I’ve officially checked off all the modes of public transportation in Thailand. Big accomplishment considering I love driving and would use any excuse to take my car out when I was in the U.S. Here’s a quick summary of each:
Taxi: The fastest and most expensive way to get around. If you need to get somewhere without the hassle of changing trains or songtaows and need some air-conditioning, take a taxi.
Songtaow: These pickup trucks will take you up and down the street for a only 7 bhat (if you catch the smaller ones it’s 5 bhat). Only the locals use them so expect to get stares when you are sitting or hanging of the back of one. They are very convenient but be warned there are only two types of songtaow drivers. Those that go too slow and those that go toooooooooooo fast.
Songtaow Taxi: These are basically songtaows but instead of a set route you can ask them to take you somewhere specific but local. From what I know they are available in Bangkok too but I mostly used them in Chiang Mai. Very cheap, they give you a fixed price and it usually doesn’t cost more than 10 baht to get across town. Perfect for people traveling in big groups.
Tuk-Tuk: These meter-less rickshaws are fun but mostly for tourists. You gotta set a price with the driver before you get in or they will just throw out some magic number you have to agree to.
Water Taxi: 150 bhat for an all day pass and 40 bhat for a single stop on the Chao Phraya River. The stops include most of the major temples, hotels and districts including Chinatown. It’s great for a day trip but when it’s about that time when everyone is trying to get home...it gets insanely crowded.
Motorbike: No helmet? No problem! Motorbikes are part of my everyday life here. I have driven them but mostly I use the motorbike ‘taxi’ to get to my local market. They drive on the wrong side of the street, they weave in between cars, some drive like maniacs and if you’re a lady, both legs gotta be on one side. Despite it all I love motorbikes. They are one of my favorite ways to get around especially since I have mastered the art of having bags of groceries and still being able to balance myself on a moving motorcycle. *self-five*
Train: Trains are awesome. Firstly because they remind my of Harry Potter secondly because they are always a great way to see the countryside. In Thailand trains are insanely cheap. Example: from Bangkok to the boarder of Cambodia (~6 hour trip) is 48 bhat...that’s a whopping $1.35. Note: These are 3rd class tickets meaning the only “A/C” are fans on the ceiling of the train car that may or may not be working. BUT there are air-conditioned trains available for a few more bhat,
Airplane: Pretty much what you would expect. It saves time when you want to travel far North or South. Depending on when you leave, round-trip tickets are relatively cheap if you fly using domestic airlines.
Skytrain/Subway: The BTS and MRT are incredibly simple to navigate. They are close to most of the major spots and I use them all the time. If you take the skytrains a lot it can add up but you can’t beat the connivance it has to major spots throughout Bangkok.
Bus: There are ones with AC and ones without…always go for the ones with. Always. Buses are good for when you’re low on funds and have plenty of time to get to where you’re going. If you are traveling during the day somewhere that might take 30 minutes by taxi can take almost 1 ½ by bus. So bring a book.
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