Get around Bangkok by subway and metro
Useful information about the metro in Bangkok
I'm talking about Bangkok metros with a s because there are in fact several existing lines and future lines which are oprated by 3 different companies: the BTS network which was historically Bangkok Skytrain, the MRT network, which was historically the underground network (Bangkok subway) and the Airport Rail Link metro network (ARL) and some suburban train lines operated by the State Railway of Thailand (see below for the details about each metro) . If all these networks are interconnected in several stations, they each have their own system of tickets or tokens. This implies that you have to buy a ticket or token each time you go from one network to the other one even if with the touchless payment by credit card, we gradually arrive at to a more practical global solution.
For tourists, it is mainly the historic lines of the BTS and especially the MRT which are interesting to get around Bangkok and visit the major attractions. First, the MRT blue line that stops in Chinatown district and goes to the Great Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho (stop at Sanam Chai station). The Airport Rail Link allows tourists to easily connect downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport while the new Red Line goes to Don Muang Airport. The Gold Line's 'only interest is to go the gigantic Hi-So Icon Siam shopping center.
Bangkok metros are connected to Chao Phraya Express river shuttle boats at BTS Saphan Taphan station (Sathorn station on the Chao Phraya Express) or to shuttleboats on the Klongs (canals): at MRT Phetchaburi station for the Khlong Saen Saep boats and Hua Lamphong for Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem boats.
In general, subways and skytrains, possibly combining them with a river shuttle boat system, are the best option to get around in Bangkok. It is affordable, you are in an air-conditioned environment, you are not stucked in the traffic jams, you do not breathe exhaust gases as aboard a tuk-tuk. Once you'll start use it, I'm sure it will quickly become your favorite way to go everywhere in Bangkok city. Especially since the network is developing like never before!
Advice for getting around by transport in Bangkok
I invite you to download the smartphone application viabus for your research of public transport trips and itineraries in Bangkok. It exists on Android and iOS and brings together all the public transport networks to tell you all the possible routes according to your starting point.
BTS, the Bangkok skytrain
The trains generally circulate from 6 am to midnight (see the page dedicted to each metro for precise time tables).The various suburban metros and trains in Bangkok
BTS, the Bangkok skytrain
The BTS or Bangkok skytrain serves the district with the most famous shopping centers (SIAM station) except ICON SIAM and is connected to Chao Phraya Express river shuttle baots. Combined with the MRT subway, it allows to go to most of the interesting places in Bangkok.
MRT, Bangkok Subway
If the MRT was initially Bangkok's underground metro, it now has several open air stations. The MRT is mainly practical to get toTemple of the Emerald Buddha, Great Palace, Wat Pho or Chinatown . Associated with BTS, it offers a lot of possibilities to go to the 4 corners of Bangkok.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL)
This metro line operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) connects the Bangkok city center (Phaya Thai station) to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. This is its main interest for tourists. It avoids taking a taxi and enables to have a first approach of the city through the train's window during the journey.
Bangkok Red Line
This suburban train line operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is mainly interesting for tourist because it connects Bang Sue, the future large central train station in Bangkok, to Don Muang Airport from where most low cost airlines take off.
The Gold Line
The very short Gold Line is an skytrain line which was mainly built to serve the most Hi-So shopping center in Bangkok: the ICON SIAM. This is its only interest. It is connected to the BTS metro at Krung Thonburi station.
