Bangkok Transportation Tips by riproy

'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Buses are the most popular mode of public transport in Thailand because of their flexibilty and convenience. They go to every province and they leave Bkk often.
There are 3 major A/C bus stations in Bangkok. The southern terminal is called 'sai tai mai', and takes you to anyplace west and south of Kanchanaburi, down to the Malay border provinces. The station is across the river and not hard to get to from Khao San Road.
The next is Morchit (Dr. Close, for you Thai speakers). Takes you to anywhere in the central, north and northeastern part of the country, sort of anything east and north of Ayuthaya including all those central provinces like Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok, not to mention the whole of Esan (the northeast). Morchit is in the Chatuchak part of town, near the weekend market and it's very big (and quite new - built in 97). There is one section of it for northern buses and one section for northeastern buses, but you can figure that out when you get there. English help is available.
Then there is Ekamai - the eastern bus station. It is way out on Sukhumvit Road around soi 63 - or close to it. Hard to miss. You can take the skytrain to the Ekamai stop. Buses from here take you to all destinations like Chonburi (home of Pattaya), Rayong, Trat (drop off for Koh Chang) and Chanthaburi (home of the best durian and other yummy fruit) and other provinces down there, east and southeast of Bangkok.
Some companies have buses leaving from Khao San or the Indra Hotel or their own little headquarters in the city, but all government buses and most private ones leave from these three locations. If you are hoping to travel overnight on a VIP bus on a Friday or Sunday night, you might want to get to the bus station a day ahead and buy your ticket in advance to ensure you get a spot.
All bus trips over 4 hours have a stop somewhere in the middle at a designated location where you can use the facilities (all first class and VIP buses have toilets on them) and get food. A VIP ticket often includes food at the rest stop.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: A safe and fun way to travel in thailand is via the train. Bangkok is the hub for train travel and it has tentacles that go south, west, north, northeast, and east.
The main train station is Hualampong (HLP) in the heart of the city. Tickets can be booked and purchased there, and you can board trains here. But you can also buy tickets and board most trains at many other train stations. The train stops so often in Bkk on the way, that it takes 45 minutes even for the Sprinter (fastest) train to leave the city. For example, a train leaving HLP traveling north or northeast will pass thru Samsen-Bangsue-Bangkaen-Laksi and Don Muang (across from the airport) and stop at most of these. So you don't have to go to HLP to get on a train if other stations are closer.
This line goes on to end in Chiangmai in the north, Nongkhai in upper northeast and Ubon Ratchathani in the lower northeast.
Bkk to Chiangmai typically takes about 14 hours.
Southern trains go thru Samsen and Bangsue, but then branch off to the west and finally turning south ending in Trang province or at the Malay border.
Bkk to the Malay border is around 18 hours by train.
For those going to Cambodia, you can take the train to Aranya Prathet (about 6 hours i think) and make your way to the border.
There are sleeper trains in 1st class but for the price, you could almost fly. Second class sleeper trains come with or without A/C and esp on the northern route are very comfortable. You can choose upper or lower bunks when booking. You can also sit up all night in non-sleeper trains – cheaper, but not too pleasant.
Food can be bought on trains from vendors on the train or thru the window, or purchased in the dining car of overnight trains, OR eaten at your own pop-up table at your seat..
Trains are not in the habit of being on time in Thailand, esp those running to or from the south, so have patience.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: A practical way to get around BKK is by taxi. 'Tak-SEE' in Thai. Available taxis are abundant (but often dissolve when it rains i.e. they are all full) and more comfortable than tuk-tuks. You will want to hail a METERED taxi (usually marked on the roof) and these days most are but there are still some people driving unmetered cars who will chauffeur people around for extra money.
Before you get into the car, agree that you will use the meter, and don't assume that a driver will turn it on. If they do not trip the meter as the ride begins, remind them.
Sometimes, if you are far out of town or if traffic is particularly bad, or if you just look like a tourist, they will want to agree on a price before driving. Don't fall for it - insist on using the meter.
Metered rides (as of 2000) begin at 35 baht and after 2 km, will start to climb. If you do sit in stalled traffic, the meter will climb a little, but not enough to pay for fuel and therefore sometimes the driver will ask you to get out and s/he will turn around - s/he is losing money.
Sometimes if it is near the end of the driver's shift, they might not want to take you if it will take them far from their base.
If you want to go somewhere and the driver suggests taking the toll highways, you will have to pay for this. During heavy traffic hours, this might be necessary, but other times it is not - but you are doing the driver a favour by taking it. Tolls are 30-40 baht.
Take correct change with you - drivers rarely are able to change 100s or 500s, but do give a 10-20 baht tip if they have been helpful or cautious drivers. I usually rounded my fares up and try to reward honest drivers.
There are scams out there where the meter will begin at 35 and begin climbing very quickly. Not much you can do (you might not even notice) unless you travel the route often and know what the cost should be. Just to make you aware that it happens.
Drivers usually come from Roi Et province. If you can speak some Esan or Lao with them, they will be tickled.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The CHEAPEST way into the city from Don Muang, the International airport, is by public bus. The beauty of this airport is that the major bus lines run right by the airport. If you are packing light, this is a cheap alternative to taxis. There is a bus stop right outside the airport, no need to cross the highway.
To get to the Silom area, take A/C bus #4. You will have to say that you want to get off at Silom for the ticket taker to decide your fee. It will be less than 20 baht.
To get to Khao San Road, take non-A/C bus #59. It will be a long ride, but it will get you there. Ask to dropped off at Khao San. The rate is fixed on these buses - 3.5 baht in 2001. You can't get there any cheaper than this!
To get to Sukhumvit, i would take the airport bus. Ask at information as to their location at the airport. A ride is 100 baht per person. Cheaper than a taxi.
If you want to get to MBK/Siam Square area, get on the A/C bus #29. Tell the ticket taker you want to get off at 'soon siam'. The rate will be about 12-16 baht, i can't remember. The non A/C bus #29 goes there too and the bus fare is 3.5 baht.
If you want to go to Chinatown (Yaowarat), your best bet might be the train on the other side of the highway. During rush hour there is a trip every 15 minutes. It will be no more than 10-15 baht a trip. The last station is Hualampong and Yaowarat is right there. Outside of rush hour, take the bus because it is more frequent. Bus #29 A/C or non A/C will take you there too as that is its terminating stop.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The Chao Phraya Express boat is a quick and cool way to see and get across Bkk quickly, and the view from the boat is interesting too. As the express boat makes its way south from Nonthaburi, it zig zags from the Thonburi side of the river to the Bkk side of the river down to the south side of the city and back again. It is cheap transportation at around 7 baht a person.
They pass by every 20 minutes during the day. It is a good way to access the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Khao San Road which are not far from the river.

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