Thailand blog tips: BTS Skytrain Bangkok
Traffic in Bangkok is a disaster, especially during rush hour. If, as a tourist, you do not want to waste valuable holiday time with long queues, then the BTS Skytrain is a godsend for you.
The BTS Skytrain is an above-ground subway in Bangkok that takes you quickly from A to B. What else do you want? Despite this, I see very few tourists on the Skytrain. An expat every now and then, but that's about it.
What are the benefits of the BTS Skytrain?
Bangkok's overground metro has many advantages. The Skytrain is above all fast, safe, cheap and comfortable. You do not suffer from delays due to traffic jams and the air conditioning makes it nice and cool in the train.
How does the BTS Skytrain work?
The BTS Skytrain runs every day from 06.00:24.00 to XNUMX:XNUMX. You take the stairs or escalator to a station. There are ticket machines at the station. There are two types of ticket machines:
- Ticket Issuing Machine (TIM) only accepts coins.
- Integrated Ticketing Machine (ITM) accepts coins and paper money.
Note: you first choose the price. Next to the machines you will see a board with the prices. You pay and you receive a ticket (always a one-way ticket). Your ticket is only valid for the day of purchase. You put the printed ticket in the machine at the entrance gates, the card comes out again, the gates open and you can continue to the platform of the Skytrain. Make sure you take the right platform otherwise you will go in the wrong direction. You don't have to wait long because a train arrives every 5 minutes. You get in and the route can be followed on LCD screens. You get off at the destination station. The return journey is exactly the same.
Tips for the BTS Skytrain
- There are free handy maps available in Bangkok with an overview of the routes and stations of the BTS.
- It can be very busy at the ticket machines, so you can save a lot of time by purchasing the BTS Sky SmartPass. This costs 100 baht, of which 70 baht as credit for the rides. The advantage of this card is that you can top it up (up to 2.000 baht). Your credit remains valid for five years. With the SmartPass you can walk right through and you no longer have to queue for a ticket.
- You can also buy a day pass. This costs 120 baht. You can then travel unlimited with the Skytrain throughout Bangkok the same day.
- A number of BTS Skytrain stations are important because you can change trains:
- mochit transfer to the metro possible.
- Thai food transfer to the Airport Rail Link possible.
- Siam transfer to the Silom or Sukhumvit line.
- Asok transfer to the metro possible.
- Sala Daeng transfer to the metro possible.
- The last BTS Skytrain departs at approximately midnight. Most ticket machines are already out of action at 24.00 p.m. When you take the last Skytrain, it is wise to buy your ticket for the journey back the same day before 23.00:23.00.
- Via the Saphan Taksin Station (Silom Line, S6) you can get to the Central Pier on the Chao Phraya River, from there you can discover Bangkok by boat. You can take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Phra Keaw. Tickets for the Express Boat can be purchased at the BTS Tourist Information Center at Saphan Taksin station.
- The fastest way to get to Bangkok Central Railway Station (Hualamphong) is by underground subway. You can then first travel with the BTS Skytrain or Airport Rail Link and then transfer to the MRT Metro at a station. The metro stops under the train station.
- In the morning and early evening, when the offices/shops in Bangkok open or close, it is rush hour at the BTS Skytrain stations. There are no seats on the train then. If you dislike crowds and have a packed train, it is better to avoid rush hour.
Do you have any useful tips for the BTS Skytrain, comment!
Buy a card for 500 TB so that you can travel for 30 days (ask at sales points) for approximately 22 bath per time, do not go during rush hour, because then the BTS train is also full, and really full!
for more info see the following link.
Especially the pass with 25 or 40 journeys is very useful!!
http://bangkok.sawadee.com/skytrain.htm
Bring a big sweater, especially if you're already sweaty from a walk outside. The air conditioning is usually on the freezer position and you will definitely catch a cold.
The really smart ones also choose their hotel next to or almost next to the Skytrain. That way you soon have an extra day to spend.
For the frequent traveler, a rabit card is the easiest option,
You can top it up and then just travel. If you have run out of balance, you can simply top up again at the counter.
The ride will be booked at check-out.
There is a day pass for someone who makes many short trips in a day.
For the 65+ a rabbit card with reduction during off-peak hours
Indeed, this is the best means of travel in Bangkok. And if you book a hotel near Asok, you are at a crossroads of the aboveground and the underground. Also the railway from the airport is very fast and easy !!
It is very cold in there … but that is sometimes welcome …
Greetings from Belgium, Ronny
yes the best way to explore bkk and oh so easy and fast…… No drumming as the farangs are used to in their land of misery….
A handy map of the routes and BTS stations in Bkk and much more can be found at http://www.transitbangkok.com/images/BTS_MRT_Chao_Phraya_Express_Khlong.png