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Getting Around Bangkok
Getting around can be easy or arduous depending on your mode of transport. It can also be cheap or expensive. If you want o see what life is like in Bangkok then you must learn to get around. This amazing city is worth discovering and it doesn't have to cost you the Earth.
Taxis
This is by far the most convenient way to travel in and around the city of Bangkok. If you look closely or not, you will realize that there are more taxis than any other form of transport. There are good reasons for this. Taxis are comfortable with air conditioning and surprisingly cheap if you go about your business in the right way. What most visitors do when staying on Khaosan Road is they tend to bargain with a taxi driver on the fare. This is completely wrong. The Taxi driver aims high, the tourist knocks a bit off and the taxi driver wins again and again. The golden rule when catching a taxi is" never get in a standing taxi". The reason is if the taxi driver needed the fare he would be out looking for one. Instead, he knows he can get a tourist for double or treble the price so he sits around waiting for an unsuspecting tourist.
The Thing to do is find the main road and flag one down just like you do in your home country. Then, get in you taxi, tell him where you want to go and he will turn on the meter and off you go. Whether you go the right way, who knows? Taxi fares are cheap compared to Western prices. I doubt the meter would ever go over 200 baht unless you are stuck in Bangkok's famous traffic. Getting downtown from Khaosan road is about 140 baht. After you get to know the "taxi system" then I am sure you will be happy enough to give the driver a nice tip.
Tuk Tuks
Tuk Tuks are an experience in themselves. They dodge in and out of the traffic like Go-karts. The drivers are usually fun though they bargain hard. The drivers are usually informative and know everything there is to know, good or bad. Labelled Bangkok's "Geezers of the Street" they can be a bit dodgy, as geezers are. After bargaining with your driver, make sure he is taking you to the place of your choice and not his. Some drivers try to push you into visiting certain places and establishments such as jewelry shops. Most will get a commission if any purchases are made by the visitor and the visitor usually ends up with something they don't want or isn't real. The rule is "if it's too good to be true then don't buy it". Tuk Tuks can be expensive or cheap depending on your haggling skills. They are something that you don't want to miss out on because they are a lot of fun especially after a few drinks with your friends. They are very convenient when there is a lot of traffic or you have a heavy load. It has been known to see a Tuk Tuks with as many as 7-8 people in and on it. Going to Khaosan Road and getting a Tuk Tuk around the area is one of the longest traveller's traditions known to man.
Motorbike Taxi Drivers
Motorbike Taxi Drivers can be found on almost every street corner sitting in the shade. They are a vital source of transport in Bangkok because of its' traffic problems. Getting to the front of the queue at traffic lights, riding along the pavement or through the side streets are their specialties. They know every nook and cranny in the city. If anyone can get you anywhere fast during rush hour, it's them. When you get a motorbike taxi there are a few things you should do. First, ask the price, if it's too much then ask them to come down to a reasonable amount though try not to be stingy. They are cheap and shouldn't cost over 40 baht if you are going somewhere locally. If you want to go to the city then maybe you'll pay over a 100 baht. Most drivers will give you the set price or add 10 baht on. For reputation, they have the best. Also, try and get yourself a helmet because you can be stopped and fined by the Police for not wearing a helmet. Next, always be careful of your knees in traffic especially if you are tall. You don't want to lose one. Even hitting one is a painful experience. Other than that, Motorbike Taxis are a great way to travel.
Buses
Could you or would you is the question. Could you find your way around and know which number bus and which bus stop to stand at or would you want to travel by bus if other means are cheap and less hassle. Travelling by bus is definitely the cheapest way to travel around Bangkok. They cost anywhere from 6 baht to 20 baht with 20 baht being a fully air conditioned bus. Though some of the cheaper buses are rocky and hot the more modern ones are comfortable with air conditioning. The more modern buses are as good as you will find in the West. To find your way around on a local bus you will need a timetable which can be found at any good travel agents. When getting on a bus make sure you are on the right one. The pronunciation of Thai is very difficult and most conductors are not familiar with English and may tell you to get off on the wrong stop. If you are leaving from the Khaosan Road area, it is best to ask someone before you get on if it is the right us for your destination. People there, will be a bit more familiar. Buses are a lot of fun and are good adventure around the city. They are also somewhat of a cultural experience as most Thais travel by bus to and from work. And know this, if you do get lost, you can always get a taxi back to Khaosan Road which is famous and known to all taxi drivers.
B.T.S
The B.T.S known as the Skytrain is the easiest way to travel around the inner city of Bangkok. It is in an elevated position so when you are travelling on it you can see for miles around the city. It passes major monuments and all business districts. Its' main central station where you can get a connection is Siam Station. It is cheap and you have to buy a ticket form the machine in the station. Check what number your station is from the map and punch it in the machine. It will display the cost and then you insert the money. Always make sure you have change, mostly in ten Bahts. The nearest B.T.S station to Khaosan Road is Ratchethewi station which is about 80-100 Baht in a taxi. Once at the station, you have access to everywhere in the city centre.
If you would like to go to Chatuchak, Siam Paragon, Central World, Victory Monument or Silom in one day then this is the best way to travel. It can get a little crowded but they are fully air conditioned and steady moving for those who have to stand. It also has stations that connect with the M.R.T (underground).
