The mode of transport that is the most convenient in Bangkok is definitely their train systems. Fast, convenient and very user friendly. The BTS Skytrains will get you to most of the MUST SEE tourist places and malls.
The MRT Underground is basically designed for high commuter transport to and from their work place. Most MRT stations are thus located in the residential areas. But the MRT and BTS link up with one another at certain stations (MoChit, Asok and Silom). Some MRT stations are also located at the bigger malls etc. So getting to your favourite place should not be a problem.
As a first time tourist you will be totally depended on the very economical BTS Sky Trains and the MRT Underground trains. Fast, efficient and available every 3 to 7 minutes. Unless of course you prefer to ride in taxis and tuk tuks and are willing to spend precious HOURS in traffic.
We went everywhere all over Bangkok using this transport mode and I can tell you it is a breeze. Most places you have to visit is within a short walking distance from these stations. And it is CHEAP.
The MRT Underground is basically designed for high commuter transport to and from their work place. Most MRT stations are thus located in the residential areas. But the MRT and BTS link up with one another at certain stations (MoChit, Asok and Silom). Some MRT stations are also located at the bigger malls etc. So getting to your favourite place should not be a problem.
As a first time tourist you will be totally depended on the very economical BTS Sky Trains and the MRT Underground trains. Fast, efficient and available every 3 to 7 minutes. Unless of course you prefer to ride in taxis and tuk tuks and are willing to spend precious HOURS in traffic.
We went everywhere all over Bangkok using this transport mode and I can tell you it is a breeze. Most places you have to visit is within a short walking distance from these stations. And it is CHEAP.
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| I JUST LOVE THE BTS SYSTEM |
THE BANGKOK TRANSIT SYSTEM (BTS) SKYTRAIN
We were fortunate enough to stay in a hotel a mere 50 meters from a BTS and it was a blessing. Most hotels are located around the rail systems and you might only walk 100 or 150 meters to get to one. So look on the maps when you book your hotel and see how close they are from a public rail system. Bangkok is hot and humid and you do not want to walk for ages with parcels before you get to your hotel.The following diagram will show you the different rail lines and how they all interlink with one another.
BUYING YOUR TICKET TO RIDE
The single journey ticket, valid for a single destination, has a fare between 15฿ (R 7) to 42฿ (R 19). It’s good for the date of purchase only, and is retained at the automatic gate when you exit. For me buying a day pass worked the best as a tourist. Buying single tickets every time you get unto a train becomes a hassle as you will have to queue at the vending machines, locals gets frustrated because you are trying to figure out how to use it and the biggest drawback is that it only takes coins!
There are two types of tickets you can purchase, the single journey ticket or a One-Day Pass. You can purchase a One-day Day Pass for 130฿ (about R 55) at all ticket offices. This pass is valid for unlimited rides on the day of purchase only. It is non-refundable.
As I said, I prefer to buy a day pass. Just go to the ticket kiosk, ask the lady for a Day Pass, and voila!
The ticket is the size of a credit card so it fit snugly into your wallet. (Pretty much the same as for us who knows the Gautrain process).
Now that you have the credit card sized BTS ticket, proceed to the metallic barriers. Choose one of the ones with a big green tick showing. This indicates it's an entry point. The Red X's show exit points coming from the other side.
At the back of the BTS ticket is a small map showing you all the BTS stations. Helpful if you forget the direction you are going.
You will wait the longest 3 to 4 minutes for a train to arrive. Sign boards are very easy to understand. Just make sure you are on the right platform!
Place your ticket into the lower slot on the barrier. The ticket will be taken in and pop out on top as the red barrier pulls back. Take the ticket back and quickly walk through. Don't delay too much as the barrier only stays open for about 2.4 seconds.
Proceed up or onward to the platform you need. The platforms are generally named with the last station on the line. So if you need a station before that one, then go to a platform with the last name on that line. The BTS has two lines.
You can switch from one line to the other at Central (CEN), also known as Siam.
There is a visual display in the train. We saw both of these, but the top indicator was most common. The bottom display is a TV monitor located above the seats. They announce each stop in Thai and English, and you always know just where you are.
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| SINGLE JOURNEY VENDING MACHINE |
As I said, I prefer to buy a day pass. Just go to the ticket kiosk, ask the lady for a Day Pass, and voila!
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| BUY YOUR DAY PASS AT THE BOOTH |
HOW TO USE YOUR TICKET
The ticket is the size of a credit card so it fit snugly into your wallet. (Pretty much the same as for us who knows the Gautrain process).
Now that you have the credit card sized BTS ticket, proceed to the metallic barriers. Choose one of the ones with a big green tick showing. This indicates it's an entry point. The Red X's show exit points coming from the other side.
At the back of the BTS ticket is a small map showing you all the BTS stations. Helpful if you forget the direction you are going.
You will wait the longest 3 to 4 minutes for a train to arrive. Sign boards are very easy to understand. Just make sure you are on the right platform!
Place your ticket into the lower slot on the barrier. The ticket will be taken in and pop out on top as the red barrier pulls back. Take the ticket back and quickly walk through. Don't delay too much as the barrier only stays open for about 2.4 seconds.
Proceed up or onward to the platform you need. The platforms are generally named with the last station on the line. So if you need a station before that one, then go to a platform with the last name on that line. The BTS has two lines.
- The Silom line runs south from S12 Bang Wa and west to W1 National Stadium.
- The Sukhumvit line runs north from N8 Mo Chit and east to E14 Bearing.
You can switch from one line to the other at Central (CEN), also known as Siam.
HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO GET OFF
There is a visual display in the train. We saw both of these, but the top indicator was most common. The bottom display is a TV monitor located above the seats. They announce each stop in Thai and English, and you always know just where you are.
THE METROPOLITAN RAPID TRANSPORT (MRT) UNDERGROUND
At this stage you cannot use the BTS day pass on the MRT. I have read that they are busy to integrate the ticket systems to link the BTS, MRT and River Taxis, but that is not up and running at the time of this post.
Though the MRT is not connected to as many tourist locations as the BTS, it does provide several essential stops. The airport, Hua Lamphong railway station, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Sukhumvit amongst others.
The BTS and the MRT intersect at a few stations. Below is a pic of the interchange between the BTS Asoke station and the MRT Sukhumvit station. The entrance to the MRT is to the right of the blue roof behind the stairs leading up to the BTS.
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| ASOK BTS LINKING WITH THE MRT |
MRT stations are not so prominently visible like the BTS stations for obvious reasons, THEY ARE UNDERGROUND. There are 18 MRT stations all linked together around Bangkok however they are underground and usually only identifiable by chrome railings outside alongside a small roofed building. It's easy to find an MRT station linked to a BTS station as the MRT is usually just outside the BTS station at ground level.
Automated escalators and footsteps link footpaths to the below ground stations where you can purchase a ticket/token. These stations often provide easy methods to bypass crossing Bangkok's busy roads without buying a ticket.
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| ENTRANCE TO SUKHUMFIT MRT STATION |
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| THE UNDERGROUND STATION |
There aren’t a lot of shops in the MRT station, but you will see a few ATMs. Some of the stations are connected to the Metro Mall, and other malls as well.
At each entrance there's a security scanner and a guard. You have to let the security guard look inside your bag no matter how small it is.
This can be awkward and difficult with a lot of luggage but generally the guards are very polite. Simply unzipping one section and letting them shine a torch in is enough.
At each entrance there's a security scanner and a guard. You have to let the security guard look inside your bag no matter how small it is.
This can be awkward and difficult with a lot of luggage but generally the guards are very polite. Simply unzipping one section and letting them shine a torch in is enough.
HOW TO BUY YOUR MRT TICKET (TOKEN)
PERSONALLY I WILL NOT BUY A MRT DAY PASS AS YOU WILL NOT SPEND THAT MUCH TIME HOPPING MRT TRAINS. THE BTS YES, BUT THE UNDERGROUND - NO!
1) The most common method and easiest for tourists is to simply insert coins and/or notes into the ticket/token machines located just before the barriers to get a token.
Each machine has a large touch screen that is available in Thai or English. Simply touch the screen to activate it and press "English" on the top right hand corner. The screen will display a map showing the MRT route and stations. Simply touch the circle beside the name until it goes green to display the price you need to pay. Press the screen rather long to activate.
When you know the value of the token, insert either a note into the flat slot under the coin slot or use coins for the coin slot at the top. If using notes, stick with 20 baht notes that are in good condition. The machines will except 100 baht notes but you will get all your change in coins!
Once you've inserted the correct change, the small black token will be dispensed into a tray at the bottom of the machine on the left hand side. After a 3 second delay your change will drop down into the right hand side of the tray.
2) You may skip the machine altogether and purchase a token directly from a person at one of the kiosks in the MRT station. This works well if the MRT is busy.
USING YOUR TOKEN
Now that you have the small black plastic coin sized MRT token don't drop it! I saw them bounce into unreachable places when a lady dropped it! Proceed to the metallic barriers. Hover the token above the red panel and the barrier will open up. Make your way through (you have 5 seconds or it closes!). Simple as that. You keep the token as it's not placed anywhere. Don't lose it! You need to insert it at your exit station to go out.
Proceed down or onward to the train platform you need. The platforms are generally named with the last station on the line and there is a station map on the platforms.
All trains have screens indicating the next stop. An automated voice also announces in Thai and English.
The MRT platforms have yellow lines near the a row of plastic windows with metal frames. Above them are info screens with advertisements and a small notice showing when the next train will arrive.
Using Bangkok's MRT is relatively easy and straight forward. Here are some tips that will further help you along.
The MRT is a great way to get rid of your small change. If you're with a group of people then having one person purchase all your tickets rather than individually will help with the queues (you can buy more than one token when using the machine). If you miss a stop or go in the wrong direction just get off at the next stop and move platforms. There's no need to buy a new token.
Using Bangkok's MRT is relatively easy and straight forward. Here are some tips that will further help you along.
The MRT is a great way to get rid of your small change. If you're with a group of people then having one person purchase all your tickets rather than individually will help with the queues (you can buy more than one token when using the machine). If you miss a stop or go in the wrong direction just get off at the next stop and move platforms. There's no need to buy a new token.
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| The MRT can get very busy during certain hours (4pm-8pm). Most MRT stations stop at highly dense residential areas and as such work commuters in peak times are hectic. |
AIRPORT RAIL LINK (ARL)
This train is what it is there for - getting you into mid city Bangkok. Nothing much worth seeing at the stations it stop on its way. Mostly residential areas. The Bangkok Airport Rail Link (06:00-midnight) that connects downtown Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi International Airport is an alternative to the airport’s express buses or taxis. The City Line makes six stops between downtown (Phayathai Station) and the airport, completing each run in 30 minutes, making this a quick and convenient transport option for getting in and out of Bangkok.
The ARL connects you to the MRT underground at Makkasan City Interchange Station (The sky-walk is on the second floor, where you take Exit 1 of the Makkasan station to get to MRT Petchaburi Station). it also connects you to the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station.
If you are a backpacker then taking the ARL to get to your hotel is fine. BUT, the BTS and MRT trains are full and getting on these trains with suitcases can be a problem. Most of the time you will have to change stations up to two times to get near your hotel. Unless your hotel is situated near a ARL station. Otherwise you will change to take the MRT or BTS further. Look at the map, find the location of your hotel and determine your route.
Trains (BTS & MRT) are not at all suitcase friendly ESPECIALLY IN PEAK HOURS WHEN EVERYONE WANTS TO GET HOME! Peak hours in Bangkok are between 7am to 9.30am and then anytime from 4pm to 7pm. These times you will be standing like sardines in the trains.
Trust me after a long flight arriving at hectic Suvarnabhumi airport, the first thing you want to do is getting to your hotel so a taxi will be the best option. It drops you in front of your hotel. Taking the trains most probably will mean you still have to walk to your hotel or take a short taxi ride anyway.
If you are a backpacker then taking the ARL to get to your hotel is fine. BUT, the BTS and MRT trains are full and getting on these trains with suitcases can be a problem. Most of the time you will have to change stations up to two times to get near your hotel. Unless your hotel is situated near a ARL station. Otherwise you will change to take the MRT or BTS further. Look at the map, find the location of your hotel and determine your route.
Trains (BTS & MRT) are not at all suitcase friendly ESPECIALLY IN PEAK HOURS WHEN EVERYONE WANTS TO GET HOME! Peak hours in Bangkok are between 7am to 9.30am and then anytime from 4pm to 7pm. These times you will be standing like sardines in the trains.
Trust me after a long flight arriving at hectic Suvarnabhumi airport, the first thing you want to do is getting to your hotel so a taxi will be the best option. It drops you in front of your hotel. Taking the trains most probably will mean you still have to walk to your hotel or take a short taxi ride anyway.
WHERE IS THE ARL STATION AT THE AIRPORT
From Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi), the entrance to the Airport Rail Link service is on the First Floor.
FARES AND TICKETING
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| THE ARL STATION TOKEN STALLS |
Fare starts at 15฿ (R 7), maximum 45฿ (R 20). The machine will show you how much to pay based on your exit station you choose. You can also buy your tokens from the ticket booth. In this case, always ask for your receipt.
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