Transportation in Thailand Everything Explained

So, you’ve arrived in Thailand and you’re ready to get around. What is the best, most efficient form of transport for your holiday? In this article, we’ll explain all the types of transportation you’ll run into during your stay in Thailand, which is the best, common scams and everything you need to know for a smooth, fun experience. Why trust us? We’ve spent over a year traveling to and eventually moved to Thailand.

BTS (Skytrain)

The BTS or Skytrain, is one of the most efficient ways to navigate during your stay in Bangkok. It’s fast, clean, efficient, and doesn’t cost that much.

Operating since 1999, it consists of three main lines:

• Sukhumvit Line (Light Green)
• Silom Line (Dark Green)
• Airport Rail Link (Red)

Using the BTS can cost you anywhere between 15-70 baht, depending on the trip length. Some, longer journeys can cost you more than 70baht, but for shorter ones, the price should never exit the range I’ve provided.

MRT (Metro)

The MRT is great for reaching areas that the BTS doesn’t go to. For instance Huai Khwang, Chatuchak, Lumphini park and others.

Unfortunately, there is no system that allows you to purchase tickets from one company and use them on the other (e.g. buy from BTS and use on MRT and vice versa). There are, however, new options specifically for Yellow and Pink lines which allow you to purchase your entire trip on one MRT ticket (you can use this on the BTS too).

The prices are the same and there is no discount for tickets purchased this way, but you can get discounts using a stored value card such as a Rabbit card.

There are additional discounts for the elderly, children and students.

Costs for the MRT can range widely. It depends on the length of your trip and your final destination. Tickets are relatively cheap. For instance: Khu Khot to Phra Khanang will cost you 80 baht ($2.33).

Operating Hours: Both BTS and MRT run from approximately 6:00 AM to midnight daily.

Taxis (Meter, Grab & Bolt)

Thailand’s taxi ecosystem has evolved significantly with the introduction of ride-hailing apps such as Grab, Bolt and InDriver. Before this introduction, there were only metered taxis. When using metered taxis, it’s quite common for foreigners to get scammed on the price. For this reason, we recommend you use apps instead because you’re given an upfront price that is determined by the market value. Taxis will often see a foreigner and think “clueless foreigner, I can charge him more”.

Taxis will often attempt to get away with turning the meter off during your ride and charging you a flat, increased rate. So, before getting in a taxi, always ask for the meter to be put on, if they don’t agree, decline the cab and look for another.

Another worry of metered taxis is a rigged meter. If you notice the price going up massively, simply ask the driver to stop, exit the car and find another cab.

OR, just avoid all the hassle and use Grab or Bolt. Bolt is generally better in terms of pricing, but it’s always good to have both apps installed. I would also recommend getting motorcycle taxis around Bangkok, they are much quicker and cheaper, but they do come with a little bit of danger.

When you used to arrive in Bangkok, Grab was not allowed to come and pick you up directly from the airport. However, recently, they have installed a Grab pickup zone at Suvarnabhumi airport. For other locations like Chiang Mai, Phuket etc. you will still have to walk outside of the airport a bit to be able to get in Grab or Bolt rides.

Motorcycle Taxis

You will find motorcycle Taxis almost everywhere in Bangkok, however, when you leave the city they are less available. If you are in Chiang Mai or Phuket for instance, you can still get motorcycle taxis using apps such as Bolt and Grab, but you will rarely find guys in the orange vests.

I would recommend using the apps over the orange vest guys. Usually, motorbike taxi workers are far more honest than their taxi counterparts, but you still sometimes get obscene fare requests if they know you’re a foreigner.

Here’s a quick table of the average costs when using motorcycle taxis in Thailand:

Safety Considerations:

• They usually don’t provide a helmet, but if they do – wear it or ask for one
• Agree on the price before starting the journey
• Hold onto the rails, not the driver
• Avoid during heavy rain

If you’re with a friend and you’re both going in the same destination, you can ask the rider if they will take two passengers for an increased price. This is a fun, pretty dangerous experience and I would recommend trying it once, but do so at your own risk. It can also be an exceptionally cheap way to get around the city if you’re with a friend.

Tuk Tuks

Most people will tell you to avoid Tuk Tuks, and for good reason – you will 100% get ripped off. However, I understand that, for someone who never visited the country before, this can be a fun experience, and should be tried at least once.

If you do want to get a Tuk Tuk for the experience, just expect to pay more than a Taxi for shorter rides. Some Tuk Tuk drivers will try to charge you obscene amounts, so make sure you bargain and agree a price upfront. If you’re with a group of people, they can be a really cheap way to get around.

Typical Fares:

[Previous sections remain exactly the same…]

Songtaews

Songtaews are usually found outside of the main city areas in Bangkok and around the outskirts. They tend to be less common in the capital, but you’ll find them frequently in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and other huge tourist hubs around Thailand. They are converted pickup trucks with two bench seats (hence the name ‘songtaew’ meaning ‘two rows’), and act similarly to a public bus service would.

You’ll usually pay around 20-30 baht for short journeys, but it depends on where you’re going. Beware of drivers who try to overcharge you. I had someone ask me for 300 baht to ride in a Songtaew once (that’s 10x the normal price)!

Different colored Songtaew’s will take you to different areas, so make sure you ask the driver before boarding if they go to where you want. They will let you know.

Bus Systems

City Buses

Bangkok operates an extensive city bus network. Unfortunately, it is one of the few places in Thailand, that does this. Most other cities and villages don’t run frequent bus services for short-range travel. You will need to use Songtaews, Taxis, and other forms of public transport.

Here are the rough costs of bus fares:

Long Distance Buses

Long-distance buses connect all major cities and towns in Thailand, offering various levels of comfort and service. You can find them at major coach stations in the city you’re in. In some cities there will be more coach stations, providing a bigger service, while others will just have one.

I would recommend trying to get a regular coach service to wherever you’re going. Minibuses tend to be poorly airconditioned and they get extremely cramped. This can happen on coaches too (depending on the company/service), but it’s rarer.

Most buses will have relatively good seating and airconditioned but some companies are better than others. I highly recommend you look at the reviews when booking online, before purchasing a ticket.

Here are some average costs of coach travel in Thailand:

If you want to save more money when booking buses in Thailand you should:

• Book directly at bus stations rather than through agencies
• Search for “รสบัส” (rot bus) on Thai websites for better rates
• Consider overnight buses for longer routes to save on accommodation
• Compare prices between different bus companies at the station

State Railway of Thailand (SRT)

Thailand’s national rail network connects most major cities and regions, offering one of the most comfortable and scenic ways to travel around the country.

Depending on which you choose, depends on the levels of comfort you’re happy with when travelling by train. The local train is the cheapest option, and is not usually offered to you by the railway employees upfront, because tourists very rarely get this service.

You can get extremely long train journeys for as low as 35 baht. For instance, I travelled to Hat Yai by local train for 35 baht. It took 16 hours, with long waits, no AC and a hard, wooden seat the entire time, but I got there in one-piece. I probably wouldn’t do it again, but you can if you’re feeling up for it.

For longer journeys, I recommend getting the sleeper train, or overnight trains. On these, you can choose to purchase a bed, or you can choose to sit, it is entirely up to you and your budget.

The average cost of a sleeper train from Bangkok to Khon Kaen is 1000-2000 baht ($30-60) for a ticket and a bed.

Popular Routes and Duration:

If you want to save money when booking train journeys, do this:

• Book directly at the station or through the SRT website
• Search for “รถไฟ” (rot fai) on Thai websites
• Consider overnight trains to save on accommodation
• Get the local train (can only be purchased from the station)

Air Travel

Air Travel across Thailand is a great, cheap, fast and efficient way to get around Thailand. Some of the cheapest airlines to use when flying in Thailand are Air Aisa, Thai Smile, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air.

I’ve personally used Air Asia a lot to get around Asia in particular, although I have never flown in Thailand (only to neighboring countries like Vietnam).

With Air Asia you can rack up points using their system, and redeem those for discounts, seat selections, flight upgrades and even to cover the entire cost of a ticket. If you travel to and from Asia a lot, I would highly recommend using the points system.

Sample Routes and Prices:

Ferry Services

Ferry services are essential for reaching Thailand’s beautiful islands and some coastal destinations such as Koh Phi Larn, Phi Phi, Tao etc. You can also use them to get around Bangkok’s river and canal systems. They range from large car ferries to speedboats and traditional longtail boats.

Island Ferry Services

Popular Routes and Prices:

Local Ferry Travel (Bangkok Exclusive)

In Bangkok, you can take the Chao Phraya Express from the center to the outskirts. Usually, you will take these services to get to the popular Wat Arun temple, but they are fun to ride along to get a view of Bangkok and the riverside. There are two different boats you can get down the river, the new Smart Tourist boat, and the older Chao Phraya express.

These have varying costs, with the Chao Phraya express costing as little as 8 baht, and the tourist boat ranging from 20-30 baht.

wehatethecold

I’m Harry – and I was tired of the same old “10 best places I’ve never been but I’m writing about for some reason” blog posts. So… I’m a young traveller on a mission to travel the world and share my true, unfiltered experience, including all the gristly details. From packing my life into one bag for a year, to traveling Vietnam by motorbike, to sorting out Visas for specific countries – I’ve done it all, am doing it all and only give my advice on things I have done – not regurgitated cr*p from another source *cough* most publications *cough*. So bear with us! This project will take some time to grow, and will take a fair bit of money. But I’m determined to make it the single best source of information about traveling on the internet.