A (Ridiculously Biased) Ranking of Transportation in Thailand
Once you’re on the ground in Thailand, your transportation options abound (yes, I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it). I’ll just preface this post by saying each of these modes of transport have gotten me from Point A to Point B safely and in one piece, and I hope that trend continues. No hard feelings, Thai minivans (ok maybe a little).
- Tuk tuks- Perhaps rather outdated, perhaps rather impractical, but the most FUN. Not the safest, won’t save you any money, but you tell me the next time you’ll recline in a cart attached to a motorbike as you speed around the city. Be sure to take in the 180 degree views, and don’t be surprised if your driver starts bumping tunes. Tuk tuks are the ultimate Thai transport.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
- BTS- They don’t list the BTS as #2 on TripAdvisor’s list of “Top ten things to do in Bangkok” for nothin’. Transportation while checking something off the must-do list? What could be better? Safe, clean, (relatively) affordable, and you’ll beat the traffic.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
- VIP buses- You may think I’m crazy, but these VIP buses rock my socks off. I’m convinced there’s no better way to travel overnight for 10+ hours: there’s enough leg room, the seats recline expertly (and come equipped with pillows and blankets), and best of all, the bus stops almost every hour to feed you. Limitless (albeit questionable), buffet-style Thai food in hourly doses? Sign me up.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
- Public buses- I’ve become quite the bus expert over the past four months. This is your most affordable option by far (we’re talking nine baht for an hour ride). Don’t be too worried if the driver decides to kick everyone off unexpectedly in the middle of the highway—these suckers run almost as frequently as your marathon-training aunt and another one will be along shortly. Do be prepared for at least one smoke-filled breakdown.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
- Motorbike taxis- These might just belong higher on the list as they get you to where you need to go, and they get you there in record time (cue swerving in and out of Bangkok traffic). Don’t mind the fact that the drivers tend to have no regard for your life. Accept a helmet and hold on tight.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
- Taxis- Taxis are boring, and mostly I can’t afford them (#teacherproblems). BUT when I share a taxi with five of my friends (yes, this is too many people in one taxi), it’s hard to go wrong. The drivers (typically) know where they’re going, the A.C. (typically) works, and if there’s no traffic, you’ll get to where you need to be in no time at all. Expect to pay around 100 baht for a ten minute drive. Traffic? Forgaddaboutit. Take a motorbike instead.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆
- Water taxis- Even the name of these things sound fun. 14 baht and you can get from Saphan Taksin BTS to just about anywhere along the river. If you take a river taxi on the weekend, be prepared for mass amounts of people (and potentially having to stand), but enjoy the fresh air and the views of Bangkok from the river.
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆
- Songthaews- Does anyone even understand how these work? They run on set routes but what are these so-called “routes?” How do I know if I’m headed in the correct direction? Two rows of benches in the back of a pickup truck make up this eclectic, yet entirely unsafe mode of transport. Pay minimal amounts of money, suffer maximum bouts of stop-and-go induced nausea.
Rating: ⋆⋆
- Minivans- These vans shouldn’t be as horrible as they are, but alas. Pretend you’ve been smashed into the tightest corner possible, and not only that, but your corner smells bad, you can’t breathe, and you definitely can’t escape… that’s a Thai minivan. These things could make anyone cry. They’re a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the A.C. rarely works, and they always smell like farts. They have a knack for finding the largest traffic jams, and they induce horrible nausea. Trust me when I say: Take a bus.
Rating: ⋆
Transport in Thailand is far-from-standardized and entirely chaotic, but that sure makes navigating a whole lotta fun. When you can, negotiate your fares up-front, and always make sure those taxis turn on their meters.
Stay safe out there, friends! xx