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Home > Travel Guide > Getting Around Thailand
GETTING
AROUND THAILAND
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Buses
Buses and coaches are the only mode of transport to
access all provinces in Thailand, running both to and
from Bangkok and between each other. Options include
ordinary air-conditioned coaches and VIP air-conditioned
oaches with refreshment services. ugh travel agents,
major hotels or at the followingbus terminals: |
| Eastern
Bus Terminal (Ekamai)
300 Soi 40, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 0 2391 8097, 0 2391 2504
For routes to Pattaya, Rayong, Trat and other points
east Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal (Moh
Chit 2) 999 Kamphaengphet 2 Road, Bangkok 10900 Tel:
0 2936 2841-48
For Chiang Mai and northern destinations
Southern
Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai)
147 Boromratchonnani Road, Bangkok 10700
Tel: 0 2434 5557-8, 0 2435 1200
Air-conditioned buses leave from the front building
to destinations west and southwest A variety of public
bus services connect all parts of Bangkok. Prices
vary according to air-conditioning and age but all
are exceptionally economical. Regular services run
from 5 am to 11 pm, while all-night services run from
11 pm to 5 am. For routing information, call 184 from
6 am to 9 pm.
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Taxis
& tuk-tuks
Taxis and tuk-tuks (open sided three-wheel mini
taxis) can be hailed anywhere in Bangkok. Only
use taxis with a rooftop Taxi Meter sign, and
ensure that the meter is switched on before you
start. Every journey starts with a set price of
35 baht, plus additional fare depending on distance
and duration. Tuk-tuks are most useful on shorter
trips during off-peak hours and are generally
cheaper than taxis. Always bargain the price in
advance. Motorbike taxis are good |
for
weaving through heavy traffic. Drivers are obliged to
provide crash helmets for passengers and it is against
the law to ride without one.
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River
ferries & water taxis
Another fast and convenient way to travel in Bangkok
is by boat. A river ferry service operates along the
Chao Phraya River between Krung Thep Bridge and Nonthaburi.
Fares are fixed according to distance, ranging from
6 to 10 baht. The boats make frequent stops and run
about every 20 minutes. The trip from The Oriental Hotel
to Nonthaburi takes about one hour. Services operate
daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
 Chao
Phraya Express River Ferry,
Tel: 0 2222 5300-23
Laem
Thong Express Boat,
Tel: 0 2583 6195-9 In
addition, cross river ferries operate from almost
every boat landing. Riverside hotels also provide
their own cross river services. Long-tailed taxis
are good for visiting the smaller canals, or khlongs,
particularly the extensive networks in Thon Buri.
Tha Chang landing (near the Grand Palace) is the departure
point for various destinations in Thon Buri. Furthermore,
the Khlong Saen Saep ferry service runs from Phan
Fa to the Bang Kapi intersection on Ramkhamhaeng Road.
Landings are generally under bridges. |
| Skytrain
BTS
operates air-conditioned skytrains along two inter-
connecting lines - Sukhumvit and Silom - daily from
6 am till midnight. The Sukhumvit line runs between
Moh Chit station, Phaholyothin Road (near Chatuchak
market), and On Nut station, Sukhumvit Soi 77. The
Silom line runs between Saphan Taksin station, near
the Chao Phraya River on Sathon Road, and National
Stadium station on Rama I Road.
The
two lines are connected at Central Station (Siam
Square) which has two platform levels for changing.
All stations are accessed by stairs and some by
escalators and lifts.
Trains
run every few minutes and the fares range from 10-45
baht, depending on number of stations travelled.
Monthly and Stored-Value (multi-trip) tickets are
also available for the regular traveller. Comprehensive
maps are available at all stations free of charge.
A BTS feeder system provides shuttle bus services
to major stations. Check with a station or the BTS
for current availability.
Bangkok
Mass Transit System Public Co Ltd
BTS Building, Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Tel: 0 2617 7300 Fax: 0 2617 7133
www.bts.co.th.
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| Subway
A Bangkok subway system is currently under construction.
Once completed, it will complement the skytrain system
by connecting other key points in the city. The subway
will comprise three
lines - Blue, Orange and Purple - and the first phase
is expected to begin operations in 2003.
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