Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Getting around in Bangkok by tuk-tuk
Bangkok's famous tuk-tuks
Tuk-tuks are an institution in Bangkok! These quirky little vehicles are fun to ride and part of the adventure for any visitor. A tuk-tuk ride, especially in Bangkok, is one of those things you have to do at least once during a trip to Thailand, just like visiting Wat Pho or Wat Phra Kaew. Tuk-tuks weave through the traffic, they are very noisy and you breathe in exhaust fumes, but you must try one at least once!After that, you will probably prefer quieter, more comfortable, air-conditioned transport and opt for taxis, which – contrary to popular belief – are generally cheaper than tuk-tuks, even though “tuk” means “cheap” in Thai. Tuk-tuks have no meter, so you have to agree on the fare before getting in. And don't hesitate to haggle – it's part of the game!
That said, the vast majority of tuk-tuk drivers are honest, even if they will probably charge you a little more than a Thai. Just stay alert, especially in tourist areas.
MuvMi, the app to book a tuk-tuk in Bangkok
MuvMi is a convenient app that lets you easily book an electric tuk-tuk to get around certain neighborhoods in Bangkok. After entering your starting point and destination in the app, you are directed to a nearby pickup spot and can track your vehicle's arrival in real-time on your smartphone. It's ideal for short trips but not for crossing the entire city, as rides operate within specific zones: so check the app to see if the service is available in your area and, most importantly, if your destination is covered.
A ride via MuvMi is often advertised as cheaper than the same trip in a traditional tuk-tuk, BUT this is only true if you choose to share your tuk-tuk. In practice, however, you will often end up booking a private ride to reduce waiting times. They have also recently launched an equivalent electric boat service on the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and Khlong Bang Lamphu canals, with 14 stops from Hua Lamphong Station to Banglamphu.
Other public transport in Bangkok
Bangkok Skytrain
Bangkok's Skytrain is called the BTS. Its air-conditioned trains glide above the capital's heavy traffic. It doesn't go everywhere, but combined with the Chao Phraya Express boats, it takes you to Bangkok's major temples.
Chao Phraya Express
The Chao Phraya Express boats run regularly along the river that flows through Bangkok and stop near all the monuments and sights on its banks, including Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, the three must-see temples in Bangkok. Fares are cheap.
Bangkok bus lines
The bus is clearly neither the easiest nor the fastest way for a foreign tourist to get around Bangkok, but it is the cheapest. The network is huge and you can go almost anywhere – you just need to be patient.
Transport in Bangkok
So far the only Thai city with a metro (a project is planned in Phuket), Bangkok offers the widest choice of public and private transport in Thailand (metro, buses, boats, tuk-tuks...). No, there's more than tuk-tuks and pink taxis to get around Bangkok!
