Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sukhumvit or Th Silom area to reach the train station at Hualamphong. Otherwise the
system is mainly a suburban commuter line. Fares cost 16B to 40B, or 120B for a one-
day pass. The trains run frequently from 6am to midnight.
BUS
The city's public bus system is operated by
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
( 0 2246 0973;
www.bmta.co.th
)
; the website is a great source of information on all bus routes, but this
doesn't really help the fact that Bangkok's bus system is confusing and generally lacks
English. If you're determined, or are pinching pennies, fares for ordinary (fan) buses start
at 7B and air-conditioned buses at 10B. Smaller privately operated green buses cost 5B.
Most of the bus lines run between 5am and 10pm or 11pm, except for the 'all-night'
buses, which run from 3am or 4am to midmorning.
MOTORCYCLE TAXI
Forming the backdrop of modern Bangkok, teams of cheeky, numbered and vested
motorcycle-taxi drivers can be found at the end of just about every long street. A ride to
the end
(sùt soy)
or mouth
(Ъàhk soy)
of an average soi usually costs 10B to 15B. Longer
journeys should be negotiated in advance, and can range from 20B to 100B.
TAXI
Although many first-time visitors are hesitant to use them, in general, Bangkok's taxis
are new and spacious and the drivers are courteous and helpful, making them an excellent
way to get around. Flag fares start at 35B and fares to most places within central
Bangkok cost 60B to 80B. Freeway tolls - 25B to 60B depending on where you start -
must be paid by the passenger.
Taxi Radio
( 1681;
www.taxiradio.co.th
)
and other 24-hour 'phone-a-cab' services are avail-
able for 20B above the metered fare. Taxis are usually plentiful except during peak com-
mute hours, when bars are closing (1am to 2am), or when it is raining and your destina-
tion requires sitting in too much traffic.
TÚK-TÚK
A ride on Thailand's most emblematic three-wheeled vehicle is an experience particu-
larly sought after by new arrivals, but it only takes a few seconds to realise that most for-
eigners are too tall to see anything beyond the low-slung roof.
