Transport in Bangkok: all types of transportation in the Thai capital. Detailed information about buses in Bangkok. There are several types of Bangkok buses

As in any major metropolis in the world, there is a well-developed transport network. Everyone can choose for themselves this or that way of moving around the city, depending on preferences and financial situation.

Tickets for intercity transport

If you need to go outside of Bangkok, then there are bus stations, railway station, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports for this. Tickets can also be purchased online. Use the form below.

Bangkok river transport on Chao Phraya

Ferries run along the Chao Phraya River and have certain stops. They are easy to get to the main attractions:,. The central pier, from which ferries depart, is located next to the station ground metro Saphan Taksin. They go quite far down the river, but tourists usually don't go further - a popular place with many shops, tour desks and cheap accommodation.

All ferries run from 6 am to 7 pm. The fare depends on the distance and is 10-32 baht. There are special ferries for tourists with an English-speaking guide. They go from the Central Pier to Pier No. 13 (where Khaosan is located), then turn around and follow to reverse direction. Travel time one way is 25-27 minutes. Ticket price - 150 baht.

water taxi

This transport of Bangkok represents motor boats designed for several people. Unlike ferries, which follow a specific route and make specific stops, boats can go anywhere and drop you off anywhere. They may also wait while you take in the sights. Such a taxi is good because you can travel on it along the tributaries of the Chao Phraya River and see how the locals live away from hiking trails. The trip costs around 800 baht. But this is the price for the whole boat, and if there are, for example, 4 people, then each will be 200.

Tuk-tuk taxi

This transport is the symbol of Bangkok, many souvenir shops even sell small models dedicated to him.

Tuk-tuk is a modified three-wheel motorcycle. No more than three people (adults) with suitcases can fit. Their parking lots are everywhere and many people use tuk-tuks as exotics, such as “well, how not to be in Bangkok and not try to ride this miracle”. The cost of the trip is discussed in advance. Bargaining is quite appropriate, albeit within reasonable limits. For a few kilometers you will be charged 15-20 baht, and to cross the whole of Bangkok, you need 200-300. The more people, the cheaper it is, because. payment is made not for each passenger, but for the entire tuk-tuk. You can get to almost anywhere in the capital. Tuk-tuk parking lots are located near popular tourist places- shopping malls, attractions, markets.

Moto taxi

This is the most the fastest from Bangkok's land transport, because of the maneuverability, you will not be stuck in traffic jams. Plus, he will take you to the place along the shortest distance - all sorts of lanes and nooks and crannies.

The passenger sits in the back seat and the trip begins. Sometimes it can fit two people, but driving in this way is dangerous. In general, motorbike-taxi is a rather traumatic type of transport - oops, and crashed at the turn. It is best avoided if possible, although it can be justified in case of urgency and rush hour. The price of the trip depends on the distance and is not much different from the cost of a tuk-tuk - through the whole city you will be charged 200 Thai rubles. Taxi drivers with motorcycles are located at almost every intersection, close to attractions and shopping centers in Bangkok.

This metered taxi. In our opinion, the most best option Bangkok transport (with the exception of rush hours, when you have to stand in traffic jams). Taxis are foreign cars painted in different colors (a lot of pink and green). There is a sign "TAXI-METER" on the roof. The cabin is very comfortable, and the fare will be cheaper (according to the meter) than riding in a tuk-tuk, blown by all the winds. In a taxi, the air temperature is brought by air conditioners to 21-23 degrees. This is very nice considering that outside the window +30…+35.

Bangkok is notorious for its traffic jams and congestion. To avoid them, use the elevated (BTS Skytrain) and underground (MRT) types of metro, or boats to travel along the river and canals of the city.

Bus types

Thousands of buses, hundreds of routes will easily confuse tourists who have come to this city for the first time. The only resource to understand bus routes is the official website of the BMTA. It contains almost full list bus routes to English language but no cards. To see which buses go to different attractions, follow this link. Bus routes in Bangkok can be viewed on the Wikipedia website at this link. For orientation, use the MBTA map (available at most bus terminals). Most buses (except night buses) operate from 05:00 to 23:00 daily. All buses are divided into the following types:

Standard bus (cream red), cost 6.50 baht, operating hours: 05:00 - 23:00.
Standard bus (white and blue), cost 7.50 baht, operating hours: 05:00 - 23:00.
express bus(cream red), cost 8.50 baht, opening hours: 05:00 - 23:00.
Night bus(cream red), cost 8 baht, opening hours: 23:00 - 05:00.
Air-conditioned bus (cream blue), fare 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 baht (depending on distance), operating hours: 05:00 - 23:00.
EURO II bus (yellow-orange), cost 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 baht (depending on distance), opening hours: 05:00 - 23:00.

Most of the city's bus routes are written in Thai. Therefore, be guided by the number, type of bus and its color. Please note that buses with the same number but different colors do not always follow the same route; be guided by the bus number with the corresponding color.

Useful information about buses in Bangkok

The fare is collected by the conductor on the bus.
Always carry small bills with you. A 100-baht note in air-conditioned buses is quite acceptable, but for standard buses or minibuses it is already a large denomination, not to mention 500 and 1000 baht notes.
Keep your ticket until you get off the bus, the bus is checked periodically by controllers.
In air-conditioned buses, the fare depends on the distance. Just tell the conductor where you want to get off and he will tell you how much the trip will cost.
In standard buses, the fare is fixed, usually around 7 - 8 baht.
Many buses only stop when necessary, so wave your hand when you see the bus you need. To warn the driver where you want to get off, press the buzzer in advance (before the bus reaches the stop).
Keep a business card or the name and address of the hotel where you are staying with you at all times. If you get lost, this will help you get back faster.
The newest, most comfortable and spacious bus is EURO II (yellow-orange). Drivers and conductors are polite and, most importantly, the air conditioner is always working.
Buses from the airport allow bulky luggage (backpacks and suitcases) to be brought into the cabin, but not on city buses.
There are also a number of buses and minibuses owned by private operators. These are fairly cramped buses, with no air conditioning or fan, reckless drivers, and flat fares. They are significantly faster than the buses run by the BMTA.

Taxi

In addition to the elevated and underground metro, the easiest and convenient way travel by taxi (unless traffic interferes). Taxis come in a variety of colours, from the traditional yellow-green and red-blue to bright orange, red and even pink. Finding a taxi is not a hassle, especially around hotels, shopping malls and other tourist spots.

All taxis in the capital are required by law to have a meter and air conditioning. When the meter is on, you will see a red number 35 on the dashboard. The fare starts at 35 baht, this is the fare for landing and the first two kilometers. After that, the fare is 5 baht per kilometer. If you get stuck in a traffic jam (when driving at a speed of less than 6 km per hour), an additional payment of 1.25 baht per kilometer. Most rides in the city center cost less than 100 baht. There are no other surcharges, even at night (with the exception of traveling from the airport on a toll freeway). Do not believe drivers who are trying to prove otherwise.

Useful tips about taxis in Bangkok

A glowing red light on the windshield means the taxi is free.
since 1992, all taxis must be metered (tariffs for tuk tuks and motorcycle taxis still depend on an agreement between driver and passenger). If the driver is trying to negotiate a fare instead of using the meter, look for another taxi.
Taxis waiting outside hotels can be considered suspicious. Taxi drivers wait for their customers for two reasons: to take them to a place where they can collect their commissions (jewelry shops, tailors, massage parlors, etc.), and to charge exorbitant prices for a trip without using a meter.
Don't be surprised if the driver refuses to take you where you need to go. There's nothing you can do about it, try again from the next taxi.
Beware of taxi drivers offering to take you to " good places» very cheap, decline such offers. Waste your time in markets, jewelry stores and other unnecessary places.
Taxi drivers know the tourist attractions well, but don't expect them to know every nook and cranny. Carry a map or the name of the place in Thai with you where you are going. Most hotels and guest houses will write the address for you in Thai. Also, try to get business card of your hotel to show the taxi driver in case you get lost.
When you leave the taxi, try to have small bills (100 baht or less), otherwise you risk not getting change at all. Tipping is not required, but if you are satisfied with the service, you can leave. Rounding fares to the nearest 5 or 10 baht is common practice.
Trust your intuition. If the taxi driver did not like something at first sight, catch the next taxi.

Taxi Motorcycles

Most fast way movement around the city - a motorcycle taxi. Despite the dangers, motorcyclists will do their best to get the passenger to their destination quickly, ignoring all the rules. traffic even when driving on sidewalks or in the opposite lane. Since 2003, they have been conducting a system of registrations for the right to work as taxi motorcyclists. Since that time, all drivers have worn distinctive vests with numbers indicating their area of ​​registration. In yellow-orange or red vests, groups of motorcycle taxi drivers are easy to spot at street intersections, shopping centers, streets with heavy traffic, near elevated and underground metro stations. Prices start at 10 baht for short trips and vary depending on the length of the trip. Agree on the cost of the trip in advance, otherwise you will pay significantly more.

The law requires both driver and passenger to wear a helmet. The driver is obliged to provide the passenger with a helmet, not only for safety reasons, but also so that the passenger does not receive a fine of up to 1,000 baht, depending on the mood of the traffic police.

The vast majority of motorcycle taxis do not travel long distances, but simply run up and down long lanes (soi) where other species do not travel. public transport.

Knock Knock

Tuk-tuk has become one of the most recognizable features of Bangkok, without which today it is difficult to imagine the appearance of the capital of Thailand. Originating from old rickshaws during the Second World War, the tuk-tuk is essentially a rickshaw, but only equipped with a small engine. It is easy to recognize by its characteristic noise and suffocating smell - a three-wheeled scooter pollutes the air incredibly. In dense traffic, they are more maneuverable, but in general they move much more slowly. For tourists, tuk tuks are one of the most popular means of transportation around. 5-10 minutes of travel is enough to get an idea about this mode of transport and to get to know the flavor of the Asian metropolis.

Useful tips about tuk tuk

Prices depend on the distance traveled, time of day, traffic and the mood of the drivers. Usually a very short trip will cost 30 baht.
Be sure to bargain and agree on the cost of the trip in advance, because drivers always overestimate the cost of the trip for tourists
"Tuk-tuk-mafia" in tourist areas offers "secret" or "special" trading places. Some of them may offer to be your guide and lead a tour, or they will give you a free ride if they agree to visit clothing and jewelry stores (their owners give tuk-tuk drivers coupons for fuel and a commission for attracted customers). A short "no thanks" answer will save you from being scammed. The same rule applies to taxis.
Avoid taking a tuk-tuk during peak hours (07:00 - 09:00, 16:00 - 19:00) unless you want to get stuck in traffic and breathe in their engine exhaust.
Tuk-tuk is most ideal for short trips. A regular taxi will sometimes cost the same, or even less, but it is much faster.

Water transport

Water transport still functions in Bangkok's public transport system. Using water transport, you can visit the historical sights in the city center, explore the canals (klongs) that played such an important role in the past. transport system. Express boats, river taxis and longboats ply up and down the Chao Phraya River, with ferries ferrying passengers on both sides of the river.

Chao Phraya River Express

A trip to the Chao Phraya River should be on the agenda of any tourist. The cheapest and most popular option is the Chao Phraya River Express Boat, www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com. This is a kind of analogue of a bus on the water. Prices are cheap, from 11 baht to 30 baht, depending on the distance and type of boat. The fare is paid on board, the boats are designed to carry from 90 to 180 passengers. Opening hours: 06:00 - 19:30. Route types:

Khlong Saen Saep is one of the few remaining channels. Mostly used by locals to get to work. The canal runs parallel to Phetchaburi Road and provides easy access to Golden Mountain, the island and Siam Square. Traveling on this channel, passengers are insured against the notorious traffic jams in the busy center of Bangkok. Disadvantages include heavily polluted canal water and unclear traffic schedules. The 18 km route is served by boats designed for 40-50 passengers and operates from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm daily. Prices from 10 to 20 baht, depending on the distance.

Be careful when embarking and disembarking, as boats do not stop at the pier for a long time. It is better to sit closer to the front of the boat, away from the noisy engine. Press the green button if you want to get off at the next pier, otherwise the boat might just skip it. The berths are signposted in English.

Long tail boat (river taxi)

Longtail boats can be hired at any major marina in the city. This is a rather expensive pleasure, costing from 400 to 500 baht per hour, it is mainly used Foreign tourists. You can rent a boat from the Tha Chang ferry pier next to the Grand Palace, or from the pier shopping complex River City (next to Hotel Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers). But keep in mind that the boatman is not a professional guide.

Alternatively, you can take the official canal tour (klongs). Any hotel concierge will assist you with this tour. You can book a tour yourself on the website bangkok.com using this link

Bangkok bus terminals

The largest and most modern north terminal, also known as Mo Chit (Mo Chit) serves the northern and northeastern destinations of Thailand (Isan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai). The bus terminal is close to BTS Skytrain Station Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park Underground Station. It takes 15-20 minutes to walk from these metro stations to the terminal. Therefore, the best option is to take a taxi.

Buying a ticket at any of Bangkok's bus terminals is fairly easy, even if you don't speak Thai. You need to find the ticket office with your destination (indicated in Thai and English), pay the fare there and get a ticket for the next available bus flight. The ticket shows the departure time, seat number and, in most cases, the bus number. Please note that blue means 1st class bus, red means 2nd class. If you need assistance, ask the staff at the information desk on the ground floor. Now it remains to find the departure platform. if you have free time, while away it at the eateries at both ends of the main terminal building or KFC, Dunkin' Donuts, 7-Eleven store.

East Bus Terminal, also known as Ekkamai, is a relatively compact terminal next to underground station subway station Ekkamai BTS station. It is located at: Sukhumvit Road, soi 40, opposite soi 63. Ekkamai serves the eastern destinations of Thailand, including Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe (Ko Samet), Trat, Chonburi. From here you can take a bus to the Cambodian border (Poipet).

The South Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai, has a somewhat inconvenient location on the right bank of the river in the Thonburi area. In December 2007, the terminal was moved to a new, even more remote place Address: Phutthamonthon Sai 1 Road. Intercity buses leave from here to the western and southern destinations of Thailand (including Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Hat Yai and many others).

Getting to the terminal is not easy, as there is little public transport. The easiest option is to take a taxi, but if you are going there in the evening, especially on weekdays, you should be prepared for a serious traffic jam, it can take 30 minutes or a whole hour from the city center to get there.

From the Victory Monument BTS station, the terminal can be reached by the pale orange 515 bus. Tell the bus conductor Sai Tai. The large bus terminal will be on the left side of the road about 9 km after crossing the river ( large building terminal is hard to miss).

Railway stations

The Kingdom of Thailand has a developed network of railways. Mainly used Japanese trains. They are slower than their European or American counterparts. The relatively slow speed of the train can be seen as a bonus to enjoy natural scenery and countryside of Thailand.

Hualamphong Station is the central railway station. From here, trains leave for the northern, eastern, northeastern and southern regions Thailand. A large and convenient station was built in 1916. It has 14 platforms and 26 ticket offices. The station serves more than 130 trains and about 60,000 passengers daily. Since 2004, the station has been connected by an underpass to the underground metro station of the same name. Located in the city center at the address: Rama IV Rd, Pathum Wan, close to Bangkok's Chinatown.

Thonburi Train Station is located on the western side of the river in Thonburi (one of the districts on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River). Trains leave for Kanchanaburi from here. The previous station was on the banks of the river and reached it by express boat, but now it has been turned into a museum. New station is located just 800 m from the old station.

In addition to passenger services, the State Railway of Thailand runs several one-day tourist trips to attractions in the suburbs of the capital of Thailand, such as Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Floating Markets Damnoen Saduak, Ampawa and more. There are numerous options for excursions for several days. More details at www.virtualtour.railway.co.th. Unfortunately, not all pages of this site are translated into English. It is better to go to the official website of the railway www.railway.co.th. At the bottom of the main page you will see the directions of travel. Clicking on them will open a pdf document with detailed description excursions.

Good day to all readers

For those tourists who travel the world on their own, information about the development of transport communications in a particular city or region where they move is always very important. Therefore, I always try to pay more attention to writing such articles - about how to get from one city to another or directly about transport communication any city. For example, for travelers to Vietnam, my articles will be useful:

Today there will also be a post about Thailand, or rather about Bangkok. And in this article I will tell you about everything, so that after reading this article, you no longer have questions about whether how and what to travel around Bangkok. So, if you are planning to spend some time in the capital of Thailand soon, then this post will be extremely useful for you!

Let's start in order about all modes of transport in Bangkok ...

1. Metro.

There are 3 types of metro in Bangkok. They do not intersect with each other, and if you need to transfer from one metro line to another, you will have to buy a new ticket (or rather a token or card).

Perhaps the most famous metro line among tourists is the City Line. It is she who is stretched to the Suvernabhumi airport. From the airport, you can use this metro to get to the very center of the city, including the famous tower-hotel Bayok Sky. Details on how to get to the center of Bangkok on this metro and in general about how to use this metro. If you need to go to other areas of the city, then it is not a problem to get from the center.

MRT underground metro - the principle of operation is the same as that of the City Line. Tokens are also bought, and the price of the trip depends on the distance. MRT operates from 6:00 to 24:00.

Surface metro BTS Skytrain. The main difference from the subway is that this subway passes at the height of the third floor and during the trip you can look at Bangkok. Still here not tokens are used, but cards. The scheme is the same - the card must be kept until the end of the train. You can buy a card for one trip (the price depends on the distance), for several trips during the day (it costs 130 baht) or a travel card. If you live in Bangkok or often visit here, then it is more profitable to buy a travel card - with it the price of a trip becomes lower with an increase in the number of trips (from 22 to 27 baht). The surface metro also operates from 6:00 to 24:00.

In general, it is worth noting that, although not the cheapest, it is very convenient to use it. The carriages are equipped with air conditioners, the stations are clean, and most importantly, by taking the subway you bypass all the traffic jams in Bangkok.

2. Taxi.

In Bangkok, traveling by taxi is not only convenient, but also quite budgetary. Of course, the trip will cost you more than the subway or bus, but compared to a taxi in many other cities in the world, it is one of the cheapest. But only if you eat by the meter! The route should be agreed in advance (for this I advise you to have a map of Bangkok with you, which you can take for free at the airport, or a navigator) and even before the start of the trip, show the taxi driver to the check - every taxi is equipped with it. Landing will cost 35 baht, and then depending on the mileage and the presence of traffic jams. Idle time in traffic jams - 1.5 baht per minute. Passengers also pay for toll roads. This pleasure costs 50 baht.

If the taxi driver agrees to go according to the meter, then get into the car, if he refuses and names his amount, then look for another taxi - there are a lot of them in Bangkok. And remember: no matter how you bargain, no matter how much the amount that the taxi driver calls seems acceptable to you, this amount will still be higher than the one that the meter will show at the end of the trip.

3. City bus.

This is the most cheap look public transport in Bangkok. In total, there are about 300 routes on which approximately 11 thousand buses run, so you can’t tell about all these routes in one article. Yes, this is not necessary. Just take a public transport map at the airport upon arrival in Bangkok - everything is clear there (by the way, the map is free!).

Most of the buses operate from 5:00 to 23:00. But even at night, "night" buses run in Bangkok. Basically, all buses are divided into those with air conditioning and those without air conditioning. This also affects the price of the ticket. With air conditioning - these are: red minibuses, blue buses and eurobuses (blue, orange and white). Without conditioner: red with white stripe and white. The price for a ticket ranges from 4 baht for a bus without air conditioning to 25 baht for a minibus.

Although some buses (those with air conditioning) are quite comfortable to ride, the main advantage of this type of transport is its cheapness. Otherwise, in my opinion, there are only minuses, and the main one is the speed of movement. On average, it is 10-15 kilometers per hour. All thanks to the famous traffic jams of Bangkok. That is why not many tourists choose this type of transport. Unlike the next...

4. River tram.

This is my most favorite public transport in bangkok! These trams run along the river. Chao Phraya round trip. Of course, Chao Phraya does not flow through the whole of Bangkok, but many historical sights are located right next to it. On the river bus you can get to the temples and, very close to the river is Royal Palace and the famous backpacker street khaosan road. By the way, a separate post is being prepared for publication about it, so subscribe to blog updates so as not to miss the release of the article!

Since there are no traffic jams on the river, you can save time on travel. The price of one trip is only 15 baht per person, which you will agree is not very expensive! But the most attractive thing about these river trams is the presence of some kind of exotic in them. After all, we can’t ride anything like this in Russia. That is why so many tourists choose this method of transportation. Some even just to ride.

On the Chao Phraya River:

One of the piers where the river bus stops to pick up passengers. All of them are marked on the map of Bangkok - it is convenient to navigate.

Inside the tram:

Interesting video. We sail on a river bus on the Chao Phraya River:

Separately, it is worth mentioning the ferry, which runs between the two banks of Chao Phraya from the pier next to pier number 8, where the tram stops, to the pier near Wat Arun. The cost of a trip on such a ferry is very symbolic - only 3 baht! Basically, everyone swims on it to the Wat Arun temple, but you can use it just to get to the other side of the river.

Inside the ferry:

5. River Taxi.

Such a river taxi can be found on the Chao Phraya River and on the famous water channels of Bangkok (Klong). The fare is negotiable, but always noticeably less than a tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi. This type transport is popular with both locals and tourists. Local Thais, if they live or work in close proximity to the river or Klong, on such a taxi avoid standing in the eternal traffic jams of the capital of Thailand. For tourists, this is primarily an opportunity to ride on an unusual form of transport, as well as to see the slums of Bangkok, which are located along the Klong.

6. Knock Knock.

A very exotic and colorful mode of transport - this is what captivates many tourists. The locals do not use this type of transport. The fact is that this is more likely not a type of transport, but entertainment for tourists and the goal of the tuk-tuker is to rip off as much money from you as possible or take it to where this money will be ripped off from you!

It is the tuk-tuk drivers who are a kind of guide to all the dark entertainment in Bangkok, so to speak. Most often in the evenings they seek out single tourists in order to take them to the girls for a massage or boom-boom. From this they receive a percentage of these establishments. Some tuk-tukers also sell drugs. But because of this, they should not be afraid. If you refuse them, then no one will force you to go anywhere.

During the daytime, tuk-tuk drivers participate in a popular tour for tourists. They themselves, or figureheads, constantly hanging around in tourist areas, look out for walking tourists. With a very trusting look, they can tell that there are so-called state-owned tuk-tuks, which, in order to develop tourism in Thailand, will take you half a day to the best sights of Bangkok for a nominal fee of 10 or 20 baht. In fact, there are no state-owned tuk-tuks in Bangkok, and you will drive for several hours to shops and private temples, where they will sell you something or help you spend money in some other way. Most often it happens like this: many tourists in the main attractions of Bangkok go to see, for example, the same Royal Palace. Special People already from afar they notice walking tourists and, as they say, sit down in their ear. According to them, it turns out that the Royal Palace is not working now, and will open for visiting only after lunch, that is, you just have 3-4 hours to see other sights of Bangkok on the state tuk-tuk for only 10 baht , and then a tuk-tuk will bring you directly to the palace. But in fairness, it must be said that one should not be very afraid of these layouts. No one can force you to buy anything. And you can just ride a tuk-tuk for 10 baht, make interesting photos and when you get bored, just demand to drop you off or take you to your destination. By the way, we did just that, visited some temple and a store, didn’t buy anything, took a few pictures, swept with the breeze, and then we were taken to where we were going - to the Royal Palace. Spent in such a way as we were promised - 10 baht.

Tuk-tuks also work like ordinary taxis, that is, they can simply take you where you need to go. Only now they do not have counters and they name the price themselves. Even if you bargain, it still comes out more expensive than a taxi by meter. But then again, if you want a lot of exotic, then why not take a ride!

7. Motorcycle taxi.

Unlike tuk-tuks, taxi drivers on motorbikes do not raise prices as much and are a little more willing to bargain. In this way it is convenient to move through traffic jams for short distances.

Such a taxi is easily recognizable by the uniform of taxi drivers-bikers. They are wearing orange or green vests. Personally, I preferred to ride a motorcycle taxi only in Pattaya, where there are no metered taxis. In Bangkok, regular METER taxis (subject to a metered trip) will be even cheaper.

I think that after reading this article, no one will have any problems regarding how to get around the capital of Thailand- now you know about all modes of transport in Bangkok.

See you on the blog pages friends and do not forget to share your thoughts in the comments!

City buses, tuk-tuks, songteos, taxis, motorcycle taxis are in abundance in Bangkok. Public transport is very well developed here. But how can an average tourist who is not well trained in moving around the metropolis understand it? Where to run, how to get to the right place, how to catch a taxi, in the end, or at least where to go to take a break from the hustle and bustle in order to exhale and think? Dealing with these issues on the spot is quite troublesome. So it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the options for moving around the City of Angels in advance. And to understand that everything here is logical, civilized and not at all as difficult as it might seem.

Tip number one: be puzzled in advance if you have a map of the city and it is very desirable in an electronic version. Google maps installed on most modern smartphones is your faithful assistant. If for some reason you are unable to use electronic maps, then in many hotels, bookstores or 7Eleven minimarkets you can purchase a paper version of the map with the indicated attractions of Bangkok.

Tip number two: if possible, when planning a route, visit the site www.transitbangkok.com, using which you can find out all types of transport that can take you from point A to point B.

So, the main ways to travel around Bangkok on wheels, that is, by land.

1. Taxi

The most common, easy for a tourist and enough comfortable way travel around Bangkok. Bright yellows, pinks, blues, etc. cars will take you from point A to point B and will not empty your wallet much. Taxi in Bangkok is very popular and well developed, both Thais themselves and tourists use it, because you can get to the right place with maximum comfort without knowing the city. In addition, a Bangkok taxi is an inexpensive way to get around the city, especially if you are not traveling alone.

Pros: inexpensive, comfortable, air-conditioned, you can not follow the road, they drive around the clock.

Minuses: terrible Bangkok traffic jams can greatly delay the moment of arrival at your destination and increase the fare; not all taxi drivers agree to ride on the meter; You can find cheaper travel options.

Nuances:
Taxis must be taken according to the meter, because. the amount announced by the taxi driver is often overestimated by 2-3 or more times. Therefore, when arranging a trip, immediately inform the driver to turn on the "taxi meter". Some taxi drivers refuse to drive on the meter (which, by the way, is illegal), as, for example, on the street, in this case you say goodbye, catch the next taxi and repeat the procedure.

When boarding a taxi, the number 35 will already be on the meter - this is the standard cost of landing, then the amount will increase depending on the distance, when traveling up to 10 km, the cost of one km is 5.5 baht. When traveling more than 10 km, the cost per kilometer will be increased. In traffic jams, the cost of a kilometer also increases, so try not to use taxi services during rush hour if possible.

If you need to get to a certain hotel or a not very popular attraction in the city, it is best to have the address with you this place and also in Thai. Not all taxi drivers speak English. In addition, it is better to see in advance which popular places there are in the district (shopping centers, temples, public transport stops).

Tips for taxi drivers are welcome, but not required. In any case, if you have accumulated 87 baht for the trip, it is likely that “the state will not become poorer”, and you can give 100 baht without change. But this is up to you.

To understand that a taxi is free, you need to look at the windshield: a hot red badge indicates that you can use the services of this taxi.

In order not to catch a car on the street and not waste time and nerves on playing “cheaper / more expensive”, you can always use the service by downloading the application to your phone and ordering a taxi through it.

2. Motobike taxi

In Bangkok, motosai are not as popular as in Pattaya, due, perhaps, to greater distances. So, a ride on a motorbike taxi can be more expensive than on a regular one. However, if you need to drive a couple of blocks, and it’s rush hour in the yard, and you have a taxi rank on mopeds on your way, then you can use their services. Of course, having stipulated the price in advance. The average cost of a trip is 30-60 baht, but you will most likely be told at least 150-200. This is common practice, bargain!

Pros: quickly, traffic jams are not terrible, with a breeze and not boring.

Minuses: out of habit it can be scary; motorbikers do not always bargain well; You can ride together, but it will be a) worse, b) the price will increase by 1.5-2 times, and will not be divided into two, as in a regular taxi.

Nuances: official Bangkok motorbike taxi drivers have a plaque on the back of their vest with information about the driver and his photo. At taxi ranks in Thai, you can often see the price of services depending on the distance. But for those who do not know Thai, this information, of course, will not help much.

3. Tuk tuks and songteos

Traditionally thai look transport. In Bangkok, tuk-tuks are more of a tourist means of transportation, so a tuk-tuk trip will cost more than a taxi. Although sometimes I managed to negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers to get for a ridiculous 20 baht (of course, for ridiculous distances) or for 100 baht from Khaosan Road to Victory Monument (with a taxi meter costing about 80-90 baht). In any case, I think it’s worth it to ride a tuk-tuk in Bangkok at least once in order to feel the authentic Thai spirit.

In non-tourist areas of the city, songteos are quite common - pickups in which benches for passengers are installed instead of the body. This type of transport is popular in Pattaya, although out of ignorance it is called tuk-tuk there. To use this type of public transport in Bangkok, you just need to stretch your hand and stop it, and then quickly dive on board! Songteo has no official stops, so when you reach the right place, you need to press the button, get out and pay the driver through the window.

Of course, it would be better to know the route and the end point where you are going in advance. The locals can help with this. It is better to ask them about the fare, which usually does not exceed 10 baht. So, I learned about songteo from the employees of the Family Mart minimarket when I arrived in.

Pros: It is interesting, unusual to travel by tuk-tuks, you can have fun traveling with a company and make friends with the driver, who are often very sociable. Songteo, on the other hand, is public transport following a certain route, which can take you to the right place just like a breeze, but for ridiculous money.

Minuses: often expensive (due to unusual and uniqueness for tourists), you will collect traffic jams (if any) in the same way as by taxi. To use the songthaew, you will most likely need to ask local residents its itinerary and fare.

4. City buses

If you are a frugal and fearless tourist, who also actively uses Google maps, which, when plotting a route, will inform you of possible public transport options, then you - I can safely try using a city bus in Bangkok.

There are a lot of bus routes in Bangkok, and there are three ways to find out how to get from your location to the desired point in three ways:

1) google map, which will also help you not to miss the stop if you follow the movement on the navigator. Although you can always ask the conductor to tell you when the desired station will be. The disadvantage of searching for routes through a Google map is that there may be errors, both with the location of the stop and with the bus number, many routes may simply not be displayed. So it is always better to clarify whether you have chosen the route correctly.

2) ask passers-by/workers in booths. But in the first case, the problem may be that none of those standing at the bus stop will know English, in the second case, there will be no booths in the area. However, if you are lucky and you have found someone who understands you and whom you understand, then there is a high probability that they will also guide you and tell you how to get after getting off the bus, and wish you a happy journey.

3) Buy a bus route map from 7Eleven and try your best to figure it out.
Link http://www.transitbangkok.com/lines/bangkok-bus-line/XXX you can see all the stops of a particular route, it is enough to put the number you need instead of XXX.

Travel by city buses is quite cheap: the price ranges from 6.5 to 23 baht, depending on the type of bus and / or the duration of the trip. There are also free trails. The buses themselves can be both comfortable with air conditioning, and colorful collapsing with open windows.

On a bus with open windows from Lumpini Park to Khaosan Road, the trip for two cost 13 baht.

Some red buses are free. So, I accidentally drove from Khaosan Road to the Phaya Thai metro station on bus route 59, or from there across the city to the On Nut metro station on the “deuce”, and no one wanted to take money from me.

Pros: cheap (or completely free), colorful, interesting to look at the city (including non-tourist areas) from an open window.

Minuses: slowly; not immediately clear; you need to keep an eye on the terrain to know where to get off; sometimes it is difficult to find the right stop; traffic jams and circular routes; not very comfortable travel conditions.

The busiest mode of transport in Bangkok is the bus. There are about three hundred routes in the city, along which 11 thousand buses move. The scheme of bus lines is presented in all travel agencies of TAT (Thai Tourism Authority). From eleven in the evening until five in the morning, night buses run on some routes. On the official site Bangkok Bus Management and (bmta.co.th/en/index.php) you can get acquainted with all urban and some suburban routes in detail.

All buses Bangkok and are divided into three types:

Bangkok Bus Map

Each of these types has its own characteristics and prices. So, cream or orange buses have a route description in English. For ordinary buses without air conditioning, a ticket costs from 4 to 6 baht for the entire route.

In blue air-conditioned buses, the price depends on the distance and ranges from 9 to 20 baht. On all Eurobuses, the situation is the same, with the only difference being that here the minimum ticket price is 11 baht, and the maximum is 23. The most convenient of all types and the most maneuverable is a minibus, which was also reflected in the prices - a ticket costs 20 baht.

Crimson air-conditioned minibuses are sometimes used as regular city routes with a flat fee of 10–25 baht per person, also depending on the distance, but seats are always guaranteed.

city ​​buses in Bangkok they don’t stop at every stop, so you need to warn the driver in advance that you are going to get off there and there. And vice versa: everyone can stand on the side of the road and wave to the approaching bus, and he will stop. Another thing is that average speed the movement of buses around the city is only about 10 kilometers per hour, since the city is virtually paralyzed all the time by numerous traffic jams.

Taxi

Ordinary taxi

In general, when you get to Bangkok, you start to think that there are two taxis for each resident of the city, because there are just a lot of taxis everywhere. All officially registered and operating taxis in Bangkok have a Taxi-Meter board on the roof, and cars of two city companies taxis are painted in bright colors: yellow-green and red-blue.

Payment in them is carried out by the meter, so you need to make sure that the driver turned on the meter immediately after landing. A figure of 35 baht is displayed on the scoreboard - this is the cost of the first two kilometers, and then 5 baht will be charged for each kilometer. On average, a trip around the city will cost 50-250 baht. In addition, you should make sure that the taxi driver understands exactly where you need to be taken. Otherwise, you can end up in a completely different part of the city, but you still have to pay for this fare.

There is no need to hope that the taxi driver will understand what you showed him on the map, it has been repeatedly noticed that the Thais suffer from topographic insanity, and if your taxi driver took the map and holds it upside down, then this is exactly the case. The easiest way to prepare for a trip is to prepare the name of a place or street by copying the name in Thai from Google maps, then your chances will increase significantly.

For travel on high-speed highways, a toll of 40–60 baht is charged. Tipping in a taxi is not provided, but, of course, no one will refuse them. Inside the car, on the rear doors, there should be signs with the name of the driver and the name of the company indicated on them. and threw it in the wrong place, saying that your place is around that corner, or if God forbid, you just forget something in a taxi.

Knock Knock

Tuk-tuk - very common in cities South-East Asia a type of transport, which is a motorcycle with a sidecar attached to the back with a roof. Tuk-tuks are designed to carry two or three passengers and have their pros and cons.

The pluses include their mobility, that is, a tuk-tuk can go where the bus and taxi have nothing to do. Therefore, on short distances in the city center they can be very useful.

There are a lot of minuses: tuk-tuk - transport is not cheap, there are no meters, so you need to agree on the cost with the driver in advance. The fare in the city can reach 300 baht. Plus, tuk-tuks are not allowed on the freeways. And one more minus - passengers will have to breathe polluted city air, since, of course, there are no air conditioners in half-open tuk-tuks. And one more thing: the driver can take you on a completely unnecessary route, for example, to the shops of his relatives, which, firstly, delays the trip, and secondly, does not make it more pleasant. Although the price on this trip will surprise you, about 10- 20 baht, but you will have to visit something, or a store, or a cafe. For a client brought to an institution, the driver will receive coupons for gasoline, and you will get a bill, sometimes just a space or an unnecessary thing for you.

Taxi Motorcycles

Probably the fastest and at the same time the most dangerous way to travel around Bangkok during peak hours. Taxi motorcycles are extremely fast, so this the best option for those who are in a hurry somewhere and do not want to stand in traffic jams.

Prices for motorcycle taxis are about the same as in a regular taxi, but you can also bargain, as there are no meters on motorcycles. When riding motorcycles, you should wear a helmet - this makes the trip safer and allows you to avoid the fine provided for not wearing one.

Metro

Surface metro Skytrain

The SkyTrain SkyTrain (BTS) skytrain system, traversing all of Bangkok through the center, is the fastest, most convenient and safest way to travel around Bangkok. 2 lines of this elevated metro were opened in 1999, and all the technical equipment was supplied by the Siemens concern. This has greatly facilitated the life of residents and guests of the Thai capital, since now, instead of standing in many kilometers of traffic jams, you can use the “land line” operating from 6 am to 12 am, the interval of movement of which is an average of 3-6 minutes, and in peak hours - 2 minutes.

Modern comfortable electric trains with wide air-conditioned cars have almost 100% reliability. Each train 65 meters long is capable of carrying up to 1000 people, their movement is automatic.

Currently, there are four lines and 32 stations, one of them - to the airport "". The lines - Sukhumvit and Silom - cover most the center of Bangkok, as well as the main commercial, residential and tourist areas.

Line Sukhumvit starts at the city park Chatuchak, goes along Phahon Yothin road, Phaya Thai road, Ploenchit road, Sukhumvit road and ends in the Ekkamai area.

Line Silom starts at central pier Sathon (Taksin) Pier by the river, goes along North Sathon road, Ratchadamri road, Ploenchit road and ends at the national stadium. There is also a Siam transfer station common to both lines.

Airport express line from airport" Suvarnabhumi» to Phaya Thai station

City line from the airport Suvarnabhumi» to Phaya Thai Station, but has 6 stops en route

Large metro map of Bangkok

Skytrain fares vary depending on the number of stops travelled. Tickets can be bought at vending machines near the stations. You need to find the station you need on the map, see in which zone it is located and select this zone in the vending machine. After passing through the turnstile, DO NOT throw away the purchased ticket, as it is needed when exiting the metro - a special machine will compare the cost of the completed trip with the cost of the ticket. If the second cost is less than the first, the siren will sound and you will have to buy a new ticket.

The rates are such that a passenger will cost 10 baht to travel one station, 15 baht for two stations. For three or four stations you will have to pay 20 baht, for five or six - 25, for seven or eight - 30 baht, and a distance of nine or ten stations will cost 35 baht. The maximum cost of 40 baht will be when traveling to more than ten stations.

In addition to regular tickets, you can purchase reusable tickets - “travel cards”. They are divided into two types, the first of which is intended for those who usually ride long distance(5 or more stations). This is a ticket for a well-defined number of trips, and its value does not depend on the distance. So, a ticket for ten trips costs 250 baht, that is, one trip will cost 25 (for five or six stops). In order for this reusable ticket to pay off, you need to pass more than five stations each time. 300 baht is a ticket for fifteen trips - 20 baht for one trip.

The best option is a ticket for thirty trips for 540 baht, which must be used within 30 days. The price of one trip in this case is 18 baht. For students, the rates are one and a half times lower.

The second type of travel card is valid at the regular cost. After each trip, the corresponding amount is deducted from the multiple ticket. Initially, these tickets can be purchased at a price of 100 or 300 baht, and then replenish the amount on the ticket. The minimum possible credit is 300 baht, and the maximum is 2000, and a bonus of 10% of the amount credited is added.

The best option for tourists is a one-day reusable ticket for 100 baht, the number of trips for which is unlimited, or a similar option for 3 days for 300 baht. At each station there are special ticket machines that accept coins in denominations of 5 and 10 baht. Right next to it are exchange offices where paper money can be exchanged for coins. Reusable tickets are also sold at these exchange offices. The metro is also not a bad option to see Bangkok from above. wagon, since the other two are covered with advertising.

Bangkok underground metro

In the summer of 2004, the first in Bangkok underground metro ( official name MRI). The line passed through the eastern part of the city and connected the northern railway station Bang Su with located near the city center railway station Hua Lam Phong. The line consists of 18 stations, along which 19 Siemens trains move, carrying about 200 thousand passengers daily. The fare is low - 14–35 baht.

For passenger convenience ov organized special transfer stations from the metro to the Skytrain: m. Si Lom - s. Saladaeng, m. Sukhumvit - s. Aso k, m. Chatuchak Park - s. Mochit.

It is forbidden to eat, drink and take any kind of photography. In addition, not magnetic cards are bought at the subway ticket offices, but tokens, which also need to be kept until the end of the trip. The metro operates in the same way as the Skytrain - from 6 am to midnight.

Bangkok underground metro The MRT is divided into three floors. On the “Retail Level” floor there are shops, cafes where you can sit, meet or wait for a person, as well as relax and buy souvenirs. On the other floor, below the first, it is called “The Concourse Level”.

On the "The Concourse Level" floor there are machines that issue tickets for one train. The cost of the trip depends on the distance to the station you need. There are also ticket offices where you can already buy a card for several trips.

"The Platform Level" is the floor where you board the subway train. If we have subway trains in opposite sides are on the same platform, then in Bangkok the trains that go in different directions are at different levels. In the Bangkok subway, there is no open access to the rails on the platform, everything is blocked by plastic windows, and when the train arrives, instead of the doors, the plastic windows open and you calmly enter the car.

River transport

One convenient option to avoid traffic jams, especially for those who live near the river and canals, is a river taxi. In addition, travel water transport is a great opportunity to explore the city, look at Bangkok from a different angle. There are several boat service companies operating in the city.

The company's river boats run between Wat Ratchasingkhon (near the Krungthep Bridge) and Nonthaburi Province.
There are two main types of express boats: standard express boats daily flights from 06.00 to 18.30 with prices from 4 to 16 baht, and special express boats operating from Monday to Friday from 06.00-09.00 and from 15.00-17.00. The price of tickets for them is from 10 to 25 baht.

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

This is a special river company for tourists traveling on the Chao Phraya River. The route starts at Sathon Pier Pier and continues upriver to Banglamphu Pier Pier. Along the way, the boat makes stops at 10 main piers, from which there is an excellent opportunity to see local attractions: Royal Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chinatown and others. The boat is guided by a special guide, and being a tourist boat, the boat is not particularly crowded. Excursions on the boats of this company are held every day from 09:00 to 15:00, departure every half an hour. The ticket costs 15 baht. If you pay 150 baht, you can ride all day.

Cross River Ferry

This company has very small boats available for crossing from one side of the river to the other. The standard fare is two or three baht.

"Longtail" boats (river taxi)

One of the most popular types river transport, especially for tourists who love fast driving on water, and in this case, along the river and canals of Bangkok. Boats ply the most important tourist routes. The fee is negotiable and depends on the distance. Boats can also be rented for special routes.