How to Get Around in Thailand: 3 Easy Ways Recommended
Pheakdey
Before I recommend a multi-country route, I check the connections first.
I’ve spent 8 years planning Indochina trips, and multi-country journeys make up much of my work. A badly timed flight, a rushed border crossing, or a hotel in the wrong part of town can affect more than one day.
Many recent client reviews mention the itineraries I designed. The questions they ask—about timing, transfers, and whether a route really works—often become the starting point for what I write.
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Thailand is easy to get around. The country isn't too big, and there are many options for cheap, fast, and comfortable travel. Domestic air routes are convenient and inexpensive, and cities offer everything from modern to quaint methods of transportation. Follow our recommendations, and you'll have no trouble getting around in Thailand.
Thailand's Well-Connected Transportation Network Makes Travel within the Country a Breeze.
The Most Recommended Way to Get Around Thailand Is Using the Grab App for Vehicles
The Most Budget-Friendly Way to Get Around Bangkok Is by Bus or Subway
The Most Budget-Friendly Way to Get Around Chiang Mai or the Islands Is by Tuk-Tuk
Thailand's Well-Connected Transportation Network Makes Travel within the Country a Breeze.
The star of Thailand's transportation network is the domestic air travel system. From Bangkok's two main airports, there are 50 daily flights to major destinations like Chiang Mai and Phuket, with tickets sometimes as cheap as 19 USD. Krabi, Trang, and Koh Samui are no more than 90 minutes away, and there are multiple flights to choose from.
For budget travelers or anyone wanting a view of countryside scenery, long-distance buses and trains are available. They're not the fastest way to get around, but tickets are very inexpensive.
A bus from Bangkok to Pattaya takes around 2.5 hours and costs 4-5 USD. 2nd class sleeper tickets for an air-conditioned train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok cost 31 USD. The route travels through amazing landscapes and takes around 12.5 hours.
The Most Recommended Way to Get Around Thailand Is Using the Grab App for Vehicles
In the cities and for day trip excursions, the Grab App is recommended for booking transportation.
Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Thailand and most of Southeast Asia. You can set it up before you leave and link your credit or debit card. Once in Thailand, use the app to find taxis or private cars, and be confident you'll never be overpaying for a ride.
We highly recommend booking a tour with a private vehicle for the most hassle-free experience. A local travel agency, like ours, will have a network of safe vehicles and professional drivers to take you door-to-door from the airport, hotel, and to popular attractions. A private car means you can set your own schedule and never have to worry about getting a ride.
Grab App is recommended for booking transportation in Thailand travelThe Most Budget-Friendly Way to Get Around Bangkok Is by Bus or Subway
Bangkok's bus and MRT Subway system are a convenient and budget-friendly way to get around the city.
The subway has two lines that run every day from 6 am until midnight. Trains run every 5-10 minutes, depending on the time of day, and connect to many popular attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and shopping centers like Siam Paragon and CentralWorld. Tickets cost from 15-50 Baht (0.45 to 1.6 USD).
Taking the bus is a truly authentic experience. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority covers more than 100 routes around the city, and as many as 3,000 buses can be in operation at any one time. You'll get a glimpse of the everyday life of ordinary residents. Tickets are usually between 8 and 12 Baht (0.22 and 0.33 USD).
Bangkok city travel busThe Most Budget-Friendly Way to Get Around Chiang Mai or the Islands Is by Tuk-Tuk
tuk-tuks are quaint three-wheeled vehicles that are a quintessentially Thai way to get around.
In Chiang Mai or on the islands, tuk-tuks are available everywhere. They are cheap, fast, and comfortable for short trips or day excursions. Traveling 1-2 km usually costs 50-80 Baht (1.4-2.2 USD), and longer trips rarely exceed 5 USD.
Day tours by tuk-tuk are a good way for an intimate experience of the landscapes. You'll always feel up close to nature with the open-air design. In Chiang Mai, a tuk-tuk day tour of city temples costs 120 USD for two people. Drivers know all the best spots and have to navigate traffic smoothly.
Take a lovely tuk-tuk in Chiang MaiIt's Easy to Travel from Bangkok to Any Other Tourist Destination in Thailand by Flight, Train, Bus, or Boat
As the capital and largest city, Bangkok has the most developed transportation system, connecting it to everywhere else in the country.
With two international airports, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport, it's easy to travel to and within Thailand by air. All long-distance trains originate from Hualamphong Station in Bangkok, and the city also has the busiest long-distance bus terminals.
Traveling by boat is a unique and scenic way to go to other popular destinations. From Bangkok, ferries are available to best islands in Thailand like Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Rong. It takes 11.5 hours to reach Koh Samui over the water. Ticket prices average 173 USD.
Tips for Traveling around Thailand Safely
1. Use common sense and don't get in any vehicle that you don't think is safe.
2. For taxis and tuk-tuk, you can negotiate the price in advance with the driver or choose a vehicle with the meter on.
3. Bag snatching is a risk when traveling by tuk-tuk. Put your bag in the middle or under your feet.
4. Have small change available for paying on city buses.
Conclusion
Getting around on your own in Thailand is easy with the many available options. Flights, subway, taxis, tuk-tuks, and ferries run frequently at affordable prices. Even easier is booking one of our Thailand tours with a private car and driver. We'll take you door-to-door wherever you want to go.
Contact us and our experienced travel consultants are on hand 24 hours a day to answer any questions and help you plan your dream tour.
Pheakdey
Before I recommend a multi-country route, I check the connections first.
I’ve spent 8 years planning Indochina trips, and multi-country journeys make up much of my work. A badly timed flight, a rushed border crossing, or a hotel in the wrong part of town can affect more than one day.
Many recent client reviews mention the itineraries I designed. The questions they ask—about timing, transfers, and whether a route really works—often become the starting point for what I write.
Email me about your travel idea
