PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THAILAND

Fast electric overhead trains depart very regularly in Bangkok. Two major lines run north of Bangkok to the south east, and the other from the city to the west over the Chao Phraya River. MRT subway trains cover southern and eastern areas in Bangkok. These services have interchange stations that make getting around Bangkok very easy. The all day "Rabbit" (tag on/off) card is a smart buy. See the Bangkok transport map for all the transport service stops.

In Bangkok the Chao Phraya Boat company runs the blue flag tourist boat up and down the river stopping at 9 specific piers. This limited service runs north from Central Pier in the centre of Bangkok up to Phra Arthit pier and starts at 9:00am.

See the Chao Phraya Famous Attractions tour for details.

In Bangkok the Chao Phraya Express Boat company runs commuter boats up and down the main river. These extensive services run north from Central Pier in the centre of Bangkok up to the far northern sections of the river.

Colored flags indicate the route. They are generally used by Thais getting to work and back home, but tourists can use these services, and it is a cheap way to get around long distances. During peak times in the morning and afternoon it can be very crowded on the commuter services. You can purchase single ride tickets but the all day ticket is cheap.

There are also Khlong commuter boats run by the Saen Saep Boat Service that intersect through the canals of Bangkok from the city center to the outskirts in the east. Only for the nimble and adventurous tourist.

In Bangkok the Chao Phraya Ferry Boats cross to the other side of the river at points where the commuter boats do not stop or when you travel in one direction and then need to cross over to the other side instead of taking the long way back. These only cost a few Baht per ride.

Taxi trucks are cheap and are common throughout Thailands major cities. They hold about 12 people and either wait to fill up with people at specific locations or constantly drive around in designated loops.

Different songthaew colors indicate their route. Wave for pickup and press the button to stop and then pay the driver in cash which should be roughly only 30 Baht (price may have changed) per person on inner city loops.

A Tuk-Tuk can carry two, or four people on the larger ones. They have a motor bike engine and are covered to protect you from the sun and rain. Tuk-Tuks' can easily weave through traffic and down narrow lane-ways and are ideal for local area day tours because you can hire one for a fixed fee. This type of transport can be found in cities and large towns.

In Bangkok and Ayutthaya, Phuket, Chiang Rai, and Sop Ruak where the Chao Phraya , Mae Kok and Mekong Rivers join, you can hire a long tail boat to take you on guided tours. Several people can be seated for a trip which makes it not too expensive.

Other ways of getting around is to use a regular metered taxi , just make sure they turn the meter on. These are air-conditioned but are the more expensive option. Major cities have taxi services.

There are motorbike taxis which can carry two Thais' or one falang (foreigner) behind the rider. They wear numbered bright colored vests. Very cheap but a bit more risky. Cities and large towns have this type of transport.

This would have to be the cheapest method of getting around Bangkok if you can work out what bus to catch and where. Get a route map from a bus terminal. Different colored busses and their number indicate which routes they take.

The Bangkok Mass Transport Authority (BMTA) service area covers the Bangkok city area and its suburbs in the adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon.

Get the ViaBus app as this is the best option. ViaBus is popular because it shows buses and stops on a live map and helps you plan routes.

HOP cards for pre-paid fares can be purchased in the Market Village and Tops Supermarket, onboard buses and certain major ferry terminals.

You can hire your own scooter in tourist precincts such as Pattaya and Bangkok. When stopping at traffic lights, the custom is to line up at the front or the side. Other vehicles will stop a few metres behind the white line. If you hire a car then you will usually need to also hold back from the front.

Many accommodation places have hire scooters. You should have a motorbike license from your country else your travel insurance will probably not cover accidents.

Bus services in Thailand are extensive and prices are relatively cheap. Large air-conditioned modern coaches with toilets and with a modest on-board service run between the major cities on a regular basis. The air-conditioned coaches can get very cold inside, so wear warm clothes. Other non-airconditioned services on older busses run locally between the cities and towns withinin provinces.

Route times are mostly hourly, so you can purchase tickets a day before or the same day.

See the Transport Hubs pages for detailed information on main bus terminals located throughout Thailand.

Thailand has a national train service that runs north from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, east to Ubon Rachathani, northeast to Nong Khai on the border with Laos, north west to Nam Tok, south east to Pattaya City and south to the border with Malaysia and onwards to Singapore. See the train tours articles for details.

Short distances from Bangkok to Ayutthaya can only be booked on the same day.

You should purchase tickets a month prior to arriving in Thailand for long distance routes to get a specific day and time, especially in peak tourist season if you require a sleeper cabin.

Classes of train range from modern sleek air-conditioned overnight sleepers to the 3rd class day trains where you can open the window and experience the amazing countryside views.

See the Transport Hubs pages for detailed information on train services throughout Thailand.

Thailand has extensive services available from many operators for island hopping, transfers to tourist islands and luxury tours.

Wooden ferries take you to your Island vacation for the closer islands such as Ko Samet. A very relaxing and quaint way to travel with not such a large crowd.

Other more distant islands in the Andaman Sea and west coast of the Gulf of Thailand have the modern larger fast ferries.

Many ferry routes sell tickets at the pier on the day. Some places such as Koh Chang ferries don’t do advance online tickets at all. They only accept cash at the pier on the travel day.

You could book van/bus/ferry bundles through an agent such as 12Go to make it easier for yourself. Book well in advance to provide time to get all your tickets organised.

The PhuketFerry online agency can also book bundled van/ferry services for you to many island destinations throughout Thailand.

Direct operator bookings for travel in the Gulf of Thailand between Bangkok, Huahin, Chumphon, Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Krabi, Phuket, there is Lomprayah High Speed Ferries.

For more gulf routes, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan area services you can book directly with Seatran Ferry or Songserm.

Getting to and from the many islands in Thailands southern region can be quick and easy hiring a charter boat. This will be an expensive option. Normal ferry services would be cheaper.

If you are in Pattaya then there are island hopping charter boats available at the Bali Hai Pier located at the end of Walking Street or speed boats on Pattaya beach.

From Phuket Island you can book directly with the operator such as 5 Star Marine or from Koh Samui there is Ko Samui Boat Charter and Longlae Samui Tour and Villa.

For a wide variety of boat tours then Klook would be an easy option for searching available bookings for many islands in Thailand.