Come and discover the different means of transport in Thailand as well as practical advice on how to use them.
Rare are the countries where it is so easy to move around: low cost airlines, numerous 4 lanes allowing fast travel by road, buses, taxis, tuk tuk, motorbike taxis in abundance in the cities...
During your travel to ThailandThere are many ways to get around.
Menu
Book a bus, train, boat or plane seat
You can get an idea of the prices of transport in Thailand, consult the timetables or book your tickets with our partner : 12GB Asia.
Transport in Thailand: getting around by plane
Most major cities have an airport and are well connected.
For Bangkok, it is important to note that there are two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang, so don't get confused!
Suvarnabhumi, called Suvarnakhorn by the Thai people, is the new airport and is mainly dedicated to international flights.
Don Muang, the old airport, is mainly concerned with domestic flights or flights to neighbouring countries.
Take advantage of the low cost prices!
With low cost airlines such as Air Asia, Kan Airline or Nok Air domestic flights are becoming accessible even for small budgets.
For example, you can find flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for as little as €20.
Flight comparator
See our article :
How to find cheap flights: tips to know
Transport in Thailand: getting around by bus
It is the most used means of transport, as it is fast, comfortable and cheap.
In addition, the country's road system is made up of many well-maintained four-lane roads, so buses can travel at high speeds in safety.
There is little traffic congestion, except sometimes on arrival in the big cities.
Bring warm clothes for the trips, some buses have the air conditioning on full blast.
Bus classes
There are several classes of buses, the cheapest ones are often crowded and stop at many stations.
In general, all destinations are indicated on the ticket booths at the bus stations.
When you buy the ticket, you can ask to see a picture of the bus:
Dou wolf rotmee day maille krap ? = Can I see a picture of the bus.
If you want to make sure you get a comfortable bus, ask for a VIP (pronounced : vi aille pi).
Most of the buses are VIP, comfortable, cheap, with air conditioning and a hostess who will offer you drinks and food along the way.
There are also now more and more 'super VIP' buses with fewer seats and more legroom.
Please note: you should not put your feet on the armrests of buses, as this can cause your feet to touch the people in front of you and is not done.
In Thai culture, touching someone with your feet is considered contempt or an insult!
See : Do's and don'ts in Thailand
Bus stops
On long journeys, several pee breaks are organised, although there is often a toilet on the bus.
This allows you to walk, smoke or shop in one of the shops often linked to the bus company.
Sometimes there is also a stop in a restaurant with a meal included in the price of the ticket, in which case one of the tickets you have been given is used to pay for the meal.
At these stops, remember the location of the bus, the face of the driver, the hostess or other passengers.
Sometimes your bus stops alone in the car park, you go for lunch and on the way back there are 20 identical buses with destinations indicated in Thai!
In general, the stewardess counts the number of passengers before departure.
Buses in Bangkok
Bangkok has 3 main bus terminals:
Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal) which mainly serves the northwest (Chiang MaiMae Hong Son, Chiang Rai...) and the north-east (Isan) of the country.
There are also lines to the main cities in the south.
Sai Tai Taling Chan (Southern Bus Terminal) which serves the Western destinations (Kanchanaburi...) and south (Phuket, KrabiSurat Thani...).
Ekamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) which mainly serves the eastern part of the country (PattayaRayong, Trat...).
Transport in Thailand: getting around by train
Thai trains are not very fast or punctual (often late) compared to buses, but it is a more comfortable (if you don't like sitting) and friendly way to get around.
The Thai railway network is managed by the State Railway of Thailand (STR), you can consult the timetables and book your tickets on their websites: www.railway.co.th.
There are 5 main lines: the North Line, the North-East Line, the Kanchanaburi Line, the East Line and the South Line.
The different classes
First class
Only fast, express and special express trains have first class compartments.
The cabins are usually equipped with a washbasin, a small table, benches that can be converted into a bed and adjustable air conditioning or a small fan.
Second class
Only fast and express trains are equipped with second class. The cars have comfortable seats facing the front of the train.
Second class sleeper cars are cabins with benches that can be converted into beds.
There are 4 beds per cabin and generally the lower beds are more expensive, as they have more headroom than the upper beds.
Third class
The 3rd class carriages are equipped with facing benches, so if the train is crowded, you may find yourself with more than 3 people on the benches!
Express trains do not have a 3rd class.
Catering service
You can eat in the restaurant cars or at your seat by ordering a meal, but prices are usually high on the trains
It is best to buy food at the departure station where prices are fair.
There are also often street vendors.
Transport in Thailand: hitchhiking
This is not part of the Thai culture and if you stick your thumb out, few Thai people will understand what you are doing.
Here, to stop a vehicle you have to reach up and move your hand up and down.
Public transport is cheap and also used by poor people.
If you are hitchhiking, this will be misunderstood and you risk being seen as a farang ki ngaoa cheapskate.
Renting or buying a car or motorbike
You can buy a second-hand motorbike and sell it afterwards if you stay for a long time.
You can find used motorbikes in your area or place an ad on the forum aseannow.com.
The country's roads are in good condition, there are many service stations with seven eleven (food, drink, medicine...) or other shops open 24 hours a day, very practical if you travel at night.
In the villages there are many small shops selling glass bottles filled with essences, usually on a display in front of the shop.
Be very careful on the road!
If you decide to rent a car or motorbike to get around the country, you should know that the biggest danger in Thailand is the road!
See :
Thailand is the world champion in two-wheeled deaths
Here, we drive on the left and changing sides changes our whole perception and reflex of how to use the roads.
It is also important to bear in mind that many drivers are not familiar with the Highway Code.
The rule is to let the biggest vehicle pass, big 4×4's are dangerous even when you cross the road.
Some drivers think they can do whatever they want and pushing their way in thinking they will stop is a very bad idea!
The Thai people, so polite and pleasant in everyday life, can turn into ferocious beasts on the road!
You also have to be very careful with bus and truck drivers, who often work beyond their limits and sometimes take Yabaa (methamphetamine) to keep up.
When I passed my motorbike licence in Thailand, There was a multiple choice question with a touch of humour about it.
The question was "what to do if you are tired" and the answers included "stop for coffee", "stop for sleep" or "take yabaa"!
There are often motorbikes on the wrong side of the road, because it avoids having to make a long diversions.
When riding a motorbike you must wear a helmet or you will be fined (about 200 baht). It is important to know that many Thai people do not wear helmets to preserve their hair!
Insurance
You must have third-party insurance if you drive in Thailand.
Rental agencies usually offer this, so make sure you do before you rent, as without insurance you could be in big trouble if you have an accident.
See : Travel insurance: why a bank card is not enough
Driving licence
You must have an international driving licence if you hire a car or motorbike.
If you are caught by the police without a licence, you will have the choice of paying a bribe or the more expensive fine.
Hire or buy a bike
In the tourist cities, it is quite easy to find bicycles for rent.
Another option if you are staying for a long time is to buy one and sell it at the beginning.
You can also find second-hand bikes or advertise on thaivisa.com.
There are bike shops in most major cities, the Thai people are bike enthusiasts and it is possible to find all the major bike brands in the country.
You can easily take the train, bus, song taew or tuk tuk with your bike.
But be careful on buses and song taew, if your bike is put on the roof, make sure the driver does not put heavy objects on it.
And as with motorbikes, you must be very careful on the road and watch out for large vehicles that act as if they have priority in all situations!
Urban transport in Thailand
If you use sam lo, tuk tuk, motorbike taxi and taxi, you must agree on the fare before you get on board, except for taxi-meters.
City buses
In Bangkok and other major cities, there are city bus networks.
This is the cheapest way to get around, but it is not suitable for tourists, there are often no signs in English and they are often crowded.
The sam lo
Sam ro (or sam lo) means three wheels (sam = three ; ro = wheel), these are pedal cycles that can make short trips.
A quiet and environmentally friendly way to travel short distances.
The tuk tuk
It is one of the symbols of travel in Thailand. "tuk tuk" is the repetition of the word "tuk"(or rather touk) which means "cheap".
But in fact the price (for tourists) is often much more expensive than the price of a taxi.
It's up to the customer and you have to really like the "softer" engine noise and exhaust fumes!
Motorbike taxis
It's a fast and cheap way to get around, very practical when there are traffic jams, but it can be dangerous, especially in Bangkok where the drivers drive like crazy!
If you have a large backpack, ask the driver to put it between his legs, sometimes they offer to take it themselves, it is uncomfortable and even dangerous to keep it on your back.
The taxi
It is one of the most comfortable ways to get around and average trips rarely cost more than 50 baht.
When you get into the taxi, ask the driver if it is a taxi meter and make sure he turns on the meter.
Also make sure you always have some small change to pay, taxis never have any.
Sometimes the taxi will ask you if you want to use the paid highway in Bangkok, if you agree he will ask you for money to pay for it, it is not very expensive and reduces the length of the ride.
The song taew
Song taew or song téou means two benches (song = two ; taew = bench), these are converted pick-ups.
An economical way to get around towns and villages.
In some small towns this is often the only way to reach the city.
The fare in the city is often between 10 and 30 baht, you have to tell the driver your destination.
Usually there is a bell on the ceiling to stop the vehicle, you pay when you arrive.
The metros
Bangkok is the only Thai city with an underground metro, the MRT, and an overhead metro, the BTS.
It is an economical and quick way to get around and also avoids traffic jams.
For more information with the metro map see : Transport in Bangkok.
The boat
It is the essential way to rally the islands of ThailandThe only exceptions are those with an airport.
Depending on the popularity of the island, there are different types of boats, express boats, ferries, catamarans...
In and around Bangkok, there are long-tail boats that allow you to move quickly through the rivers and canals.
For more information with route maps see : Transport in Bangkok.
See also : Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane
If our news, tourist or cultural information has been useful to you and you would like to support us :