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Everything you need to know about transport in Bangkok
How to get around in Bangkok?
Bangkok is known for its tuk-tuks and multicolored taxis, but there are of course other ways to get around the Thai capital. Convenient and air-conditioned, the Skytrain (BTS) and the metro (MRT) let you avoid Bangkok's almost constant traffic jams, and they are a good way to reach must-see sights such as the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho with its Reclining Buddha (see the Bangkok Skytrain & metro map). A dedicated line, the Airport Rail Link, connects Suvarnabhumi Airport with downtown Bangkok. You can also get around Bangkok on the Chao Phraya Express boats or on the boats that run on the khlongs, Bangkok's small canals. Not forgetting Bangkok's dense bus network and the private transport options – tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycle taxis, ride-hailing apps... – that I list at the bottom of this page.Practical tips for getting around Bangkok by public transport
I recommend downloading the ViaBus smartphone app to plan your public transport journeys in Bangkok. Available on Android and iOS, it brings together all the transport networks and shows you every possible route from your starting point.
Public transport in Bangkok
BTS, MRT, ARL: Bangkok's metros
The BTS Skytrain, the MRT, the Airport Rail Link and a few suburban train lines form a fairly dense (and growing) network for getting around Bangkok. They are certainly the best and most convenient way to get almost anywhere in a city with very heavy traffic. All trains are air-conditioned, and tickets or tokens can be bought from machines in every station. The Bangkok metro map is on the detailed page.
BTS, the Bangkok Skytrain
The Skytrain (BTS) is an elevated metro with two lines: the Sukhumvit Line, which runs from Khu Khot to Kheha (Samut Prakan), and the Silom Line, from the National Stadium to Bang Wa. They meet at the very busy Siam station. The BTS connects with the Airport Rail Link, which serves Bangkok's international airport (Suvarnabhumi), at Phaya Thai station. All trains are air-conditioned, and tickets can be bought from machines in the stations. The BTS map is on the detailed page.
MRT, the Bangkok metro
The Bangkok MRT currently has 4 lines: the Blue Line, the original and mostly underground, the Purple Line, the Yellow Line and the Pink Line, and more are under construction. Since 2019, the Blue Line has had a station in Chinatown and one near the Grand Palace and Wat Pho – very convenient for visiting these must-see places in Bangkok.
Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL)
Fast and unaffected by traffic jams, the Airport Rail Link is a mostly elevated rail line that connects Suvarnabhumi Airport with central Bangkok in around 30-40 minutes. It connects with the BTS at Phaya Thai station and with the MRT at Makkasan station (MRT Phetchaburi).
The Gold Line
This very short elevated line was built mainly to serve the ICONSIAM shopping mall on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River. It connects with the BTS at Krung Thon Buri station.
The Red Line
This line is more of a suburban railway than a metro. Its main interest is that it connects Bang Sue, home of Bangkok's new main station (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal), with Don Muang Airport, which makes it much easier to reach Bangkok's second airport.Bangkok's boats
There are currently 3 main boat services in Bangkok: the Chao Phraya Express boats on the river, and two boat lines on the khlongs, the city's small canals – the Khlong Saen Saep line, especially convenient to get to the Golden Mount temple, and the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem line, which runs past Hua Lamphong train station. They can be combined with the BTS Skytrain or the MRT.
Chao Phraya Express boat service
The Chao Phraya Express boats run along the river and show you another side of Bangkok. By combining the boats and the Skytrain (BTS), you can visit Bangkok's main monuments (although it is now easier by MRT). The Chao Phraya Express has several stops, including one near Wat Pho (Tha Tien pier) and the Grand Palace (Tha Chang pier). The BTS and the Chao Phraya Express connect at Saphan Taksin station.
Khlong Saen Saep boats
This boat service on a canal (khlong) crossing Bangkok offers a more exotic way to get around the city, and fares are quite low. If you know exactly where you want to go and, above all, where to get off, it's an interesting alternative. Be aware that it is very crowded at rush hour, and watch out for splashes of dirty water.
Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem boats
This other boat service on one of Bangkok's khlongs leaves from near Hua Lamphong station. Much less busy, its boats carry up to 12 passengers. It is currently free (but could soon cost between 5 and 20 THB depending on the journey).Getting around by bus in Bangkok
Bangkok's bus network is quite dense but not easy for foreign tourists to use. It has many lines and a very mixed fleet, with different models, colors and levels of comfort. The special S1 line to Suvarnabhumi Airport and the A1 to A4 lines to Don Muang Airport are easier to use, although you can also reach both Bangkok airports by metro.
Regular bus lines in Bangkok
Bangkok's regular bus network is very dense but a bit complicated for foreign tourists. Unless you know exactly which line to take and where to get off, or you follow the directions of the ViaBus app, it's not the most practical way to get around Bangkok – and buses often get stuck in traffic.
BRT buses
This yellow bus system is a sort of hybrid between metro and bus, with stations and ticketing very similar to the BTS. There is a single line between Sathorn and Ratchapruek. BRT buses have their own dedicated lanes, so they don't get stuck in traffic. The BRT line connects with the BTS at Chong Nonsi and Talat Phlu stations.
Free shuttle bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang
Free shuttle buses connect Bangkok's two airports. To take one, you must have a plane ticket and show it at the desk before boarding. The journey between Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang takes 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic in and around the capital. The buses run regularly between 5 am and midnight.
Bangkok - Don Muang Airport buses
There are a few regular bus lines from Bangkok to Don Muang Airport, but above all there are 4 special lines, A1 to A4, which connect Don Muang with Victory Monument, BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak Park station, the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), Lumphini Park, and Khao San Road and Sanam Luang (Grand Palace). Don Muang Airport can also be reached on the Red Line.
Bus from Suvarnabhumi to Khao San Road
Since June 1, 2017, a very convenient bus line has linked Suvarnabhumi Airport with Khao San Road in central Bangkok. The S1 bus also goes to Sanam Luang, the large esplanade in front of the Grand Palace complex (which also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). It is the most convenient and cheapest way to get to Khao San from Suvarnabhumi.
Bangkok Airport Limo Buses
The Airport Limo Buses are another way to connect Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang Airport with downtown Bangkok (Khao San Road, Silom, Ratchadamri, Ploenchit, Pratunam). More expensive and more comfortable, they are also, in theory, faster (I say in theory ;)).
Free buses to 4 of Bangkok's floating markets
These free buses serve 4 floating markets in and around Bangkok: Song Khlong, Taling Chan, Lat Mayom and Wat Saphan. They only run on market days. This free shuttle service to the floating markets is a good idea, but the buses are often overcrowded.Private transport in Bangkok
Taxis, motorcycle taxis and ride-hailing apps in Bangkok
Bangkok's taxis come in very bright colors (pink, green, blue, yellow...) – you can't miss them! Air-conditioned, they remain a reliable way to get around Bangkok, as long as the driver switches on the meter. For short distances, motorcycle taxis can also be handy, especially as they can weave through the traffic. There are smartphone apps to book taxis, motorcycle taxis or private cars, such as GRAB, the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber.
Taxis and ride-hailing in Bangkok
Bangkok's taxis run at any time of the day and night. Some drivers are reluctant to switch on the meter as soon as you get in, despite the legal obligation. Air-conditioned, they generally cost less than tuk-tuks, but they don't weave through traffic as well. You can also book them through apps like GRAB, the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber.
Take a tuk-tuk in Bangkok
The tuk-tuk is the iconic means of transport of Bangkok and Thailand – a tourist attraction in itself! These three-wheeled vehicles (samlor in Thai) are driven by drivers who are experts at slaloming through Bangkok's traffic. Contrary to what its name suggests, the tuk-tuk is not the cheapest way to get around Bangkok. On board you breathe in exhaust fumes and the engine is very noisy, but you have to try it at least once!
Motorcycle taxis in Bangkok
Thais use motorcycle taxis a lot. The drivers are easy to recognize by their orange vests. It is the cheapest and fastest individual means of transport in Bangkok: on a motorbike, traffic jams are no problem. The drivers' sometimes rather sporty riding may put some people off, especially since few of them offer their passengers a helmet. Don't hesitate to say cha cha (“slowly” in Thai) if you want them to slow down.
Pun Pun bikes
This bike-sharing system is inspired by schemes like the Vélib' in Paris and works on exactly the same principle. However, think carefully before choosing this way of getting around: traffic in Bangkok is quite chaotic and dangerous for cyclists, especially on the main roads. Personally, I only risk it for rides in the small streets of well-chosen neighborhoods such as Thonburi. But it's good to know it exists.Bangkok's airports
Suvarnabhumi Airport
999, Nong Prue, Bang Phli District
10500 Bangkok
Don Muang Airport
222 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd, Sanam Bin, Don Mueang
10210 Bangkok
Transport to/from Bangkok's airports
Transport to/from Suvarnabhumi Airport
The information is already on the pages above for each means of transport serving the airport, but I have gathered here everything about getting to and from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, from the city center and from more distant destinations such as Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Pattaya or Hua Hin...
Transport to/from Don Muang
In addition to the buses mentioned above, you can also get to Don Muang Airport by train from Bangkok or from other destinations in northern Thailand, as the airport has its own station, and there are private car and minivan services. The SRT Red Line, connected to the MRT Blue Line, also goes to Don Muang Airport.Bangkok's railway stations
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (KTW)
Chatuchak
10900 Bangkok
All information about Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (KTW)
Hua Lamphong Railway Station
Phra Rama IV
10330 Bangkok
Thonburi Railway Station
Siri Rat, Bangkok Noi
10700 Bangkok
Wongwian Yai Railway Station
Road beside the Wong Wian Yai Railway, 111 Leab Tang Rodfai Rd Bang Yi Ruea, Thon Buri,
10600 Bangkok
Don Muang Railway Station
Si Kan, Don Mueang
10210 Bangkok
Transport in Thailand
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