Overview
Bangkok has been served by rail transit since 1897, and today the city hosts a full complement of intercity, commuter and metro lines. For a visitor, the modern network is built around four rapid-transit systems: the BTS Skytrain, the MRT, the Airport Rail Link and the SRT Red Lines. These are complemented by city buses, an express bus network and the river ferries.
Riding end to end is straightforward. You enter a station, buy a ticket or tap a stored-value or contactless card at the turnstile, keep your token or card for the exit, and check the platform maps to see which side to wait on. At the exit you insert your token into the turnstile slot or tap your card on the reader. Interchanges between systems are mostly at shared or adjacent stations, so you can move between the BTS, MRT and Airport Rail Link without leaving the paid area at some points, though you will generally need a separate ticket or card for each operator's system.
The network
Bangkok's rapid transit is made up of several distinct systems, each with its own lines and operators.
BTS Skytrain
- Sukhumvit Line – runs southwards from Khu Khot Station along Phahon Yothin Road and then eastwards along Sukhumvit Road to Kheha Station in Samut Prakan.
- Silom Line – runs eastwards from National Stadium Station in Pathum Wan District, then southwest along Ratchadamri, Si Lom, Narathiwat Ratchanakharin and Sathon Roads, crossing the Chao Phraya past Wong Wian Yai Station in Khlong San towards Bang Wa Station in Phasi Charoen District.
- Gold Line – runs along Charoen Nakhon Road in Khlong San from Krung Thon Buri Station, which interchanges with the Silom Line, to Khlong San Station.
The Sukhumvit and Silom Lines are both elevated and interchange at Siam Station in Pathum Wan. The three lines together total 70.05 kilometres (43.53 mi).
MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit)
The MRT opened in July 2004 and consists of four lines.
- Blue Line – partially underground heavy rail, running 37.1 kilometres (23.1 mi) from Tao Poon Station in a southward arc through the east along Ratchadaphisek Road, via Hua Lamphong (where it connects to the central railway station), to Lak Song. It has 38 stations and was extended to form a circle in 2020. It connects to the BTS at Mo Chit, Asok, Sala Daeng and Bang Wa.
- Purple Line – above-ground medium-capacity rail, opened in 2016, running from Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi province.
- Yellow Line – a monorail serving the eastern suburbs, opened in 2023, running from Samrong in the south to Lat Phrao.
- Pink Line – a monorail in north Bangkok, opened in 2023, running from Min Buri in the east to Nonthaburi Civic Center.
Airport Rail Link
Opened in August 2010 and operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Airport Rail Link connects the city centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan Province to the east. It offers services between the airport and Makkasan, where it connects with Phetchaburi Station of the MRT, and terminates at Phaya Thai Station, where it connects to the BTS. Its eight stations span 29 kilometres (18 mi).
SRT Red Lines and commuter rail
The Red Lines opened in 2021 along with the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and serve the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. They consist of two lines, the Dark Red Line and the Light Red Line. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) remains the only railway operator running services between the Bangkok Metropolitan Region and other parts of the country, with intercity routes on the Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Southern Lines.
Buses and ferries
Bangkok BRT (bus rapid transit) began operation in 2010. The city also has an extensive network of ordinary and air-conditioned city buses, plus express buses such as the S1 to Khao San Road, the A1 and A2 to BTS stations, and the A3 and A4 to central and old-city areas. River ferries and boats serve the Chao Phraya and the city's canals.
Tickets & fares
Each operator has its own ticketing, and fares are approximate and change over time. In general, fares are distance- or station-based, and relatively high fare prices have historically kept the systems inaccessible to a portion of the population.
MRT
- Single-journey token – priced by distance, roughly 15–49 baht. Buy at vending machines or the ticket office. At the machine, select English, tap your destination station on the screen map, and the price displays; machines accept coins and bills and return your token with change.
- MRT prepaid card – around 180 baht (about 100 baht travel value, 50 baht deposit and 30 baht fee); buy and top up at the ticket office, with your passport required.
- Contactless credit/debit cards (EMV, contactless symbol) are accepted directly at the gates. Alternatively you can buy an MRT EMV card at ticket offices for around 250 baht including 100 baht credit.
- Discount cards – an elder card (age 60+) and a child card (under 14 and no taller than 120 cm) give 50% off normal fares. On the Blue Line, an Elder card for over-65s gives a 50% discount, a Student card for under-23s gives a 10% discount, and a Child card for under-14s (and under 120 cm tall) gives a 50% discount.
Blue Line fares are counted by the number of stations, starting from 16 baht for one station and increasing by 2–3 baht per station up to 42 baht for 17 stations; other sources quote roughly 17–43 baht one-way. Purple Line fares start from 15 baht for one station, increasing 1 baht per station up to 29 baht for 15 stations with a card; without a card they start from 17 baht, increasing 2–3 baht per station up to 42 baht. Some sources describe the Purple Line as a flat 20 baht fare regardless of distance.
BTS Skytrain
- Rabbit card – the BTS's own stored-value card, with adult, student and senior types, typically issued with 100 baht initial stored value.
- Fares – start from 16 baht and are based on distance travelled. Some short segments, such as Wongwian Yai–Bang Wa or On-Nut–Bearing, cost 15 baht, with 15 baht also added when travelling between those stations and other stations on the main line.
Yellow and Pink monorails
These accept single-journey tickets, EMV contactless cards and the Rabbit Card (which is also valid on the BTS). Yellow Line fares run roughly 18–45 baht; Pink Line fares run roughly 15–45 baht.
Airport Rail Link
On the city line, fares start from 15 baht for one station and increase 5 baht per station up to 45 baht for seven stations. The ride to Phaya Thai costs 45 baht.
Prepaid and EMV cards are sold only at ticket offices, while tokens are available at machines or offices. Tourist-oriented stored-value and contactless options exist across the systems, but always check current prices and validity at the station, as these are approximate and change.
From the airport
Bangkok is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Both lie about 30 km (19 mi) out on opposite sides of the city, so allow time for the ride into the centre.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Airport Rail Link – a speedy all-stops commuter train to downtown, with no express service. Trains run 06:00–midnight every day, every 10–13 minutes. After Makkasan the trains continue to Ratchaprarop (transfer to MRT) and Phaya Thai (transfer to Skytrain). The ride to Phaya Thai takes 26 minutes and costs 45 baht.
- Free shuttle bus – to the airport bus terminal (the Transportation Centre) to catch inexpensive city buses, useful for suburban destinations such as Rangsit or Bang Kapi.
- Express bus S1 – runs from the terminal building to Khao San Road (since June 2017).
- Public taxis – metered taxis are on the first floor (one floor below arrivals); follow the "public taxi" signs to the official queue. ATM-style ticket booths dispense numbered slips indicating your bay. Trips to the city cost roughly 250–400 baht plus possible expressway tolls, and take about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Don Mueang Airport
- A1 airport bus + BTS – runs to Sena Nikhom BTS station (board at exit 6 of Terminal 1 or exit 12 of Terminal 2). It runs from the airport 07:30–24:00 and to the airport 07:00–24:00, costs 30 baht collected on board, and takes about 20 minutes using the elevated tollway. It continues to Ratchayothin BTS station and Vibhavadi hospital before returning.
- A2 bus – saves switching onto the train if you are heading to the Victory Monument area (fare also 30 baht).
- Express buses A3 and A4 – A3 runs Don Mueang–Dindaeng–Pratunam–Ratchaprasong–Ratchadamri–Lumphini Park; A4 runs Don Mueang–Yommarach–Lam Luang–Phan Fa–Democracy Monument–Khao San–Sanam Luang. Fares are 50 baht, picking up at door #6 of Terminal 1 and door #12 of Terminal 2 between 07:00 and 23:00.
- Train – Don Mueang Train Station is across a covered overpass from the airport. Modern commuter services run every 12–20 minutes but terminate at Bang Sue in northern Bangkok, where you change to the MRT Blue Line.
- City buses – air-conditioned bus 504 goes to CentralWorld at Ratchaprasong, Lumphini Park and Silom; bus 29 goes to Hualamphong Train Station via Victory Monument and Siam Square (sometimes terminating at Victory Monument for 19 baht); bus 59 goes to Sanam Luang in Rattanakosin. Watch for "additional buses" (รถเสริม, rot serm) with a red sign showing the final destination, as some buses do not complete the full route.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing – lines form at ticket machines, ticket offices and taxi stands. At the airport, use the official numbered-slip taxi queue rather than touts in the arrival hall, and keep your slip in case you need to complain.
- Escalators – stand to one side so that people in a hurry can pass; keep moving on the walking side.
- Priority seating – give up priority seats to monks, the elderly, pregnant passengers and those with children.
- Eating and drinking – eating and drinking are not permitted on the trains; finish snacks and drinks before you enter the paid area.
- Rush hour – trains are very crowded at peak times, so let passengers off before you board and move down the carriage. On the A1 airport bus, which can be very crowded, make sure you stand in line early.
- Tokens and cards – keep your token for the exit and have small change ready for tolls and bus fares to avoid being overcharged.
Survival terms
- Subway/metro – รถไฟใต้ดิน (rot fai tai din)
- Ticket – ตั๋ว (tua)
- Line – สาย (sai)
- Entrance – ทางเข้า (thang khao)
- Exit – ทางออก (thang ok)
- Transfer – เปลี่ยนสาย (plian sai)
- Single fare – ค่าโดยสารเที่ยวเดียว (kha doi san thiao diao)
- Day pass – ตั๋วรายวัน (tua rai wan)
Keep a little Thai baht in small notes and coins handy, since ticket machines, bus stewards and toll booths all work best with exact change.