If you're planning your first trip to Bangkok, you're probably looking at the map and think, "Oh my god, so big." And then you look at the public transport map and think, "What the hell?" I get it. Bangkok has over 100 train stations. The map looks like someone threw spaghetti at a wall. But here's the thing. Most first timers waste hours figuring out the train system. They end up taking expensive taxis everywhere or worse, they book hotels near the wrong stations and spend half their trip getting around. That's why in this guide, I'm going to show you the 10 most important train stations in Bangkok for first-time visitors. The ones you will use to go to hotels, attractions, nightlife, and bus terminals.
First station: Makkasan
The world arrives at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Which is not in Bangkok. So how do you get close to the action? Airport Rail Link. Exit: Makkasan. $1, no traffic, 40 minutes, easy peasy, air condition. And the good thing about Makkasan: You can connect to the subway system here.
This leads to the second station: Petchaburi
Very important subway station. Gives you the opportunity to go to the Sukhumvit area, to the Silom area, to Chinatown and the Old Town. And if your hotel is near the Victory Monument or near a BTS line that goes north, then it's smarter to invest 10 Baht more, which is 25 cents, and exit not at Makkasan, but at Phaya Thai. Then you can go to the Victory Monument, to Ari, to Chatuchak – and down south to the shopping area.
Check out my Bangkok Directory.
Third station: Sukhumvit/Asok
Asok BTS skytrain, Sukhumvit MRT subway. There's the terminal 21 shopping mall and hotel plus food court. The incredible forest/jungle like mega park Benjakitti. Close; Benjasiri Park. Soi Coowboy and Nana nearby. Perfect for single men.
Next station: Ekkamai
Whenever you want to leave Bangkok, if if you want to go to Pattaya or Koh Chang – this is the skytrain station. Because there's the eastern bus terminal. There are also some temples, good restaurants and cinemas.
Station number 5: Si Lom/Sala Daeng
Sala Daeng BTS skytrain, Si Lom MRT subway. Very similar to the Asok-Sukhumvit combo with the subway and the skytrain. Here you're a little bit closer to Oldtown and Chinatown and to the giant Lumphini Park. Also in the area: Patpong, the third red light district and the not so cool night market. The colorful Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple. The King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper. Puy Roti Lady. And the Snake Farm. Overall: business and gay area.
Read my Bangkok Transport Guide.
Next station: Siam
This is the shopping hub, the tourist hub. Also the interchange station for the BTS skytrain that goes to the north and south and east west. And what's there? Malls. Malls. Malls. Malls. Malls. Plus: The Jim Thompson house, that's an American entrepreneur that allegedly left and nobody knows where he is. And now his beautiful house is museum. And the second thing is the Bangkok Art and Cultural Center. Free, very good. And also free, the Erawan Shrine. Wonderful. people pray and temple dancers dance and it's a wonderful scenery. And you're not far away from Banthat Thong, one of the most insane food areas in Bangkok.
Station number 7: Hua Lamphong
The old main train station. It's kind of the gate to Chinatown. It's a subway station, blue line. It's architecture is the exact copy of the Frankfurt am Main main station. Nearby: Chinatown gate, the food heaven Yaowarat Road, and the cool Song Wat Road.
Station number 8: Sanam Chai
The Oldtown station: Museum Siam, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Flower Market. This is the essential station for sightseeing.
Station number 9: Saphan Taksin
At the river, important in many ways. There's the Sathon Pier and Wat Yannawa, the temple that looks like a ship. The ghost tower that you can't enter anymore. The Lebua hotel with the “Hangover 2“ sky bar. Lebua, the famous one from Hangover 2. Shangri-la Hotel. Mandarin Oriental, one of the world's most expensive hotels. And Icon Siam, the billion dollar mega mall.
Last station: Mo Chit
Sounds a little bit like more Sh... but it's basically the Chatuchuk market skytrain station. And you're very close to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. That's the new central station. From there it's easy to reach Don Mueang airport. And if you hate flying, then you can start a bus trip from the northern bus terminal, Mochit bus terminal.
P.S. Get access my ready-to-book Thailand itineraries and maps.
