A Visitor's Guide to Public Transportation in Bangkok

Exploring from Public House Hotel

Navigating Bangkok can seem daunting. We personally love walking to stay fit  and the area around Public House Hotel Sukhumvit 31 is very walkable, though not all of Bangkok is so pedestrian-friendly. Luckily, we are here with the insight to have you moving like a local so you too can belong to the city. 


Cycling Enthusiast? Learn more about bicycle riding in Bangkok here. 

Trains

Bangkok's extensive public railway system includes the BTS, MRT, and airport links, and it keeps growing!

Your favorite transport option from Sukhumvit Bangkok will likely be The BTS Bangkok Skytrain Sukhumvit Line, covering the southeast to the north, and the BTS Skytrain Silom Line, extending from the city center to the southwest.

From Public House you are walking distance to two stations, Asoke BTS Stop and Phrom Phong BTS stop.

BTS Top Bangkok Landmarks:
- The Erawan Museum
- Chatuchak Market
- Siam Paragon
- The Mahanakhon Building
- Saphan Taksin riverside pier

The MRT Bangkok Blue Line encircles the city and will be your best way to get to Old Town. The stop nearest your hotel at Asoke is called Sukhumvit MRT Station.

MRT Top Bangkok Landmarks:
- The One Ratchada Night Market
- Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
- Hua Lamphong Train Station
- Chinatown Yaowarat Road
- Khao San Road
- The Royal Palace

Speedy air conditioned trains come every 3-8 minutes, tickets cost 15 - 60 baht (kids under 90cm free) and can be bought at all station ticket machines or staffed windows, cash is best. Operating hours are 6 am to midnight, but it's best to avoid peak hours.

Complete Bangkok Subway Map Here

Public House location Sukhumvit 31, Bangkok best hotel
Tuk Tuks
They are funky, fun, and exhilarating! But sitting in exhaust fumes and heat is not a vibe, so take a Bangkok TukTuk at quieter times and for short distances only. Get the experience - and your Instagram photos of course - but don’t rely on them as a regular form of transportation.

Tuk Tuk drivers are master negotiators. They might ask hundreds of baht for a short ride. We suggest giving them an opening bid of 100 baht and maybe going up to 200 if you really want the experience. There are no meters or set prices and they are famous for being a touristy rip-off. We still love them occasionally though.

Boats

You can take commuter ferries from any public pier on the Chao Phraya River like Saphan Taksin. Tickets on a public ferry are only about 20 baht and you can cruise from Asiatique to IconSiam and beyond. 

 

There are also Khlong boats in Bangkok that take commuters up and down the small canals for 10 - 20 baht. From Panfa Leelard Pier in Old Town, past Nana Nua Pier on Sukhumvit Soi 3, by  Italthai Pier - 1.6 km from Public House - and all the way to Bang Kapi. The Saen Saep Boat Service whole route takes more than an hour and is hectic fun. 


Speaking of boats, before you leave, you MUST do a boat tour of Bangkok! See our article about boat tours and dinner cruises here.

Taxis
Metered Bangkok taxis are common and affordable. They are usually comfortable and clean with air-conditioning, but traffic is a perpetual issue in this great city, and some drivers might try to go off-meter to make more money. This is not recommended.

Taxi Tips:
- Have your destination's name and address in Thai (ask our awesome Public House staff for help)
- Have Google Maps ready on your phone
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated (10-50 baht is reasonable)
- Take a photo the driver's ID card or license plate number
- A trip to the airport should be about 300 baht plus tolls
- A trip to the riverside should be under 200 baht

Ride-Hailing Apps
In Bangkok, apps like Grab, Bolt, and InDrive rule supreme. It is better knowing your driver’s details, the exact fare, choosing the type of vehicle you need, and having the destination clearly mapped out.

We strongly recommend you use Grab in Bangkok or similar apps which all work with cash or connected cards. It is the best way to avoid negotiating with taxi drivers.

Buses

Rustic (rusty?) red public buses in Bangkok are a cheap and fun way to explore. With their vast network, you can get lost in diverse neighborhoods surrounded by local culture and Bangkok street scenes.

Avoid peak hours due to delays and overcrowding. Communication may pose a problem; have a bunch of coins in your hand and present them to the ticket collector on the bus, they will take what they need from 8 to 20 baht.

There are bus stops at the entrance to Sukhumvit Soi 31, just 600 meters from Public House. You can take the 501 to Old Town, the number 2 to W District Night Market and a dozen other routes.

Ask Public House staff about the bus route for you or check online with Google Maps or this Transit Bangkok Website.

249 Soi Sukhumvit 31,
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
[email protected]
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