If there is one thing about Thailand that isn’t expressed enough, it’s how many options you have for getting around. For such a sprawling city, it is impossible to have one mode of transportation to support everybody. The teamwork of public transport and ride-sharing apps have helped me the most during my time in Bangkok, and it would’ve saved me a lot more time to know when to use which. So, as I finish my last two weeks here, I thought I’d tell you what I’ve learned!
Rideshare
The most convenient way I have traveled throughout Bangkok has been through rideshare apps, mainly Grab and Bolt. These were the most convenient to figure out for me since it worked pretty much the same as Uber.
The only con would be that it is the most expensive out of all the options, but I think it’s worth it for its reliability. When a group of friends and I were stranded in Pattaya from a bus that never showed, it was Grab that was able to pick us up right where we were and drove us all the way back to Bangkok.
Motorbikes are also useful for getting to shorter distances cheaper and quickly, but they definitely aren’t the safest option during rush hour.
Buses and Trains
When you’re looking for a weekend getaway in Thailand, I recommend looking at these options for longer distances that a plane isn’t necessary for. 12go was a great website for booking extremely affordable buses and ferries, but be sure to check all the details of your transportation, especially the pickup and drop-off locations. The more reliable options will often be in train stations or airports rather than a random street corner.
The main con is the unpredictability of the transportation. You’re not sure if the bus will be extremely crowded, have good a/c, or make 20 stops along the way. Overall, I think the option is worth it for taking a short road trip.
Public Transportation
If you’re in Bangkok, I think the MRT and Sky Train are great options for going from one spot to another affordably. Figuring it out for the first time can be a little overwhelming, but both systems work the same, so once you figure it out, it can become a great tool for convenience. Stations are everywhere as well, downtown has one every block it seems like.
If you’re studying at Mahidol, it’s necessary to take the 515 bus into the city (I recommend Victory Monument) before getting on the subway, but the biggest con to me is the time it takes. I don’t recommend public transportation if you are in a rush or have to be somewhere at a certain time. With all factors considered, it can take up to three hours from Mahidol to get to your destination if you purely use public transport.
You also have the option of going to the taxi stands and taking a ride on the meter. There are a lot of mixed opinions on doing this since some have been scammed from running the meter for too long or not being able to negotiate a fair price. This is still a good option if Grab drivers are too busy in the area or you’re in a remote area with no Grab drivers at all.
Tuk Tuks are the best transportation simply for a fun time. Though the reputation it has for scamming foreigners is evident, it is easy to tell who is sketchy or not. Negotiate the price you’re comfortable with, and you should be fine.
As crazy as traveling through Thailand’s streets can get, you’re sure to have an option to view it from. Whether it be to a remote island off of the coast of a city whose name you’ll quickly forget how to pronounce or your favorite cafe, Thailand will always have an option for you… unless you’re renewing your visa, then please ask the driver to wait (you’ll find out).