Bangkok is a busy city, being listed among the worst cities in the world for traffic, with long lasting highly congested rush hours. Heavy traffic can lead to at least two hours delay to your journey. The morning rush hour typically beginning at 6:30 AM and tapers off at 9:30 AM, with the later rush hour beginning at 4:30 PM and lasting as late as 9:30 PM. The most effective way of avoiding traffic and quickly getting about the city are Bangkok’s Skytrain and underground systems. However, during rush hours, both are often packed and congested. The BTS and MRT trains are fast, clean, air conditioned and timely. Being a service provided by different companies, different cards/tokens will be required.
Trains
BTS Bangkok Mass Transit System, Skytrain
Bangkok’s ‘skytrain’, commonly referred to as the BTS, currently features two lines. The Silom line, which runs west to south, starting from the National Stadium (close to MBK) and terminates at Bang Wa (across the Chao Phraya River). The Sukhumvit line runs north to south, currently starting from Kasetsart University and currently terminates at Kheha. Trains run in both directions, with the two lines meeting at Siam station, where passengers can change lines.
The BTS connects at multiple points with the MRT (underground Mass Rapid Transit. It also connects to the Airport Rail Link train at Phaya Thai station. The train lines open at 6:30 AM and close at Midnight. The trains arrive every 3 minutes during rush hour, and every 6 minutes when it is not rush hour. Missing or skipping a train (for instance, if it is too full) during rush hour shouldn’t be an issue as there will be one following quite quickly.
MRT, Mass Rapid Transit
The Mass Rapid Transit, MRT, features two lines through Bangkok, the ‘Blue Line’ and ‘Purple Line’. The Blue Line loops around the city. The MRT connects to the BTS and the
Airport Rail Link, ARL (Petchaburi MRT station / Makkasan ARL station). The MRT opens at 6:00 AM and closes at Midnight. Trains arrive every 2 minutes during rush hour, and every 6 minutes
when it is not rush hour. Similarly with the BTS, missing trains during rush hour shouldn’t be an issue, as another train will follow quickly.
ARL, Airport Rail Link
The trains run between Suvarnabhumi Airport and stop at every station between Suvarnabhumi and the Phaya Thai station (which is connected to the BTS station with the same name). It
takes 27 minutes to get from one end to another. The Airport Rail Link train station opens from 6:00 AM to Midnight.
Tuk-Tuks
The iconic three-wheeled vehicles, not to be confused with a sam-lor (which is bicycle driven rather than a motorcycle). More of a tourist attraction and novelty, than an ideal way to travel about Bangkok, with pollution, heat and traffic jams being the primary deterrents. Prices are rarely fixed and will require negotiating.
Motorcycle Taxis
One of the fastest ways to get around the city, while also being one of the most dangerous ways, they are an option if you are in a hurry to beat Bangkok's traffic.
Buses
Buses are available albeit not always air conditioned. They are one of the cheapest forms of public transport in the city, but not the most reliable, given inconsistent and unpredictable
schedules, in addition to being slow due to heavy traffic (and in some instances may not always pull into the bus stop, instead stopping in the middle of the road).
Taxis
Taxi cabs are readily available around Bangkok, with a number of different companies providing a service (often distinguished by the colour of the cab, rather than brand of vehicle). They can either be flagged down or found at numerous taxi stands throughout the city. Despite it being a the law that the cab has to accept the passenger regardless of destination, this may not
always be the case. It is advised for passengers to take note of the cab driver’s ID/information (the driver’s name and photograph, license plate, cab number). This is commonly found on a laminated card, which is located the front dashboard of the passenger seat (behind the in-service light) and/or behind the front seats. Additionally, you should ensure the taxi driver starts the meter, which starts at 35 THB. In the event of using the toll way, the passenger will have to pay the toll fee.
Car Haling Services
Grab Taxi, Grab Car, Grab Bike, Grab Food, Grab Rent
Another way to order taxis is through the ‘Grab Taxi’ mobile app (there is also a service for motorcycle taxis, called ‘Grab Bike’). In the case of GrabTaxi, the passenger will pay an additional 25 THB (which is added to the meter, which starts at 35 THB). It is good to note that although Bangkok did have uber in 2017, Uber merged with Grab in March 2018, making it the dominant ride hailing application service in Bangkok. Be aware that if your destination is too far from your starting point some of the Grab Taxi’s may overlook your call, so be prepared to wait or change services. ‘GrabCar’ is another service from the ‘Grab company, however instead of taxi cabs, personal vehicles are used similar to Uber, while at times offering competitive prices.
The prices will usually cost more than taxis, but for this reason you are more likely to hire a Grab Car in service There are three types of Grab Car services. ‘Grab Car Economy’, which as a base fare of 30 THB and 9 THB per km. The second is ‘Grab Car+ Premium’ which features a more expensive vehicle. The base fare for Grab Car+ is 50 THB and 12.5 THB per km. The third service they provide is ‘Grab XL’ which uses 12 seater vans, the base fare is 300THB and 20 THB per km.
Both Grab Car Economy and Grab Car+ require an additional 150 THB for travelers heading to and from either Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports. Grab XL however does not require this extra charge. The base fare for a motorcycle taxi ordered through ‘Grab Bike’ is 25 THB, the final fare will be dependent on destination and listed in the app accordingly. Grab has also expanded their services to include ‘Grab Food’ a food delivery service available from their app. Another recently added service is their car rental service. This service allows you to rent both the car and the driver for a set number of hours, within Bangkok and grater Bangkok, with a 4 passenger limitation. If you are planning to travel outside of Bangkok, there may a surcharge of 1000 THB. You will also have to return to Bangkok within your hourly package, to make sure to allow for your return trip when booking.
The car rental rates for 2 hours is 600 THB, 4 hours 1,200 THB, 6 hours 1,700, and 8 hours 2,200 THB. We suggest you contact grab directly via their website here for anything longer than 8 hours.
As noted above, passengers should take note of the driver’s information, in the case of motorcycle taxi’s, most will have this information on the back of their (often vibrant colored) vests. Be aware, as with most of these apps using GPS, it may change your desired locations to ‘popular’ pick-up or drop-off points, so communicating via the app’s built in messenger or a phone call may be necessary.
U Drink I Drive
Another notable transportation service to help reduce alcohol related accidents, is U Drink I Dive. This service allows the customer to call a driver to drive the their vehicle home for them after a night out, there will be a following vehicle from U Drink I Drive to take the driver back once the customer is safely home. It is also possible to request a female driver, to help ensure safety and comfort. U Drink I Drive's rate start at 500 THB (0-5 km) to 1,500 THB (41-50 km) and you will be required to install an app to use their service. For more information on their services please check out their website.
