BTS - Skytrain Bangkok - How To Use

[up2u2 6]

Using the BTS Skytrain to get about Bangkok.

 

 

Forget Taxis and Tuk Tuks the BTS is a fantastic way to get around in Bangkok. It takes a small amount of practice and you will be an expert in no time at all. On the BTS system all instructions are in English so if you just remember the simple steps you can easily work out finer details on the fly.

 

The BTS Skytrain consists of two lines Sukhumvit and Silom. The two lines intersect at Siam Station.

 

 

For a detailed Mass Transit System Map:

 

http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/02-route-current.aspx

 

This is pretty cool you can click on your departing station and then click on your destination station and it will give you the cost of your trip.

 

Street Level:

There are always escalators from Street Level to the ticketing level of the BTS so if you have a bag with you just check the entrances for the one that has an escalator.

 

Ticketing Level:

This is the area where you purchase your ticket and then proceed to the Skytrain Departure Level. Again there are escalators to the upper Level. Don’t worry if they don’t seem to be working when you walk to them they will start up.

 

Skytrain Departure Level:

Get on the next train that turns up. Over each door there is a ‘Line Map’ that you can follow. Each Station and next Station is clearly announced in Thai and English. Even if you make a mistake it is as simple as getting off at the next stop cross over to the other platform (Ticket check not required) and simply get going in the right direction.

 

Buying your Ticket:

 

The Ticket Machine has two sections. On the right is the Fare pricing on the left is your Ticket issue.

 

Okay this Ticket Machine is at Nana BTS Station as Nana is in yellow. We want to go to Saphon Tuksin BTS Station so you will see the Fare cost is 42 Baht.

 

So on the Left of the Machine we purchase our ticket by selecting 42 and put in our Baht (if you do not have enough change go to the Change Counter located near the Ticket Machines). Now grab your Ticket and collect your change.

 

IMPORTANT!!! Before you leave the Machine locate your ‘Terminating Station’ you will need to know this to go to the correct Platform. Saphon Taksin BTS Station is on the Silom Line so we need to change at Siam BTS Station and cross to the Silom Line. Our ‘Terminating Station’ to get to Siam is Mo Chit BTS Station. So put your Ticket through the turnstile and go up to the Departure Platform following the overhead signage marked ‘Mo Chit’ and get on the next Skytrain that arrives.

 

Above each door is a Station Map so if you stand near the door you can see your progress. Get off at Siam BTS Station.

 

Okay we need to know our ‘Terminating Station’ so we can go to the correct Platform. Our ‘Terminating Station’ for the Silom Line is Talat Phlu so simply head to the Platform with overhead signage Talat Phlu. Watch your progress on the above Door Map and get off at Saphon Tuksin BTS Station.

 

On each BTS Station is an area Map on the Ticketing Platform and will give you destination information of each exit of the Station. Or you can go online and click on the BTS Station and it will give you the Station Exit Map.

 

Online Exit Maps of all BTS Stations: (Click on the Station to see each Exit Map)

http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/02-route-area.aspx

 

So you can see if you take Exit 1 or 2 you will end up at the Chao Phraya River, Sathorn Pier (Central Pier).

 

At each BTS Station you will find a Free BTS Map near the Change Counter. It is good to keep one with you as you travel about so you can find ‘Terminating Stations’ especially at Siam Interchange it can get a little confusing.

 

 

Getting back to Nana BTS Station.

 

Terminating Station is National Stadium – Get off at Siam BTS Station and change to Sukhumvit Line – Your ‘Terminating Station’ is Bearing BTS Station get off at Nana BTS Station.

 

Edited October 1, 2013 by up2u2

[MM 6,562]

Very informative and helpful information, clearly explained.

Thank you.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4

 

 

[Fireman Sam 336]

Good post, only add-on I can think of is to buy the day-pass ticket, can work out a lot cheaper if you criss cross Bangkok all day as I always seem to do. Last one I bought was 120 baht but around 6 months ago, price may have increased since then ?

 

 

Regards

Edited October 1, 2013 by Fireman Sam

[Sailfast 503]

Well done. Am I correct in that taking the train into Bangkok from the airport is still a dream?

[Fireman Sam 336]

Well done. Am I correct in that taking the train into Bangkok from the airport is still a dream?

No not at all, I have done it on numerous occasions over the past few years, especially good if just travelling with hand luggage only.

 

 

 

 

Regards

[plahgat 523]

There are also other transport possibilities in Bangkok like the underground MRT,

very convenient if going from Soi Cowboy/Soi Asoke to Patpong/Silom Rd.

http://www.transitbangkok.com/

 

Plahgat

[LocalYokul 215]

No not at all, I have done it on numerous occasions over the past few years, especially good if just travelling with hand luggage only.

 

Ah, great.

I bet that really pissed off the taxi drivers.

Edited October 1, 2013 by LocalYokul

[cluster 14]

Used the BTS extensively in June this year. Dead easy & without doubt quickest, cheapest way to get around BKK.

[Grandpollo 366]

Good post, only add-on I can think of is to buy the day-pass ticket, can work out a lot cheaper if you criss cross Bangkok all day as I always seem to do. Last one I bought was 120 baht but around 6 months ago, price may have increased since then ?

 

 

Regards

Still 120. Frankly unless you have patience to wait in line at the machines (and the lines are worse), get a day pass from the attendant and use that vs. calculating fare trip by trip. A ride will cost at least 30B anyway so the convenience is worth it other than knowing you are just going to one place under 60B and back and that's it.

 

People's perception of the BTS is that it is safer I guess because it is above ground but the subway, the MRT is also safe and covers areas that BTS misses. Super aircon as well, like the BTS trains.

 

Unfortunately two different companies so no transfers or common day pass other than the Rabbit (or Carrot, anyway stored value) card like in Hong Kong.

 

If you are with a Thai (who knows Bangkok) , the deluxe buses are also good. Not the ones you see with 500 people and no windows, there are nicer ones in the city with a cashier on board and a TV and aircon.

 

The routes are impossible to decipher without help though and English, forget it.

[Sailfast 503]

No not at all, I have done it on numerous occasions over the past few years, especially good if just travelling with hand luggage only.

 

 

 

 

Regards

So it is running then? I can't seem to find it on a map... or am I thick?

[Sailfast 503]

OK, I found it. Guess I am a bit thick. :)

[LocalYokul 215]

So it is running then? I can't seem to find it on a map... or am I thick?

 

You have to connect to the MRT or BTS from the airport line.

 

There is an express route to the BTS in orange, and a shorter express route to the MRT in red.

 

[Sailfast 503]

Thanks Yokul, much better map than I was squinting at. :)

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Still 120. Frankly unless you have patience to wait in line at the machines (and the lines are worse), get a day pass from the attendant and use that vs. calculating fare trip by trip.

 

I find that if I am staying in the Asoke/Nana/Ploenchit area it's better to just buy tickets as you go (unless you are doing a couple of trips out to Chatuchak or some other station further out). You'd have to make a couple of trips out to the likes of Siam or National Stadium from Asoke for the Day Pass to be worth the cost.

 

A ride will cost at least 30B anyway so the convenience is worth it other than knowing you are just going to one place under 60B and back and that's it.

 

The minimum fare is 15 Baht nowadays - then 25 and 28 Baht.

[up2u2 6]

This link in the OP post gives you the full blown Transit Map and includes BTS, MRT Rapid Bus Link, Airport Link and also includes the Ferry Wharves which is great fun travelling on from Central Pier. Also if you click on your start and finish station it will give you the Fare info. Very clever never seen that before.

 

Full Transit Map

 

This link from the original post gives you the BTS routes and if you click on a station it will give you the Area Maps of each BTS Station

 

BTS Stations and Area Maps

 

So if you need to get anywhere in Bangkok just use Google Maps find the nearest BTS / MRT Station and a quick Motocye Taxi and your there no problems at all.

 

eg: Want to get to Wat Arun

 

BTS to Saphan Taksin Station - 50 meter walk to Sathorn (Central Pier) - Ferry to Tha Tien (Pier 8) - Across the Chao Phraya River to the Temple - To easy.

 

[CheshireTom 1,377]

BTS to Saphan Taksin Station - 50 meter walk to Sathorn (Central Pier) - Ferry to Tha Tien (Pier 8) - Across the Chao Phraya River to the Temple - To easy.

 

A tuk-tuk driver told me that Wat Arun is closed for repairs starting this week (for around 3 years). Worth checking before you make a trip specifically to visit the temple. Personally, I love the BTS and MRT - lots of top totty hanging onto the poles and no-one hassling you for ladydrinks. You can't beat it!

[up2u2 6]

Correct. So Glad I saw it before it closed for renos.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Wat-Arun-stupa-to-be-closed-for-three-years-30215244.html

 

No problem we are off to The Grand Palace The Emerald Buddha, Thrown Hall Palace, National Museum and the City Pillar Shrine just one Pier up at Maharaj Pier (9)

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Correct. So Glad I saw it before it closed for renos.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Wat-Arun-stupa-to-be-closed-for-three-years-30215244.html

 

No problem we are off to The Grand Palace The Emerald Buddha, Thrown Hall Palace, National Museum and the City Pillar Shrine just one Pier up at Maharaj Pier (9)

 

Pier N9 is Tha Chang, Maharaj is N*. (it doesn't have a number as it's not a public pier i.e. it's only for the tourist boat, not the river taxis).

 

Tourist boat info and schedule ...

 

 

[LocalYokul 215]

I find that if I am staying in the Asoke/Nana/Ploenchit area it's better to just buy tickets as you go (unless you are doing a couple of trips out to Chatuchak or some other station further out). You'd have to make a couple of trips out to the likes of Siam or National Stadium from Asoke for the Day Pass to be worth the cost.

 

I would always buy the day pass because I couldn't be bothered standing in line for a new ticket every time, but I tend to bounce from Soi 22/33 to Nana/Soi Cowboy. By day I'd probably hit MBK and/or Central as well.

 

I still have my smartpass for both MRT & BTS, but I doubt they'd let me top them up now. It's been years since I used them.

Oh wait, the BTS pass says it's good for 5 years, I'm good to go. Woo Hoo!

[ttk 236]

I have never been able to catch the skytrain from the airport to Bangkok because my flights arrive late and depart early. I believe the train runs 6am to midnight. The flights I take are via Tokyo and arrive about the time the last train leaves and depart about the time they start.

Even if they ran 24 hours, I doubt I would use them. Since I come for 4 weeks at a time, I have 2 suitcases and a carryon. Having to schlep bags to the station, transfer them to another train, drag them down to street level and then either a few blocks or to a taxi to get to your hotel at 1 or 2 AM would not be worth the few dollars I would save.

[LocalYokul 215]

I won't make it in time to use the train on the way in, but I'll definitely use it on the way out.

[up2u2 6]

Hi Cheshire

 

I wondered why that Wharf didn't have a number. Does make it a little confusing.

 

I did use Chao Phraya Express Boat service from Central Pier.

 

 

If your going to scoot about the River all day 150 baht is a good deal I think.

 

They have a pretty good Website with good touristy type info.

 

http://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/tourist/

 

Damn shame Wat Arun has closed down for 3 years. They must have put the scaffold up when I got on the boat to leave.

 

Looking at Wat Arun I couldn't help think of the Antoni Gaudi I wonder if he got his inspiration from Khmer Style architecture.