Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok, Thailand — Travel Tips

Getting There By Air

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Tel: (02) 132 1888/3888.
Website: www2.airportthai.co.th

Bangkok International Airport, located 30km (19 miles) east of the city center, is operated by the Airports Authority of Thailand. Opened in September 2006, to replace cramped Don Muang Airport, it is a major gateway to South-East Asia.

Approximate flight times to Bangkok: From London is 11 hours 20 minutes; from New York is 19 hours 25 minutes; from Los Angeles is 9 hours 5 minutes; from Toronto is 19 hours 40 minutes and from Sydney is 9 hours 20 minutes.

Airport facilities: These include 24-hour shopping, duty-free, restaurants, snack bars, postal services, bureau de change, tourist information, hotel reservations, left luggage and medical service. Car hire companies include Avis and Budget.

Business facilities: There is a business center and Internet facilities. There are several executive lounges and services including limousine hire.

Transport to the city: Taxis can be pre-paid for at the Arrivals Hall in the airport; visitors should expect to pay up to B1,200 to the city center (journey time - 40-90 minutes) including road tolls. Airport Express buses operate four different routes into the city. Route AE1 goes to the Silom Road business district, AE2 goes to Banglamphu, AE3 goes to Sukhumvit and AE4 goes to Hualampong Railway Station (journey times - about 1 hour). An overhead city rail link is currently under construction and is expected to open in mid 2009.

Getting There By Road

Thailand has a reasonable network of roads and highways throughout the country, designated by numbers. Traffic in Bangkok drives on the left and the minimum driving age is 18 years. The speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in the city, 90kph (56mph) on main country roads and 120kph (74mph) on expressways. A national driving license or International Driving Permit is required but long-term visitors staying over three months need to obtain a Thai driving license. Driving in Thailand is not for the faint-hearted as drivers tend to take risks and overtake on bends and hills, while buses and lorries drive as if they own the road. Driving at night is to be avoided as most heavy trucks travel at this time. The incidence of accidents is high and, when foreigners are involved in accidents, it is always assumed that it is they who are at fault and they are expected to pay the costs. Having said that, driving is the best way to see the countryside.

Emergency breakdown services
There is no national breakdown service but all car hire companies will provide a telephone number to their clients for use in case of a breakdown or emergency.

Routes to the city
The national highways are all designated by numbers. National Highway 4 goes south to Hua Hin; National Highway 3 goes east to Pattaya; and National Highway 32 and 11 go to Phitsanulok.

Driving times to the city
From Hua Hin - 3 hours; Pattaya - 3 hours; Phitsanulok - 5 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services
Bangkok has three main bus terminals serving different areas of the country. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate, but the air-conditioned ones tend to be faster and to make less stops en route. Buses south to Hua Hin, Phuket and the Thai-Malaysian border operate from the Southern Bus Terminal, Boromratchonnani. Buses to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north and Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai in the northeast operate from the North/northeastern Bus Terminal, Kampaeng Petch 2 Road. Buses to Pattaya and Trat in the east operate from the Eastern Bus Terminal, Soi 40 Sukhumvit Road.

Getting There By Rail

Bangkok is well connected by rail to other parts of Thailand.

Rail Services
The main station in Bangkok is Hualampong, Rama IV Road, which serves most of the long distance routes. It is advisable to book tickets for long-distance trains in advance (tel: (02) 224 7788). Noi Station across the river in Thonburi serves Kanchanaburi and a few destinations to the south so visitors should check which station to depart from. Trains to Bangkok have air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned carriages. The four train lines run from Chiang Mai in the north, Nong Khai in the northeast, Pattaya in the east and from Surat Thani and Butterworth (Malaysia) in the south. The Thailand Rail Pass is valid for 20 days in second and third class.

Rail Operators
The State Railways of Thailand (tel: (02) 222 0175; www.railway.co.th) operates the four lines, all terminating in Bangkok.

Transport
Each station is served by numerous buses to Bangkok’s city center. The subway system starts at Hualampong station and the National Stadium Skytrain station is relatively close.

Connections
From Pattaya - 3 hours 40 minutes; Chiang Mai - 12 hours; Butterworth - 21 hours 10 minutes.

Getting Around in Bangkok, Thailand

Public Transport

A monorail, the Bangkok Transit System (tel: (02) 617 6000; www.bts.co.th) known as the Skytrain, operates two lines. Passes can be bought and a one-day pass is available. The Bangkok Metro (tel: (02) 354 2000 or 624 5200; www.bangkokmetro.co.th) has 18 stations. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (tel: (02) 246 0973; www.bmta.co.th) runs a comprehensive, highly complex bus system.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed, but check that the meter is turned on. In unmetered taxis, the fare must be agreed. Passengers pay for tolls and should ensure they have small change. Tuk-tuks are another way of getting around town. These three-wheeled taxis ply the streets and are ideal for short journeys. Fares must be negotiated before getting in. River taxis, operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat (tel: (02) 623 6143; www.chaophrayaboat.co.th), travel from Sathorn Pier near the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station to 10 piers near major attractions. Motorcycle taxis are popular. It is compulsory for passengers to wear helmets, supplied by the driver.

Driving in the City

For those who risk driving, many of the large shopping complexes and hotels have a car park.

Car Hire

Drivers must be at least 21, have held a license for one to two years, have a national license and Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection. See Avis at 2/12-13 Wireless Road (tel: (02) 255 5300; www.avisthailand.com), and Budget at 19-23 Building A, Royal City Avenue (tel: (02) 203 9294; www.budget.co.th).