Bangkok, Thailand, How to Get There
Getting Around Bangkok City by Bus, Metro, Skytrain, Taxi & Tuk-Tuk
Apr 30, 2009
All major airlines fly to Thailand’s newest airport, Suvarnabhumi, and once in the country Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways connect the capital with regional areas. Travelling between the Thai capital and other Asian countries is especially easy, with Singapore, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City being a short hop away.
How to Get From Thaiand's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City
From the Airport there will soon be a new direct rail link – opening date is said to be 12th August 2009, but it may be a “soft opening;”, i.e. it opens on the given date and then closes for further work.
Meantime, there are 24-hour public buses running from the airport to eleven destinations within the country, including Bangkok, and a link with the city's other airport of Don Muang, (fare approx. only 35 Baht). Limos and taxis are also available at a reasonable rate from the desks inside the terminal.
Transport In and Around Bangkok
Public Bus: Public buses are plentiful and cheap, but the minimum fare of 6 baht means that they are often overcrowded. Buses with air-con charge more, in the region of 10 to 20 baht. Get a map and price list from the Tourist Offices in the transport venues.
By Taxi: Taxis cruise the city streets and are metered, charging a minimum 35 baht for the first 3 kilometers, and 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. If a route is chosen that includes a toll, the passenger must pay the toll so it is advisable to have some change handy.
By Tuk Tuk: This popular form of transport, a three-wheeled open-air motorized taxi, is for short journeys only. It is quite a dangerous form of transport, having little or no control should it have to swerve quickly. However, travelling by tuk-tuk is immensely popular and is a fun way to sight-see, but passengers should be aware of the dangers. Fares must be arranged in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately 30 baht.
By BTS sky train: The most popular way to get around Bangkok, the BTS Sky Trains whizz along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads, connecting the leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market as well as the riverside and the Oriental and Shangri-La Hotels. The fare ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance.
Subway (Metro)This is fairly new, a subway system, or MRT, that connects many of the top tourist attractions with hotels, markets, and the business district. Fares range from 14 to 36 Baht. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.
By Car: Traffic jams make this a hazard as Bangkok’s traffic jams are notorious. Public transport is excellent throughout the city therefore there is little need to hire a car and drive.
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