Bangkok BTS and MRT Getting Around
How visitors use Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT — tickets, interchange tips, when to use Grab, and when a private transfer still wins.
Rail first, road second
Bangkok traffic can turn a short distance into a long ride. The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway sit above and below that traffic, and on the routes they cover they are almost always faster at peak times. Combine them with river boats and Grab, and most of the city is easy to reach without a car.
The main lines
BTS Skytrain
Elevated trains on two main lines:
- Sukhumvit Line: runs north-south through the city centre and then east along Sukhumvit Road. Key stops include Mo Chit (for Chatuchak weekend market), Victory Monument, Phaya Thai (Airport Rail Link interchange), Siam, Chit Lom, Asok, Phrom Phong and On Nut
- Silom Line: from National Stadium through Siam, along Silom and Sathorn, across to Saphan Taksin, and over the river
Siam is the main interchange between the two, under the big malls.
MRT
Mostly underground. The Blue Line loops around the centre and connects with the BTS at several stations, such as Sukhumvit/Asok, Silom/Sala Daeng and Chatuchak Park/Mo Chit. The Blue Line extension reaches the old town, with stations at Sanam Chai (near Wat Pho) and Wat Mangkon (Chinatown).
Other MRT lines, like the Purple, Yellow and Pink lines, serve suburbs that tourists visit less.
Airport Rail Link
Runs from Suvarnabhumi airport to Phaya Thai, connecting to the BTS. More detail in the Bangkok airport arrival guide.
Tickets and payment
The BTS and MRT are run by different companies, and payment systems have not always been joined up.
- BTS: single-journey cards from ticket machines (some take only coins, others accept notes) or from the counter. The Rabbit card is a stored-value card for frequent use
- MRT: tokens from machines and counters, and contactless bank card payment at the gates on many lines
- Payment options are changing as the systems integrate. Check what the gate accepts on the day
Keep small notes and coins for ticket machines. Station staff can change larger notes.
Practical tips
- Rush hours, roughly 7 to 9 in the morning and 5 to 7<30></30> in the evening on weekdays, are crowded. Trains still run often, but you may wait for the next one
- Stand to the side to let people out
- Trains are cold. A light layer helps
- Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the system
- Larger bags are fine outside rush hour, but bulky luggage is awkward and is restricted on the BTS
- Lifts exist at most stations but are not always obvious. Look for signs
The river and boats
The Chao Phraya Express Boat and the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat link the BTS at Saphan Taksin (Sathorn Pier) with the old city, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace area. This is the most pleasant way to reach the old town from the Silom side.
Cross-river ferries connect Tha Tien pier, near Wat Pho, with Wat Arun. If you plan to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in one morning, combine the MRT to Sanam Chai or the boat with a ferry hop. Dress for temples. See Thailand temple etiquette.
Many evening dinner cruises leave from ICONSIAM, which has its own BTS Gold Line station, and Asiatique, reached by free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier. Before booking a Chao Phraya Princess, Meridian or White Orchid cruise, check the departure pier on the product page and plan the trip there by rail and boat.
When to use Grab or a taxi
- Door to door with shopping bags
- Destinations far from a station, which is common in the old town and along the river
- Late at night after the trains stop, which is around midnight
- Groups of three or four, where the per-person cost evens out
Taxis should use the meter. Ask before getting in.
When a private transfer makes more sense
- Airport runs with luggage
- Out-of-city trips: Bangkok hotel to Pattaya hotel, Bangkok hotel to Safari World, Bangkok hotel to Dream World
- Early morning departures when you do not want to wait for a ride
For airports, see Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok hotel and Bangkok hotel to Suvarnabhumi. The private transfer vs taxi guide compares the options.
Using rail for sightseeing
Places easily reached by BTS or MRT:
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT
- Jim Thompson House: National Stadium BTS
- Lumphini Park: Sala Daeng BTS or Lumphini/Silom MRT
- Siam malls and SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World: Siam BTS
- Chinatown: Wat Mangkon MRT
- Wat Pho and the old town: Sanam Chai MRT
- Mahanakhon SkyWalk: Chong Nonsi BTS
For something more structured, the Bangkok hop on hop off bus 24-hour pass links many sights on a single ticket, and the Thai bus food tour does the travel for you.
Common mistakes
- Using a BTS single-journey card at an MRT gate, or the other way around
- Expecting trains to run all night
- Taking a bulky suitcase on the BTS at rush hour
- Going to the wrong pier for a dinner cruise
FAQ
Is the BTS safe?
Yes. Usual city precautions apply in crowds.
Can I use one card for everything?
Not reliably yet. Check the gates at your stations.
How do I get to the Grand Palace by train?
MRT to Sanam Chai, then walk, or BTS to Saphan Taksin and a boat upstream.