Bangkok, Thailand

Getting around Bangkok

How to travel around Bangkok — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-08

1. BTS Skytrain and MRT

Elevated and underground rail covering most of what a visitor needs, air-conditioned and immune to the traffic below.

Cost: 17–62 THB per trip; Rabbit card for the BTS
Tip: The two systems have separate ticketing. A Rabbit card does not work on the MRT.

2. Chao Phraya express boat

Commuter boats up and down the river, and the cheapest way to reach the old-city temples.

Cost: 16–33 THB; the orange flag is the main line
Tip: The blue-flag tourist boat costs several times the orange-flag commuter boat for nearly the same route.

Watch outTicket sellers at the piers sometimes steer visitors to the expensive tourist boat while claiming the local one is not running.

3. Metered taxi

Plentiful and cheap when the meter is used.

Cost: 35 THB flagfall

Watch outRefusing the meter for a fixed fare is the single most common Bangkok scam. If the driver will not use it, get out and take the next one.

4. Tuk-tuk

An experience more than a transport mode, and usually more expensive than a metered taxi.

Watch outThe cheap all-day tuk-tuk tour exists to deliver you to gem and tailor shops that pay commission.

5. Motorbike taxi

Orange-vested riders at the mouth of most sois, the fastest way through gridlock for short hops.

Cost: 20–100 THB for local trips
Tip: Agree the fare before getting on, or book through an app.

Booking apps in Thailand

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Grab

The dominant ride-hailing app across Southeast Asia, covering cars, motorbike taxis, food and parcels.

Coverage: Nationwide in Thailand, strongest in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Bolt

European ride-hailing operator, usually priced below Grab where it operates.

Coverage: Bangkok and a handful of larger cities; patchy elsewhere.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

InDrive

Fare-negotiation model where you propose a price and drivers accept or counter.

Coverage: Growing in Bangkok and larger provincial cities.
Why it helps: The price is agreed in-app before pickup, so there is no roadside negotiation to lose.

Bangkok MRT

Official metro app with route planning and QR ticketing for the underground network.

Coverage: Bangkok only.

12Go

Books trains, buses and ferries across Thailand and the wider region, including island routes.

Coverage: Nationwide, plus cross-border services.
Why it helps: Avoids street agents selling tickets for services that are overbooked, downgraded, or do not run.