Airplanes
Domestic flights in Thailand are reasonably priced, reliable, safe and great for getting around the country quickly. Almost every airport in Thailand is within an hours flight of Bangkok. Travelling to Phuket from Bangkok takes less than an hour by airplane and up to 12 hours by bus. While domestic flight with Thai Airways were already a good bargain, over the past year a number of low-cost airlines have started operating. These airlines offer no frills, very cheap flights around the country. While flight time is always short within Thai borders, the problem of course is getting to the airport on time. Most of the time the transit to the airport in Bangkok is quite smooth, but one is never sure, because of the unrealiable traffic speed. So starting off in time is basically necessary, even if it means that you might spend longer than pleasant time at the airport itself.
Bangkok's international airport has been relocated. A new airport was opened in 2006 called
Suvarnabhumi Airport . It is located east of Bangkok (further away than the old Don Muang Airport). There are some teething problems, since the airport was probably opened a bit prematurely. While domestic flights also are departing from the new airport, there is at present talk of reopening Don Muang for domestic flights that have no international connections. The old airport is actually more conveniently located, easier to reach, and cheaper to operate.
Thai Airways International | Phuket Air | Nok Air | Air Asia |
Bangkok Airways
Trains
Train travel is good in Thailand is cheap, reliable and comfortable. One can take an over night train to the more distant cities. There are various classes of travel: First Class, Second Class, Second Class with sleeper and Third Class. Prices vary and tickets should be booked in advance especially around holiday when trains are used extensively.
Train schedules
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Buses
There two types of bus travel, one is traveling in the city and the other is travelling between cities. . There are air-conditioned buses, non-air-conditiones buses, Microbuses and the Airport bus. The non-air-conditioned buses cost 3.5 Baht per trip with out regard to the distance. Most foreign travellers will find the non-airconditioned buses uncomfortable. Airconditioned buses have different prices. Very comfortable ones are the orange colored (double lenght) 'Eurobuses', which charge from 12 baht upwards. Microbuses (purple colored smaller buses) costs 20 baht, whatever the distance. There are hundreds of bus routes throughout Bangkok, maps of the bus schedules can easily be found at basically every small bookshop.
The airport bus costs 100 baht and is available to and from the airport in Bangkok. There is space for a limited amount of luggage which one must load by ones self. This is a cheap, reliable way to get to and from the airport. An airport bus runs along Sukhumvit Road, and to Silom Road. Bus stops are at all regular bus stops and buses pass along every 20-30 minutes (since traffic is a bit unreliable this is the main disadvantage if you take the bus to the airport, you must have some time to spare) Coming from the airport is easier, just walk outside, following the sign 'Airport Bus'.
For good schedules of the busroutes inside Bangkok, visit www.bmta.co.th
Travelling out of Bangkok. There are three bus terminals for buses going to the provinces. The Eastern Bus terminal is located at Ekamai, Sukhumvit soi 63, and is most easily reached. Buses here leave in the general direction of Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi. (02 391 2504)
The Northern and Northeastern Bus terminal is located north of Chatuchak park. Other than by bus or taxi, you can decide to travel to Moo Chit by BTS (skytrain), which is located at Chatuchak market, and take a taxi from there (it is about another 5 km) Of course, there are many destinations here to choose from. It is not very useful to post bus schedules, since they may change from time to time. Be assured that there will always be a bus departing soon after you arrive there, so do not worry to much about schedules. We recommend taking the airconditioned buses. After having located the place where the buses depart, check out just a bit before buying a ticked. There are many competing services, but not all buses are equal, and some offer better value for the same price.
(North : 02 527 8055 ; Northeast : 02 936 2841)
Southern Bus Station has buses going to Phuket, Surat Thani, Kanchanaburi (actually west of Bangkok) and other southern destinations. It is located on the Thonburi side of Bangkok (other side of the river)
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The Sky Train, a welcome way of transport
Sky Train, Bangkok Subway
The Sky Train (air-conditioned elevated train) in Bangkok is an excellent way to get around the city. There are two lines. The Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line. the Sukhumvit Line runs from On Nut Station, which is at Soi 62 Sukhumvit Road, to Mo Chit Station, which is near Chatuchak Market (Weekend Market). The Silom Line runs from National Stadium Station (beside MBK shopping area) to the Chao Phraya River on Sathon Road. They meet at Siam Square Station where transfers are made. If your distination is on one of these line, you will find travelling cheap and easy. The ticket price ranges from 10 baht to 40 baht depending on the number of stations you are travelling past.
Recently opened the Bangkok MRTA (let's call it subway) has opened another route of fast, reliable transport. The service runs basically from Silom Road (close to Dusit Thani hotel), along Lumpini part, Rama IV, Queen Sirikit center, along Asoke, Ratchadapisek road, Ladprao to Moo Chit. There are connections with the BTS (sky train) at the intersection of Asoke/Sukhumvit and at Silom Road
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Baht Buses ( Songthaews) )
These are really pick-up truck with bench seats in the back on both sides. In small places, such as Pattaya, they are a cheap form of transport. Costs vary from city to city but may be as cheap as 5 baht or 10 baht per trip. Longer distances call for negotiated fares which should be done before boarding. There are actually still a few songthaews left in Bangkok, running up and down some sois, and they are the best value you can find if you have to go some distance into the soi (and of course much safer than using the motorcycle taxis)
Limos (Hotel Taxis)
These include the luxury taxis at the airport which have fixed charges to the city. They cost 500 baht and up, depending on the destination and what the market will bear. Hotel taxis are more expensive than metered taxis. They often only operate on a 1/2 or full day basis. On a short visit, they can be useful as they know the city and don't depend on a meter for there fare. This can save the traveller valuable time. Always negotiate the fare before the trip to prevent misunderstandings.
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Taxis
Taxis are of two types metered and unmetered taxis. This depends on where you are. In Bangkok, taxis are almost always metered. In some smaller cities, they are not and fares must be negotiated prior to a trip. Metered taxis from the airport in Bangkok will often try to get a traveller to agree to a set price rather than using the meter. This price will generally be higher than what the meter price would be. Don't do it. When you first meet the driver insist that he use the meter before you load in your luggage. The fare in Bangkok starts at 35 baht. Taxis by any standard are very cheap in Bangkok, and especially if you are travelling with two or three people, may be the way to go. Unfortunately driving behaviour is very erratic, so when there is no traffic jam, taxi drivers tend to take a lot of risks on the road.
Motor Cycle Taxis
Just as the name says, they are motor cycles. They can be a quick way to travel around any city. However, they are usually driven by young men who enjoy speed. This creates an element of danger. Use your own judgement, it is your body. They usually charge a minimum of 10 baht to go anywhere. Nowadays, motorcycle taxis run along most sois (sidestreets) in Bangkok. You can easily notice their 'terminals' at the beginning of the soi. Most likely they will not provide you with a helmet for your trip, although this is required by law. We personally never take these motorcycles, since they are accident prone, and rather walk 10-15 minutes.
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TukTuk on Bangkok streets
Tuk Tuks (Three wheeled motor cycles with tops)
This form of transport is unique Thailand. Everyone should ride in one once. But, as a regular mode of transport, they are lacking, lacking air-conditioning for starters. They also expose one to the polluted air when they are used in Bangkok. In other areas, they are more practical. There fare is negotiated as they have not meters. Again, often it is what ever the market will bear so bargin well. Beware of the tuk tuk driver, who does not charge enough. He will likely offer a site seeing trip around the city for a very cheap price. Then, he will take the customer to as many shops as can be tolerated. You see, he receives a commission on any purchases which are made.
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Samlor
These are bicycles with a passenger cart behind them. They are human powered and usually found in smaller cities and villages. They can be a pleasant way to see a quiet city. Price is negotiated before the trip but is usually not expensive. A traveller should ride in one of these at least once.
Ferry BoatsThese boats are use to travel to island off the coast of Thailand. They are reasonably priced and generally, comfortable and safe. The small ones are a bit less comfortable. Often they are the best way to get to an island quickly and cheaply.
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Long Tailed BoatsUnique to Thailand, these unusual boats with propellers extended from the rear of the boat are used mostly on rivers. However, they are sometimes used for short distance trips to islands. Prices are negotiable and they are more expensive than ferry boats, as a rule. They are another form of transport that should be used, maybe once.
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