Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Thailand.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) — Book long-distance trains through the official SRT website or at major stations. Overnight sleeper trains to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani are popular and often full during peak season, so book 30 days in advance if possible.
Comfort classes — First-class sleeper cabins offer privacy; second-class is cheaper with shared bunks; third-class has bench seats. Train travel is slower than buses but more comfortable for long distances and a unique experience.
Trains frequently run 30 minutes to 2 hours late due to infrastructure and safety checks. Do not plan tight connections or same-day onward travel immediately after arrival.
Station safety — Bangkok's Hua Lamphong and Krung Thep Aphiwat stations are busy; watch bags in crowds and avoid carrying excessive cash. Use the left luggage service if storing items.

Bangkok BTS and MRT — The BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway are fast, safe, and air-conditioned. Buy a Rabbit Card (stored-value) or single journey tokens at machines; Rabbit Card is reloadable and works on most Bangkok transit.
Local buses — Cheap buses (5–15 baht) cover extensive routes but are crowded during rush hours and lack English signage. Use Google Maps or the ViaBus app to navigate routes; tell the conductor your destination or they will alert you at your stop.
Bus strikes occur occasionally in Bangkok and regional cities (common during political unrest). Check local news before relying on buses for time-sensitive trips; have a backup plan.
Provincial minibuses — Red or blue shared minibuses run fixed routes in cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket for 10–20 baht. Hail them on the street or ask your hotel; they depart when full, not on schedule.

Metered taxis — Bangkok metered taxis are relatively cheap and safe; ensure the meter is on before departing. Flag taxis with a lit rooftop light; pink taxis are woman-driver only and equally reliable.
Avoid unmarked taxis and negotiate fares beforehand—some drivers will refuse the meter or overcharge tourists. At major tourist areas, insist on the meter or use Grab instead.
Grab and Bolt apps — Use Grab (most popular in Thailand) or Bolt for reliable, app-booked rides with transparent pricing and ratings. Fares are slightly higher than metered taxis but safer; both apps work nationwide.
Tuk-tuks and songthaews — Tuk-tuks (three-wheelers) are iconic but expensive for tourists; negotiate price beforehand. Songthaews (shared red trucks) are cheaper and run set routes in many cities.
Tourist scams include drivers claiming your destination is closed and offering to take you shopping instead. Politely decline and ask to be taken to your original address; use Grab if uncertain.

International Driving Permit — Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country before arrival; Thailand technically requires it alongside your home license. Car rental agencies often accept just your home license, but IDP is legally safer.
Road conditions and driving behavior are chaotic; speed limits are often ignored, lane discipline is poor, and accidents are common. Drive defensively, use headlights day and night, and avoid driving at night outside cities.
Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of tourist deaths in Thailand. Wear a helmet (legally required), avoid riding under the influence, and consider hiring a driver instead if unfamiliar with conditions.
Fuel and tolls — Fuel is cheap; most stations accept cash and cards. Motorways (highways 7 and 9) charge tolls (50–250 baht); most rental cars have toll passes, but confirm with the rental company.
Police traffic stops may result in on-the-spot fines (bribery expected for minor violations). Keep documents visible, remain polite, and verify fines are legitimate; ask for a receipt if paying.

Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang — Bangkok has two major airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK, international) and Don Mueang (DMK, domestic and budget). Plan for 2–3 hours domestic, 3–4 hours international; traffic to/from airports is often heavy.
Airport transport — Use the Airport Rail Link (express 15 min, local 30 min) from Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok, or Grab/metered taxi. Don Mueang connects via bus or taxi; avoid unmarked airport taxis.
Baggage handling and security are slow during peak hours. Arrive 2–3 hours early, especially for international flights, and do not pack valuables in checked luggage.
Regional airports — Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi have international terminals but limited facilities. Domestic flights are cheap (often 500–1500 baht) and faster than buses or trains for long distances.

Island ferries — Ferries connect Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga to islands (Phi Phi, Similan, Railay). Book via Bukirályzat, Tigerline, or direct at piers; departures depend on sea conditions and weather.
Ferry schedules are irregular; boats may be delayed or cancelled in monsoon season (May–Oct on the west coast, Oct–Jan on the east). Always confirm departures the day before and have flexible plans.
Long-tail boats and speedboats — Charter private boats for island tours or multiple-island trips; negotiate prices beforehand. Speedboats are faster but pricier; long-tail boats are scenic and traditional.
Life jackets are rarely provided; request one from the operator or bring your own. Boats are unregulated; check that the engine and steering are in working condition before boarding.
River ferries — Bangkok's Chao Phraya Express ferries are cheap, scenic, and a tourist experience; use the Chao Phraya Card (reloadable) or buy single tickets at docks.

Train booking — Book Thai trains at www.railway.co.th or via 12go.asia; buy in person at stations for same-day travel. Advance bookings (30 days) secure better seats and lower prices during peak season.
Tourist passes — Bangkok's BTS/MRT Rabbit Card eliminates repeated queuing and offers small discounts. One Pass or Daily Pass options exist but are cost-effective only for frequent journeys.
Counterfeit or non-rechargeable cards circulate; buy only from official MRT/BTS vending machines and ticket windows. Keep receipts to verify card authenticity.
Bus tickets — Provincial buses (overnight to Chiang Mai, Phuket) are booked at bus stations or via Buikalyzat/12go.asia. Book at least 1–2 days ahead during holidays; prices vary by comfort class.
Refund policies are strict; cancellations often forfeit 10–50% of the fare. Always read cancellation terms before purchasing, and keep tickets as proof.

Local SIM cards — Buy a SIM card from AIS, DTAC, or True Move at airports, convenience stores, or phone shops. Prepaid plans are cheap (99–299 baht for data + calls); activation requires a passport copy and Thai phone number registration.
Data plans — 4G LTE coverage is excellent in cities and most towns. Tourist SIM packages offer 1–30 days of unlimited or large data pools; top up at 7-Eleven or directly from operators.
Network outages and throttling occur during peak hours or public holidays; avoid relying solely on mobile data for time-sensitive bookings. Bring a power bank and know your hotel's WiFi.
International roaming — If keeping your home SIM, enable airplane mode and use WiFi at hotels, cafes, and malls. Roaming charges are high; local SIM is cheaper for frequent data use.
Scams include overpriced tourist SIM cards at hotels; buy directly from operators instead. Ensure your SIM is unlocked before travel to avoid compatibility issues.