Bangkok - Tips for public transportation system

After experiencing public transport in many countries around the world, I am always impressed by the quality and modernity of public transport in Europe.

For example, if I took Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for comparison, I would be very disappointed because in Hanoi we only have the only public transport means that is bus, the bus emission quality is very poor, and frequently in overload condition.

However, I must admit that there is a city in Southeast Asia where I feel the public transport system is no less than Europe, It is Bangkok which is one of the cities where transportation vehicles. I thought the public transportation system is quite developed, although not convenient by Singapore but in return they have many other types of traffic supporting each other very well. This article will help you find your way in the city and how to move to two major airports in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang easy in the most economical way.

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In my first trip to Bangkok, I have travelled with Air Asia!

Traveling from Vietnam to Bangkok - Thailand

Since I live in Hanoi so I can only show you how to travel from Vietnam to Thailand, however I know that there are many foreigners who choose to visit Vietnam before coming to Thailand. As a result, it will be useful for them to know how. By the way, let’s continue.

Travel Bangkok by plane

Currently, I find it very easy to travel between Vietnam and Bangkok - Thailand because there are many airlines in Vietnam and international airlines operating this route. If you are financially secure and want to go to enjoy, then choose big airlines such as Thai Airways and Qatar Airways. (Airlines select Bangkok as the Asia hub before taking you to Doha. Other continents like Europe, America). The quality of these firms is off the table, large aircrafts and serves up the highest standard.

As for the majority of student travel, cheap tickets are the best option and there are quite a few options. I recommend cheap airline tickets like Vietjet Air, Jetstar, AirAsia or NokAir. In the above companies, I highly appreciated NokAir because cheap as well as in the ticket price includes 20kg baggage for guests from Vietnam and also have light meals on the plane. Then AirAsia with quite a lot of flights across Asia, then my choice is the other two domestic carriers.

Usually I find cheap fares between $ 50-100 for two flights, one trip to Bangkok to fly to Bangkok and one to Bangkok to fly to Hanoi (if flying from Hanoi), the same fare goes NokAir is still the most profitable Because if you go with AirAsia or other low-cost carriers you will have to spend about 300k more for the deposit. You should book in advance 1-2 months before your trip to get a cheap ticket, choosing the time to hunt for tickets I will write in another post.

If you go from Tp. Ho Chi Minh, I find it even easier because of the number of trips from Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok during the day more than going from Hanoi. Many trips help them to be more active in time, avoiding the only day trips early in the day to Hanoi because then usually you will have to sleep at the airport if you do not want to leave the hotel from 3 am to the airport.

Go by bus

Although I do not recommend you take the bus, however if I have a lot of time, I would also choose to take the bus.

Why?

Because I can discover many famous places on the bus route, typically the capital Vientiane of Laos, the country of million elephants.

Because if you go from Hanoi to Bangkok we will have to catch 3 vehicles including:

  • Stage 1: Hanoi - Vientiane
  • Section 2: Vientiane - Nong Khai
  • Section 3: Nong Khai - Bangkok

If you go from Tp. Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok you can go directly to Ho Chi Minh City - Bangkok or catch two stages including:

  • Stage 1: Ho Chi Minh City (from Pham Ngu Lao) - Phnom Penh.
  • Section 2: Phnom Penh - Bangkok.

Traveling in Bangkok

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I am at Dong Muang airport only one time, as I am a participant of Mekong Frendship Exchange Project!

Firstly, I will guide you how to get from the airport to the city center

There are two airports in Bangkok: Don Muang (for Air Aisa, Nok Air) and Suvarnabhumi (for Vietjet Air, VN Airlines or some other luxury airlines). To get to the city center from these airports there are a variety of facilities for you to choose from such as Airport Bus, City Bus, Tram and Taxi. All you can see on the spectrum can be found at: Bangkok bus, MRT, BTS

If you fly to Bangkok from an airport and pass another airport to catch the next flight, I see you can use the shuttle bus between the two airports for free, remember to bring your plane ticket if they check. Besides, I distinguish some of the following terms:

  • Trams: These include trains for the airport link and city-run trains. Ships in the city include metro (MRT) and skytrain (BTS).
  • Bus: Includes shuttle bus and city bus.

If you fly to Don Muang airport:

The first time I went to Thailand, I flew to Don Muang Airport. As far as I know, Don Muang Airport does not currently have Skytrain so I still have to choose one of the traditional facilities such as taxi, bus.

  • Taxi: Taxi in Thailand is quite cheap, from Don Muang to central Bangkok about 17km apart and about 200-250 baht. Note that when you get into the car you need to ask the driver to turn on the meter according to the Km Bangkok specialty is the traffic jam (du taxi or taxi parachute), if the taxi to charge the hour price is very high. You will have to pay 50bath for parking and 30bath for highway.

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We had taken a taxi to go to the city centre. At first, we found it difficult as the driver seems to be stupid at speaking English. That is a trick, because then he would raise the price later after we had used his service! Shame on you!

  • Airport bus: There are two routes A1 and A2 to welcome the airport gate, A1 to Mochit station in Chatuchak Park and A2 through Mochit.

Continue to the Victory Monument area, priced at 30 baht and 30 baht per trip.

  • By City Bus: I probably find out this is the cheapest means of transport into the city, I just have to go up to the first floor and then go out the door as directed and then take the overpass across the road to catch the bus. Normally, you will have to catch bus numbers 29, 510 (to Mochit station and then continue to Sky Train, taxi or tuk-tuk), or other routes near your location under this link. This car runs 24/24 so you always catch the car, priced from 6. 50 to 21 baht down. Similarly, to go from Don Muang airport to the most economical, you can go by bus or train to Mochit, from where you take bus number 29 or 510 will take you straight to the airport door.
  • Airport Limo Bus Express: This is a new service in Bangkok, a 33 seat car with 2 main routes: Don Mueang - Phloen Chit - Lumphini Park and Don Mueang - Thanon Khao San. about the hotel again). Ticket price is 150 Baht per trip.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

This is a large airport, so I found the transportation is also quite convenient, hereafter I will list some of the ways of saving means from Suvarnabhumi Airport into central Bangkok.

  • Airport link: Including City Line and Express Line running from 6am to 12pm, this is the most convenient way to Bangkok at this airport. If you take the Express Line you will run a circuit to Makkasan without stopping at any point, cost 90bath, from here you will walk (about 300m) to Phetchaburi station. MRT continues to catch the train or taxi to the hotel. If you go to City Line you will end up Phaya Thai, cheaper Express Line line from 15-45bath depending on your point down.
  • Take the bus: You pick up the shuttle bus to the Transport Center and take the bus to the city.
  • The last way is to take a taxi. When I arrived at Suvarnabhmi Airport I took luggage on the second floor, down to the B1 floor if I go to Airport Link or down to the 1st floor if I want to take a taxi to the center.

Where if you go from the city center to the airport if tired after a few days here you can choose a taxi for fast, especially if two or more people. Price is locked from the beginning (range 250-300bath has chosen highway). Taxis will take you straight to the door prepared for check-in, saving you time.

In addition to the above, you can do as I do, that is when I first go to Bangkok, do not study anything before, take the luggage, follow signs to where the skytrain, Information about the hotel, their detailed instructions and dedicated to go alone.

If you are in Khao San area, there will be no tram nearby, you will have to take a taxi from the airport or save more, take the tram to the nearest point and take a taxi to Khao San (do not take the bus if First come to Bangkok because it will look complicated and difficult to go).

Public transportation system in Bangkok city

Bangkok is a developing transportation city like Kuala Lumpur (slightly less Singapore) though I choose BTS or MRT

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  • A comfortable public train system.

I feel very comfortable and thrifty, sometimes faster than a taxi because of the terrible traffic in Thailand. Moreover, I bought a ticket quite simple, each station has automatic ticket machines, I just need to select English, hit where you want to go and put money in will receive tickets. Take this ticket sweep or put into the machine when going through the door to be in the tram area then. Ticket prices fluctuate from 15B-40B depending on the length of the journey (eg to the end of the line is 40B / person).

In addition, I would like to note that BTS and MRT are separate, BTS tickets will not be available for MRT, so if you travel a lot and want to buy a day ticket, weekly tickets will be considered because it will be limited. Usable for one another. Look on the map you will see some notable train stations.

We usually choose hotels in Sukhumwit, Khao San or China Town, if you are in Sukhumwit where the plane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the Airport link to Makkasan Station, change to green line to hotel.

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Station Mochit: This is the northern terminus of line N, also the last stop for those who want to go to Don Muang Airport or go to Chatuchak weekend market.

For those who like to go shopping, they will usually go to Chit Lom Station, from here it will be a long walk to Big C, Central World, Pratunam or Platinum.

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You want to take a boat to the Chao Phraya River to Saphan Taksin Station for Taksin Station, from here you can take a boat to China Town, Khao San or go back to the Asiatique Night Market.

Get on taxi

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This is a way that I find quite tired although very convenient in Bangkok. Why? Because it's only more complicated to get a taxi in that I need to know how far I'm going to go to get the money. Cheap Thai taxis are only half the price in Vietnam, but you are careful because they love to raise prices with tourists so I must ask the driver to turn on the meter. Choose a pay package because of the high price.

And if the driver says only to play the new package, then I guess the price is half the price of Vietnam to pay the price. If you follow the Meter, it is cheaper to count each kilometer than 10B (in case of no traffic). If traffic jams, then I noticed the Meter meter will have a money jump over time waiting for traffic jam, making the price will be much higher than normal.

Take Songthaew - Tuktuk

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This is kind of a cute little tuktuk! A tiny vehice in Asia!

Songthaew - a pickup truck that has two back seats for passengers and Tuktuk - a lightweight vehicle in Vietnam, are also popular vehicles in Bangkok. When you go tuk tuk you remember to pay the price only one third to half compared to the price that the driver told you.

TukTuk is very expensive - though nice experience

I visit nearby places, the price is usually less than 100bath, and the farther the price, the higher the price. Experience is that with the shorter you can go tuk tuk more convenient because they sprung quite well on the road is crowded. I do not like tuk tuk very much because of the driver, or cheated guests. If you are new to the first type of what is also the case where tuk tuk pretends not understand English, say anything ok and then go round, stop to stop forever stop pretending do not understand. Be careful they will take you to a remote area and then ask for money at high prices, can take your luggage as money for more.

Note, I see many friends have been fooled to pay 300bath when tuk tuk ride in Bangkok. So to avoid being tricked you keep bargaining clear, estimate the distance, hold the smartphone to see if they are on the right path if not just get off the car always.

Bus in the city

I travel by means of this bus in Bangkok is not much but generally the bus in Thailand seems to be the cheapest, the ticket is only around a few Baht (like bus in Hanoi), only long journeys such as airport shuttle it is expensive (like A1 to Don Muang 30B / way), but waiting hot hot car that bad. Anyway, going to the airport by bus is the most economical because it is much cheaper than a taxi, especially the 30B service at 30B airport.

I find this is also a very useful means for those who want to enjoy the beautiful river, go well or not too expensive. If you choose to stay near the river, you want to go to places like Khao San, China Town, Saphan Taksin Bridge or Asiatique Night Market. Some points like the Royal Palace of Thailand, some temples next to the Royal Palace or near the river you will have to come to the boat should consider this medium.

  • Running time: 6h - 19h30 daily.
  • Ticket price: 15B / person (state-owned but relatively small) or 40B (bigger) at any point in the itinerary.

In addition, I find it convenient to move from Bangkok to different provinces in Thailand.

Often with a trip to Thailand for 5 or more days, we often go to other places in Thailand, go for a short time, Pattaya is a good choice, and go for a long time there are many other tourist attractions as North Thai is Chiang Mai, Thai Thai is Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui,.. There are many ways to go by plane, bus or train. By plane, you can find Thai domestic airlines such as Thai Airways, Nok Air or Air Asia.

  • From Bangkok to Pattaya: The simplest and most convenient way is to take a passenger car, cost 122Baht / time with a frequency of 1. 5h / trip. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, if you arrive in Bangkok at Don Mueang, there will be a free shuttle bus to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The car runs from 7am to 10pm everyday, you find the car at the 1st floor of the 8th airport.
  • Take a bus to Krabi (go to Ao Nang, Phi Phi), Surat Thani (to Koh Samui), Chiang Mai: See how to go in the article about Krabi travel experience.

Conclude

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I found this funny guy trying to sell that colourful hat to us.

I'll conclude briefly that traveling in Bangkok, bus is the cheapest means of transport, with taxis, trams and the Songthaew (or tuk-tuk). In the 3 types of vehicles later, if the road is nice, not clogged, I would choose to take a taxi because it is the cheapest way to go, of course you have to ask them to turn on the meter, not only.

In addition, I find Tuk tuk or trams each have its own advantages and disadvantages, electric trains seem to be cheap but not cheap, sometimes not convenient as the train system is not as large and diverse as in Singapore, so you will have to walk a lot in the heat of tropical city such as Bangkok. Tuk Tuk is more convenient than ever to catch all the time, but very challenging, driving is good, expensive, they say how much you bargain lower than at least half go.


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