Bicycle

Over the past few years, cycling has exploded in popularity in Bangkok. Bike sales are booming, the 23km bicycle track that circles Suvarnabhumi International Airport was being upgraded at the time of writing and a Bangkok cycling event in mid-2015 drew nearly 40,000 participants. There’s even a bike-share initiative, although it appeared to be on its last legs at the time of writing. Yet despite all this, dangerous roads, traffic, heat, pollution and lack of bike lanes mean that Bangkok is still far from a safe or convenient place to use a bicycle as a means of transportation.

Boat

A fleet of boats, both those that run along Mae Nam Chao Phraya and along the city’s canals, serve Bangkok’s commuters.

Klorng Boats

Canal taxi boats run along Khlong Saen Saep (Banglamphu to Ramkhamhaeng) and are an easy way to get between Banglamphu and Jim Thompson House, the Siam Sq shopping centres (get off at Sapan Hua Chang Pier for both) and other points further east along Th Sukhumvit – after a mandatory change of boat at Pratunam Pier.

River Ferries

The Chao Phraya Express Boat operates the main ferry service along Mae Nam Chao Phraya. The central pier is known as Tha Sathon, Saphan Taksin or sometimes Sathon/Central Pier, and connects to the BTS at Saphan Taksin station.

BTS & MRT

The elevated BTS, also known as the Skytrain (rót fai fáa), whisks you through ‘new’ Bangkok (Silom, Sukhumvit and Siam Sq). The interchange between the two lines is at Siam station and trains run frequently from 6am to midnight. Fares range from 16B to 44B or 140B for a one-day pass. Most ticket machines only accept coins, but change is available at the information booths.

Bangkok’s Metro, the MRT is most helpful for people staying in the Sukhumvit or Silom area to reach the train station at Hualamphong. Fares cost from 16B to 42B or 120B for a one-day pass. The trains run frequently from 6am to midnight.

Bus

Bangkok’s public buses are run by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. As the routes are not always clear, and with Bangkok taxis being such a good deal, you’d really have to be pinching pennies to rely on buses as a way to get around Bangkok. 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 mid-morning.

Car & Motorcycle

For short-term visitors, you will find parking and driving a car in Bangkok more trouble than it is worth. If you need private transport, consider hiring a car and driver through your hotel or hire a taxi driver that you find trustworthy. One reputable operator is Julie Taxi, which offers a variety of vehicles and excellent service.

Motorcycle Taxis

Motorcycle taxis (known as motorsai) serve two purposes in Bangkok.

Most commonly and popularly they form an integral part of the public transport network, running from the corner of a main thoroughfare, such as Th Sukhumvit, to the far ends of sois (lanes) that run off that thoroughfare. Riders wear coloured, numbered vests and gather at either end of their soi, usually charging 10B to 20B for the trip (without a helmet unless you ask).

Their other purpose is as a means of beating the traffic. You tell your rider where you want to go, negotiate a price (from 20B for a short trip up to about 150B going across town), strap on the helmet (they will insist for longer trips) and say a prayer to any god you’re into.

Taxi

Although many first-time visitors are hesitant to use them, in general Bangkok’s taxis are new and comfortable and the drivers are courteous and helpful, making them an excellent way to get around.All taxis are required to use their meters, which start at 35B, and fares to most places within central Bangkok cost 60B to 90B. Freeway tolls – 25B to 70B depending on where you start – must be paid by the passenger.

Túk-Túk

Bangkok’s iconic túk-túk (pronounced đúk đúk; a type of motorised rickshaw) are used by Thais for short hops not worth paying the taxi flagfall for. For foreigners, however, these emphysema-inducing machines are part of the Bangkok experience, so despite the fact that they overcharge outrageously and you can’t see anything due to the low roof, pretty much everyone takes a túk-túk at least once.

On Foot

You’ll notice very few Thais walking around in Bangkok, and it doesn’t take long to see why: hot weather, pollution, uneven or non-existent footpaths, footpaths clogged with vendors and motorcycles and the sheer expanse of the city make walking one of the least convenient ways to get around.