When visiting a country, one of the primary concerns of visitors is the transportation in that country. You do not need to worry about transportation in Thailand, there are many cheap and convenient means of transportation throughout this country. Tourists traveling here can easily find local transportation in a very simple and convenient way. Available public transport is always a top choice for many travelers. Visiting Thailand will be much easier if you grasp the information about popular means of transportation in the popular tourist country.
1) By Airplane
Thailand is a big country, so if you have time problems then you can choose domestic flight. If you choose low cost airlines, you do not have to worry about the cost, and you can save time and enjoy more comfort than any other public transport. Aviation is the easiest way to move between popular destinations in Thailand. Most of the flights in Thailand are through Bangkok. There are very few direct connections to destinations (such as: Chiang Mai – Phuket) without going through Bangkok. The national airline of Thailand is Thai Airways. This airline has a total of more than ten domestic routes to other destinations and cities in Thailand (including Chiang Mai and Phuket). Additionally, there are also other airlines that serve domestic flights to travelers, they are: Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Orient Thai Airlines and Nok Air. However, the three airlines with the most domestic flights in Thailand are Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia. It is convenient that you can use your credit card to book tickets directly on the website.
– Thai Airways:
Official website: https://www.thaiairways.com/en_US/index.page
– Bangkok Airways:
• Official website: https://www.bangkokair.com/official
• Representative office:
Telephone Number: +973 17 205244
E-mail: bah.pg@dadabhaitravel.com
Address: Dadabhai Travel & Tours W.L.L, Bldg 10, Road 341, Block 304,
P. O. Box 387, Manama, Bahrain
– Air Asia:
Official website: https://www.airasia.com/en/home.page?
2) By train
The Thai railway system extends across the country and offers travelers a diverified choice of transportation. Similar to the plane, most of the rail links to Bangkok, from there north to Chiang Mai, northeast to Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani, east to Anyaprathet, west to Kanchanaburi and south to Malaysia. There are three classes of train tickets: Class 1 is a double bed cabin (air-conditioned), only on long trips. Class 2 is a folding chair used to make beds at night, usually in air-conditioned cabins. Class 3 seats are usually not air-conditioned for short trips. Hua Lamphong is the main station in Bangkok, located in Pathum district. From here, there are trips all over Thailand, except Kanchanaburi. The popular route will help you to visit not only Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya but also Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang. You can check out time and purchase tickets online at this link: http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng. Another option is that you can take a taxi to Hua Lamphong, buy tickets and depart! The station has 14 main areas, serves more than 130 trains and about 60,000 passengers per day. This is the most popular means of transportation in Bangkok for local people as well as tourists, with cheap, convenient and convenient facilities and passes through most of Bangkok’s main tourist destinations.
3) By bus
Bus transfer is the cheapest way to travel in Thailand. To save money when traveling Thailand, you should select the bus, however few visitors choose this means because of the traffic jam in Bangkok. Bus tickets has two classes, 1st class air-conditioned and better service, 2nd class is non- air-conditioned. Some routes like Bangkok – Chiangmai even have special class with good service. There are three bus stations in Bangkok: bus to the north and northeast from Mor Chit station (Chatuchak area), bus to the east (Pattaya) in Ekamai and bus traveling to remote areas like Malaysia at the Tangling Chan wharf located to the west of Bangkok. In addition to the short-distance commuter buses, there are also many buses that carry groups of tourists or long-distance buses from one city to another and many of them are two-storey buses. Short-distance bus fare ranges from 7-22 baht depending on distance and type of vehicle. Long-distance bus service is also very affordable, only 400-500 baht range. Tourists can buy a bus map at the bookstore, hotel or travel agency office on New Phetchaburi Road.
4) By motorbike taxi
Motorbike taxi is one of the convenient options when traveling in Thailand, especially during peak hours, when traffic congestion occurs frequently. The price of a motorbike taxi ride depends on the distance, it will not be much cheaper than using a taxi but it is much faster to go in the center during peak hours. Before you decide to get on a motorbike, you should negotiate price with the driver clearly. Motorbike taxi drivers in Thailand are dressed in orange uniforms, numbered behind, sitting on two-wheeled vehicles in rows. The price ranges from 20 – 100 baht. However, this transportation mean is quite dangerous for travelers because many motorbike taxi drivers run very fast, causing panic and anxiety.
5) By Songthaew
Songthaew is a popular transportation in Thailand. Songthaew is ubiquitous in Thailand but most in Pattaya. In Bangkok, Songtheaw is red (bordeaux) and Pat is black with two major brands: Toyota Hilux and Nissan. Songthaew is a popular public transport because of the low cost of transportation, large capacity, flexible stopping, it should be preferred by many Thais and tourists.
Songthaew is a pickup truck, with two rows of seats. You can rest assured that drivers very carefully, so this transportation mean is quite safe. You have to pay about 10 Baht per ride for each journey, regardless of whether the journey is short or long. If it turns to another road, you keep going, then another 10 Baht. If it’s not the way to go, then ring down, pay 10 Baht. If you want to get off, then ring the bell, go up and pay the driver.
6) By tuk tuk
Tuk Tuk has long been a unique symbol and part of Thailand’s bustling urban life. Today’s Thai people have a lot of traffic by car, but still maintain and very proud of the Tuk Tuk. Taking a tuk-tuk to visit the city is a different experience compared to traveling by other means. Tuk tuk often has a simple texture with various bright colors. It only has a cockpit attached to the engine and a small seat for the driver. The back is a large compartment for visitors and can accommodate up to 4 to 5 people. The most special thing is that it only has a roof and seats but no door, which means that visitors will completely feel the bustle of the street. Tuk tuk is everywhere in the Thai streets, so you just stand on the sidewalk and sign up for the car as the drivers will be extremely quick to pick you up.
There are two types of tuk tuk, one of which runs on oil and one on gas. With the government subsidizing gas prices, tuk tuk rates are cheaper than taxi fares. With the average distance of 5km to 10km, you will pay from 30 to 100 Baht.
7) By taxi
In general, taxi is a popular transportation mean at relatively cheap cost and especially served 24/24. Most of the taxis in Thailand are new, spacious and have a lot of colors from green to yellow, red to orange, red and pink. Taxi catching is also not difficult, especially around the hotel, shopping center or tourist attractions. The charges start at 35 baht in the first two kilometers and increase gradually. There is surcharge during peak hours (1.25 baht per meter when speed is less than 6km /h). Taxis are quite popular in Bangkok and are convenient for such areas as the North East, North West and some southern locations. If you encounter a taxi with no speedometer, then you should negotiate and bargain with the driver before boarding the car.
8) Bangkok Skytrain (BTS)
BTS is an urban high-rise railway system in Bangkok, one of the means to help you explore Bangkok without getting stuck in traffic. Bangkok’s BTS system covers almost the entire city. In addition, you can combine BTS and MRT transportation to get to where you need to be. The BTS has two main routes: BTS Silom and BTS Sukhumvit. The Silom route runs from the west to the south, starting at National Stadium (W1), ending at Bang Wa Station (S12) and vice versa. The Sukhumvit route runs from the north to the east, starting at Mo Chit Station (N8), ending at Bearing Station (E14) and vice versa. To get on a BTS, you need to change money at the automatic tram ticketing stations near the entrance. The price of BTS ranges from 10 baht to 52 baht, depending on your destination.
9) MRT Bangkok
There are three types of trains in Bangkok including BTS, MRT (subway) and Airport Rail Link (airport-to-center trains). Currently, MRT routes are being extended by the government, the number of stations is up to 18. The MRT has just one route running north of itself, near Chatuchak Market (Bang Sue Station) to the south, near Chinatown (Hua Lamphong Station). Bangkok’s subways are cheap and economical. The metro system in Bangkok connects to many famous tourist destinations, hotels, guest houses and markets. Subway trains run from 06:00 am to midnight daily so it is very convenient for travelers. Each route is five minutes apart at peak hours (07:00 – 09:00, 16:00 – 19:00) and seven minutes at other times. The cost varies from 15 – 39 baht depending on your location.
10) By Bicycle
Experience the culture, visiting every corner of the land of the golden pagodas by bicycle will be an unforgettable experience when you arrive in Thailand. Most cities in Thailand have bicycle rental services. With only $1 or $2, you can rent a bike for a day. Try to enjoy the great experience on a bicycle to go along the shady forest road, cross the country roads, paddies and meet the indigenous peoples. You can rest assured that there are private lanes for bicycles in the cities and towns of Thailand. During this trip, you will also find some of the most popular restaurants in the area, with Thai food that you will enjoy right after the first try. Let’s discover Thailand’s beauty on the bicycles and feel the vitality, culture, and cuisine from the most rustic view.
Weather in Thailand; Holidays in Thailand; Festivals in Thailand; Best Places to visit in Thailand; Reasons to visit Thailand; Travel guide of Bangkok and surroundings; Travel guide of Northern Thailand; Travel Guide of Central Thailand; Travel Guide of Southern Thailand; Best food in Thailand.
