Bangkok

Travel to Bangkok

Bangkok acts as one of Asia's most important air transport hubs. It is served by two international airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. The national carrier is Thai Airways International but British Airways, Quantas and EVA also fly direct to Bangkok from the UK - all with a flight time between 10 and 11 hours. If you're looking for cheap flights to Bangkok indirect flights may work out cheaper.

On arrival in Bangkok

Both airports are approximately 30 kilometres from the city centre. The best way to get to your hotel in Bangkok from the airport is by taxi; much faster and more comfortable that any other mode of transport. Be prepared to pay an extra 50 BHT airport charge and the expressway tolls. A few air conditioned buses, numbers 29, 510 and 513, run from the more popular Suvarnabhumi Airport into Banglamphu (city centre) not to mention the cheap Airport Express Bus, a popular choice with backpackers. The AE1 goes from Suvarnabhumi to Silom, the AE2 from Suvarnabhumi to Ko San Road, the AE3 from Suvarnabhumi to Sukhumvit and the AE4 from Suvarnabhumi to Hualamphong Station via Victory Monument.

Getting around Bangkok

Bangkok is notorious for traffic jams as the number of vehicles supersedes the road infrastructure. You can pick up car hire at Bangkok Airport, but this is better if you're planning to drive long distances across Thailand, as driving around Bangkok city centre is tricky for tourists. The most popular way to get around the city is by tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) or taxi. The fare for travelling by tuk-tuk is negotiable and it is highly recommended that you barter with the driver. Taxis should have meters installed and it is advisable that you ensure the meter is used to avoid paying over the odds.

The sky train (BTS) and subway (MRT) are other reliable forms of transport around Bangkok. The two services connect at Mo Chit, Asok and Sala Daeng.

A regular bus service operates from Bangkok to cities, provinces and destinations within the metropolitan area. Fares start at just 7BHT. They are run by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. There are a number of bus terminals so make sure you plan your journey thoroughly to ensure you don't get your journey mixed up. The Bangkok Bus Map is available to buy and is the most up to date resource for those wishing to travel by bus.

As Bangkok was built around the Chao Praya River and its waterways, the river ferry Chao Praya Express Boat is another option for getting around Bangkok. It has as many as 30 stops running to the north of the city and is a pleasant alternative to the chaos on the roads.

Travelling further afield

Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways are the two main low cost airlines operating from Thailand to neighbouring destinations such as Laos and Cambodia. Alternatively, long distance trains are available. Start from Hua Lamphong at the southern end of the MRT subway and connect on to destinations in Malaysia, Chaing Mai, Nong Khai and beyond to Laos.