, many longtail boats offer tours of the khlongs, the small canals that run through the city, and on all the Thai islands they will take you to discover the area. You can hire them for a short ride, a one-hour tour or a day trip.More about transport in Thailand
Taking a night train in Thailand
The atmosphere on Thailand's night trains is pleasant, and they are quite comfortable for the price: for the cost of a cheap hotel room, you get a night's sleep and the journey. To be sure to get a sleeper berth, it's best to book your tickets in advance on websites like 12Go (or the official SRT website).
Departures from Khao San Road
Khao San Road is Bangkok's backpacker district. Travel agencies and transport companies offer buses or combined bus + ferry tickets from Khao San Road to popular islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan... as well as to other destinations in the country.
Direct buses from Bangkok to Cambodia
There are direct buses from Bangkok to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap (the town near Angkor) in Cambodia, border crossing included. Buses leave from Mo Chit, Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal. Seats are limited, so it is best to book in advance on 12Go.
Book your Thailand train tickets online
If you prefer to plan ahead and book your train tickets before you leave, you can do so on the 12Go website, which I have personally tested and recommend. Booking in advance is especially recommended for sleeper berths on night trains, but can also be a good idea for some Special Express trains.
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Transport in Thailand
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