Bangkok Transportation Options

Though not recommended in cities or other high-traffic areas, scooters, or Mopeds, are a cheap, fast and easy way to get around small villages and beach towns in Thailand.  At a low cost of anything from 200-500 Baht per day, you can tour around beach towns, highways and back roads which can lead to much more interesting adventures than if you simply took a standard tour.

Apart from Tuk Tuk's, taxis are probably the most popular mode of Bangkok transportation. Taxis in Bangkok are so plentiful, it is hard not to see one. Usually these guys will spot you walking and offer their services before you can look for one or flag one down. Taxis are air-conditioned and a fast and effective way to tour the city at very reasonable rates.

At the Airport you will immediately be surrounded by taxi operators offering their services to take you into Bangkok, so bargain for a good deal. Taxis are also the best mode of transport to get into the city.

If 3 or 4 of you travel together, costs can be divided and turn out cheaper compared to the sky train or Metro, since Taxis do not charge per person, but per trip. When you get out from a taxi, remember to look when you open the vehicle’s door on a street to make sure a motorcycle is not approaching. It is very common for passengers to open a car door and have a motorcycle hit it.

This can cause serious injury to the motorcyclist and yourself, as well as considerable property damage. You will be liable for all damages. It is perfectly legal and normal in Thailand for motorcycles to drive in the spaces between cars or lanes and the curb.

When waving down a taxi, turn your palm down and wave them in with your fingers. Always keep your hand down.

Has there ever been a tourist in a Bangkok hotel not utilizing the services of the Tuk Tuk.

These three wheeled open air and colorful mode of transport is as thrilling as it is unique to Thailand. It is cheap and it is fast and will take you anywhere in the city.

Again, they are plentiful and you will constantly be offered their services. There is no standard price, so negotiated the fee before you get on. An average trip will cost you anything from 20 Baht and up, depending on the distance.

A songthaew (meaning "two rows" in Thai), also known in English as a baht bus, is a passenger vehicle in Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi.

It takes its name from the two bench seats fixed along either side of the back of the truck. In some vehicles a third bench is put down the middle of the seating area. Additionally, a roof is fitted over the rear of the vehicle to which curtains and plastic sheeting to keep out rain may be attached.

Some vehicles have roofs large enough to accommodate standing passengers within the vehicle, or passengers may stand on a platform attached to the rear.

Songthaews are used both within towns and cities and for longer routes between towns and villages. Those within towns are converted from pick-up trucks and usually travel fixed routes for a set fare, but in some cases (as in Chiang Mai) they are used as shared taxis for passengers traveling in roughly the same direction.

Vehicles on longer routes may be converted from larger trucks for up to 40 passengers. This is a very cheap and safe mode of traveling through-out Thailand and feels kinda original.

There are several types of buses available in Bangkok including the ordinary buses, air conditioned buses, micro buses and green mini buses. Micro buses are the most preferred since it does not take any more passengers on board once all the seating has been taken.

Buses are a cheap and easy way to get around Bangkok, but take care of your belongings on buses, since thieving and pick pocketing does occur. Modern highways reaches into all areas of the country and Provincial buses are a comfortable and convenient way of travel.

The Northern/North Eastern terminal is located on Kam Phaeng Phet 2 Road, with the Southern terminal located on Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisri Road. The Eastern Bus terminal is located on Sukhumvit Road.

They are new, fast and the more risky of the transport options. If you are the daredevil type and want to get around the city fast during peak traffic times, this is your choice.

Motorcycle taxis are common forms for public transport in Bangkok and most other cities, towns and villages in Thailand. They are generally used for short trips. In Bangkok, there are motorcycle taxi queues on many streets (Thai "sois"), which are regulated by the city's government.

Licensed motorcycle-taxi operators wear orange vests. In compliance with Thailand's helmet law, many (but not all) carry a spare helmet to offer to passengers. Prices are always negotiated since no fixed fees exist.

The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known by its abbreviation as the BTS Skytrain, is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok. The sky train offers a alternative to Bangkok's congested traffic and passes most places frequented by tourists. It is operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The Chao Praya Express Boat Service runs between Wat Ratchasingkhon and Nonthaburi Province. The Chao Praya Tourist Boat travels along the Chao Praya River and is a wonderful scenic and relaxed way to see and explore Bangkok.

The boat’s route starts at Sathorn Pier and runs all the way up the river to Banglamphu Pier. It stops at no less than 10 piers on the journey.

From these piers, easy access is available to many major tourist sights and attractions, including the Emerald Buddha, The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chinatown, Khaosan Road etc.

This boat service is available daily from 09:30 am to 15:00 pm.