This guide is only a summary of important and useful Bangkok bus services and information. It covers the different types of buses and how to identify them and which routes are useful to know. Also covered is multi mode traffic beating options for some areas.
The different types of buses used in the Bangkok bus system and what they look like in terms of the average passenger.
This is a BMTA non air conditioned ordinary red bus. These cost 7 baht per trip regardless of distance. They come in 2 forms normal route and expressway route. The Expressway route has a yellow sign in the front window the normal ones don’t.
This is a BMTA non air conditioned white with green band ordinary bus. These cost 8 baht per trip. These buses only operate on normal routes in the Thonburi area of Bangkok.
This is a BMTA ordinary blue with green band air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 11baht to 19 baht a trip. You need to tell the ticket lady where you want to get off. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).
This is a BMTA EURO 2 orange air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 12 to 22 baht per trip. You need to tell the ticket lady where you want to get off. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).
This is a private white with yellow band non air conditioned bus. These cost 8.5baht per trip regardless of distance. There are also some expressway (yellow sign) versions of these white buses that cost 10.5baht per trip.
This is a private blue with yellow band air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 12 to 24 baht per trip. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).
This is a private green non air conditioned mini bus. These cost 7.5 baht per trip regardless of distance. These only operate on normal routes. They are only recommended for short trips.
This is an expressway bus note carefully the yellow sign in the window all buses that have expressway versions of their route will display a yellow sign. A lot of expressway routes also share route number with a normal route. So you should always check for these yellow signs.
This is a bus displaying a red background sign or a white background with red text sign any bus can display these signs. The red signs indicate the bus will terminate before the end of the route. They are very rarely displayed in English. If possible ask someone on the bus if it goes to your stop otherwise let that bus go and wait for another bus of the same route number. Always check for these red signs before boarding.
While the bus system of Bangkok is cheap to use it is quite slow with average peak hour trips of 30 km taking around 2 hours to complete and off peak times of between 60 and 90 minutes to most areas even with the use of BTS and MRT. If using this information to travel to and from the airports or major bus terminals please allow at least 3 hours before flight check in time for travel at peak and 2 hours off peak.
Note: Peak hour in Bangkok is 6am to 10am and 3pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. Also bus frequencies listed can often be reduced due to very heavy traffic. I.e. 2 or 3 buses come at same time.
This next section is a list of useful bus routes to different major destinations in and around Bangkok.
Southern Bus Terminal:
The following are different bus services from Southern Bus Terminal to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.
If heading to Khao Sarn rd, Petchaburi rd, Central World or Sukhumvit rd. Take Route 511 (24 hour normal route) Every 5 mins.
If heading to Sanam Luang, Chinatown, Hualamphong SRT station, Rama 4 Silom, Lumpini Park or Klong Toei. Take route 507 (4.10am to 10pm Normal route) Every 10 mins.
If heading to Mochit 2 bus terminal. Take route 170 (5am to 10pm). Every 10 to 15 mins.
If heading to Victory Monument. Take route 515 (4.30am to 11pm). Every 10 to 15 mins.
If heading to closest BTS station. Take route 79 (4.30am to 11pm) to Ratchathewi BTS station Every 10 mins.
If heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Take route 556 (Expressway 24 hour) Every 20 to 30 mins.
If heading to Don Mueang Airport: Take Bus 515 (4.30am to 11pm) Every 10 mins to Victory Monument then take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) or Route 29 Normal route (3.45am to 10.30pm) Every 2 to 5 mins.
Hualamphong SRT railway station:
The following are different bus services from Hualamphong SRT station to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.
If heading to MBK, Siam Sukhumvit road. Take these buses. Route 501 (24 hours) Every 15 to 20 mins. OR Route 40 (4am to 11pm) Every 10 mins. OR Route 25 (24 hours Normal route) every 10 to 15 mins. A BTS/MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).
If heading to Victory Monument. Take these buses Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins. Or Route 34 (24 hour normal route) Every 15 mins. A BTS and MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).
If heading to Silom Rama 4 Rd Lumpini Klong Toei. Take Route 507 (4.10am to 10pm normal route) Every 10 mins. OR route 4 (24 hour) Every 5 mins. OR Route 109 (4am to 10pm). A MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).
If heading to Mochit 2: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) every 10 to 15 mins.
If heading to Chinatown: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) OR route 7 (24 hours every 5 mins.
If heading to Petchaburi road: Take Route 113 (24 hour) every 2 to 5 mins.
If heading to Khao San rd: Take Route 113 (24 hour every 2 to 5 mins) to Petchaburi road then take Route 511 (24 hour Normal route Every 5 mins).
If heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins to Victory Monument then take route 551 (24 hours every 10 to 15mins) To Suvarnabhumi Airport.
If heading to Don Mueang Airport: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins.
Mochit 2 Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal):
The following are different bus services from Mochit 2 to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.
If heading to Hualamphong SRT station: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) every 10 to 15 mins.
If heading to Khao San Rd: Take Route 3 (24 hours) every 10 to 15 mins.
If heading to Mochit BTS station: Take Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins.
If heading to Sukhumvit rd: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm every 5 to 10 mins) to Central World then take Route 511 Normal route (24 hours every 2 to 5 mins) to Sukhumvit road. A faster option is via BTS from Mochit BTS station see above.
If heading to Rama 4 OR Silom: Take route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins OR Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins to Mochit BTS then BTS to Silom area.
If heading to Victory Monument: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins.
Suvarnabhumi Airport:
For details on Bus services to Suvarnabhumi Airport visit the following link:
http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/04/buses-of-suvarnabhumi-airport-and.html
Don Mueang Airport:
If heading to Hualamphong station: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins.
If heading to Mochit 2 bus terminal: Take Route 145 (24 hour every 5 to 10 mins) to Mochit BTS station then take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins).
If heading to Silom/Rama 4: Take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) to Victory Monument. Then take Route 77 (2am to 11pm every 5 to 10 mins).
If heading to Sukhumvit road: Take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) to Victory Monument then take Route 513 (3.30am to 9pm every 15 to 20 mins) to Sukhumvit. A faster option is to take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins) to Mochit BTS then BTS to Sukhumvit.
If heading to Khao San road: Take Route 59 (24 hour every 10 mins).
If heading to nearest BTS station: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins) To Mochit BTS.
Wong Wien Yai SRT station:
If heading to Khao San road: Take Route 82 (24 hour) every 2 to 5 mins.
If heading to Sukhumvit road: Take Route 529 (4.30am to 10pm normal route every 10 to 15 mins). To MBK then take Route 40 (4am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins)
If heading to Silom: Take Route 529 (4.30am to 10pm normal route every 10 to 15 mins) to Rama 4/Hualamphong. Then take route 4 (24 hours every 5 mins).
If heading to Hualamphong SRT station: Take Route 85 (5am to 9pm every 10 mins).
If heading to MBK/Siam: Take Route 21 (4.20am to 11pm every 10 to 15 mins)
If heading to Nearest BTS station: Take Route 173 (5am to 10pm every 15 to 20 mins) to Surasak BTS station. OR walk about 300 meters and cross Latya road and take Route 149 (5am to 10pm every 10 to 15 mins) to Surasak BTS.
Intercity Bus Terminal Departure Information
Mochit 2: (Level 1)
Buses to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Mae Sot, Sukhothai, Utradit, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Ayuthaya, Ang Tong, Singburi and Aranyaprathet.
Mochit 2: (Level 3)
Buses to Saraburi, Korat, Pak thong, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Kalasin, Buriram, Surin, Si Saket, Ubon Rathchathani, Mukdahan and Loei.
Eastern Bus Terminal:
Buses to Chachonengsao, Chonburi, Pattaya, Sattahip, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
NOTE: If coming from Suvarnabhumi Airport check for buses to these destinations at the Suvarnabhumi bus terminal before heading to Eastern Bus Terminal. It will save you over 2 hours if there is a bus from Suvarnabhumi airport.
Southern Bus Terminal:
Buses to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (Maeklong), Kanchaburi, Cha am, Hua Hin, Petchburi, Prachup Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ko Sumui, Ranong, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phangnga, Phuket, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Hat Yai, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
This section of bus service information cover commonly visited areas in the middle and outer suburban areas of Bangkok. These area are less visited by tourists but are often used by expatiates and business visitors.
All of the listed routes below are based on quickest full time bus route direct to the BTS or MRT system. Not direct bus service to and from inner Bangkok. This is due heavy traffic in most inner city areas of Bangkok using the MRT or BTS to start with helps to keep traveling times reasonable.
If your destination is along a major road quite often there will be a number routes operating along that road therefore creating an every 30 second bus service. For example if you travel from Hualamphong SRT station to MBK there are 7 bus routes operating.
Paknam/Samrong/Bangna area:
If heading to Paknam. Take the BTS to Onnut station then take Bus Routes 25,507,511,544 or 508 towards Paknam.
BITEC convention centre:
If heading to BITEC convention centre. Take the BTS to Onnut station then take Bus routes 507,511,544,2,25 or 508 towards Bangna/BITEC.
Ramkamheng University:
If heading to Ramkhamhaeng University. Take the BTS to Phra Khanong station then take Bus route 71 and 501.
Traffic free option: Take BTS to Ratchathewi station walk about 300 meters to Klong Saen Saep and take direct boat service to Ramkhamhaeng University.
Minburi:
If heading to Minburi. Take the MRT to Petchaburi station then take Bus Route 58, 60 or 113.
A faster option: Take BTS to Ratchathewi station walk about 300 meters to Klong Saen Saep and take boat service to Wat Sriboonreung then take motorbike taxi to main road then take bus routes 58,113, 514,173,519.
Bang Kapi:
If heading to Bang Kapi: Take the MRT to Petchaburi station then take Bus routes 58,60,93,99.
Traffic free option: Take MRT to Petchaburi station then exit to the south side and walk to Klong Saen Saep and take direct boat service to Bang Kapi.
Bang Khen/Kasetsart University:
If heading to Bang Khen or Ngam Wong Wan (Nonthaburi): Take BTS to Victory Monument station and then take Bus route 522 from the north west side of Victory Monument.
Rangsit:
If heading to Rangsit: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 538 from North eastern side of Victory Monument.
Traffic free option: Take MRT to Bang Sue station then take SRT train on the main north line towards Rangsit. Note departs from the north bang sue station. At Rangsit bus connections are a 600 metre walk from the station entrance under the highway bridge.
Rama 2:
If heading to Rama 2 area: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus Route 140 expressway OR Route 529 expressway.
Faster Route: Take BTS to Wong Wain Yai BTS station then take Bus routes 76 or 105 to Rama 2 road.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong then take Bus Routes 76, 147, 169, 105, 68 to Rama 2 road. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Mahachai city:
If heading to Mahachai city: Take BTS to Wong Wain Yai station then take Bus Route 76 or 105 to Central Rama 2 then take aircon route 68 to Mahachai city.
Mostly rail option: Take BTS to Wong Wain Yai BTS station then take Walk (15 mins) or Take motor taxi (20 baht) to Wong Wain Yai SRT station then take SRT train to Mahachai station.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong then take Bus Route aircon 68 to Mahachai city. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Bang Khae:
If heading to Bang Khae: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 509 from south west side of Victory monument.
Faster option: Take BTS to Wong Wian Yai station then take Bus route 84 from under the station.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station the take Phet Kasem 20 Klong Boat service to end of the line then take bus route 171,509,7,80,84,547,157. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Dao Khanong:
If heading to Dao Khanong. Take BTS to Wong Wian Yai Station then take Bus route 76.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Srinagarinda Road/Seacon shopping centre:
If heading to Srinagarinda road or Seacon: Take BTS to Phra Khanong Station then take Bus 133.
Low traffic option: Take BTS to Phra Khanong station then take Bus route 511,2,25,508 one stop to Talat Phra Khanong then walk about 300 meters to Klong Phra Khanong then take Boat service to Srinagarinda road then take bus route 145 to Seacon. This is really only worth doing at peak hour due to amount of transfers.
Nonthaburi Town:
If heading to Nonthaburi town. Take MRT to Bang Sue station then take Bus routes 97 OR 65 to Nonthaburi. Note check route direction at Bang Sue as both directions depart from same stop!
Traffic free option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Nonthaburi Peir N30.
Pak Kret/Ko kret:
If heading to Pak Kret or Ko Kret: Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument.
Traffic free option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Pak Kret Peir. Note: This boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Taling Chan Floating Market:
If heading to Taling Chan Floating market: Take BTS to Ratchathewi then take Bus route 79 from inbound side to Tailing Chan Floating Market.
Puttha Monthon:
If heading to Puttha Monthon Sai 4. Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 539 from south west side of Victory Monument.
Sanam Luang and Khao San Road:
If heading to Sanam Luang or Khao San Road area. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Route 59. OR take BTS Siam station then take Bus route 79 to Sanam Luang departs from paragon side.
Phrapradaeng:
If heading to Phrapradaeng. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 140 Expressway OR Bus route 529 Expressway to Kilometer 9 then take Bus route 82.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Then take Bus route 82. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Phra Samut Chedi:
If heading to Phra Samut Chedi. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 140 Expressway OR Bus route 529 Expressway to Kilometer 9 then take Bus route 20.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Then take aircon bus route 20. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.
Faster option: Take BTS to Wong Wain Yai then take bus 76 until Dao Khanong Big C then take aircon route 20.
IMPACT Arena/Mueang Tong Thani:
If heading to IMPACT Arena or Mueang Tong Thani: Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument.
Chaeng Watthana Road:
If heading to Chaeng Watthana road. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument to 1st bus stop after leaving expressway then cross the road and take Bus routes 150 or 356 or 52 eastwards along Chaeng Watthana road.
Rail option: Take MRT to Bang sue station then take SRT from bang sue north station to Lak Si station. Then walk westward about 400 meters along Chaeng Watthana road and take Bus routes 150, 356 or 52 from there. Note: SRTs main north line frequency is quite low outside of peak times so check timetable beforehand.
Din Daeng/Labour Ministry:
If heading to Din Daeng. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 12 from north eastern side of victory monument.
Thai Immigration Office (Chaeng Wattana):
If you’re heading on that hideous trip to extend you visa at Immigration. Take BTS to Mochit station then take bus 52 towards Pak Kret or take an express van from near the station on the northbound side of the road. Get down at the government complex on Chaeng Wattana road. The immigration office is in Building B about 500 meters from the road.
Sathorn Road:
If heading to Sathorn area. Take MRT to Lumpini station then take Bus routes 62 or 17.
Lat Phrao Road:
If heading to Lat Phrao road. Take MRT to Lat Phrao station then take Bus routes 8, 145, 44, 96, 122, 502, 545, 27 or 92.
Bang Bua Thong and Bang Yai Night Market:
If heading to Bang Bua Thong or Bang Yai Night Market. Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 515 from south west side of victory monument and then get off at southern bus terminal and take Bus route 516 from the stop at the front of the Bus terminal.
OR
Take BTS to Mochit station. Then take Bus routes 77 or 145 to Mochit 2 and take Bus route 134 to Bang Bua Thong.
Ram Inthra Road:
If heading to Ram Inthra road. Take MRT to Phahon Yothin station then take Bus route 26 towards Ram Inthra road.
Peak hour option: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 26 Expressway from north west side of victory monument. This peak hour option only covers Ram Inthra road from Soi 34 to Minburi town.
Thonburi SRT Railway Station:
If heading to Thonburi SRT railway station. Take BTS to Surasak station then take Bus route 149 or 177 to Phran Nok rd then take Motobike taxi (10 baht) to Thonburi station.
Faster route: Take BTS to Wong Wien Yai then take bus 120 or 105 until Robertsons Shopping Centre Wong Wien Yai then walk around to the north bound exit of the traffic circle then take a Truck bus with a purple sign that states Siriraj and get down at the station.
If coming to Thonburi SRT station from Khao San road. Take Bus route 157 to Phran Nok rd then take Motobike taxi (10 baht) to Thonburi station.
If coming to Thonburi SRT station from Hualamphong SRT Station. Take Bus route 40 (departs Rama 4 road) to Phran Nok rd then take Motobike taxi (10 baht) to Thonburi station.
Eastern Bus Terminal (Buses for Pattaya, Chonburi, Rayong):
If heading to Eastern Bus terminal. Take BTS to Ekkamai Station and walk about 100 meters to the bus terminal.
If coming to Eastern Bus terminal from Khao San road. Take Bus route 511 (normal) or Bus route 2 (Normal).
If coming to Eastern Bus terminal from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Take Bus route 552 directly to eastern bus terminal. For a faster trip take Bus route 552 to Onnut BTS station then take BTS to Ekkamai station.
While this bus guide covers most areas of Bangkok it is not complete. If your are going to be in Bangkok for a long time or will be using the bus system a lot then I recommend purchasing the following map and bus guide.
“Bus Routes & Map 5th edition by Bangkok Guide”. This is available for 50 baht in Thai, English, Japanese and Chinese from Asia Books, B2S and SE-ED bookshops in most major shopping centres in Bangkok.
I hope this bus route and destination guide for Bangkok’s mass transport bus system is helpful for you if you have any questions or need help on how to get to somewhere not listed in this guide Please leave a comment below or post a comment in my forum section.
This bus guide is also kept on the Thai Mass Transport Systems website at
http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/04/summary-bus-guide-to-bangkoks-mass.html
19 comments:
Hello,
my husband and I are going to Thailand next week so I started to plan our trip, finding useful info... but finding your blog about thai mass transport systems was like a shock! this website is awsome!!! It helped me lot while planning our thai holidays and that is why I want to thank You for it and send kind regards from Poland :)
there are so many informations on your blog that I would like to ask You for help if You don't mind :)
1. How to get from Hotel Pinnacle Lumpinee (17 Soi Ngam Duphli, Rama 4 Road, Sathorn) to Bangkok South Terminal to catch early (about 6.30am) bus to Kanchanaburi? which bus?
2. How to get from Khao San Road to BKK South Terminal to catch a bus to Ayuthaya in the morning? which bus?
3. Is there a bag deposit at South Terminal to leave our backpacks for few hours? Does it work 24h?
4. Which bus should we take from Suv.Airport to Mochit station?
I would be very grateful if You could answer any of these questions!
Best regards,
Aleksandra Mickielewicz
hello,
i would like to go to the market pak klong talad using public transportation. i live on soi langsuan near central chitlom department store and lumpini park.
would you know the best way to get there?
thanks for your help, si
WOW your scarring me now... All these buses and colours to remember. I'm arriving by ship at Laem Chabang, and want to get into Bangkok for an over night at Babalon and then do the return trip the next afternoon to catch our ship. I see from wiki http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok "Frequent first and second class bus services directly connect Laem Chabang with Ekamai (Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal, on Sukhumvit);"'
I was wanting a link for bus time schedules - or should I just wait?
Any other suggestions would be much appriciated. Really interesting site - Love the vbideos - Thanks (:=>>>
WOW your scarring me now... All these buses and colours to remember. I'm arriving by ship at Laem Chabang, and want to get into Bangkok for an over night at Babalon and then do the return trip the next afternoon to catch our ship. I see from wiki http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok "Frequent first and second class bus services directly connect Laem Chabang with Ekamai (Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal, on Sukhumvit);"'
I was wanting a link for bus time schedules - or should I just wait?
Any other suggestions would be much appriciated. Really interesting site - Love the vbideos - Thanks (:=>>>
Laem Chabang is an industrial deep water port about 150 km from central bangkok. There are buses from Laem Chabang to Bangkok. To actually get from the port complex you would need to take a truck bus to the main highway (sukhumvit road) and take a bus from there. There might be a bus stop in front of the Laem Chabang Port office with buses direct to Ekkamai in bangkok.
The buses run every 60 mins. on the main road they run every 10 mins. The trip will take around 3 hours one way.
There is no fixed bus timetable but services normally start around 5am and run to 8 or 9pm 7 days a week.
Watch out for Mochit 2 and Sai Tai Mai buses though as these operate to outer suburban bus terminals in bangkok.
The bag deposit at southern bus terminal operates from 6am to 10pm 7 days a week. Not sure if a bag can be left overnight.
This is AMAZINGLY helpful! Thank you so much!
Very comprehensive. But I'd like to add some useful tips not yet covered.
Firstly, I would avoid the routes from On Nut if possible (at least until the extension to Baring Road is completed).
Try to stick to the expressway buses that veer off from/to Bangna. So 536 goes to Victory Monument, 102 goes to the 'Port' (Tha Reua) and Central Rama 3, 129 goes up Viphawadi/Rangsit Road and past Central Lad Phrao,the 507 goes to Hua Lamphong, etc.
The 511 is quite a good route as it goes all the way from Paknam to just past Khaosan Road (Pinklao Bridge). But it gets on the expressway at Sukhumvit Soi 62 (just BEFORE On Nut), or it goes right on down Sukhumvit, past Central World. Best to use during off-peak hours. It's 24/7, but only once an hour afte midnight.
The 145 is also another useful bus, also going from Paknam, via Srinikarin Road (Seacon Square) and Bangkapi, along Ladprao Road, past Mo Chit station at Chatujak, and the Northern bus terminal.
Use these expressway buses to get you closer to your destination and/or a BTS/MRT station. Make sure they have the YELLOW SIGNS, otherwise you'll end up going the slow way. And, remember, they don't operate at all hours (many express buses stop at 10pm, incl. he 129) and sometimes the express routes only operate during peak-ish hours.
The 129 is quite useful for connecting with the skytrain. The stop just outside St Joseph's University is about 5 minutes walk from Mo Chit BTS! Or you can connect to Rangsit with the 504 (coming from Silom Road).
The other thing to keep in mind is that there are many minivans (Rot Too) that are as cheap and often quicker than the buses, coz they take the expressway and don't usually stop at bus stops if full.
The old-style vans are smelly and possibly dangerous. I prefer the newer high-roofed white vans that can seat 15-18 passengers.
Victory Monument is a good hub, as well as along Viphawadi Road, Pakret, Impact Exhibition Center, Banga Trad, almost everywhere. I haven't seen an official route guide, so you kinda have to get to know what's available by asking around.
Some vans go far. From Victory Monument, you can get a van to Hua Hin for 150 baht. But I prefer the big buses for these longer trips - at least you can get up and stretch your legs...
BTW, there are many airport buses and vans. The special airport limousines are expensive (150 baht pax). A taxi for two won't cost more than 300 baht anyway.
There are regular buses going to the airport, costing only 30 baht. They go to the bus terminus, and then you take the shuttle bus (as explained in a post elsewhere on this blog).
Sometimes it is quicker to use Suwanapum as a kind of hub than to use a more direct, regular service. A quick bus to the airport then a quick bus out to your final destination. It's the distance that matters, but how much traffic is on the road.
Remember, that some buses are occasionally replaced by minivans. I onced waited for 2 hours for a 552A bus, only to realize much later that there were 552A vans leaving every 20 minutes.
There's also a new kid on the block. Premier Metro buses. Check out their website for details and a route map: www.premiermetrobus.co.th
Expressways are great! But they are just as bad as the regular roads in the mornings from 7-9am. You can't even get off the bus! If you have to be somewhere early in the morning than try to cancel or postpone it. Otherwise, make sure you're on your bus at around 6am! And not later than 6.30am.
TT, you're a mine of info, thanks for your website...I live on Sai 4.
Can I get a 539 between 3am & 5am to Victory Mon.?
TIA
Route 539 probably starts around 4am from the outer terminus.
Thanks for a great website...Do you know what time the last bus of the evening departs from near Kho Shan Rd for bus 33 going to Pakkrett
Many thanksgra
my friends and i are going for a short vacation to bangkok. part of our trip is going to damneon saduak early in the morning and after that will proceed to samphran elephant ground and zoo. what transportation (bus or train) would we ride going to this attractions from silom where we would stay and back to silom? thank you.
Had I known all this information before going to Bangkok! Very useful and comprehensive guide!
What is the name of the company which operate the yellow colour Golden Dragon NGV bus?
Recently there are some yellow colour Mercedes air-con buses, are they from the same company?
Where can I find these yellow NGV and Mercedes buses in Bamgkok, around Victory Monument?
Thanks
Thanks for the information very much appreciated. Btw, are there any bus operated from Mo Chit 2 directly to Southern Bus Terminal? Many thanks before
Hello, thank you so much for all your comments about the transportation in Bangkok. I'll be there in the end of june and I'm looking for going to Damnoen Saduak Market. As we stay in Silom, do you think it will be easy to take the bus from Southern bus terminal? Could i buy the tickets the same day also if it will be very early? 6h30 a.m. Do you know the timetable?
thank you for your help,
Regards
alessia
Great guide.
My family and I live in Phuket, we will be arriving via overnight bus at the southern terminal at 6:30 in the morning on a Tues. We need to get to the US embassy...suggestions?
I am arriving at the southern bus terminal at 6:30 on a Tues. Need to get to the US embassy by 9:30...suggestions
Hello,
First congratulation for this blog which provides to tourist a lot of information and a first feeling about bus system in Thaland.
I've a specific question: I'm trying to go from Kanchanaburi to Sukhothai without going through Bangkok. I found out that it should be possible through Suphan Buri, but I cannot get any detail. Could you help ?
Best regards,
Thierry
Hello,
First congratulation for this blog which provides to tourist a lot of information and a first feeling about bus system in Thaland.
I've a specific question: I'm trying to go from Kanchanaburi to Sukhothai without going through Bangkok. I found out that it should be possible through Suphan Buri, but I cannot get any detail. Could you help ?
Best regards,
Thierry
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