Bus Information Bangkok, Thailand
Getting Around Bangkok
If you want to use buses to get around Bangkok, I suggest buying ‘Bus Routes & Map 5th edition by Bangkok Guide’. This is available for 50 baht in Thai, English, Japanese and Chinese from Asia Books, B2S and SE-ED bookshops in most major shopping centres in Bangkok.
Buses cost between 2.5 baht and 20 baht to get around. Be careful to match the numbers, colours and type of bus correctly. There may be two number 11 buses on the same route which go to completely different destinations, so check when you hop on. Also, don’t rely on conductors to tell you when you are there. They often will forget or nod when they don’t understand you.
If you want more information about bus routes and types of bus online as well as photos of Thai buses, Click this link and scroll down the page.
Arriving in Bangkok
Taxis from the Airport
The Public taxis from the airport can be found downstairs at level 1. Go to the counter outside the airport and they will give you a ticket for a taxi. This automatically adds 50 baht to your taxi ride. You pay this extra 50 baht on top of what the taxi meter says when you reach your destination. Tipping is optional, normally meters are rounded up.
Airport Express Buses (To/From Suvarnabhumi airport)
The airport express costs 150 baht. When you arrive in Bangkok, the buses leave from the 2nd floor of the airport (Arrivals). When you leave Bangkok, the buses drop you on the 4th floor (Departures). They run 5am to midnight.
*******Bangkok Airport Bus Video – Four Routes: AE1-4*******
AE1 Suvarnabhumi-Silom (by expressway)
| Bus Stop | Hotel, Condo, Area | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Petchaburi soi 30 (under flyover) | Pratunam |
| 2. | World trade / Central | World Plaza Arnoma Hotel, Isetan |
| 3. | BTS, Rachdamri Station | |
| 4. | Lumpini Park | |
| 5. | Saladaeng (on Rama 4 Rd) | Pan Pacific Hotel, Robinson Surawong Road |
| 6. | Montien Hotel | Thaniya, Patpong |
| 7. | Tawana Ramada Hotel | |
| 8. | Plaza Hotel | |
| 9. | Surawong Soi Kamjai Iamsuri | Manohra Hotel |
| 10. | Charoen Krung soi 47/1, Silom Rd | Song Samai, New Trocadero Hotel |
| 11. | Lertsin Hospital State Tower | |
| 12. | Central Silom Holiday Inn | |
| 13. | Silom Soi 26 | Silom Village, Indian Temple |
| 14. | Narai Hotel (Silom Soi 18) | 222 Hotel, Tower Inn |
| 15. | Sofitel Hotel (Silom Soi 12) | Sofitel Silom /Niagala Hotel |
| 16. | Silom Soi 6 (Bangkok Bank) | Trinity Complex, Soi Lalaisup |
| 17. | BTS, Saladaeng Station | Thaniya, Patpong, CP Tower |
AE2 Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Road (by expressway)
| Bus Stop | Hotel, Condo, Area | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Petchaburi soi 30 (under flyover) | Pratunam |
| 2. | Platinum Fashion Mall | Amari Water Gate, Pantip Plaza |
| 3. | Petchaburi Soi 20 | First Hotel, Rajthevee Tower |
| 4. | Petchaburi Soi 10 | Asia Hotel, Samran Place |
| 5. | Urupong | |
| 6. | Sapan Kao | |
| 7. | Thai Airways (Lan luang) | Royal Princess Hotel |
| 8. | Wat Rachnatda (Temple) | |
| 9. | Democracy Monument | |
| 10. | Royal/Ratanakosin Hotel | |
| 11. | National Theater | Sawasdi Hotel |
| 12. | Pra A-Thit Rd | |
| 13. | Phra-sumen | |
| 14. | Khaosan Rd |
AE3 Suvarnabhumi-Sukhumvit – Wireless Road
| Bus Stop | Hotel, Condo, Area | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sukhumvit Soi 52-50 | BTS On Nut Station, Tesco-Lotus |
| 2. | Prakanong Market | Klongton (Sukhumvit soi 81) |
| 3. | Eastern Bus Terminal | Ekamai (Sukhumvit soi 63) |
| 4. | Sukhumvit Soi 38 | BTS Thonglor Station |
| 5. | Sukhumvit Soi 34 | Rex Hotel |
| 6. | Sukhumvit Soi 24 | BTS Prom-Phong, Emporium Mall |
| 7. | Sukhumvit Soi 20 | Novotel Hotel |
| 8. | Sukhumvit Soi 18 | Westin Hotel, Robinson Mall |
| 9. | Sukhumvit Soi 10 (Bangkok Bank) | Manhattan Hotel, Ambassador Hotel |
| 10. | Sukhumvit Soi 6 | Amari Boulevard, Landmark, Bel-aire |
| 11. | Sukhumvit Soi 2 | JW Marriot Hotel, Majestic Grande |
| 12. | Central Silom, Rachdamri Road | |
| 13. | World Trade/Central World Plaza | Arnoma Hotel, Isetan Mall, Zen |
| 14. | Phetchaburi Soi 25 | Pratunam Center Metropolis |
| 15. | Phetchaburi Soi 35 | Bangkok Palace Hotel, Eastern Hotel |
| 16. | Soi Nana | Zenith Hotel, Grace Hotel, Bumrungrad Hospital |
AE4 Suvarnabhumi-Hua Lamphong (by expressway)
| Bus Stop | Hotel, Condo, Area | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Victory Monument | |
| 2. | Soi Rangnam | |
| 3. | BTS On Nut Station | 99 Hotel, Tesco-Lotus |
| 4. | BTS Phayathai Station | Florida Hotel |
| 5. | Live Stock Department | |
| 6. | BTS Rachatewee Station | Asia Hotel |
| 7. | Siam Discovery Center | Siam Center, Siam Paragon Mall |
| 8. | Maboonkrong (MBK) Mall | Pathumwan Princess Hotel |
| 9. | Chulalongkorn University | |
| 10. | Mandarin Hotel | |
| 11. | Bangkok Centre Hotel | |
| 12. | Hua Lumpong Railway Station |
Airport Public Bus
There are public buses (35 baht) running from the Transport Centre at the airport. You need to take the airport shuttle bus from arrivals first to get there.
| Bus No. | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 549 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Minburi |
| 550 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Happy Land |
| 551 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Victory Monument (Expressway) |
| 552 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | On Nut BTS station |
| 553 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Samut Prakan |
| 554 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Don Muang Airport (Expressway) |
| 555 | Suvarnabhumi | Rangsit (Expressway) |
| 556 | Suvarnbhumi | Southern Bus Terminal (Expressway) via Yommarat – Democracy Monument – Thammasat University |
| 557 | Suvarnabhumi | Wongwien Yai |
| 558 | Suvarnabhumi | Central Rama 2 via Bang Na & Ramkamhaeng |
| 559 | Suvarnabhumi | Future Park Rangsit |
| 389 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Pattaya |
| 390 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | Talad Rong Kluea |
| 825 | Suvarnabhumi Airport | NongKhai |
Bus Routes connecting to the BTS Skytrain
Buses connecting to the Sukhumvit line
Buses connecting to the Silom line
*******How to Use the BTS Skytrain*******
Leaving Bangkok
The Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai Station)
| Address | Soi 40, Sukhumvit Rd., Ekamai |
|---|---|
| Tel. | (02)391-2504 or (02)392- 2391. |
| Destinations | Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Sri Racha, Pattaya, Rayong, Ko Samet, Chanthaburi, Ko Chang, Trat |
| BTS | Ekkamai Skytrain station |
Southern Bus Terminal (Chimpli Station)
| Address | Borommaratchachonnani road near Putamontoan Sai 1 road. |
|---|---|
| Tel. | 02-435-1200, 02-434-7192 or 02-435-1199 |
| Destinations | Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surathani ( Ko Samui, Ko Phan Ngan, Ko Tao), Songkhla, Yala, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket. |
| BTS | No BTS nearby. About 8km to Ratchatewi Skytrain station. The nearest train station is Taling Chan railway station past Thonburi. It’s probably best to take a taxi here. There is also bus 516 which goes from the Grand Palace (near Khao San), Thewet and Phrapinklao. |
| Bus to Phuket | 02-885-9025 (Bangkok) 076-222-1079 (Phuket) Bus from Bangkok to Phuket and Phuket to Bangkok Prices & Timetable |
|---|---|
| Bus to Krabi | 1st class 24-seat bus and 2nd class 50-seat bus. Also cheap bus to Phuket. 02-435-5605 |
Northern & Northeast Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2)
| Address | Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok |
|---|---|
| BTS | 1.5km North West of Mo Chit Skytrain station |
| Tel. | 02-936-3660 or 02-936-3670 (North) 02-936-2852/66 |
| 02-936-0667 or 02-936-3670 (North East-Isaan) 02 936 3509 | |
| Destinations | Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi Trat, Ayuttayha, Aranyaprathet (Cambodian Border), Tak, Mae Sot, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Korat, Surin, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Loei, Udon Thani, Si Saket, Ubon Rachathani, Lampang, Phrae, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, Mae Sai, Nong Khai (Laos Border) and Mae Hong Son. |
View Larger Map
Northern & Northeast Bus Terminal Map(Mo Chit 2):
( This has taken over from the old terminal, Sai Dtai Mai. )
Northern Terminal Destinations & Fares
| Destination | Fare (THB) | Class | Duration | Departure time(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | 806 | Double A/C 1st class VIP | 9 hrs | 21.00 |
| Mae Sai | 966 | Double A/C 1st class VIP | 12.30 hrs | 07.30,19.40 |
| Chiang Rai | 904 | A/C 1st class VIP | 11 hrs | 20.00 |
| Phrae | 680 | A/C 1st class VIP | 8 hrs | 20.30 |
| Uttaradit | 549 | A/C 1st class VIP | 7.30 hrs | 22.00 |
| Lampang | 521 | A/C 1st class | 8 hrs | 20.50 |
| Chiang Mai | 518 | A/C 1st class | 10 hrs | 21.40 |
| Chiang Rai | 581 | A/C 1st class | 11 hrs | 7.50 |
| Uttaradit | 401 | A/C 1st class | 8 hrs | 21.00 |
| Mae Sai | 621 | Double A/C 1st class | 12.30 hrs | 17.30 |
| Lampang | 347 | A/C 2nd class | 8 hrs | 17.10, 18.50, 21.40 |
| Phayao | 400 | A/C 2nd class | 10.30 hrs | 9.30 |
| Phitsanulok | 216 | A/C 2nd class | 6 hrs | 08.10, 12.30, 14.30 |
| Phrae | 318 | A/C 2nd class | 8 hrs | 10.30 |
| Sukhotai | 255 | A/C 2nd class | 7 hrs | 09.20, 12.00, 14.00 |
| Uttaradit | 312 | A/C 2nd class | 8 hrs | 06.10,11.00,16.00, 19.30 |
| Chiang Mai | 403 | Double A/C 2nd class | 10 hrs | 05.40, 07.25, 08.50, 10.30, 12.30,14.30, 16.30, 19.50 |
| Chiang Rai | 452 | Double A/C 2nd class | 11 hrs | 20.20 |
| Mae Sai | 483 | Double A/C 2nd class | 12.30 hrs | 18.15 |
Khao San Rd Bus Services (backpacker area)
There are many tourist buses which leave from behind Khao San Rd (usually from Phra Athit Rd or Sanam Luang). You can book these buses from most travel agents in and around Khao San. These buses mainly run to the south (Phuket, Krabi, Ko Phan Ngan, Ko Samui, Hat Yai, etc.) and to Kanchanaburi. These buses can be cheaper than the main station, but often involve a lot more waiting around and changing buses halfway.
Getting Around Bangkok By Boat
These water taxis are one of the quickest (and most fun) ways to get around Bangkok with little traffic to get in the way. Be warned, this is not for the faint hearted or overweight. You often have to get on and off these moving boats very quickly. Also, the stops are often in Thai (not English), so you have to know where to get off (or take it to the end of the line).
Boat Information for Bangkok, Thailand
The main boat/ferry that runs down the Chao Phraya river is the Chao Phraya Express. For between 15 and 25 baht you can cruise up and down the river. For 150 baht you can take the Chao Phraya tourist boat, which only stops at tourist destinations. There are no stops near the Sukhumvit area. The easiest way to get to the pier is to take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you get on the boat with no flag or the orange flag, otherwise the boat may speed past your stop.
Chao Phraya Express – Boat Information Tel: 02-623-6001, 02-225-3003 or 02-222-5330
Places of Interest to Visit en Route:
Phra Arthit Pier: Just behind Khao San Rd
Wang Lang (Siriraj): Supatra River House. An old traditional Thai house converted into a first class family-run restaurant and dinner theatre.
Tha Tien: Largest reclining Buddha in Thailand
Ratchawongse: China Town
Si Phraya Pier: River City (for antique shopping)
Oriental Pier: Oriental Hotel
Sathorn/Taksin Pier: Silom Area (connects to Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station)
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
How to Get a Motorbike Taxi Around Bangkok
One of the most fun and fastest ways around Bangkok is on the back of a motorbike. But, be warned – these guys don’t drive to the rules of the law – just their rules of the road. These are best for fairly short distances and expect to pay anywhere between 10 Baht and 100 Baht depending on the distance. A 20 minute ride may cost about 70 Baht.