One of the most interesting experiences when traveling is the experience of using public transport like a "local". Especially when you first come to a dynamic city like Bangkok, surely you should not miss the very modern designed train system here.
Electric trains are being used in Bangkok
In Bangkok, traffic conditions are complicated - traffic jams during rush hour are frequent. Therefore, the Thai government has developed a very modern train system to minimize this situation as well as help people and a large number of tourists travel more easily.
Currently, in Bangkok there are 3 types of tram: MRT, BTS (also known as Skytrain) and ARL (Airport Rail Link).
MRT - type of train that runs underground
MRT (subway) : This type of tram runs underground. MRT in Bangkok is only one route, running from Bang Sue station - north of the city (near Chatuchak weekend market) to Hua Lamphong station in the south (near Chinatown). Currently, MRT has more than 18 stations distributed throughout Bangkok.
This train stops at the following stations.
- Chatuchak Park Station : Near Chatuchak Market and bus route A1
- Thailand Cultural Center Station : Near the 3D Art in Paradise Bangkok museum.
- Phetchaburi Station : intersection of Express Line and City Line to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- Silom Station : Junction to the skytrain (BRT).
- Hua Lamphong Station : Near Chinatown (Chinatown).
Operating from 6:00 AM - midnight
Frequency: 5 minutes / trip (rush hour). 10 minutes / trip (off-peak hour).
Frequency: 5 minutes / trip (rush hour). 10 minutes / trip (off-peak hour).
BTS (Skytrain) , also known as the aerial train, this type of train is an elevated train. Including 2 main routes: Silom and Sukhumvit. Taking the BTS will have the advantage of having many stops, they are also near famous attractions and shopping.
- Operating hours: 6: 00Am - midnight
- There are 32 stations across the city.
BTS Skytrain aerial train
ARL (Airport Rail Link): This is the type of train from the airport to the city center. Train speed is extremely fast. Airport Rail Link operates from 6 am to midnight. Connect with Bangkok Skytrain (choose City Line) and Bangkok Subway Train (MRT) (choose Express). People often use this train to move from the airport to the center and then transfer the train to the destination.
Airport rail link to the city center with lightning speed - Airport Rail Link (ARL)
Buy a train ticket in Bangkok
To buy a train ticket in Bangkok, you can buy it directly with cash at the ticket counter or at vending machines. In addition, visitors can buy tickets / travel cards prepaid to save costs as instructed below.
Buy tram tickets in cash:
When buying a train ticket in Bangkok (BTS, MRT, ARL tickets), the buying way is the same, very simple. There are 2 common ways below:
Option 1 : Guests can buy odd tickets with cash at the ticket counter.
These counters are usually located right in front of the train line. Pay attention to which train tickets to buy, then go to that train counter. You say the station needs to go, the ticket clerk will tell you the money. After giving the money, the staff will give you a ticket for the train (maybe by coin or paper card).
Option 2 : Buy a ticket at a ticket vending machine
Buy a Bangkok train ticket at the ticket vending machine
At the ticket vending machine, there will be clear notes about the steps to buy tickets for visitors. You specify the station you want to visit, the machine will display the schedule, you compare with the number on the "Fare Information" price list . This will display the amount you need to pay.
- You click on box 1 the corresponding amount to pay.
- Insert the coin in box 2 (note the money must be equal to or more than the amount to be paid).
- The card will then be released in box 3.
- You get your change (if any) in box 4.
Money to buy tickets, you can use coins or banknotes. However, at vending machines, travelers should have their coins ready. The reason is that BTS ticket machines mainly accept coins, newer machines accept paper money. MRT ticket machines accept both coins and banknotes.
Types of train cards in Bangkok correspond to each type of train
Buy BTS one day Pass:
If you need frequent travel during the day, to save time and money, visitors can buy BTS One Day Pass tickets for BTS trains or Airport Rail Link train tickets (from Suvarnabhumi airport to Bangkok).
Currently these cards, you can buy in advance from Vietnam and pick up at the airport in Bangkok. BTS One Day Pass tickets are used for Skytrain, buy 1 ticket, then travel comfortably many times in 1 day.
Particularly for Airport Rail Link tickets - ARL Smart Pass tickets, after using up the money you can pay more money, no expiry date. After not using it can return and get back the deposit.
BTS one day Pass card to travel to BTS many times a day, cost savings
How to find the train route
To travel by train in Bangkok, visitors can use many applications to find the train route. However, according to the experience of the writer, it is still preferred to use Google Map.
How to find the train route with Google Map is quite easy. You only need to enter the name of the departure address and the destination. The map will display a series of suggestions. Click on the map of the location to suggest the tram (train icon). Soon the map will show one or more suggestions on how to go. Which is the most convenient, time-saving way, The train station closest to you will be ranked first. You just need to click on the suggestion that you will see the full instructions for which train, which route, from which station, how much time, where to walk to transfer the train, the expected train ticket cost. much.
In the picture below, an example is when finding the tram line to Chatuchak market, departing from the hostel Lub D Siam Bangkok.
Use Google Map to find train routes: departure points, destinations, travel directions
The application gives 2 train suggestions:
Detailed suggestions of tram lines
One is to depart from National Stadium Station, take the BTS Silom train to Siam Station, then get off. Here you take the BTS Sukhumvit line to go to Mochit station.
The second is to depart from Siam Station (walk from Lub D Siam hostel about 950m, take about 13 minutes), take the BTS Sukhumvit line to Mochit station. From Mochit station, you get off the train and walk about 300m to the market.
As such, I would choose suggestion 1 to save walking time. However, there are people who do not like to transfer trains many times, they can choose suggestion 2.
Take the train in Bangkok
Pass the gate:
For single ticket users, you will enter the train line and tuck the ticket into the slot at the locomotive. The door of the train line opens, you step through. The machine will release the card and return the ticket to you on the other side of the train line.
Please note that tickets should be kept (in paper or coins) during the train. This ticket will need to be returned to the train line when disembarking (repeat 1 time like boarding).
Go on the boat:
When boarding a train, be aware of standing on either side, giving way to people on board and then getting off.
Before boarding, must check whether you are ready to board this ship? To check, you can ask local people nearby, ask staff at the station, check on the map or look at the signs around the train station.
Embark:
Watch the notification loudspeaker or electronic board right above your head, at the exit. The train will often report the next stops.
After the train arrives at the station, wait for the train to stop before stepping out. Next go to the exit of the train line to insert the card again just like when you were about to leave. This time the train line door opens, you step out, the card will be swallowed automatically.
Note that when leaving the station, you should choose the door closest to where you need to go (usually when using the map to see, to avoid wasting time walking around, extremely feet).
The note when buying tickets and traveling by train in Bangkok:
- Should prepare small change to buy tickets for convenience
- Ticket machines: There will be machines that accept banknotes, some machines that only accept coins. Therefore, when preparing the coins, it will be better.
- For BTS, in case you need to travel several times a day, you should buy the One Day Pass.
- For ARL (train route from Suvarnabhumi airport to the city center), it is more economical to buy tickets in advance. Buy tickets in advance, do not have to wait in line to buy tickets (at peak time, waiting for a long time). In addition, if you bought this ticket first from Vietnam, when the ticket counter at the airport has a staff to assist you exchange vouchers for tickets very quickly.
- Each type of card used for a particular train, the MRT card is different from BTS and ARL so it cannot be used together. Note this to determine which train you take - which ticket to buy accordingly.
- The default language in automatic ticket machines is Thai, so you need to switch the setting to English before buying.