Bangkok Transport

• Khu Khot (north → Kheha (south)
• Covers: Chatuchak, Victory Monument, Siam, Asok/Nana, On Nut, Bearing

• National Stadium → Bang Wa
• Covers: Siam, Sala Daeng/Silom, Saphan Taksin (river), Wongwian Yai

• Krung Thonburi → Klong San
• Connects to Icon Siam mall

1. Counter or ticket machine (touch screen)
2. Select destination on map
3. See price displayed
4. Insert coins/bills (accepts ฿10, ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500)
5. Take card
6. Tap card at turnstile to enter
7. Insert card at exit station

• Cost: ฿200 (฿50 card fee + ฿150 stored value)
• Top up: ฿100-4,000 at machines or counters
• Works on: BTS, MRT, Airport Rail Link, BRT
• Validity: 5 years
• Refundable when leaving (get deposit back)

How to get a Rabbit Card:

• 1. Bring Passport.
  2. Go to any BTS ticket counter (not machine).
  3. Say "Ao Rabbit Card ka/kap"
  4. Pay ฿200
  5. They register it for you
  6. Done - just tap in/out at any station

Tip: Get Rabbit Card only if you plan to stay in Bangkok for a long time.

• Full circle now connects entire city
• Covers: Old Town, Chinatown, Silom, Sukhumvit

• Tao Poon → Khlong Bang Phai
• Mostly for locals, tourists rarely use

• Lat Phrao → Samrong
• Connects to BTS at multiple points

• Nonthaburi Civic Center → Phra Nang Klao Bridge
• Connects to MRT Purple Line

• Same as BTS
• Can use Visa or Mastercard contactless credit card
• Rabbit Card works only on Pink and Yellow Line
• Different token (round black plastic coin vs BTS card)

• Asok (BTS) = Sukhumvit (MRT) - Walk through connecting tunnel
• Mo Chit (BTS) = Chatuchak Park (MRT) - 5-min walk
• Sala Daeng (BTS) = Si Lom (MRT) - 3-min walk
• Siam (BTS) = Siam (MRT Blue Line) - NEW connection opened 2024

• N1 Sathorn (BTS Saphan Taksin)
• N8 Tha Tien (Wat Pho, Grand Palace)
• N9 Tha Chang (Grand Palace main entrance)
• N10 Wang Lang (Great food market)
• N13 Phra Arthit (Khao San Road)

1. Go to any pier (look for blue signs "Chao Phraya Express")
2. Buy ticket at booth (say your destination)
3. Wait for Orange Flag boat
4. Board (can be crowded, hold on!)
5. Attendant will collect ticket during journey
6. Exit at your stop

• Cost: ฿15 flat fare (any distance)
• Hours: 6:00am - 7:00pm
• Stops: Major tourist piers only (16 stops)
• Frequency: Every 15 minutes
• No stops at: Small local piers

• Cost: ฿10-15 depending on distance
• Stops: ALL piers (slow)
• Hours: 6:00am - 6:00pm

• Cost: ฿50 single ride OR ฿200 all-day pass
• Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm
• Stops: 9 major tourist piers
• Commentary in English
• Worth it? Not really - Orange Flag is cheaper and just as good

Why Bolt over Grab:

• • 15-20% cheaper than Grab
  • No surge pricing (usually)
  • Better driver ratings
  • Same reliability

Pricing Examples:

• • Sukhumvit (Nana) → Grand Palace: ฿120-150
  • Sukhumvit (Asok) → Chatuchak Market: ฿80-110
  • Silom → Khao San Road: ฿90-120
  • Siam → Airport: ฿280-350

Service Types:

• • Bolt - Standard car, cheapest
  • Bolt XL - Bigger car (up to 6 people)
  • Bolt Premium - Nicer car, professional driver

Tip: Bolt gives ฿50-100 discount codes to new users frequently

When to use: If Bolt is unavailable or surge pricing on Bolt

Pricing: 10-15% higher than Bolt on average

• Service Types:
• • GrabCar - Standard
  • GrabCar Premium - Nicer car
  • GrabCar 6-Seater - For groups
• Grab Benefits:
• • More drivers available
  • Integrated with other services (GrabFood)
  • Rewards program

What it is: You name your price, and drivers bid

• How it works:
• 1. Enter pickup/destination
  2. App suggests price
  3. You can offer lower price
  4. Drivers accept or counter-offer
  5. Choose your driver

Savings: 20-30% cheaper than Bolt sometimes

Cons: Less reliable, quality varies

Best for: Very budget-conscious, short trips

Reality: Many drivers now refuse to use meter, prefer negotiated prices

Official Rate:

• • Starting: ฿35
  • First 2km: ฿35
  • 2-12km: ฿6.50/km
  • 12-20km: ฿7.50/km
  • 20-40km: ฿8.50/km
  • 40-60km: ฿10/km
  • 60-80km: ฿11/km
  • Traffic jam: +฿2 per minute stopped

Reality Check:

• • 99% of drivers will refuse meter
  • Some inflate the route
  • Tourist areas = worst for this

When street taxis are OK:

• • Late night (after 1am, apps have fewer drivers)
  • Areas where apps don't work well
  • You're with a Thai speaker
  • Outside of tourist areas

How to use (if you must):

• 1. Hail taxi
  2. Lean in, say destination
  3. "Me-ter na krap/ka" (meter please)
  4. If says no → Try next taxi
  5. Make sure meter starts at ฿35
  6. Follow route on Google Maps
  7. Pay exact meter amount
  8. Never Tip taxi drivers

Tim’s Tip: Just use Bolt/Grab. Street taxis are more hassle than they're worth.

Reality: Pure scam! Almost entirely for tourists, locals don't use them

Fair Prices (never happen):

• • Short ride (1-2km): ฿60-80
  • Medium ride (3-5km): ฿100-150
  • Long ride (5+km): ฿150-250

Common Quoted Prices (Scam Rates/always):

• • Short ride: ฿200-300
  • Medium ride: ฿400-500

How to negotiate:

• 1. Ask price
  2. Divide by 3
  3. Offer that price
  4. Walk away if they don't agree
  5. They'll usually call you back with a better price
  6. But on arrival they can’t give you change, so you overpay anyways

When to use:

• • Once for the experience/photo
  • As part of a booked tour
  • Very short distances
  • With a Thai person

When NOT to use:

• • Any driver who approaches YOU offering tours
  • Anyone near Grand Palace (commission scam central)
  • If they mention "stops" or "shops"

Tim’s Tip: Take one 5-minute tuk-tuk ride for the experience, get your photo, and then never again.

What they are: Guys in orange vests with motorbikes, take you short distances

Status: Everywhere, now integrated into apps

Where you'll see them:

• • Entrances to BTS stations
  • Mouth of sois
  • Anywhere with orange vest stands

Cost:

• • Walk-up: ฿20-40 for short soi ride
  • Bolt/Grab motorbike: ฿25-60

When to use:

• • Your hotel is down a soi far from BTS
  • Short distance (1-2 km)
  • Traffic is terrible (bikes split lanes)
  • You're alone (not with luggage/companions)

How to use on apps:

• • Both Bolt and Grab have "Motorbike" option
  • Choose it instead of car
  • Much faster in traffic
  • Wear helmet (provided)

Safety:

• • Hold on tight
  • Wear helmet always (mandatory, but only app drivers will give you one)
  • Keep bags in front of you
  • Hold on tight
  • Not recommended for nervous riders

What it is: Dedicated bus lane with stations

Status: Single line, limited use for tourists

Route: Sathorn → Ratchaphruek (western suburbs)

Cost: ฿14-24

When to use:

• • Going to Icon Siam (get off at Charoen Nakhon)
  • Connecting to Gold Line BTS

Most tourists won't need this and won’t understand the system.