Buzz
Transportation Options
A piece of advice before embarking on a journey to Bangkok is to familiarize yourself with the map, including both the train and road maps. While it may not be the most thrilling activity, especially for female travelers, it can save a significant amount of time and money.
Bangkok is renowned for traffic congestion, especially during peak hours (morning from 6 AM to 8 AM and evening from 5 PM to 7 PM). Therefore, depending on your destination, consider choosing transportation wisely and limit the use of taxis or tuk-tuks during these peak hours.
For added convenience, you can visit the website http://www.transitbangkok.com/ to find routes and transportation options that fit your budget and offer the shortest distances. Another simple way is to ask the hotel concierge for guidance.
Cost and Description of Each Mode of Transportation:
Bus
Buses in Bangkok kick off their routes bright and early, around 6 a.m., concluding around 10 p.m. Opting for the bus is the most budget-friendly choice, averaging 13 baht per person per trip. The buses in Bangkok are well-maintained, equipped with air conditioning, and passengers exhibit courteous behavior, providing a private and noise-free travel experience.
BTS (Sky Train) and MRT (Subway)
Unlike Singapore's MRT system, Bangkok's train network has fewer intersections, occasionally causing confusion during transit. However, with a few rides, you'll become familiar with it. BTS and MRT operate parallelly, with some destinations having both BTS and MRT access. The fare ranges from 22 to 52 baht per person per trip.
All BTS stations feature maps; it's advisable to note the route when purchasing BTS tickets. Especially at interchange stations, you need to exit the train and switch to another without buying a new ticket (e.g., Siam station). At BTS, tickets are exclusively sold through vending machines, accepting only coins, excluding 2-baht coins. If you only have paper currency, fret not; you can exchange it at the station's control counter. Onboard each station, there are announcements in Thai and English, so pay attention to avoid missing your stop.
A quick reminder: consuming food and beverages is prohibited in the BTS/MRT areas, with fines ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 baht per offense.
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Tuk Tuk
Tuk Tuks resemble Vietnamese cyclos but are more eye-catching and powerful. Unlike taxis, Tuk Tuks don't have meters, so depending on your bargaining skills and experience, you can enjoy a cool, swift, and exciting ride at a reasonable price.
The average fare for short distances ranges from 50 to 100 baht per trip, while longer distances will cost between 150 and 200 baht per trip, with a maximum of 250 baht for areas near the city center. From the city center to Don Mueang Airport, fares range from 300 to 400 baht per trip.
However, it's advisable to use tuk-tuks for short distances only and opt for taxis when heading straight to the departure gate at the airport.
Taxi
Taxis in Bangkok are mostly privately owned. Drivers rent the vehicles and pay a monthly fee to the company. Therefore, the ties between drivers and companies are less stringent compared to those in Vietnam. New drivers decide whether to take you or not, and dispatch services are less active. In Thailand, it's challenging to hail a taxi through a hotline as in Vietnam. Only yellow-green taxis belong to a company; others, mostly pink and light blue, are privately owned. Various colors like purple, orange, red, and white are also quite common, making Bangkok's streets vibrant and colorful.
Taxi fares are comparable to tuk-tuks, ranging from 50 to 200 baht per trip within the city center. It becomes more economical if you travel with multiple people on the same trip. For drivers who don't use the meter, you'll need to negotiate and aim for half of the price they initially quote.
According to Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 5, 2015
