Transportation in Bangkok
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful. Make sure there is a meter sign on the roof and the meter is turned on at the start of the journey. In unmetered taxis, agree the price before departure. Passengers have to pay any road tolls.
Foot
Not a city for long walks because of the heat and humidity. Explore small areas on foot but make sure you drink plenty of water.
Coach
Bangkok's bus service is not for the first-time visitor because of its complexity. Different-coloured buses indicate different standards of service – regular, air-conditioned, fuel-efficient and guaranteed seat. Each type of bus has a different rate. There is also a night bus service on limited routes.
Underground
The underground network opened in 2004 and covers parts of the city not served by the Skytrain. Just one line links Hualamphong mainline rail station to Bang Sue in the north.
Rent your car
In Bangkok, they drive on the left and traffic is made up of a curious combination of leisurely bicycles and tuk-tuks, and fast motorbikes zipping through small spaces between buses and cars. Some one-way streets change direction at certain times of the day, and traffic jams are a regular occurrence.
Transportation tips
Don't even consider hiring a car to get around. Major roads are several lanes wide and aggressive drivers will not give you an inch. For stress-free travel, purchase a pass for 20, 30 or 40 journeys on the Skytrain or one- and three-day passes on the Metro. When using taxis, make sure you have your destination address written down in Thai as most drivers speak only a few words of English.
