How to get around Bangkok –

Bangkok is often a scene of bumper-to-bumper traffic and people rushing about to get to their desired location, be it on a preferred mode of private or public transportation. In this article, the available choices of getting about in Bangkok will be explored in great detail, thus providing soon to be visitors to the city with an easy-to-read guide on what could work best for them.

Skytrain

Beating the traffic is key when it comes to reaching your expected destination in Bangkok and one good way to get about this is to ride the Skytrain which is an overhead or elevated train service. Also called the BTS, the Skytrain will see to it that you cover the areas of Silom, Siam Square and Sukhumvit with no delays at all. Featuring two lines as at the time of writing which are the Silom Line (Dark Green) and Sukhumvit Line (Light Green), the Skytrain spells convenience with a capital ‘C’ given that you will be able to avail of the service daily from 6 am till midnight. Day passes can be purchased for 140 Baht while general ticket prices range between 15 Baht to 52 Baht. Although ticket machines only accept coins as payment, the ticket offices will easily exchange your notes for change in a jiffy.

MRT

Mirroring the convenient nature and price brackets of the Skytrain is the city’s extremely efficient metro system (MRT). Ideal for reaching and exploring the pleasures encompassing the Silom and Sukhumvit districts, the fares on the MRT will never be seen burning holes in your pockets. Ticket prices commence at the 16 Baht mark and move upwards with the maximum fare positioned at 42 Baht. However, similar to the Skytrain, daily passes on the MRT will cost you 120 Baht. Highights in the likes of Chatuchak Weekend Market is found at Mo Chit Station along the Sukhumvit BTS Line while Chatuchak Park is accessible along the MRT Line. If you choose to be based at a hotel in Sukhumvit Bangkok such as for example, Gardina Asoke Hotel & Residence, then you can arrive at the Queen Sirikit MRT Station found some 750 meters from the property to kickstart your travels.

Taxi

Although surprising, travelling in a taxi will come off as a cheaper alternative to the Skytrain with one’s journey destined to be easy and comfortable while being in the company of a friendly driver who can easily double as your travel guide. Every vehicle is affixed with a meter for the sake of calculating the fare and if you encounter a fussy driver who refuses to switch on the meter, then it is recommended that you find another. The fare starts at 35 Baht and for trips covering a majority of Central Bangkok, expect to pay anything between 60 – 90 Baht. In terms of advice, it is best that you have your destination written down in Thai as most drivers do not speak decent English.  

Tuk-tuk

Known for affording hair-raising yet truly delightful rides through the narrow lanes and streets that make up Bangkok, the tuk-tuk is a motorised rickshaw that one must go on at least once before one’s time here draws to a close. Hailing a tuk-tuk is perfect if you want to snake your way through busy traffic and find those off the beaten path gems that most travel agencies will not fill you in on. However, before you get in, be sure to bargain a favourable price for the trip as you should not run the risk of falling prey to being overcharged and scammed.

Boat

If laidback adventuring is the need of the hour, then look nowhere else but at Bangkok’s boat service which will ensure that you drift past sought-after landmarks for one awe-inspiring outing while on the waters of the mighty Chao Phraya River. Easily identified as a result of a blue flag, the popular tourist boat which runs from the Central Pier to Banglamphu Pier can be made excellent use of. This boat which stops at 8 piers functions daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm with each boat known to depart every 30 minutes. Tickets are priced at 40 Baht while the daily pass can be picked up for 150 Baht. For a cost of 15 Baht, you will also be handed the luxury to board the Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) between 6 am to 7 pm that will have you dropped off at major piers between Wat Rajsingkorn in the south of the city to Nonthaburi which is located in the north.