Bangkok Transportation Tips by trisanna

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Thailand has a great bus system. In the city the buses take you to places, where the new subway or sky train does go. They are cheap, usually cheaper than the subway. So they are much more crowded.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Thank goodness for Suvarnabhumi Airport. Bangkok was in dire need of a new airport. Even though it opened late last year (after years of delays), but it still is a work in progress.

Once you come out of customs-you will see lots of tour agencies trying to hook you up with taxis, tours and accomodation. If you need a place to stay this place may be helpful. Don't book a taxi with them, unless you have 4 or 5 people plus lots of bags and need a mini cab.
Just follow the signs for public taxi (these are the only metered cabs at airport) and get in the line. Just go downstairs from the arrival hall the taxi lines. The taxi lines move much faster than at the old airport, Don Muang. There is a 50baht surcharge from the airport. To the city, we paid around 300 or so baht. During busy times or if you want a faster ride into the city. Take the toll roads (recommended). You pay the driver 40baht for this toll and 20 or so for another. It's not that much money and you get into Bangkok fast. There is a bus that can take you there, but unfortuantely i have never taken it -so i don't have any info.

When you go through the line. The taxi operator writes your taxi driver's no. on a receipt and gives it to you. If you have any problems or complaints you call the telephone no. on the receipt.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The river taxis are a great alternative to the roads. Traffic is awful in Bangkok. If you want to go in the northern part of the city and see Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, dusit park or some others it's faster to take a river taxi up the Chao Phraya. Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho are right near the river. Other sites, such as Dusit Park-you can take a river taxi to Tha Thewet pier and then a tuk tuk from there.

There is a faster river taxi, that hits the main attractions-Chao Phraya Express. More expensive, but it's possible to get a day pass. Local river taxis cost just a few baht.

For a little bit more, but a lot of fun -you can take a longtail boat. It's usually 40-120 baht. Depending on route and such. You can also hire these guys to take you to the barge museum or a khlong tour. They go quite fast and you will get a tiny bit wet. Great when you are hot and tired. Since it's going fast -you will keep hitting the river (bump bump thud noises). They will appropriately slow down near other ferries/boats and the Thai coast guard is nearby.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: tuk tuk is something you will see a lot of in Thailand and bangkok. Tiny highspeed looking golf carts with three wheels. They are fun and you should do it atleast once while in Thailand. Use them to take you short distances (from train station/ pier to somewhere).

Make sure you haggle and agree on a price first. Prices in bangkok will be higher than in other Thai cities, such as Chiang Mai. Prices should start around 40 baht to 120- at most. But it depends on time and route.

Warnings-they race around the city, which can be a little scary. I have heard kids love this. Also, if you are stuck in traffic it can be miserable, Since you are seated low on a tuk tuk and right at various car exhaust pipes.

Also-if you need a toy for a child back home, who loves cars. You can get a mini tuk tuk at the international airport. It;s a big hit.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Songtaews are the cheapest way to get around bangkok. They are big pick up truck looking things with a giant hood on top (protect riders from weather and sun). There are two benches inside and a railing for support. You can hail them down like taxis-they will either take you to your route privately(which costs a little more) or you join the group and he drops you and the others off. Some do have routes and will only pick ones up going that way.

They are located at the bottom of some skytrain stations. For instance, at BTS Saphan Taksin there is a fleet of them. This is more popular in other cities-such as chiang mai.

You always haggle the price with the driver ahead of time. The drivers are quite honest and some do have a fare chart. If they offer less than one us dollar -just go with it. Don' t be stingy. You may also have to show them a map where you want to go, so have it ready. Prices will be a little higher at night.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The BTS skytrain system is great. They just completed an underground line. They are not directly attached to one another-since one is underground and one above. They are connected in some ways by lots of stairs and a walkway (like sala daeng station).

You can get a one day pass on the skytrain for 100 baht per day, which is a good deal.

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