Flying is the most convenient mode
of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic
flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time.
A number of domestic carriers service a majority of large provincial
cities dotting generously across the country. Travel to neighboring
countries is cheaper when booked within Thailand. Train services
connect Bangkok to all regions of the country at reasonable prices.
A regular rail service also runs between Bangkok and Singapore
via Malaysia. Long distance coaches, both air-conditioned and
open-aired, connect all major cities.
At the local level, diverse forms of transportation are provided:
provincial buses, city buses, songthaews, tuk-tuks, rickshaws,
boats, and even rental cars.
International Travel
Air : With Bangkok serving as the international
travel hub of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port
for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights
from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights
may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand,
consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon
Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport
departure taxes for international departures costs 500 baht/person.
The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior
departure time.
International flights information
(662) 535-1254 (departures)
(662) 535-1301 (arrivals)
Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter Thailand
via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly
to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes
of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran
Holiday and New Year's Holiday.
Air : Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok
Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond
250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular
routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and
Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller
local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing
Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations.
Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only.
The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of the
Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for domestic
flight is one hour prior to departure time and closes half an
hour before flight time. Departure tax has already been added
to your ticket fare.
Domestic flights Information
(662) 535-1192 (departures)
(662) 535-1253 (arrivals)
Reservation / Ticket
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for
international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking
with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or
e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).
Buses : Inter-city bus services offer a fast means of
transport to all corners of the country. Air-conditioned buses
service many provincial areas and bookings for both regular and
tour coaches (private companies) can be made through major hotels
and travel agents, or at the following bus terminals:
Northern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel:
0-2936-2852-66 ext. 614
0-2936-3670
Eastern Bus Terminal : Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: 0-2391-6846,
0-2391-2504
Northeastern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel:
0-2936-2852-66 ext.605
0-2936-0657
Southern Bus Terminal : Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel:
0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199
Central Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel:
0-2936-2841-8 ext.311
0-2537-8055
The government bus company, called Bor Kor Sor (BKS), provides
the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being frequent
and reliable, no advance booking is necessary. Both air-conditioned
ones and open-aired ones stop almost everywhere along their route,
with the latter being the cheapest and slowest.
Trains : The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient
rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train
station) to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices
for express, fast and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern
routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station,
traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province in
the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.
On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes:
first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non
air-conditioned, but with fans).
Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the
Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at Tel : 0-2220-4444 |
