Bangkok guide by public transport
How many tourists / travelers venture to Bangkok only using public transport, especially buses? I haven’t seen much.
In this article, I will show you not only how not to be ripped off by taxis and tuk tuks, but also to enjoy the real thing. I will tell you which buses go to the main attractions, how not to get lost (Or why should you try to get lost at least once), Prices and tricks. Everyone personally tested by me.
Non-liability clause: This message comes from 2013 when I arrived in Bangkok, but it was updated in 2020 🙂
Advice to travel through public transport
1 | Take a little change with you:
The driver will collect the price (or a lady who was among the people with a small cylinder), always has a small change with you.
A note of 100 baht on an air bus can be acceptable, but not so much on regular or smaller buses (500 and 1,000 baht are a large non-no).
- 100 baht: 2.80 euros / $ 3.30 / 2.5 GBP
- 500 baht: 14 euros / $ 16.5 / 12.5 GB
- 1000 baht: 28 euros / $ 33 /25 GBP
2 | Keep the receipt:
After buying the ticket, they will give you a little receipt. Keep it because sometimes they will ask you to show it again.
3 | Always say your destination to the driver / ticket:
In this way, you will pay according to that (this is valid on air -conditioned buses) and they will also allow you to know where to go. Do not always count on it, but generally they do it if you are the only foreigner on the bus.
4 | Call the bus when approaching:
No matter if you are at the bus stop, when you see your bus to come, do like the inhabitants, run towards the entrance or call it by clearly waving your hand! If you don’t do this, you are very likely to miss it.
5 | Prepare to jump and go out:
Most buses don’t really stop and you have to run and jump (and go out) when they still move. A small balance and a quick reflex will do the trick!
6 | Try to ask for instructions:
It is very unlikely that you will find anyone who talks about English well on a Thai bus in Bangkok, but from time to time there will be someone who will understand a little, and generally, these people will be very nice and ready to help the “farang” (read: foreigner / tourist).
Sometimes you could even find yourself surrounded by people concerned who are trying to understand where you have to go or go. All this may seem a little “uncomfortable” for a normal tourist, but it is all part of the experience! Rejoice the fact that people want to help you 🙂
7 | Take a map of the city:
I am actually against the use of any card because it removes the excitement and adventure of my trips, but that of the bus, provided by the BMTA website is quite useful if you are too afraid to jump into the unknown, without a small parachute.
8 | discover Where is the bus stop. Maybe in advance.
Prepare! Not all buses have a “suitable” bus stop, so if you don’t know where your bus is supposed to stop, try to ask people on the street. A good sign, especially on the big roads, is when you see more than 3-4 people waiting on the side of the road.
If you have a specific destination in mind, go on the nearest main road and continue the first bus that stops there, run towards the front door and ask the driver … Good luck with that! 🙂
Pro advice: Simply say the name of the place you need to reach, do not try difficult sentences. Even just a “wat ph?” (A famous temple in Bangkok) including a clear question mark at the end, could be sufficient for the driver to understand and let you enter or not.
9 | Write the name of the places and roads in Thai:
Unless you commonly talk about Thai, you better ask the hotel / inn receptionist to help you with this, and believe me, could be a savior of life if you want to move through public transport among the inhabitants!
I jumped once on a bus and asked the “Temples of the Grand Palais”Confident that the driver would include such a simple demand. An empty look at his face brought me back to reality: Thai people use their Thai names for streets and attractions. So that for me was a simple word: the temple, in Thai is called Wat.
So learn a few basic Thai words and you will be in better shape to move to Bangkok by bus / public transport!
My very special mission:
For 5 days, I only moved by using public transport and boats in Bangkok
After my 7th time in Bangkok, I was quite tired of the negotiations and scams and taxis of tuks and taxis with a taxi-intakes which is conveniently “broken”. I just wanted to try to move like a room.
Well, let me tell you something: My plan worked wonderfullyNow like Bangkok and I can’t wait to return (very soon! I will be back on December 6, 2013).
You will find below a practical list of how to move to Bangkok in Bus / Public Transport. I will specify the bus numbers and where they can take you. Starting point: Routard paradise Khaosan road.
1) How to get to the Wat Pho / Grand Palace in Bus temples
Directions of Khaosan Road: Go to the end of the street where there is a King Burger panel, turn on your right and after 300 Mt, you will find a huge road called “Ratchadamnoen Klang Road“You must very well memorize this street, because most of the buses you need will go from there.
Turn right at the Burger King panel, and after 300mt, you will find the main road (image here below)
How to get there:For temples (Wat Pho and the Grand Palais complex number 203 in the direction on your right. You will have to cross the road and immediately on your right, there is an old blue bus stop panel.
Bus trip cost: 13 baht ($ 0.40) with air conditioning.
Cost of the tuk-tuk stroll: At least 100 bahts ((if less, beware: there is a scam where the driver takes you to a store and insist that you buy something, do not fall for that. I did it once and when I refused to go to the shop, he just shouted on it, leaving me in the middle of nowhere and on a dark street).
2) How to get to the MBK Bus shopping center
Warning: At least save money by going by bus, because as soon as you enter, you will be lost forever, my friend. Everything you need, everything you might think about, you will find it at MBK Shopping Mall!
How to get there: From Khaosan Road, take the same road to Ratchadamnoen Klang RD, but this time, no need to cross the road. Walk on your left and catch the Bus and n. 79. It will take about 20/30 minutes depending on the traffic, but it is a very pleasant driving with Air-Con. And you won’t find a single tourist on the bus. I promise.
Cost for the trip: 13 baht no con storage ($ 0.4). 16/18 Baht (0.5 / $ 0.6) with air con.
3) How to go to the Pratunam by bus region
Pratunam is my personal paradise in Bangkok. I am so many times here and, apart from purchases, you can find the view of the most astonishing turning roof (highly recommended at sunset for superb photos!).
How to get there: Same road from Khaosan, even direction as for the MBK (to your left). Bus numbers: 511, 60 or number 2.
Cost for the trip: 13 Baht no air con, 16/18 baht with air con.
Same advice as before: Tell the driver where you stop (I always say, the Baiyoke tower or the “shopping center”, he understands it)
4) How to go to the region of Chinatown and Silom by bus
How to get there: By Khaosan RD, same bus n. 203 Towards the temples, then the number 1 bus goes to the Silom area.
Non-liability clause: It may not be the easiest way to reach the Chinese district. I discovered it by accident. I started from a public boat on a random throw (more about this on a separate article on public boats in Bangkok) and I found myself in the Silom region, after wandering, I tried to return to Khaosan Road.
I decided to jump on the first bus to come. Bus number 1. I didn’t know where it would take me.
I had my good luck Italian gesture in action, and I enjoyed the ride so much! It was one of the most liberating experiences in my life!
I always wanted to jump on a random bus and see where he led. Well, the number 1 bus was definitely my lucky one because it crossed incredible places, including the heart of Chinatown.
I can’t even start telling you the incredible feeling of victory when I realized that From Chinatown, the bus went directly to the Grand Palais! I felt like a lioness, I literally rugged inside 😀
My adventure went well after all. From the Grand Palais, I got into the habit Bus number 203 (Be careful! I took it in the wrong direction because it goes around the immense complex of the Grand Palace and I confused myself), but in the end, I arrived safely and safely at my hotel in Khaosan Road! What a exciting ride!
Advice: Bus number 1 is a safe choice If you want to make sure you stay in well -known areas, but will give you the thrill To see very fascinating games from Bangkok, unknown to the “public”.
My last advice
Kiss the adventure and enjoy It, even if you get lost! Or can I say, should you hope to get lost a little?
Sometimes the best things happen when you don’t look for them. Do not be afraid to risk a little (always using your judgment of course, because do not go in questionable areas at night and always have a copy of your address and your passport with you, and money to enter a taxi in an emergency).
Talk to the inhabitants On the bus, they will be in most cases, very friendly and happy to try to communicate with the only Western person on the bus. No matter if you don’t really understand yourself. A smile goes very far.
Enjoy the ride, look around, be curiousJump from the bus when you want to explore on foot. Flow
As Tolkien wisely said: “all those who wander are not lost”
What do you think? Direct experience? Or would you like to add other tips! Leave me a comment below, would be great to see how you managed the experience!