Bangkok's traffic is famous for a reason. The trains are the way around it: a trip that takes an hour by taxi at rush hour can take fifteen minutes on the Skytrain. The catch is that the city's rail is several systems built by different operators, and they do not share tickets.
The lines that matter to a visitor
| Line | Type | Where it goes | Why you'd ride it |
|---|
|------|------|---------------|-------------------|
| BTS Sukhumvit Line (light green) | Elevated | North–south through Siam, then east along Sukhumvit | Shopping, nightlife, most hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTS Silom Line (dark green) | Elevated | Siam to Silom and the river at Saphan Taksin | River boats, Silom, Sathorn |
| MRT Blue Line | Mostly underground | A loop through Sukhumvit, Silom, Chinatown and the old city | Chinatown, Wat Pho area, Chatuchak |
| Airport Rail Link | Elevated | Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai | Getting in from the airport |
There are more lines (the MRT Purple Line and the Yellow and Pink monorails among them), but most visitors never need them.
Where the networks meet
Changing from BTS to MRT means leaving one station and walking to the other, then buying a new ticket. The main interchanges:
- Asok (BTS) and Sukhumvit (MRT) — the busiest, in the middle of Sukhumvit
- Sala Daeng (BTS) and Si Lom (MRT) — for Silom and Lumphini Park
- Mo Chit (BTS) and Chatuchak Park (MRT) — for the weekend market
- Phaya Thai (BTS) and the Airport Rail Link
What it costs
Fares go by distance. A single BTS ride runs from under 20 baht to around 60 baht, and the MRT is similar. Most rides between the places visitors go cost 20–50 baht. Even a busy day of riding costs less than one long taxi trip in traffic.
For a fuller picture of daily costs, see how much a trip to Bangkok costs.
How to pay
MRT: tap a contactless bank card at the gate. This is the simplest option for visitors, and the fare is charged to your card.
BTS: buy a single-journey ticket from the machines or the counter, or get a Rabbit card — a stored-value card you top up at the station, worth it if you'll ride more than a few times. Payment options on the BTS have been expanding; look for contactless logos on the gates.
Keep some coins and small notes. Not every ticket machine takes large notes, and the counter queue at Siam at rush hour is long.
From the airport
From Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link leaves from the airport's lowest level and reaches Phaya Thai (for the BTS) in under half an hour, with a stop at Makkasan for the MRT. It is the fastest way in when traffic is bad. From Don Mueang, the SRT Red Line runs to Bang Sue, where you change to the MRT.
Full details, including when a taxi makes more sense with luggage, are in Bangkok airport to city centre.
When the train is the wrong choice
- The old city and the Grand Palace — the MRT reaches Sanam Chai near Wat Pho, but the river is often nicer: see the canal and river boat guide
- Late at night — trains stop around midnight; use a ride-hailing app (Grab vs taxi in Bangkok)
- Short hops in heavy rain — stations can be a long covered walk from where you actually want to be
- Three or more people with bags — a taxi can cost the same as three train fares and door-to-door
Pick a hotel near a station
The single best Bangkok travel decision is sleeping within a few minutes' walk of a BTS or MRT station. It turns every day plan from a traffic gamble into a timetable. The where to stay in Bangkok guide and the best neighbourhoods guide both favour areas on the lines for exactly this reason; Sukhumvit is the easiest of them.
[CTA CARD: A Bangkok Local Friend can ride the network with you on day one — which exits, which interchanges, which stations to avoid at rush hour. Browse Local Friends →]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the BTS and the MRT?
The BTS is the elevated Skytrain; the MRT is mostly the underground Metro. They are run by different operators, so a ticket for one does not work on the other, and changing between them means leaving one station and walking to the other. Where they meet (Asok/Sukhumvit, Sala Daeng/Si Lom, Mo Chit/Chatuchak Park) the walk is short.How much does the BTS cost?
Single fares depend on distance and run from under 20 baht for one stop to around 60 baht for the longest trips. Most rides a visitor takes in central Bangkok cost between 20 and 50 baht. Day passes exist but only pay off if you ride a lot.Can I pay with my credit card on the Bangkok metro?
The MRT accepts contactless bank cards at the gates, which is the easiest way for visitors to ride it. The BTS has its own Rabbit card and single-journey tickets from machines; check the gate for contactless logos, as payment options have been expanding. Keep some coins and small notes for the ticket machines just in case.How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city by train?
Take the Airport Rail Link from the airport's lower level to Phaya Thai, where it connects to the BTS, or change at Makkasan for the MRT (Phetchaburi station). It is the cheapest fast way into the centre and avoids the traffic that can turn a taxi ride into an hour and a half.What time does the BTS close?
The BTS and MRT run from around 6 in the morning to around midnight. After that you need a taxi or a ride-hailing app. Check the last train from your station if you are out late, as the last departures from the ends of the lines leave earlier.
