Thailand Guide

Getting around Bangkok

Bangkok is known for the BTS and MRT, not tuk-tuk circuits, so use rail by day and Grab after midnight when the Skytrain stops. River boats suit the Old City and hotel piers, not a Thonglor dinner hop.

Back to Bangkok
BTS and MRTAirport Rail LinkRiver boats
Getting around Bangkok
Photo: kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0)
BTS tap17 to 62 THB in 2026
ARLAbout 30 minutes BKK to Phaya Thai
RiverOrange-flag boat from Saphan Taksin
After 00:00Grab; the Skytrain has stopped

Tap in on the BTS for Sukhumvit, Siam, and Silom; use the MRT for Chatuchak (Kamphaeng Phet), Hua Lamphong, and the Asok interchange. A 2026 adult tap is 17 to 62 THB; the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai is about 30 minutes. From Phaya Thai, one BTS hop reaches Siam.

Chao Phraya orange-flag boats start at Saphan Taksin (BTS), and the Tha Tien crossing to Wat Arun is 5 THB. Grab replaces the train after midnight; Soi 11 to Thonglor is often 80 to 160 THB. Skip rented scooters on the frontage roads, and pair this page with Grab and BTS for app notes.

Which mode for which hop

  • BTS: Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, Saphan Taksin. Last trains around midnight.
  • MRT: Chatuchak, Hua Lamphong, Lumphini, the Asok link.
  • ARL: BKK to Phaya Thai if you have one bag and it is not 01:00.
  • Boat: Old City and riverside hotels. Not a Thonglor dinner tool.
  • Grab or Bolt: Late nights and luggage. Agree the pin, not a soi speech.

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Planning a two-country Southeast Asia route? Compare Bangkok with Vietnam’s two flagship capitals, both under two hours nonstop from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK).

Common questions

BTS or Grab to the Grand Palace?
Grab at 07:15 from Sukhumvit is often 150 to 280 THB and faster than a rail-plus-walk in heat. Rail works if you already sit near Hua Lamphong or a river pier.
Can you use the ARL at 01:00?
No. Book a Trip.com airport car if you land after the last ARL. Do not invent a same-night island hop.