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How to take the MRT metro in Bangkok?

What you need to know about the Bangkok metro (MRT)

The MRT, originally Bangkok's subway but now increasingly above ground too, has 4 lines in operation (more are planned): the Blue Line, the first one built, the Purple Line, the Yellow Line and the Pink Line. The Blue and Purple lines meet at Tao Poon station, the Blue and Yellow lines at Lat Phrao station, and the Purple and Pink lines at Nonthaburi Civic Center station. The Blue Line serves, among other places, Hua Lamphong railway station, the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue station), Chinatown (Wat Mangkon station), Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Sanam Chai station). It is the most interesting of the four lines for tourists.

There are no tickets for single journeys: instead, you buy black tokens from vending machines that accept coins and banknotes (the counters mainly provide information, but also sell tokens). The fare depends on the length of your journey. On the touch-screen machines, a network map lets you choose the line by its color and select your destination station; the fare is then calculated according to your route. Don't forget to switch the language to English with the button at the top of the screen – it makes things easier. Then just insert your coins or notes to get your token. At the end of your journey, the exit gate swallows the token to put it back into circulation, so don't lose it!

Metro ticket vending machine in Bangkok

The MRT Blue Line connects with the BTS Skytrain at Chatuchak Park (Mo Chit on the BTS), Sukhumvit (Asok on the BTS), Silom (Sala Daeng on the BTS), Phahon Yothin (Ha Yaek Lat Phrao on the BTS) and Bang Wa. It also connects with the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport at Phetchaburi station (Makkasan on the Airport Rail Link), and with the SRT Red Line to Don Muang Airport at Bang Sue station.

The MRT Purple Line is less interesting for tourists and joins the Blue Line at Tao Poon station. The MRT Yellow Line connects with the Blue Line at Lat Phrao station. The MRT Pink Line is not really useful for tourists, except to get close to Koh Kret island; it connects with the Purple Line at Nonthaburi Civic Center station and with the BTS at Wat Phra Si Mahathat station.