Bangkok Transportation Options

Though all of the best hotels Bangkok offer will assist with your transport needs, transportation in the city is so plentiful, fun, very reliable and clearly geared toward tourism, that the last thing anyone will really need assistance with is transport. In fact, the many colorful transport options is tourist attraction in itself. Below we have compiled a list of the different transport options to help you plan on getting around.

Scooters

If you are not very familiar with riding a motor cycle in a husy city, stay clear of trying one out in Bangkok. The city traffic is herrendous and driving a scooter here is hazardous.

Taxis

There are probably more taxis in Bangkok than New York and if you do not allow the driver to charge his own inflated rates it is fairly cheap. Rates start at 30 Baht and is then charged at 5 Baht per minute. Taxis are air-conditioned and well maintained.

Here are a few Thai phrases to help you communicated with a Thai taxi driver in his mother tongue. Though you will probably sound quite funny at your first attempts, Thais love foreigners making the effort, irrespective how hopeless it may sound.

A few Thai phrases:

"ja by ..." (will go to ...)

"jawt tee nee" (stop here)

"chy" (yes)

"my chy" (no) cha" which means "go slowly" if he is driving to fast.

In short, taxis are safe and reliable and apart from Tuk Tuk's in the city, probably the most available and comfortable means of getting around in Bangkok.

Tuk Tuk

If you are visting here and do not take a ride in a tuk tuk, then you have not been to Bangkok. It does not matter of you are staying in five star hotels. and if you are a backpacker, everyone experiences a tuk tuk at least once during their trip

Songthaew

Songthaews are pick-up trucks and usually travel fixed routes for a set fare. This feels kinda original and authentic and you will be traveling with Thais making it even more special. These trucks have two wooden benches in the back

Buses

Buses travel is cheap and safe and various options are available. 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. For travel from Bangkok to other areas like Hua Hin, Pranburi, Cha-am etc, the mini vans is a very cheap option charging as little as 180 Baht per person for a 3 hour journey. These are stationed right next to the bridge of the Victory Monument sky train station.

Motorcycle Taxi

Motorcycle taxis are a common forms for public transport in Bangkok. Motorcycle taxi queues on many streets waiting for business. Licensed motorcycle-taxi operators wear orange vests. Prices are always negotiated since no fixed fees exist.

Bangkok Skytrain (BTS)

The skytrain or BTS for short is air conditioned, cheap and comes by every station every 5 minutes. This makes navigating the entire city a breeze and avoid the hectic city traffic.

River Boats

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.

Getting from point A to B in Bangkok by using the several boat options along the Chaophraya river is a tourist must do and gives a differnt view of the city all together. Endless attractions and sites can be reached using this mode of transport. Not only is it cheap, but also a relaxing way of seeing the city.