Transportation in Bangkok
Downtown Bangkok has become one of the easier parts of SEA to travel about. With various options for budgets and time constraints, coupled with the below info, almost everyone can explore in comfort.
Motorcycle / Moto-sai – the quickest, cheapest for single riders. Also, the most dangerous. Most rides will cost you between THB15 to THB30. You only need to ask for the amount when you reach your destination.
Tuk-Tuk – not as quick as the motorcycles, though quite zippy. Value for a group of 3. Agree on the price before getting on, pay upon getting off.
Taxi/Chauffeur – Comfortable and reasonably priced. Most rides around town should cost less than THB100. At times, cabbies quote a price THB100. If you are not agreeable, just take the next one.
BTS/ MRT – the most efficient and, at times, quicker than a car. However, their stations are placed quite a distance from some attractions. Prices are increasing slowly. Prices start from THB 22. Great for single travellers, not so for groups of 4. Avoid the stations before 9am and between 5 to 7pm, only on weekdays.
Bus –You get on, a conductor will approach to give you a price and your ticket. Hang on to that until you get off. Pricing is based on distance travelled. Cheap, takes the most time but gets you close to your intended destination. Tricky bit is when to get off!
River ferries - Piers are scattered along the Canal and this is the most efficient way to avoid the rush hour traffic. However, getting on and off the boat can be a little daunting. Upon boarding, the person on the side will approach you to collect. Tell them which pier you are headed to and pass them the money. They will give you a receipt and change. The tricky bit is which side of the boat will the pier be at.
Remember: Always better to ask for directions when taking public transport.
Do not assume the places you are heading to are well-known to the locals; places will change constantly. It is always best to have a landmark or the street you are intending to go to. Many times, we have to use a map or describe the area in thai to. Hence, our recommendation to have the map saved on your mobile/ have a data plan.
Note: Sometimes it is cheaper to take the taxi when travelling as a group of 4. Yet, given the kind of traffic, it might be more comfortable to take the train and have a view of the city.