Around The City

Skytrain

The Skytrain is Bangkok’s answer to the traffic woes of the city. Mostly it follows routes for business areas, but there are plans for the trains to go into tourist spots in the future. The skytrain is most useful for you when you want to visit the shopping belts of Rama I Road and Sukhumvit Road. The trains run daily from 6am-12am and fares range from 10-40B. A three-day pass can be purchased from all the stations for 280B, which will allow you unlimited rides for the entire three days. There are also tourist information centres at Siam, Sala Daeng and Saphan Taksin stations.

Taxi

Taxis are by far the easiest form of transport in Bangkok, with plenty of them to go around. You’ll be able to visit each spot, then easily hail one down from the roadside. For your own safety, only take taxis with a “Taxi Meter” sign on the roof and always make sure the driver turns the meter on when you get in the cab. If he refuses, just get out and find another taxi – it’s not worth the bother arguing. Most taxi drivers don’t speak English either so make sure he knows where he’s going before you set out or you might be in for a long trip! Flag fall is set at 35B.

Tuk-Tuk

By far the most famous form of transport, the Tuk-Tuk is also the most fun way of getting around Bangkok. There is no meter on these three-wheeled machines, so you will have to bargain with the driver before you get on for the fare. Fares range from 30B to about 150B.

Car

You can hire a car in Bangkok, but it’s advisable not to unless you are traveling out of the city. However, you can also hire a car with a driver if you want to see Bangkok in comfort. Avis: 0 2254 6718 Budget: 0 2941 1344

River taxi

There is a motorboat service on the Chao Phraya River called the "Chao Phraya River Express Boat". The boats run between Wat Ratchasingkhon (near Krungthep Bridge) and Nonthaburi province. There are two main types of express boats with the standard express boats, running daily from 6am-6.30pm at charges of 4B-16B, and the special express boats, running from Mon-Fri 6am-9am and 3pm-7pm at charges of 10B-25B. Also, from almost every boat landing in Bangkok, there are cross-river ferries that ply back and forth across the Chao Phraya River. The standard fare is two baht and usually collected at the entrance to the landing.