Bangkok has quite a few modes of transportation to thrill you. There are buses of different sizes and colours (and conditions). Some are operated by the government while some are owned by private companies. Both buses are so dynamic that they never go to the destinations they are supposed to :). You would be very lucky to get to where you want relying on the information from the guidebooks. Make sure you ask someone at the bus stop to read the sign on the front window of the bus for you before you get on.
Another land transport is the local train. The State Railways of Thailand provides trains taking commuters in and out of provinces near the city during rush hours with seriously cheap fares. There is a train station across from Donmueang International Airport so arriving passengers can join the ride and explore the suburbs of Bangkok right away on their journey into the city. Even though you fall asleep and wake up at the last stop, you are still okay. Hua Lamphong, the central station, is near Chinatown, the old city centre. Plenty of metered taxis and tuk tuks await you.
Once you are in Bangkok’s business districts, you have two more options: BTS sky train and MRT subway. These are cleaner, more comfortable, and of course, more expensive. The choice of going over or under depends on your destination. BTS and MRT are popular choices for Bangkok commuters so you might want to avoid using them at rush hours if you don’t want to be stuck in long queues trying to get tickets.
However, you can’t say you have been to Bangkok if you haven’t tried these two modes of transportation:
Don’t miss the boat services. These include the revving Chao Phraya Express boats that cater to passengers along a part of Chao Phraya River from Nonthaburi to downtown Bangkok, Chao Phraya Ferry which connects between the Thonburi and Phra Nakorn sides of the city in a slow and relaxing manner, and the fast and furious Saen Seab Canal boat service that helps people arrive punctually at their offices located along the canal which runs eastward from Rattanakosin Island.
For a more memorable experience, you can always take a tuktuk. Locals use them all the time, especially when they make a trip back from the market with loads of fresh produce. But for tourists, this may require extra courage and skills. TukTuks can get you anywhere for that ride of your life for a bargained price. Our best advice is never get on one without knowing how much you have to pay. If the asking price sounds too high, you would probably pay double what is needed. If it’s too cheap, then you are taken for a ride, mostly to a shop that will rip you off later.
BKK Tours organises day tours in Bangkok using some of these local transportations. It is the most fun way to explore this beautiful city. Check out our Bangkok Highlights tour by local transport for a visit to the popular tourist attractions or try the Bangkok Explorer tour if you want to get off the beaten track.
Our guides will do all the bargaining and improvisation needed and make sure your time is efficiently spent with Bangkok’s notorious traffic.
