Getting Around Thailand
Your complete guide to navigating Thailand by air, rail, road, and sea. From international airports to island ferries, we've got you covered.
Airports
International and domestic airports across Thailand
ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ
Airlines:
Full-service carriers, most international flights
Connections:
Airport Rail Link to Bangkok (30 min)
Public buses, airport shuttles
Metered taxi, Grab, airport limousine
Thailand's main international gateway. Allow 3+ hours for international departures. Rail link fastest to city center.
ท่าอากาศยานดอนเมือง
Airlines:
Budget carriers (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Scoot)
Connections:
SRT Red Line to Bang Sue (20 min)
A1, A2 buses to BTS Mo Chit
Metered taxi, Grab
Budget airline hub. Older airport, less crowded than BKK. Free shuttle connects to Suvarnabhumi.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติภูเก็ต
Airlines:
International and domestic carriers
Connections:
Airport bus to Phuket Town, beaches
Metered taxi, minivan, Grab
Second busiest airport in Thailand. Pre-book transfers to avoid taxi queues. Smart bus cheapest option to beaches.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติเชียงใหม่
Airlines:
International and domestic carriers
Connections:
Red songthaew, Grab, metered taxi
Very convenient location near city center. Red songthaews (shared trucks) cheapest option into town.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติแม่ฟ้าหลวง เชียงราย
Airlines:
Domestic flights, limited international (mostly China)
Connections:
Taxi, songthaew, Grab
Named after the Princess Mother. Convenient for Golden Triangle area.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติหาดใหญ่
Airlines:
Domestic and Malaysia/Singapore connections
Connections:
Bus to Hat Yai city
Taxi, van
Gateway to deep south and Malaysia. Hat Yai is major southern commercial hub.
ท่าอากาศยานเกาะสมุย
Airlines:
Bangkok Airways (owns airport), limited international
Connections:
Taxi, hotel transfers
Privately owned by Bangkok Airways - flights expensive but convenient. Beautiful open-air terminal.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติกระบี่
Airlines:
Domestic and international charters
Connections:
Shuttle bus to Ao Nang, Krabi Town
Taxi, minivan
Gateway to Ao Nang, Railay Beach, and island hopping. Shuttle buses good value.
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติอู่ตะเภา
Airlines:
Budget carriers, international charters
Connections:
Bus to Pattaya
Taxi, transfer services
Alternative to Bangkok airports for Pattaya visitors. Less crowded, growing international connections.
Bus Terminals
Major bus stations and transport hubs
Destinations:
Transport:
BTS: Mo Chit Station (15 min walk or taxi)
MRT: Chatuchak Park Station
Largest bus terminal. Book advance for holidays. 24-hour operation.
Destinations:
Transport:
Taxi/Grab from BTS or city
Western Bangkok, less convenient by public transport. Book in advance for southern islands.
Destinations:
Transport:
BTS: Ekkamai Station (direct access)
Most convenient terminal - right at BTS. Frequent Pattaya buses (2 hours).
Destinations:
Main long-distance terminal. Separate from Chiang Phuak terminal (local buses).
Destinations:
Central terminal for most destinations.
Destinations:
North of Phuket Town. Long journey to Bangkok (12-14 hours).
Destinations:
Major Isan transport hub.
Destinations:
Gateway to Laos. International buses to Vientiane.
Destinations:
Major southern hub. International buses to Malaysia.
Destinations:
Combine with ferry to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao.
Destinations:
New terminal north of town. Minivans to Ao Nang from separate location.
Destinations:
Korat is gateway to Isan. Frequent Bangkok buses (3 hours).
Destinations:
Minivans from Victory Monument (Bangkok) more frequent than buses.
Destinations:
Frequent buses from Bangkok (2-3 hours). For Erawan Falls, take local songthaew.
Destinations:
Buses from Bangkok Southern Terminal (3-4 hours). Minivans also available.
Destinations:
North Pattaya. Very frequent Bangkok buses (2 hours).
Destinations:
For Ko Chang, buses go directly to ferry pier.
Train Stations
Major railway stations and scenic routes
Sleeper Train Tips
For overnight journeys, book 2nd class sleeper berths for the best value. They include air conditioning and comfortable beds. Book 1-2 weeks in advance for popular routes like Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Hat Yai.
Lines:
Connections:
Bang Sue Station (Blue Line)
SRT Red Line
Opened: 2023
Thailand's new main station (replaced Hua Lamphong 2023). Southeast Asia's largest railway station.
Lines:
Connections:
Hua Lamphong Station (Blue Line)
Built: 1916
Historic 1916 station, now mostly a landmark. Some local trains still operate. Most long-distance moved to Bang Sue.
Lines:
Terminus of Northern Line. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok (12-15 hours). Very scenic route.
Lines:
Major southern junction. Trains continue to Padang Besar (Malaysia border) and Butterworth/KL.
Lines:
Gateway to Isan by rail. Junction for Ubon and Nong Khai lines.
Lines:
Eastern Isan terminus. Warin Chamrap station actually in town.
Lines:
Trains cross Friendship Bridge to Thanaleng (Laos). Gateway to Vientiane.
Lines:
Actually in Phunphin, 14km from town. Night trains from Bangkok. Connect to ferry for islands.
Lines:
Alternative gateway to Koh Tao (ferry 1.5-3 hours).
Lines:
Built: 1911
Beautiful historic royal station. Trains from Bangkok (4 hours). Station itself is a tourist attraction.
Lines:
Easy day trip from Bangkok (1.5 hours). Station near historical park.
Lines:
Famous for monkeys at nearby temple. 2-3 hours from Bangkok.
Lines:
Gateway to Sukhothai (1 hour by bus). Important junction.
Lines:
Historic station. Lampang known for horse carriages.
Lines:
Central Isan hub. Overnight trains from Bangkok.
Lines:
Upper Isan. Connects to Nong Khai for Laos border.
Lines:
Overnight trains from Bangkok. Gateway to Trang islands.
Lines:
Branch line terminus. Historic city with important temples.
Lines:
Border crossing to Malaysia (Rantau Panjang). Check travel advisories for deep south.
Lines:
Main rail border crossing to Malaysia. Through trains to Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur.
Lines:
Famous Death Railway. Scenic trains to Nam Tok via Bridge over River Kwai.
Lines:
Terminus of Death Railway. Near Sai Yok waterfalls. Very scenic final section.
Ferry Piers
Island connections and coastal routes
Seasonal Availability Warning
Ferry services to Andaman Sea islands (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lipe) are significantly reduced or suspended during monsoon season (May-October). Gulf of Thailand ferries operate year-round but may cancel in rough weather. Always check schedules and book in advance during peak season.
Destinations:
Operators:
Main ferry port for Samui/Phangan. Combined bus+ferry tickets from Bangkok available.
Destinations:
Night boat option - cheap but slow (6-8 hours). From town center.
Destinations:
Operators:
Fastest access to Koh Tao (1.5-2 hours). High-speed catamarans.
Destinations:
Main Samui pier. Car ferries to mainland from here.
Destinations:
Main Phangan pier. Book ahead for Full Moon Party periods.
Destinations:
Only pier on Koh Tao. Book return in advance during peak season.
Destinations:
Multiple piers in Laem Ngop area. Centerpoint and Thammacha most used for Koh Chang.
Destinations:
Multiple operators to Koh Samet (30-40 min). Weekend queues can be long.
Destinations:
Ferries to Koh Larn (30 min) - popular day trip beach from Pattaya.
Destinations:
Ferries to Koh Si Chang with royal palace ruins (40 min).
Bangkok Urban Rail
BTS, MRT, and Airport Rail Link
Sukhumvit Line
greenKhu Khot - Kheha
35 stations
Silom Line
greenNational Stadium - Bang Wa
13 stations
Gold Line
goldKrung Thonburi - Khlong San
3 stations
Most useful for tourists. Covers Siam, Sukhumvit, Silom, Chatuchak.
Blue Line
blueCircular: Tha Phra - Lak Song
38 stations
Purple Line
purpleKhlong Bang Phai - Tao Poon
16 stations
Yellow Line
yellowLat Phrao - Samrong
23 stations
Pink Line
pinkKhae Rai - Min Buri
30 stations
Blue Line connects to Hua Lamphong and Chatuchak. Newer lines expanding coverage.
8 stations
Fastest way between airport and central Bangkok (30 min). Connects to BTS at Phaya Thai.
Dark Red
Krung Thep Aphiwat - Rangsit/Thammasat
Light Red
Krung Thep Aphiwat - Taling Chan
Connects Bang Sue Grand Station to Don Mueang Airport and northern suburbs.
Fares and Tips
- • BTS and MRT fares: 16-65 THB depending on distance
- • Buy a Rabbit Card (BTS) or MRT card for convenience
- • Airport Rail Link: 15-45 THB (Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai)
- • Avoid rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) when possible
- • Stations have air conditioning and are very clean
Booking Platforms
Where to book your transportation
12Go Asia
12go.asia
Best for foreigners, English interface, multiple operators
BusOnlineTicket
busonlineticket.co.th
Thai platform, good coverage
State Railway of Thailand
railway.co.th
Official booking, English available
12Go Asia
12go.asia
Easier interface, small markup
12Go Asia
12go.asia
All major ferry routes
Lomprayah
lomprayah.com
High-speed catamarans, Gulf islands
Seatran Discovery
seatrandiscovery.com
Samui, Phangan, Tao
Google Flights
google.com/flights
Compare all airlines
Skyscanner
skyscanner.com
Good for budget carriers
Essential Travel Tips
Insider advice for smooth travels
Book buses/trains 1-2 weeks ahead for holidays (Songkran, New Year)
VIP buses have toilets, more legroom, snacks - worth the upgrade for long journeys
Overnight trains: book 2nd class sleeper for best value (AC, beds)
Ferry schedules reduce dramatically in monsoon season (May-Oct for Andaman)
Grab app works in major cities for taxis and motorbike taxis
Don Mueang often cheaper than Suvarnabhumi for domestic flights
Ready to Explore Thailand?
With Thailand's extensive transportation network, getting around is easier than ever. Whether you're island hopping in the south, exploring northern temples, or navigating Bangkok's efficient metro system, you'll find convenient options for every journey.