How to Travel Around in Bangkok - Tips on Using Local Transport Options in Bangkok

 Tipped to be Asia's most popular tourist hub, Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand but the epicentre of Asian travel for most tourists. Home to some of the country's finest cultural landmarks, the city where one finds the River of Kings is also a modern metropolis of truly epic proportions. From hopping on the metro to booking budget taxis, here are some guidelines on navigating your way around the Thai capital during a holiday or business trip.

Image via pixahive

 1. SkyTrain Travel

Commonly known as the BTS by Thais, the Bangkok SkyTrain network is one of the most efficient ways to get around the capital. The elevated trains travel across two lines, the Silom Line and the Sukhumvit Line, covering some of the major tourist hotspots in the city. The BTS Sukhumvit Line connects travellers and commuters with areas such as Mo Chit, Siam, Asok and Phaya Thai while the BTS Silom Line is more concentrated around central Bangkok and heads to the National Stadium, Talat Phlu, Sala Daeng and similar locations. Often regarded as the best way to avoid traffic and travel fast during peak hours, even on a weekday, the BTS is operational from 6 am to 12 midnight.

2. Hop on the MRT

The underground train network in Bangkok is just as comfortable and efficient and includes eighteen stations in key areas including Silom, Chatuchak Park, Hua Lamphong, Phetchaburi and Sukhumvit. It is important to note that travellers can switch between the BTS SkyTrain and the MRT at various points, so they have countless options for exploring the city by switching at interchange stations at Silom/Sala Daeng, Chatuchak Park/Mo Chit and Sukhumvit/Asok. Tourists will not need to wait more than 5 minutes for the next train, even during peak hours and fares for both the MRT and the BTS SkyTrain are redeemed using prepaid cards that are easily available at every train station.

 3. Taxis

While it may not be the first option most travellers consider due to the typically costly rates of hiring cabs, taxi services are surprisingly affordable means of travel unless you are a budget traveller. Taxis are indispensable for those who wish to travel after hours as MRT, BTS and even river ferries halt services after midnight. Although one can hail a city cab from nearly any street corner, it may prove to be useful to download some of the taxi apps in Bangkok.  Make sure the taxis you employ are metered as some taxi drivers are known to turn off the meter and demand exorbitant amounts from backpackers and other unsuspecting tourists.

 4. Travelling on Tuk-Tuks

Tourists based at Pathumwan Princess Hotel or any similar Bangkok city hotel will find that three-wheelers are one of the best ways to travel short distances during a holiday. Easily accessible in nearly every area of the city, Tuk-Tuks in Bangkok are not all metered so haggling down the price of the ride is up to your own negotiation skills. Available at all hours, three-wheelers are ideal for couples and solo travellers as groups will find the vehicle is too small to accommodate more than three adults.

 5. Bangkok BRT/Local Bus Services

Known as the Bangkok BRT, bus services in Bangkok are affordable and comfortable although the routes covered are not as extensive as those of the MRT or the BTS SkyTrain.  The Bangkok BRT runs a 16km long line that travels across Ratchaphruek/Talat Phlu and Sathorn/Chong Nonsi and includes 2 interchange stations that connect commuters to the BTS Silom Line.

 6. Motorbike Taxis

Using motorbike taxis in Bangkok is not for the faint of heart as the low cost of the ride is offset by the possible danger one may face due to the poor driving or lack of respect for road rules that are typical of the drivers. Those who are daredevils at heart, however, may prefer this to traditional modes of transport as they are very fast and gets one to one's intended destination in record time.