Getting Around Thailand: Which Way to Go From Bangkok

Pick by destination. Pattaya is an easy THB 144 coach ride, Ayutthaya a THB 20 third-class train, and Chiang Mai is best by overnight train, with berths from THB 688. For Samui, fly: it takes 1 hour 10 minutes and fares start at THB 2,752. Book long train trips up to 90 days ahead.

Routes from Bangkok at a glance

Let the destination pick your transport: a coach or day train for the short hops, a night train for the north, and a plane plus a ferry for the islands. Here is the fastest option, a cheaper alternative and the published fare on each main route.

Each row has its own guide: Bangkok to Ayutthaya, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai by train, Koh Samui and Krabi. There are also guides for Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

Trains and SRT booking

For a long trip, book early: a ticket covering 60 percent or more of the train’s distance opens up to 90 days ahead. Shorter trips open 30 days ahead, and anything under 25 percent opens just 1 day before. The SRT D-Ticket guide walks through each screen.

Online sales close 3 hours before departure, and ordinary, commuter and local trains cannot be booked online at all. Book only a date you are sure about, since cancelling online carries a 70 percent fee.

Day trips by train or coach

For Ayutthaya, train 21 is quickest: it leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 06:10 and arrives at 06:58. Train 135 follows at 07:10 and arrives at 08:27. For Hua Hin, trains leave Hua Lamphong at 06:30 and Krung Thep Aphiwat at 07:30.

Kanchanaburi needs a check first. The line between Tha Kilen and Nam Tok closed from 28 September 2026 after floodwater rose at the Tham Krasae bridge, so confirm your stop is still served before you plan the River Kwai day.

For Pattaya, book your coach online, because seats are usually sold out at least 1 hour before departure. The airport coach is the cheapest at THB 135, against THB 144 from Ekkamai and THB 155 from Mo Chit 2. Each ride takes about 2 hours.

Domestic flights and baggage

Look at the bag allowance before the fare, because it decides the real price of a cheap ticket. Bangkok Airways includes 20 kg and Thai Airways one 23 kg piece, but a Thai Vietjet Eco fare has hand baggage only. Nok Air’s free allowance is 0, 15 or 25 kg, depending on the fare.

Pack power banks in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage. Each may hold up to 100 Wh, and the limit is two per passenger. The flights and baggage guide has prices for extra bags.

Samui and Krabi: flight, train or bus

For Samui, the quickest route is a direct Bangkok Airways flight, with fares from THB 2,752. On a tighter budget, fly Thai Lion Air from Don Mueang to Surat Thani for THB 1,110, then add a THB 550 ferry ticket.

For Krabi, the evening Thai Lion Air flight costs THB 1,110, and the Lignite overnight bus is cheaper still at THB 779 in Economy. The train takes you to Surat Thani, where you switch to a bus. See Bangkok to Koh Samui and Bangkok to Krabi for the full comparison.

Island ferries

From Samui to Koh Phangan, take Lomprayah’s 08:00 catamaran for THB 350, or save with the 11:00 ferry at THB 250. Raja Ferry from Donsak to Samui costs THB 200 for an adult and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. A car on Raja costs THB 640. Every operator is in the Samui, Phangan and Tao ferry guide, and the Donsak crossing has its own page, Surat Thani to Koh Samui by ferry.

Krabi to Phi Phi is a 2-hour crossing at THB 450. Check in at the pier 30 minutes before departure. More in Krabi to Koh Phi Phi ferry.

From the airports into Bangkok

Both airports have a rail link. At Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link runs from 05:30 to 24:00 and costs THB 15 to 45. At Don Mueang, the SRT Red Line to Krung Thep Aphiwat costs THB 33 for an adult. Taxis and buses are in Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok and Don Mueang to Bangkok.

Grab and Bolt

An app ride must show you the driver, quote the fare up front, track the car and let you ask for help. At Suvarnabhumi, Grab pick-up is at Passenger Terminal Level 1, Gate 4, and it operates 24 hours. Bolt’s spot can change, so check the app. To spot a legal car, see the Grab and Bolt guide.

Driving: permit, licence and fines

Carry your home driving licence together with an international driving permit. Driving without a licence carries up to 1 month in jail or a fine of up to THB 1,000, and motorcycles need a Thai motorcycle licence or a permit with a motorcycle endorsement. The international driving permit guide sets out the rules, and Thai driving licence for foreigners covers a Thai licence.

Know the fine ceilings before you ride: a missing helmet costs up to THB 2,000, and speeding or running a red light up to THB 4,000. A first drink-driving offence carries up to 1 year in prison or a fine of THB 5,000 to 20,000, or both. The traffic fines guide covers the rest.

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Not confirmed: Flight fares are sampled on single dates and move daily, so check the airline before you pay. SRT fares for Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi trains are not published on the timetable: ask at the station or call 1690.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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