Getting around Thailand
City transit, intercity trains and buses, and what a month of commuting costs.
The essentials
- Bangkok BTS and MRT are fast, clean and the only reliable way to beat traffic.
- A Rabbit card (BTS) and an MRT card cover most of the network; a single unified card does not exist.
- Grab is the default ride-hailing app and dominates outside Bangkok too.
- Motorbike taxis are the fastest way to cover the last kilometre.
- Intercity trains are cheap and slow; budget airlines are often cheaper than the sleeper for long routes.
Bangkok
The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway between them cover most areas where expats live and work. Fares run roughly 17–62 THB per trip; monthly BTS trip packages cut the cost for regular commuters.
Buses are extremely cheap but slow and hard to navigate without Thai. Canal boats along Saen Saep are unglamorous and remarkably quick during rush hour.
Other cities
Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya have no rail transit. Grab, songthaews (shared pickup trucks) and motorbike rental are the realistic options. Most long-stay residents in these cities end up renting or buying a motorbike.
Between cities
| Route | Options | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Flight 1h / sleeper train 12h | 900–2,500 THB |
| Bangkok – Phuket | Flight 1h20 / bus 12h | 1,000–2,800 THB |
| Bangkok – Pattaya | Bus or van 2h | 130–200 THB |
| Bangkok – Ayutthaya | Train 1h30 | 20–70 THB |
Safety
Road fatality rates in Thailand are among the world's highest, and motorbikes account for most of them. Helmets are legally required and routinely ignored — wear one anyway, and check that your insurance covers motorbike use.
Official sources
Everything above is written from these. Rules change without notice, so check the relevant one before you book, pay or travel.
This page was last checked against those sources on 1 July 2026. Spotted something out of date? and we'll re-check it.