The BTS is undoubtedly the swiftest way to get around, and can whisk you right where you want to be in no time at all. It's a cheap, smooth, cool, clean, fast and scenic way to enjoy Bangkok. Major shopping malls, Chatuchak Weekend Market, all Sukhumvit Road's attractions, and even the riverside are accessible by Skytrain. While the Silom line runs west to south, the Sukhumvit line runs north to east. So, if you're new to Bangkok, it's a great way to find your way around and see a large part of what the city has to offer. Note that Service runs between 06:30 and midnight, and the trains can be packed during peak hours (07:00 - 09:00 and 16:00 - 19:00).
Fast and efficient, the Mass Rapid Transit network (MRT) serves 18 stations and stretches for 20 km in a horseshoe shape from Hua Lamphong in the South (near Chinatown) to Bang Sue in the north. Trains arrive every 5-7 minutes, and connect to the BTS Skytrain at Sukhumvit and Silom stations. Stops of particular interest to visitors include Kampaengphet (Chatuchak Weekend Market, Or Tor Kor Market and Rod Fai Market), Sukhumvit (Asok BTS Skytrain), Silom (Saladaeng BTS Skytrain, Pat Pong Night Market and Lumpini Park) and Hua Lamphong (Chinatown and Central Railway Station). The Petchaburi Station is about 300m from the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Interchange Station, where you can board the express train to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
The Bangkok Airport Rail Link (06:00-midnight) that connects downtown Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi International Airport is a smart alternative to the airport’s express buses or taxis. The City Line makes six stops between downtown (Phayathai Station) and the airport, completing each run in 30 minutes, making this a quick and convenient transport option for getting in and out of Bangkok. The Airport Rail Link connects you to the MRT underground at Makkasan City Interchange Station (MRT Petchaburi Station) and the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station. Please note, the baggage check-in at Makkasan Station is no longer available.
Exploring Bangkok by boat is a fantastic way to get a glimpse into the timeless charm of the city, as well as witness the role Bangkok’s many waterways have played in its past right up to the present day. With the wind in your hair and majestic sites and attractions lined up on both banks of the mighty Chao Phraya, most people fall for the charm of getting around Bangkok by boat.
Tuk-tuks or 'sam lor' (three-wheeled) used to be everyone's favourite way of getting around Bangkok before the BTS, MRT and colourful taxis took over. Originating from an old-fashioned rickshaw during the second World War, a tuk-tuk is essentially a rickshaw with a small engine fitted in. Tuk-tuks have become one of Bangkok's most recognisable transportation features, and are still popular among tourists and visitors. Riding a tuk-tuk is more of an experience rather than a practical way to get around. So, if it's your first time in The Big Mango, there's no harm in giving it a go.