Bangkok Transportation Tips by explore_discover

Canal Boats River and Canal Boats Review

Khlong Saen Saeb also known as Saen Saep) is a canal (Khlong) in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok. The canal is lined with concrete walkways on either side in many areas where people stroll despite the foul smells of the canal, and in other areas the heavily polluted water oozes into adjacent properties, especially after heavy rainstorms. The canal is connected to many other canals in a large network, though most of the other canals do not have a regular transport service.

The Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service operates on the Khlong Saen Saep in Bangkok, providing fast, inexpensive transportation through the city's traffic-congested commercial districts. The service has a checkered reputation, due to the polluted water in the khlong and the haphazard nature in which the service is operated.

The 18-kilometre route is served by 100 boats of 40-50 seats, and operates 5:30am to 8:30pm daily. Prices are 8 to 20 baht, depending on distance travelled. The service carries about 60,000 passengers per day. It is run by a company called Family Transport.

Line # 1 Golden Mount Station
Phan Fa Lilat - terminal, near Golden Mount and other attractions.
Bobe Market - a large garment market for whole sale price
Charoen Phon
Hua Chang - near MBK Center and Bangkok Skytrain National Stadium station and Siam station.
Pratu Nam - interchange, near Pratu Nam garment district, Big C, CentralWorld and Pantip Plaza.

Line # 2 NIDA Station List
Pratu Nam - interchange, near Pratu Nam garment district, CentralWorld and Pantip Plaza.
Chit Lom - near Central Chidlom.
Witthayu (Wireless Road) - near British Embassy.
Nana Nuea (Sukhumvit Soi 3) - near Bumrungrad Hospital, "Little Africa" neighborhood.
Saphan Asok - near Bangkok Metro Phetchaburi station and the old site of Embassy of Japan.
Prasan Mit - at Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarn Mitr Campus).
Ital-Thai Tower
Wat Mai Chong Lom - near Royal City Avenue (RCA).
Thong Lo - a trendy street with many boutique shopping malls.
Charn Issara - at Charn Issara 2 Building.
Klong Tan - near busy intersection of Petchaburi, Ramkhamhaeng, Rama IX and Phra Khanong roads, with Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) shuttle-bus service.
The Mall 3 - The Mall Ramkhamhaeng, near Rama IX Road intersection.
Ramkhamhaeng 29
Wat Thep Lila - Soi Ram Khamheang 39
Ramkhamhaeng - Opposite Ramkhamhaeng University.
Wat Klang
The Mall Bangkapi - The Mall Bangkapi on Lat Phrao Road.
Bang Kapi - Bang Kapi district office and market.
Wat Si Bun Rueang - terminal pier, near National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Ship/Boat

City/Airport Bus Airport Bus Review

Update October 2011

# 556 do not operate from the Airport any more, you have to take the Airport Train (City Link) to Makasan Station and then catch the 556 right infront of exit if you want to go to Petchaburi Road, Pratunam, Khaosan Road, Grand Palace, and Sai Tai Mai (for taking bus to South) 16 Bhat to Khaosan Road around 22 Bhat for Southern Bus Termonal its a loop bus which can take you back as well.

Take Free Shuttle from Exit # 5 of Arrival Hall to the Transportation Center which is around 10 minutes.

****No. 549 Suvarnabhumi Airport – Minburi (24 hours)
Lardkrabang Pol. Station – Romklaw Rd. – Kasembundit Uni – Minburi*** NO MORE IN SERVICE

No. 550 Suvarnabhumi Airport – Happy Land (05.00 – 24.00 hours)
On-nutch – Khet Prawes – On-nutch Intersection – Bangkapi Intersection – Happy Land


No. 554 Suvarnabhumi Airport – Rangsit (04.00 – 22.00 hours)
Ramintra Rd. – Kaksi – Sapanmai – Entrance of Lamlukka – Krungthep Gate (Sapanmai)

No. 555 Suvarnabhumi Airport – Rangsit (03.30 – 22.00 hours)
Rama 9 Expressway – Dindaeng – Toll Way – Jaelenk New Market – Donmuang – Future Ransit

No. 559 Suvarnabhumi Airport –Rangsit (06.00 – 22.00 hours)

*** In case the Bus is full of passenger, there will be no pick up at the passenger platform on the 1st Floor

Same Number Airconditioned Vans also service to same destinations for the fare 25-70 Bhat

Direct Van to Khaosan Road around 100 Bhat

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus

Chao Phraya Express Boat River and Canal Boats Review

Update. September 2011
*** 15 Baht for Regular and 30 Baht for Express Boat (Blue Flag - Phar Arthit to Saphan Thaksin)

Fare Increaded from April

14 Baht for Orange Flag-Yellow-Green-No Flag (Saphan Thaksin~Phra Arthit up to Nonthanburi/Pakred or vice versa) Be aware, ticket counter at the piers will ask you for 25 Baht which is for EXPRESS (Blue Flag Boat which only perates between Saphan Thaksin to Phra Arthit Pier) Just wait no more then 15-25 minutes for the Orange Flad Boat and pay after get on board.

Avoid Traffic, get to the Sathorn Pier in 15 minutes and a short walk from there if you wish to go Silom.

Wonderful Sight seeing. Comfortable and Cheap
Starts at 06.00 from Nontahnburi Pier from AM till 07.00 PM

Route Map can be seen at the web sitementioned below

Boat Type: Single Deck

Capacity: 60 Persons every seat have inflatable raft if needed in emmergency.

Length: 27.00 m

Width: 3.50 m

Depth: 1.50 m

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/services/route-print.asp

Public Bus City Buses Review

Update Sep 2011

Bus Fare reduced to 6.5 Bhat from 7 Bhat for all Non Air Conditioned (Yellow & Red) Bus

*** Updated 26th May 2010*** Bus are plying on designated routes again

# 511 A/C From Khaosan Road to Samuta Prakan (Crocodile Farm) From Samut Prakan to Sai Tai Mai 16 Bhat Passing the Ratchadamnoen Klang on both legs (Khaosan Road is just accross)

# 2 Non A/C From Ratchadamnoen Klang to On Nut BTS (Loop Bus) 7 Bhat to 11 Bhat

# 15 Non A/C From Grand Palace passing Ratchadamnoen Klang to Silom~Sapahn Taksin Bridge 7 Bhat to 11 Bhat its a loop bus too,

# 79 & 503 A/C from Ratchadamnoen Klang to Victory Monument 16 Bhat

# 44 A/C Private From Grand Palace Passing Khaosan Road to Chatuchak Weekend Market till The Mall Bangkapi (Loop Bus) 19 Bhat Non A/c 8 Bhat

# 53 Non A/C To/ From Hua Lampong Railway Station, China Town, Grand Palace, Banglamphu at Phrasumen Fort at Chakrapong Road Intersection (Close to Khaosan Road) 7 Bhat Loop Bus. Stop at Hua lampong MRT which is 5 minutes walk from Main Train Station

# 556 Air Conditioned Bus from Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal to Makasan Station for Airport Link Train, To / From Khaosan the fare is 16 Bhat

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus

Airport Express Bus Airport Bus Review

*** NO MORE IN SERVICE***
Airport Express Bus terminates its operation from June 1st, 2011

From/To Aiport

AE1 Suvarnabhumi-Silom (by expressway)

Bus Stop Hotel, Inn, Condominium
1. Petchaburi soi 30 (under flyover) Pratunam
2. Wolrd trade / Central Wolrd Plaza Arnoma Hotel, Isetan
3. BTS, Rachdamri Station
4. Lumpini Park
5. Saladaeng (on Rama 4 Road) Surawong Road Pan Pacific Hotel, Robinson Silom
6. Montien Hotel Thaniya, Patpong
7. Tawana Ramada Hotel
8. Plaza Hotel
9. Surawong Soi Kamjai Iamsuri Manohra Hotel
10. Charoen Krung soi 47/1, Silom Road Song Samai, New Trocadero Hotel
11. Lertsin Hospital State Tower
12. Central Silom Holiday Inn
13. Silom Soi 26 Silom Village, Indian Temple
14. Narai Hotel (Silom Soi 18) 222 Hotel, Tower Inn
15. Sofitel Hotel (Silom Soi 12) Sofitel Silom /Niagala Hotel
16. Silom Soi 6 (Bangkok Bank) Trinity Complex, Soi Lalaisup
17. BTS, Saladang Station Thaniya, Patpong, CP Tower

AE2 Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Road (by expressway)

Bus Stop Hotel, Inn, Condominium
1. Petchaburi soi 30 (under flyover) Pratunam
2. Platinum Fashion Mall Amari Water Gate, Pantip Plaza
3. Petchaburi Soi 20 First Hotel, Rajthevee Tower
4. Petchaburi Soi 10 Asia Hotel, Samran Place
5. Urupong
6. Sapan Kao
7.Thai Airways (Lan luang) Royal Princess Hotel
8. Wat Rachnatda (Temple)
9. Democracy Monument
10. Royal/Ratanakosin Hotel
11. National Theater Sawasdi Hotel
12. Pra A-Thit Rd.
13. Phra-sumen
14. Khaosan Rd. Swasdee Khaosan Inn

AE3 Suvarnabhumi-Sukhumvit - Wireless Road

Bus Stop Hotel, Inn, Condominium
1. Sukhumvit Soi 52-50 BTS, On Nut Station, Lotus
2. Prakanong Market Klongton (Sukhumvit 81)
3. Eastern Bus Terminal Ekamai (Sukhumvit 63)
4. Sukhumvit Soi 38 BTS, Thonglor Station
5. Sukhumvit Soi 34 Rex Hotel
6. Sukhumvit Soi 24 Emporium, BTS Prom-Phong
7. Sukhumvit Soi 20 Novotel Hotel, Sukhumvit
8. Sukhumvit Soi 18 Westin Hotel, Robinson
9. Sukhumvit Soi 10 (Bangkok Bank) Manhattan Hotel, Ambassador Hotel
10. Sukhumvit Soi 6 Amari Boulevard, Landmark, Bel-aire
11. Sukhumvit Soi 2 JW Marriot Hotel, Majestic Grande
12. Central Silom, Rachdamri Road
13. World Trade/Central World Plaza Arnoma Hotel, Isetan, Zen
14. Phetchaburi Soi 25 Pratunam Center, Metropolis
15. Phetchaburi Soi 35 Bangkok Palace H., Eastern H.
16. Soi Nana Zenith H., Grace H.,
Bumrungrad Hospital

AE4 Suvarnabhumi-Hua Lamphong (by expressway)

Bus Stop Hotel, Inn, Condominium
1. Victory Monument
2. Soi Rangnam
3. 99 Hotel BTS, On Nut Station, Lotus
4. BTS, Phayathai Station Florida Hotel
5. Live Stock Department
6. BTS, Rachatewee Station Asia Hotel
7. Siam Discovery Center Siam Center, Siam Paragon
8. Maboonkrong (MBK) Pathumwan Princess H.
9. Chulalongkorn University
10. Mandarin Hotel
11. Bangkok Centre Hote
12. Hua Lumpong Railway Station

Pick up area at the Arrivals level - 2nd floor (inner curb).
Drop off area at the Departures level - 4th floor (inner curb)
One Way Fare 150 Baht
Tickects are sold at the counter / Frequest departures 30 minutes interval

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus

Airport Train Link

Update: Regular Service begins.

Convenient and Economical way to get to the city from the airport/vice versa

Airport Link City Line (7 stops)
35 Bhat to/from Makkasan>>> Bus # 556 will take you to Khaosan for 16 Bhat
40 Bhat to/from Phaya Thai>>> Can connect to BTS Mochit>Sukhumvit Line

Makkasan City Air Terminal>> Work is still in progress,

*** 1 Jun 2010 ***
Long Long Wait is going to be over.

The test ride will run from Phaya Thai station to Suvarnabhumi airport and there will be no stops along the way.

The trains will leave every 20 minutes. The trip will take about 25 minutes.

The test runs began yesterday and will continue until Friday, from 7 to 10am and from 4 to 7pm.
10 departures from Phaya Thai and 9 from the Airport. Test Run Train is non stop to /from Airport

The Red line (7 Stops) will connect Airport to Phaya Thai (7 Stops) and Purple Line (5 Stops) to Makasan City Air terminal connecting to Metro at Petchaburi

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Train

SAI TAI MAI Southern Bus Terminal

Sai Tai Mai is now located at Taling Chen District (where the floating market is held) Not as huge as Morchit terminal but by far a lot better facilities then Ekkamai and Morchit Terminals.

From khao san in 30 minutes or less or even Sukhumvit road in little more then 1 hour, you can reach there by taking public bus # 511 South Bound. Fare TB16

Buses to all southern destinations like Had Yi, Krabi, Phuket leave from Sai Tai Mai, its modern bus terminal with airport like facilities very bright and spacious, 4 7/11 stores, food court, shopping arcade, bus departure information screen and very help full staff.

All Transport Companies operated from there are reliable and generally on time arrival/departure as scheduled.

For coming back from there you have to cross the road and take the Bus # 508 for Khaosan Road or Victory Monument.

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus