Tra-Abel Guide on Getting Around Bangkok, Thailand

Finding Your Way From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road

I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport with little knowledge about the transportation system of Bangkok. Based from the information I gathered from reading different travel blogs and sites, I only had a rough imagination of how I can get to my reserved accommodation near Khao San Road and it goes this way: Airport Rail Link-BTS Sukhumvit Line-BTS Silom Line-Chao Phraya River Express.

Just follow the signs and don't be afraid to ask and ask more!

Finding the Airport Rail Link was easy, there are signboards everywhere leading you to it. It was located two floors down from the arrival floor. Near the entrance of the rail link, there was a Kasikorn Money Changer which rate was a little bit higher than those located elsewhere in the airport (for the complete guide on money changers at Bangkok, click here)

The airport rail link looks deserted early in the morning, but don’t worry because there are guards and personnel roving around the station. I bought a ticket from Airport to Phaya Thai, the trip was really fast and stress free. The BTS Sukhumvit Line was a few walk away from the Phaya Thai Station of Airport Rail Link. I bought a ticket at a vending machine located at the entrance of BTS Phaya Thai Station. I rode the BTS Sukhumvit Line from Phaya Thai Station to Siam. There is an interchange at this station from BTS Sukhumvit line to  BTS Silom Line. From the Siam Station of BTS Silom Line, I bought a ticket to Saphan Taksin Station where the Chao Phraya River Express is located. Using the Chao Phraya River Express, I bought a ticket for the Tourist Boat going to N13 or Phra Arthit Pier where Khao San Area is just a walking distance.

If ever you find yourself lost, don’t hesitate to ask questions. The BTS personnel were really helpful as well as those personnel of Chao Phrya River Express.

Getting around

Bangkok, Thailand is notorious for its traffic especially during rush hours, but fear not because there are different modes of transportation available that can help you get around and visit popular tourist sites in Bangkok without getting stuck in middle of the traffic. 

Taxi, Tuktuk, Bus & Motortaxi! The choice is yours!

So here are the following mode of transportation you can use:

Boat (Chao Phraya River Express)

Yellor Flag River Boat?

Chao Phraya River Express is my favorite, not only it is efficient but it is also the best way to experience the scenic views along Chao Phraya River (Wat Arun, River City, Chinese Temple, Hotels, etc). The tourist boat plies a regular route from its central pier at Sathorn Taksin (overlap/interchange with BTS Saphan Taksin) to Phra Arthit Pier (Banglumpoo or Khao San Road Area).

Making your way on board the boat is difficult at first but you'll get used to it!

Tourist Boat Pier Stops (40 Baht one way and 150 Baht for one day pass; Blue Flag)

Central Pier - Sathorn Taksin, this is where you can interchange with the BTS Saphan Taksin Station. The BTS Station is near the exit of the pier.

N1 Oriental Pier – This where you can find the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok.

N3 Si Phraya Pier – River city, a modern shopping complex

N5 Ratchawong Pier – Chinatown where you can find the best dimsums and noodles and also offer delicious and affordable Thai food.

Malayo ang tingin! LOL

N8 Tha Tien Pier – Pier near Wat Pho and where you can ride the cross river ferry to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

N10 Wang Lang/Maharaj Pier – GrandPalace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Mahathat are all near this pier.

N13 Phra Arthit Pier – the legendary Khao San Road, the backpacker ghetto.

Alternatively, you can also ride the crowded orange line boat with an orange flag for only 15 Baht one way. It also stops at the piers enumerated above. The disadvantages of riding the orange line boat are: it is too crowded, too small and has many stops. Instead of a 20-30 minutes ride from Central pier to Phra Arthit Pier, the orange line boat normally plies that route for more than 1 hour (this is the case especially during rush hour). 

Orange and Blue Line Boat Stops Here!

The orange line boat only operates until 7pm while the tourist boat operates until 10pm. Other lines are also available (green, local, etc.), please check their website at chaophrayaexpressboat.

BTS (Skytrain) / MRT (Metro) / Airport Rail Link

Phaya Thai Station of BTS Sukhumvit Line!

The most convenient way to get around Bangkok! The air conditioned trains are a delight from the scorching hot sun in Bangkok. Not only it is the fastest but it also has a comprehensive train system that can take you anywhere you want to go. The interchange to boat piers, MRT stations, bus stops and other mode of transportation is really helpful in travelling around Bangkok. Here is a picture of the train system:

The Map of the Train System at Bangkok

The trains operate until 12 midnight. For more information on the route and other details please visit their website bts.

Taxi / Tuktuk

This is my least used and least priority when choosing a mode of transportation. During my 7 days stay at Bangkok I only rode a taxi once when I went to Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal since Khao San Area is far from any of the Train Stations (BTS/MRT). I never had an experience with a taxi that did not use the taxi’s meter even without saying so. Thanks to my Malay blood because they always mistake me for a local. As for the “obligatory” tuktuk experience, I only tried it once when I went to Chinatown with my friend. You should agree with a price first before getting on the tuktuk!

Bus

I never tried the bus service of Bangkok, and my main reason is to avoid the notorious Bangkok traffic! According to Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a shoestring guide, Bangkok bus service is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, ordinary fares start at 6.50 Baht and air-con buses at 11 Baht. Most buses operate from 5 AM until 10/11 PM.

Go back to Tra-Abel Guide to Bangkok, Thailand