Smart Tips for Using Public Transportation in Thailand

Thailand offers a diverse range of transportation options for your explorations in the land of golden temples. However, navigating public transportation or renting private vehicles can be challenging due to language barriers and unfamiliar routes, leading to potential overcharges by drivers. To ease your journey, let's explore the public transportation options in Thailand and KLOOK's travel tips to help you choose the right mode of transport for yourself, gearing up for your upcoming adventure!

The Airport Rail Link, part of Bangkok's MRT system, connects the city's main airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, with the central Bangkok. If you arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link is the most cost-effective and convenient way to reach the city center. 

This train service operates at various departure times from 5:30 am to 12:00 midnight, making it a popular choice among travelers. KLOOK advises booking your tickets in advance to avoid long queues. Moreover, purchasing through KLOOK is more budget-friendly than buying directly at the location.

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Another excellent option for those struggling with navigation is the Skytrain (BTS). The system in Bangkok is well-developed, covering almost the entire city, allowing you to travel comfortably without worrying about getting lost. As the trains follow specific routes, all you need to do is get off at the right station to reach your destination.

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From Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are 2 Skytrain routes heading to central Bangkok: SA Express, with a travel time of 15 to 18 minutes and a one-way fare of 150 baht per person, and City Line, which is slower, stopping at 6 stations along the route, with a one-way fare of 45 baht. This is a great transportation choice for solo travelers or small groups planning to explore the city.

You'll need coins to purchase train tickets from the automated machines, with fees ranging from 15 to 40 baht (approximately 10,000-30,000 VND) depending on your destination. If you don't have coins, you can exchange bills at the currency exchange counters at the train station. If you don't plan to travel the entire route, the ticket price is 15 baht per station.

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Tuk-tuk is the most budget-friendly public transportation widely used by many locals in Thailand on a daily basis. Originating from World War II-era rickshaws, these vehicles navigate the spacious streets of Thailand swiftly, providing a thrilling experience. Riding a Tuk-tuk feels like being on a high-speed roller coaster, with skilled drivers executing artful turns that tilt passengers. Despite the fun, Tuk-tuks are suitable only for short journeys of around 10 km or less, as prolonged rides can be tiring and bumpy.

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Tourist-targeted Tuk-tuk drivers often quote prices 2-3 times higher than local rates, so negotiate beforehand to avoid overpaying.

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A commonly sighted mode of transportation in the land of golden temples is the taxi. Taxis in Thailand come in various colors: yellow, pink, purple, green... gliding along the roads like shimmering ribbons.

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When taking a taxi, you can negotiate the fare with the drivers if you prefer not to use the meter. Skillful bargaining might even get you a cheaper rate than in Vietnam. For those who enjoy metered taxi rides for clarity, note that the initial flag-down fare is 35 baht for the first 2 km. Subsequently, each kilometer will increase by around 5 baht. Additionally, in case of traffic jams, you may incur an additional fee of approximately 1.25 baht per meter moved.

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Motorbike taxi is a convenient choice for commuting in Bangkok, especially during peak hours when motorbike taxi drivers can easily navigate through congested traffic.

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You can find numerous motorbike taxi riders actively seeking passengers at tourist hotspots, similar to the scenes around hospitals or bus stations in Vietnam. Some even belong to professional motorbike taxi fleets, wearing numbered uniforms on their backs. The fare for a motorbike taxi ride depends on the distance and may not be significantly cheaper than taking a taxi, but it's much quicker, especially during peak hours in the city center. Therefore, consider the situation and cost carefully if you are inclined to opt for this mode of transportation!

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The term 'songthaew' in Thai translates to 'two rows.' Essentially, Songthaews are small trucks with two rows of seats along the sides for passengers to sit, with an open space in the middle for foot placement. Don't confuse this type of vehicle with tuk-tuks, as they have similar open spaces but tuk-tuks have forward-facing seats and accommodate fewer passengers, akin to taxis, while Songthaews carry more people and operate on fixed routes like buses. Songthaew drivers typically drive at a slower pace, making this mode of transportation quite safe.

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If you don't mind waiting 10 to 15 minutes for a ride, this is an excellent and cost-effective means of transport, charging only 10 Baht to travel from one side of town to the other. Just press the stop button on the roof, and the drivers will halt for you to disembark, and you only pay when you get off. Note that Songthaews are not common in large cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai but are prevalent in smaller towns and cities.

The streets in Thailand are vibrant with colorful buses, painted in various hues and adorned with beautiful patterns. In addition to inner-city buses operating on short routes, there are also large buses catering to tourist groups or running long-distance routes between cities, many of which are double-decker buses.

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There might be a bit of inconvenience using this mode of transportation as most information signs on the buses and at the bus stations are in Thai rather than English. However, it's a type of transport worth trying due to its reasonable prices and comfortable travel experience.

Bus fares for inner-city routes range from 7-22 baht, depending on the distance and type of bus. Non-air-conditioned buses are cheaper but tend to be quite old. Long-distance bus journeys are also budget-friendly, costing around 400-500 baht (for over 200 km) with smooth roads and a comfortable ride, almost like flying.

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The Bangkok MRT Subway, introduced for the first time with a blue line consisting of 18 stops, differs from the elevated BTS Skytrain system. It was designed to assist locals and tourists in reaching destinations not covered by the BTS system.

Nevertheless, the BTS and MRT intersect at several stops, allowing for convenient interchange between train lines. Both BTS and MRT operate from 6 am to midnight, ensuring no worries about missing the last train!

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Thailand's railway network spans the entire country, offering various ticket classes, making train travel sometimes more economical than buses. Moreover, when traveling by train, you might have a private cabin, and the scenery passing by the window is far more picturesque than the landscapes along the road.

Here are some details to help you categorize Thailand's train tickets. First-class tickets provide utmost comfort with a private cabin featuring only 2 berths, although the fare might be slightly higher. Second-class tickets are a bit cheaper than first-class but still offer luxury comparable to a high-end bus journey. Third-class tickets cater to budget travelers, providing basic facilities to reach your destination safely at the most attractive prices, regardless of your destination.

Note that if you plan to travel by train, carefully plan your itinerary and avoid major Thai holidays, as train tickets in Thailand can be extremely scarce during these times.