Bangkok is a city of contrasts, with ancient temples standing beside sleek malls and serene parks tucked next to chaotic roads. One of the biggest challenges visitors face is navigating the city’s notorious traffic. However, many travelers don’t realize that Bangkok offers a surprisingly diverse range of transportation options. From river boats and tuk tuks to high-speed trains and motorbike taxis, each mode has its own advantages and drawbacks. Here are the top 10 ways to get around Bangkok, ranked to help you choose the best option for your next adventure.
10. Tuk Tuk | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
This Southeast Asian rickshaw is a wild experience and worth a try, maybe it shouldn’t be a regular thing
The tuk tuk is fairly symbolic of Thai tourism, and can be a fun and wild ride for the inexperienced tourist. Make no mistake, while it’s worth a try, it certainly isn’t the best way for getting around Bangkok. It lacks the comfort of other modes of transport, and can also be fairly unsafe. We wouldn’t recommend taking a Tuk Tuk around the city, especially when travelling far.
PROS: A different kind of travelling experience
CONS: Loud, unsafe, vulnerable to pollution, traffic, heat, all the downsides of a conventional car and motorcycle without any of the benefits
Check out the Tuk Tuk Tour
9. Cycling | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
An interesting choice for the more athletic and adventurous
A very bold way of getting around Bangkok. This is great if you’re the type of person who’s measuring how many calories they’re burning throughout the day. Forego some of your daily 10,000 steps by adding some cycling while going from place to place. Just be warned, Bangkok traffic is not something to take lightly, and always be sure to have safety gear on during the day, and make sure you’re visible during the night.
Pros: Great for the health conscious (but wear a mask)
Cons: It’s hot, humid, and chaotic on Bangkok’s streets, cycle at your own peril
8. Boat | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
Riding a boat in the Venice of Southeast Asia? Let’s go
Riding a boat down the Chao Phraya River is more culturally linked to Thailand than taking a tuk tuk. It’s also a pretty decent way of getting around. It’s cheap, fast, and the river is fairly uncongested. There are a few downsides though, you aren’t exactly going to get everywhere by boat. You’re also going to get splashed by river water which isn’t the most pleasant smelling water to be splashed by.
PROS: Fast, low cost, and efficient
CONS: Limited areas for entry and exit
Unique Canal Tours
7. Bus | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
Typical unglamorous way of getting around the city
The bus is pretty much what you’d expect, with all the upsides and downsides that you can probably imagine. It’s very cheap, and you can easily find a line going anywhere in the city. Just don’t expect a five star ride to those places. The older buses aren’t air conditioned, but the newer ones have made significant improvements aesthetically.
PROS: Cheap, goes to most areas around Bangkok
CONS: Long wait times, both in terms of getting on and off
6. Taxi | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
Conventional private transport, comparatively cheap compared to western countries
This is pretty much is as straightforward as it gets when it comes to personal travel in Bangkok. Taxis are plentiful and can get you from point A to point B with the opening fare being $1 USD. Be careful though, always keep an eye on the meter, and make sure you have an escape plan if the ride suddenly “breaks down”, and the driver needs to have one of their friends come pick you up. The only destination you’re meant to go to is the one you requested, so also make sure that the driver understands that you’re not willing to go anywhere they recommend. The harder they push the more likely they’re receiving a commission from the place they want to take you.
PROS: Relatively cheap and straightforward, can be comfortable to sit in
CONS: Some drivers can be dodgy, some won’t operate through meter
5. Motorcycle Taxi | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
The thrill of a lifetime weaving through the permanently congested roads of Bangkok
A more exciting (and dangerous) option! Motorcycle taxis are a quick way of getting yourself around the constant congestion of the city. Unfortunately there is a tradeoff with that speed, and that’s comfort and safety. For first time riders, it’ll require some getting used to when it comes to the balancing act needed sitting at the rear. Also expect to be up close and personal with other vehicles and you weave through the streets of Bangkok.
Some of the same issues with taxis will apply to motorcycle taxis as well. Sometimes drivers can be the undesirable types, and may try to overcharge you their normal rate. This is definitely the case if you flag a motorcycle taxi that isn’t part of a group that’s stationed at specific areas.
PROS: Very fast way to get through Bangkok traffic, can be exhilarating
CONS: Exhilarating for the wrong reasons, very dangerous, motorcycle drivers have little accountability
4. Driving Yourself | Top 10 Ways to Get Around
It takes some getting used to, but it can be worthwhile
If you want a job done right then sometimes you just need to do it yourself. Whether you own a car/bike, or rent one, it’s very much an option to just drive around without having to rely on mass transport.
It can be nice driving around Bangkok, but the congestion can be tiring at times, but that’s an issue with many of the transportation options on this list. It’s too easy to nod off while sitting there at the Ekhamai or Rama 4 junction waiting for things to move.
The main thing here is to make sure you’re protected with coverage, also that you’re always recording in case anything were to happen. If you’re renting a car, take pictures of the car’s condition before driving it off the lot.
PROS: Being in control
CONS: Personal liability, traffic
3. BTS Skytrain
A modern mode of transport for a modern cosmopolitan capital
This mode of transport has quickly become a favorite for Bangkok denizens since its inception right the tail end of 1999.
The BTS is a clean and efficient way of travelling through the city. The many lines connect to major neighborhoods around Bangkok. Shoppers will find it as one of the best ways to get to the major malls, as most are connected through the BTS Skytrain.
The skytrain lines have expanded as well, and now multiple lines have diverged into other parts of the city, even extending to outside of it.
Just expect the skytrain to be jam packed at rush hour. Its popularity throughout the years have made it a prime choice for avoiding traffic leading to significant usage. The rates have also been rising due to the establishment of new lines.
PROS: Excellent way to get around the city, lines connected to major malls
CONS: Amount of lines can be confusing for new tourists, sardine can packed at certain hours
2. Ride Hailing App
A way to get where you want right at your fingertips
This is the upgraded version of the motorcycle taxi and normal taxi. Calling drivers through ride sharing applications are far superior to the normal forms of them as you’re now paying a bit extra for actual service and accountability.
Having the ability to rate drivers already forces them to think about how they treat you and to rethink the way they drive as well. It isn’t perfect, but it’s certainly a better option being able to do away with any potential haggling or overcharging. That’s not to say that these issues still don’t exist, as some conniving drivers may try to find ways to cheat the system, but at least a system is in place. Problems that arise will eventually be addressed as more users encounter them.
PROS: Can call drivers from anywhere, increased accountability, no haggling over price
CONS: Drivers can still exploit loopholes in the system, driver vetting isn’t thorough enough
1. MRT Subway
Reliable and trustworthy, Bangkok’s subways are a great choice for getting around
The MRT Subway is probably the most reliable option on this list. The subway stations themselves are clean, and the trains are speedy and reliable. They can get packed, but nearly as badly as the BTS Skytrain.
This mode of transport has less options than the BTS, but the prices are better, and they take you to different parts of Bangkok, and also connect to the BTS in certain stops should you need to change. Also within several of the stations are several kiosks, and places to eat should you need a rest stop before continuing your journey!
PROS: Fast, clean, cheap, not as confusing as BTS, places to sit and eat in some stations
CONS: Less options for stops compared to the BTS
