Public express boat :-) and other Bangkok, Thailand Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: Boat trip is interesting even for us Thais.Many people go to work by express boats every morning.(for myself,unfortunately i'm too lazy to walk from pier to busstop so I take a boat just ocassionally)

Anyway,by boat.Even you don't have plan "where to go" you can jump in and buy ticket to somewhere (wherever it takes) It's nice already seeing people,their activities along the great river of Bangkok (even once during APEC summit,our PM placed very huge and ugly canvas to hide those old wooden houses as if he was sweeping dust and keep it under a carpet)

Taking public express boat is cheap ( you won't pay more than 30 Baht each trip) and nice.I usually take a boat up tp Nonthaburi where you can visit "Koh Kred" or Kred island.Small island in Nonthaburi where once it was Mon settlement.Nowadays,Some Mon families still living there and it's biggest pottery village in town.Ideal for relaxing weekend.(during weekday it will be too quiet,some restaurants and shops are closed)
Remarks : Express boat doesn't go direct to Koh Kred but you will off at "Nonthaburi pier" then you can hire taxi,tuktuk or take a bus to "Pak Kred" and walk a bit,cross by furry (3.50 baht each) that's it.
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Daily Standard Express Boats
All day from 6:00-18:40.
Every 20 minutes
Fare : up to 20 baht something
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Special Express Boats (Monday-Friday)
During rush hours
From 6:00-9:00 and 12:00-19:00
Fare : up tp 20 baht something
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NONTHABURI-WAT RAJSINGKORN
(NO FLAG) Stop every pier

More information you can call "Chaopraya Boat" Co.( or known as "Supatra" Co.) or check their website

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Phone: Call Center: +66(0) 2 222 5330
Website: http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Hiring Tuk Tuk in Bangkok could be fun experience. But in the same time it could be bad experience since it's usually overpriced for tourists.

Unfortunately there's no meter attached in Tuk Tuk (wish one day they'll have it to avoid this 'no standard price')

It's really hard to guess how much it will cost to go here and there. So, best way to do is asking from Thai people (at your hotel, guesthouse, etc) that how much you expect to pay to go to your destination. If tuktuk driver they ask a little bit more or less what price you know. It's OK (like normal prince is around 60 Baht but he asks for 70..80.. baht it's still OK. But usually if theys see tourists, From 60 Baht could up to 200 Baht. So DO bargain)

Normally, to hire TukTuk to ANYWHERE in Bangkok never go higher than 100 Baht this is maximum. If higher than this you should consider using a meter-Taxi. Will be cheaper. (and safer)

Anyway, not all of taxi drivers are trying to rip off tourists. some are really honest and just want to earn money to pay their daily rent. These guys earn not so much money each day. (except those they cheat a lot) So,giving them some tip if you are satistied their services is always appreciated. (normally 20-40 baht tip is good already or tell him to keep the change)

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'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Since I'm a budget traveler and I live in Bangkok. I think I would share "How to take public bus" from BKK airport here.

Taking taxi from airport to downtown costs at last 300 Baht. But taking a bus costs less than 40 Baht. This is how to take public bus...

• Go to ground floor. There are 2 bus stops there. One near medical unit and one near the store. Spot some airport workers, locals wait for buses.

• Bus that comes to these stops is bus no. 551. It runs 7 days/ 24 hours.

• Bus no. 551 goes to The Victory Monument where is a very center of Bangkok

• From Victory Monument. Either you connect to BTS (Sky train) or taxi (or bus again if you travel light)

• Other buses available at the airport's bus hub. There's free shuttle buses serve 24 hours.

• To take a free shuttle bus. When you walk out from terminal. Cross to middle lane. Bus stops there. (First lane is usually full of tour buses - see the map if you're confused)

• Shuttle bus will bring you to Airport's bus hub. From here. There are several buses. No. 556 goes to Khaosan road. But only no. 551 runs 24 hours. There are also buses that go straight to nearby cities, provinces (Like Pattaya..for example)

• Bus fare from Airport to downtown is 34 Baht

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'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: If you have a free day and would like to do combo BTS ride plus boat ride along Chaophraya river. Try taking BTS to "TAKSIN" station and from there you can walk down to "Central Pier" (Sathorn pier) to take an express boat (Ones that go to right hand side direction) to..

• Chinatown (N5 : Rachawongse pier ; pronounced "Rat-cha-wong")
• Wat Po Temple, Wat Arun temple - For reclining Buddha, Traditional Thai massage places (N8 : Tha Tien pier)
• The Grand Palace (N9 : Tha Chang pier)
• Siriraj Hospital Museum & some awesome local restaurants around (N10 : Wanglang (Siriraj) pier)
• Local "All you can eat for 99 Bath" BBQ buffet (N12 : Phra Pin Klao Bridge pier)
• Khaosan road, Banglampu area (N13 - Phra arthit pier)

You can continue as far as Nonthaburi province (Last stop) and take the boat back the same way.

http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th/routemap_fare_e.htm

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Website: http://www.bts.co.th/

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: If you have a free day and would like to do combo BTS ride plus boat ride along Chaophraya river. Try taking BTS to "TAKSIN" station and from there you can walk down to "Central Pier" (Sathorn pier) to take an express boat (Ones that go to right hand side direction) to..

• Chinatown (N5 : Rachawongse pier ; pronounced "Rat-cha-wong")
• Wat Po Temple, Wat Arun temple - For reclining Buddha, Traditional Thai massage places (N8 : Tha Tien pier)
• The Grand Palace (N9 : Tha Chang pier)
• Siriraj Hospital Museum & some awesome local restaurants around (N10 : Wanglang (Siriraj) pier)
• Local "All you can eat for 99 Bath" BBQ buffet (N12 : Phra Pin Klao Bridge pier)
• Khaosan road, Banglampu area (N13 - Phra arthit pier)

You can continue as far as Nonthaburi province (Last stop) and take the boat back the same way.

http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th/routemap_fare_e.htm

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.bts.co.th/