World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The public transport system within Bangkok is plentiful and cheap, although most visitors use the taxis or the three-wheeled taxis called tuk tuks (see below). An elevated monorail, called the Bangkok Transit System (tel: (02) 617 7300; website: www.bts.co.th) but known as Skytrain, operates on two lines across the city. The Sukhumvit Line runs from On Nut along Sukhumvit Road to Siam Square, Phaya Thai Road, Victory Monument and Mo Chit. The Silom Line starts at Saphan Taksin and runs through Silom’s business area, Siam Square, ending at the National Stadium. Since opening around five years ago, the efficient Skytrain has vastly improved the time it takes to move around the city. The government has approved extension of the lines across the river and to the south, and work is due to start soon. Trains operate 0600-2400, running every 3-4 minutes during the rush hour and every 5-6 minutes off peak. Tickets should be purchased from automatic ticket machines, with prices costing B10-40 across seven zones. Passes can be bought for 10, 15 and 30 journeys, costing B250, B300 and B540 respectively to be used within 30 days. Three-day tourist passes are available for B280.

A new transport system, the Bangkok Metro (tel: (02) 354 2000; e-mail: info@bangkokmetro.co.th; website: www.bangkokmetro.co.th) opened in July 2004. There is one route covering parts of the city not served by the Skytrain, starting at Hualampong station and finishing at Bang Sue in the north of the city. There are 18 stations in total with three intersecting with the Skytrain. The service operates 0500-2400, running every 2-4 minutes during the rush hour and every 4-6 minutes off peak. Tokens should be purchased from automatic ticket machines; fares range from B14-36 depending on the distance travelled, but until 3 July 2005 all fares are discounted and range from B12-31.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (tel: (02) 246 0973; e-mail: 184@bmta.co.th; website: www.bmta.co.th) runs a comprehensive and highly complex bus system, which operates across the city 0400-2300. Fares on regular buses range from B4 (cream and red) to B5 (white and blue), while on air-conditioned buses (cream and blue) they range from B8 to B16 depending on the distance travelled. The yellow and orange Euro II air-conditioned buses cost B10-20 (again depending on distance) and they use fuel-efficient engines to belatedly attempt to reduce air pollution in the city. There is also a limited night service (cream and red) operating 2300-0500 with a fare of B5. Bus route maps are widely available in hotels and bookshops.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the streets. If they are metered taxis, they will have a taxi meter sign on the roof. Visitors should check that the meter is turned on. The meter rate starts at B35 for the first two kilometres, increasing by B2 for each subsequent kilometre. If stuck in heavy traffic, the meter will start increasing by the minute. There are also unmetered taxis where the fare must be agreed upon in advance. Passengers always have to pay for any road tolls incurred and should ensure they have plenty of small change to pay the taxi fare. Many people arrange a taxi through the concierge at their hotel where the rate is fixed and paid to the hotel before departure. It is also possible to rent a taxi for longer trips. In these cases, a fare should always be agreed in advance, even with metered taxis. Tipping is not expected but much appreciated.

Tuk tuk
These three-wheeled taxis ply the streets and are ideal for short journeys. Fares must be negotiated before getting in and range from B40 to B150 depending on the distance travelled. The number of tuk tuks in the city is decreasing but they can still be found around hotels and visitor attractions.

River taxis
Numerous river taxis, operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat (tel: (02) 623 6143; email: info@chaophrayaboat.com; website: www.chaophrayaboat.com), travel upstream and downstream on the Chao Phraya River, acting more like buses than taxis. Fares range between B6 and B25 and the hours of operation are 0600-1900 daily. Some special express boats operate only during the morning and evening rush hours with limited stops. The destinations/stops are indicated by different coloured flags. Other smaller boats just shuttle from one side of the river to the other. A service operates from Sathorn Pier near the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station to 10 piers near major attractions and ends at Phra Arthit Pier. The service operates daily 0930-1500, with departures every 30 minutes, and a one-day unlimited pass costs B75.

Motorcycle taxis
As a result of the gridlock experienced during the rush hour, motorcycle taxis are now available as they can manoeuvre between the cars to reach their destination more quickly. Fares range from B20 to B100 depending on the distance covered. It is compulsory for passengers to wear helmets, which are supplied by the driver. Drivers wear coloured tabards for identification and wait at road intersections.

Limousines
These can be provided by the main car hire companies (see Car Hire below) or at the airport by Thai Limousine (tel: (02) 535 2801) and Airport Associate Limousine (tel: (02) 535 5905 or 535 5361/2). Limousines to the city from the airport cost from B650.

Driving in the City
Driving in Bangkok requires a great deal of patience and a certain stubbornness. Few visitors attempt to hire a car, as good knowledge of the city is required to be able to drive around. The density of the traffic and the number of lanes mean that drivers always need to know which lane to be in. There are a number of expressways crossing the city with clearly signposted exits but traffic is often gridlocked during rush hour (0700-0900 and 1600-1800). Traffic direction and entry/exit locations change during the day without warning. Bangkok drivers, in particular taxis, buses and motorbikes, are very aggressive and unlikely to give way.

For those who do risk driving, many of the large shopping complexes and hotels have a car park attached and a convenient location is the Siam Centre on Rama I Road, which is open 24 hours. Car parks cost in the region of B30-40 for up to three hours and B10 for each subsequent hour.

Car Hire
Many visitors to Thailand now choose to hire a car, although few hire one within Bangkok because of the difficulties of moving through the constantly heavy traffic. Car hire companies vary but drivers must either be at least 21 or 23 years old and have held a driving licence for one to two years. A national licence and International Driving Permit are required. It is compulsory to purchase Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection and these are generally included in the hire price. Payment must be made by credit card. Avis have an office at 2-12 Wireless Road (tel: (02) 255 5300; website: www.avisthailand.com), and Budget at 19-23 Building A, Royal City Avenue, New Petchburi Road (tel: (02) 203 0250; website: www.budget.co.th). Hire of a standard saloon car costs from B1,800-2,200 per day or B12,660 per week.

Bicycle Hire
On Rattanakosin Island, footpaths have been converted into cycle paths, which pass places such as the Royal Grand Palace and Sanam Luang. Bicycles can be hired from the Bangkok Tourist Bureau (tel: (02) 225 7612) at a cost of B200 for a full day (deposit B1,000 and one needs to show one’s passport).