How to Get Around Bangkok
By: Lucifer Goodman
Tags: Travel, Vacation, Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok offers one a very systematic and varied transport system. You can take a sky train or ride the underground, hop in a 4 wheeled taxi or hail a river taxi and whizz across the water. So, how do you get about Bangkok? Read on and decide, either way, you are in for a treat!

1. The BTS — Bangkok’s Sky Train

Guests at a Bangkok city hotel can stay well connected to every part of the city via the Skytrain which offers an elaborate network with stations located at all iconic points in the city. The system is made up of two lines, the BTS Silom line and the BTS Sukhumvit line. The latter connects the south-east district to the northeast district and stops at 22 stations along the way. The most iconic stops along this line include Victory Monument, Mo Chit, Siam Asok, Phaya Thai and Ekkamai. The Sukhumvit line connects to the underground MRT rail system at both Asok and Mo Chit station. The BTS Silom line travels from Bangkok central to the west covering a total of 13 stations; these are Siam, National Stadium, Sala Daeng and Tala Phu. This line connects to the underground MRT at Silom/Daeng and Sala stations. The best option to avoid peak time traffic the BTS Skytrain is modern and efficient; the service operates from 6 am to midnight daily with a new train coming along every 5 to 8 minutes.

2. Bangkok Express Boat Service

If you choose to stay at the popular riverside hotels in Bangkok, the express boat service is a lovely and convenient mode of transport. Easily accessible from tourists resorts like Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, the service better known as river taxis are easy to use. Colour coded flags denominate the routes, with 5 flags depicting the 5 different routes available. The orange flag is best for tourists opting to explore the lovely Chao Phraya River and visit the popular Grand Palace. A total of 21 piers are reached via these boats, which operate all day from 6 am to 7 pm.

3. The Bangkok MRT — Underground Train

The Bangkok MRT operates on only one line –the Blue MRT Line. Covering 18 stations, this line runs through Phetchaburi, Chatuchak Park, Silom, Sukhumvit, and Hua Lamphong; along these lines are a number of top attractions. You have the option of transferring to a BTS Skytrain from any one of these stops: Sukhumvit/Asok, Chatuchak Park/Mo Chit and Silom/Sala Daeng. The service operates from 6 am to midnight. Trains arrive every 3 to 5 minutes at peak hours and every 10 minutes at non-peak hours. Peak hours range from 6 am to 9 am and 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

4. Bangkok Taxis

Comfortable and inexpensive the taxis of Bangkok are great modes of transport, sans travelling during the rush hours. Taxis are most hailed after midnight when the BTS, MRT and ferry service stop their runs for the day. Taxis can be hailed from just about any point in the city; make sure to ask the driver to turn on the meter, or else you are going to have to pay whatever amount he quotes at the end of the ride.

5. The Tuk-Tuks of Bangkok

The three-wheeled little taxis of Bangkok are great to travel around the city, whizzing in between lines of traffic the tuk-tuks will help get you to your destination in double quick time. They were once a favoured mode of transport; before being replaced by the MRT and BTS. However, tuks are still a favourite amongst tourists who find the experience quite entertaining. They operate 24 hours and can be hailed from stands in front of shopping malls and hotels.