Capital city, Thailand
Getting around Bangkok
How to get around Bangkok
BTS Skytrain and MRT cover the center and beat the traffic; add river boats for the Old Town and Grab or motorbike taxis for short hops.
Ways to get around Bangkok
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| BTS Skytrain | From 17 THB; extensions cost more | Sukhumvit and Silom lines; buy tickets at machines or use a Rabbit card |
| MRT (Blue and Purple lines) | From 17 THB | Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the gate |
| Chao Phraya Express Boat | About 16–30 THB | River route to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown |
| Motorbike taxi | About 20–60 THB | Orange-vest riders at soi entrances; fastest in traffic, helmets vary |
Ride-hailing apps in Bangkok
A 5 km ride costs about ฿80–160 ($2.4–4.8).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grab | Most drivers; cars, motorbikes and airport pickups |
| Bolt | Often cheaper; can be slower at rush hour |
| inDrive | Offer your own fare; useful when surge pricing hits |
- Metered taxis are fine if the meter runs; refuse flat prices. Tuk-tuks need firm haggling and cost more than taxis.
Arriving in Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai 45 THB, about 26 min; metered taxi 300–450 THB plus 50 THB airport fee and tolls, 40–60 min.
Don Mueang (DMK)
A1 bus to Mo Chit BTS 30 THB; SRT Red Line to Krung Thep Aphiwat then MRT; taxi 250–400 THB plus 50 THB fee.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not worth it: heavy traffic and police checks. Use motorbike taxis or Grab Bike instead.
- Driving: on the left. Drive with your home licence plus a 1949-Convention IDP; scooters need the motorcycle category or police fine you.
- Onward travel in Thailand: Cheap domestic flights link main cities; overnight sleeper trains run Bangkok–Chiang Mai and south; VIP buses, minivans and ferries cover the rest.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Bangkok?
No. Use Grab, Bolt, inDrive instead.
What's the best way to get around Bangkok?
BTS Skytrain and MRT cover the center and beat the traffic; add river boats for the Old Town and Grab or motorbike taxis for short hops.
How do I get from the airport to Bangkok?
Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai 45 THB, about 26 min; metered taxi 300–450 THB plus 50 THB airport fee and tolls, 40–60 min.
Is Bangkok walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Bangkok
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Sources
- State Railway of Thailand e-ticketing
- Airports of Thailand
- BTS Skytrain
- MRT (Bangkok Expressway and Metro)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Don Mueang Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Grab Thailand service areas
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.