Transportation

Trains
The main station is Hua Lamphong. This beautiful 100-yearold building is designed in the shape of an arc. The Italian architect who designed the station was also responsible for the marble Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. For information, please contact the Travel Service Unit, State Railways of Thailand.
Tel. 0 2220 4334, 1690
Website: www.railway.co.th

Buses
Plentiful and cheap are the regular non-air buses. Air-conditioned buses and microbuses are only a fraction more expensive. A bus route map is available at most hotels, bookshops and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office on New Phetchaburi Road.

Subway
Opened in 2004, the city’s new subway system (MRTA) connects many of the top tourist attractions with accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.

BTS Skytrain
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) provides safe, cheap and rapid rides to popular areas of Bangkok. The service is excellent and the stations and trains are immaculately clean. There are two lines, intersecting at Siam Square. It is the best way to avoid traffic and pollution.

Taxis
Hotel taxis have set rates. Street taxis known as “Taxi Meters” charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 2 kilometres and 5 baht for every following kilometre.
Tel. 1661, 1681

River Taxis
Even more unusual, though equally convenient, river taxis ply the Chao Phraya River. While some are just cross river ferries, others serve many piers on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.

Tuk-Tuk
These 3-wheelers are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. They are not much cheaper than taxis and perhaps the odd mode of transportation is the attraction.

Motorcycle Taxis
Bangkok is such a busy city with many traffic jams that everyone wants to get to their destination on time and as fast as they could which is why motorcycle taxis are so popular. The fare depends on the distance but is about the same as a taxi.