TRANSPORT IN THAILAND
Thailand has a comprehensive transportation system, which makes it really easy to travel through the country.
The infrastructure in Thailand is very well developed and all major destinations can be easily reached.
Thailand has several airlines flying domestically, a comprehensive railway network, a bunch of private bus operators and numerous ferries with routes to island destinations.
Of course we can book your plane tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, ferry tickets, private minivan or rental car in combination with hotels and excursions.
AIRPLANE
Practically all big cities in Thailand can be reached by plane, an easy way to travel through the country relatively quickly.
Besides the full-service airlines Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways there are several budget airlines flying on many domestic routes.
Apart from flights within Thailand, we can also make flight reservations to and from other destinations in the region like Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia.
FERRY
With countless islands and an impressive total of 3000 km coastline, Thailand has lots of ferry connections.
On the east coast and the Andaman coast boats generally operate a reduced service during the monsoon season (May–Oct).
Ferries in the Samui archipelago are fairly constant year-round.
RENTAL CAR
Having a car in Thailand lets you visit the country at your own pace and venture off the beaten path.
We work together with a reputable international car rental company in Thailand who has established a strong reputation for quality service and well-maintained cars.
Get behind the wheel and discover peaceful rural villages, National Parks and secluded beaches!
Keep in mind that an international driver license is needed to rent a car.
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BUS
There are several private bus companies in Thailand that operate on the major routes.
The buses are in good condition and well-maintained and they are a good option for long-distance journeys.
The buses have air-conditioning, (allotted) comfortable seats, there will be a toilet on board and on the longest journeys you may get blankets and snacks.
PRIVATE CAR/MINIVAN
Explore Thailand while traveling in comfort and ease; visit famous temples and markets or off-the beaten track destinations.
With our help you can plan your own itinerary and have your driver take you there. Our drivers are professional, polite and punctual, but keep in mind that they only have very limited knowledge of English.
However, we also offer English-speaking guides to accompany you during your trip in Thailand.
TRAIN
The railway network of Thailand is operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the four main lines are the Northern Line, the Northeastern Line, the Eastern Line and the Southern Line.
Traveling by train is safe, environmentally friendly, and cheap. Moreover, trains will give you a genuine Thai experience.
An overnight train (or sleeper train) in Thailand is an ideal way to travel long distances.
LOCAL TRANSPORT IN BANGKOK
Bangkok has numerous other transport options available which cannot be booked in advance. It is generally very cheap and gives you a real local experience. Of course we can provide information about these means of transport.
So let’s get you through some other amazing modes of local transportation in Bangkok.
AIRPORT RAIL LINK
The Airport Rail Link connects downtown Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi Airport and operates between 5:30 AM and midnight.
The Airport Rail Link connects to the MRT (metro) at Makkasan Station (MRT Petchaburi) and the BTS (skytrain) at Phayathai Station.
Although it’s a fast way to travel between the airport and city, a pre-booked airport transfer is probably the best option when traveling with luggage.
BUS
Public city buses are the cheapest transportation in Bangkok, but also the most complicated for foreign visitors.
Destinations on the city buses are written in Thai and the drivers and attendants rarely speak English. However, it’s fun to take a local bus when you have the time and courage to face these issues and it really is a great was to see the real Bangkok!
Most of the buses run from 5 AM to 11 PM, except for some lines which are operating 24 hours.
KHLONG SAEN SAEP BOAT
The Khlong Saen Saep Boat is a regular basic transportation for locals in daily life to travel through Bangkok without getting stuck in traffic.
When using this boat be a bit careful as you have to be quick jumping on and off from the side of the boat as it will not wait for you. For this reason, this kind of boat might not be suitable for families with very young children.
The fare is 10-20 Baht depending on your destination and you have to pay on board.
It is a fun way to discover the city from a different angle and an unforgettable local experience!
MRT (Metro)
The MRT (metro) in Bangkok has two lines: the Blue Line and the Purple Line.
The Blue Line is of most interest to tourists, as it runs through the downtown area and can be used to get to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown.
It is a fast, safe and efficient way to get around the city and avoid the often congested traffic in the Thai capital.
The MRT runs from early morning until midnight and connects at some stations with the BTS (Skytrain) and Airport Rail Link.
TAXI
There are over 140,000 licensed taxi in Bangkok and they come in all colors of the rainbow; blue, red, orange, green, pink and yellow. Licensed taxis in Bangkok all have a sign ‘taxi-meter’ on the roof and when you see a glowing red sign on the front window, it means the taxi is available.
Many taxi drivers don’t speak English beyond a few basic words, so we recommend to ask the receptionist to write down the name of your hotel in Thai.
Although all taxis are metered, it is usually best to hail a moving taxi, as those waiting outside hotels may expect you to pay more and bargain a price without turning on the meter.
BTS (SKYTRAIN)
The BTS Skytrain is an efficient way to explore the city during a visit to Bangkok.
The Skytrain consists of two lines: Silom Line & Sukhumvit Line and runs through all important downtown districts (between 05:15-05:30 AM and midnight).
Running above Bangkok’s traffic and with connecting points to the Airport Rail Link, MRT (metro) and Chao Phraya Express Boat, it’s a great way to get around and allows travelers to skip the city’s notorious traffic jams.
CHAO PHRAYA EXPRESS BOAT
The Chao Phraya Express Boat is a popular and cheap boat service that serves commuters along the Chao Phraya River. It’s also a favorite means of transport among many travelers, because the boats stop near famous landmarks as Chinatown, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
There are 5 lines of service: the no flag boat, the orange flag boat, the yellow flag boat, the green flag boat and the more expensive blue flag tourist boat.
Certain piers have a counter where you need to buy a ticket; at other piers you can pay when you’re on the boat.
MOTORBIKE TAXI
Motorbike taxis can be found in cities throughout Thailand.
In Bangkok there are thousands of motorbike taxis, clad in recognizable vests, waiting to take you anywhere for a low price.
It is one of the fastest ways to get around Bangkok, but it is also the most dangerous, with the bikes weaving in and out of traffic.
Although motorbike taxis will not suit most visitors coming to Thailand for a holiday, they can provide a useful form of transport for short journeys by those traveling on their own.
SONGTHAEW
Songthaews are converted pick-up trucks with 2 rows of seats at the back. They can be found throughout Thailand.
They normally drive along fixed routes and are used as shared taxis for passengers traveling in roughly the same direction.
Songthaew drivers usually do drive reasonably slow making it rather safe, but please do remember to hold on.
Fares are low and should be paid to the driver after leaving the songthaew.
TUK-TUK
The three-wheeled tuk-tuk is undoubtedly one of the first things people think of when they think about Thailand. It has become a national symbol for tourists and is still a useful mode of transport to get through the bustling streets of Thailand.
You can find thousands of tuk-tuks in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok, and they are an attraction among tourists.
Since tuk-tuks don’t have a meter like taxis, a tuk-tuk ride can get quite expensive and the price depends on the distance traveled, the time of the day, the traffic, the mood of the drivers and your negotiating skills.