DO NOT GET INTO A TAXI AT THE
AIRPORT UNLESS THE METER IS ON.
You will get ripped off. This has happened to everyone at least once.
Insist on meter rides only! From the airport it's about Baht200
to downtown and you pay Baht50 for the airport taxi service and
all tolls.
- Thai Airways Limo (safe, reliable) are avaliable
at Baht500 or Baht650 (1 way) at Tel. 0-2973-3191,
0-2973-3199.
- Julie's Taxis are also clean, safe and reliable.
Call her at 0-1846-2014.
- BKK Taxi Coop: 0-2880-0888 or call 1661.
These taxis will pick you up within 20 minutes of calling.
Service fee Baht20 + fare on meter. A good way to avoid
the hassle of bargaining.
By Train
Trains to airport (4:20am - 10:00pm). In the morning and evening they
depart every few minutes, getting less frequent in the afternoon, but the
wait is never longer than 30 minutes. Good luck calling
Hua Lampong Stn. for more details (Tel. 0-2223-3788-9). You can also
board at Samsen Station, north of the map.
Airport Bus
Cruises to and from downtown (Silom) to the airport for a reasonable
Baht150 (5am-10pm). Route includes Ratchadamri, up Ratchaprarop,
then on to the airport.
By Helicopter Ride
Just dream about being carried from the rooftop of your classy riverside
hotel to the airport. At Baht17,000 (minimum 3 persons, Peninsula Hotel,
Tel. 0-2861-2888), just keep dreaming...
Travel around BKK
Skytrain & Metro
Clean, fast and predictable! Mass transit is the best thing to happen
to Bangkok since Groovy Map! Baht10-40 one way fare. Buy a 1 BTS
tourist pass for unlimited rides. Now you can reach your destination
in minutes, as opposed to hours! Metro Fares are
from B 14-31. Both are open 5am to midnight with trains
running every 3-6 minutes.
Boats
Klong boat fares average Baht6-15, but longer routes cost more.
Boats don�t stop at every landing, so beg the fare collector.
Express boats going to Nonthaburi (1.5 hours) are a great way to see
the river without chartering your own. Best of all, traffic is minimal.
Note: Take the skytrain to Saphan Taksin Stn. and hop
on the river boats at Central Pier.
Buses
Buses are easy and frequent but the routes are chaotic- no one
can figure them out. For the few Baht savings, I don't know why people
take the non-air-conditioned bus
Trains
Trains to upcountry are romantic and punctual (by Thai standards,
not Japanese!) The service is excellent, the beds quite comfortable.
I recommend traveling second class, non-air-conditioned
(except in the hot season). Acquaint yourself with the dining car
for a cold beer and tasty meal on long rides.
|
