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admin · Site Admin Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 130

This guide is only a summary of important and useful Bangkok bus services and information. It covers the different types of buses and how to identify them and which routes are useful to know. Also covered is multi mode traffic beating options for some areas.

The different types of buses used in the Bangkok bus system and what they look like in terms of the average passenger.

This is a BMTA non air conditioned ordinary red bus. These cost 7 baht per trip regardless of distance. They come in 2 forms normal route and expressway route. The Expressway route has a yellow sign in the front window the normal ones don’t.

This is a BMTA non air conditioned white with green band ordinary bus. These cost 8 baht per trip. These buses only operate on normal routes in the Thonburi area of Bangkok.

This is a BMTA ordinary blue with green band air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 11baht to 19 baht a trip. You need to tell the ticket lady where you want to get off. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).

This is a BMTA EURO 2 orange air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 12 to 22 baht per trip. You need to tell the ticket lady where you want to get off. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).

This is a private white with yellow band non air conditioned bus. These cost 8.5baht per trip regardless of distance. There are also some expressway (yellow sign) versions of these white buses that cost 10.5baht per trip.

This is a private blue with yellow band air conditioned bus. These use a distance based fare that ranges from 12 to 24 baht per trip. These come in 2 types normal and expressway (yellow sign).

This is a private green non air conditioned mini bus. These cost 7.5 baht per trip regardless of distance. These only operate on normal routes. They are only recommended for short trips.

This is an expressway bus note carefully the yellow sign in the window all buses that have expressway versions of their route will display a yellow sign. A lot of expressway routes also share route number with a normal route. So you should always check for these yellow signs.

This is a bus displaying a red background sign or a white background with red text sign any bus can display these signs. The red signs indicate the bus will terminate before the end of the route. They are very rarely displayed in English. If possible ask someone on the bus if it goes to your stop otherwise let that bus go and wait for another bus of the same route number. Always check for these red signs before boarding.

While the bus system of Bangkok is cheap to use it is quite slow with average peak hour trips of 30 km taking around 2 hours to complete and off peak times of between 60 and 90 minutes to most areas even with the use of BTS and MRT. If using this information to travel to and from the airports or major bus terminals please allow at least 3 hours before flight check in time for travel at peak and 2 hours off peak.

Note: Peak hour in Bangkok is 6am to 10am and 3pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. Also bus frequencies listed can often be reduced due to very heavy traffic. I.e. 2 or 3 buses come at same time.

This next section is a list of useful bus routes to different major destinations in and around Bangkok.

Southern Bus Terminal:

The following are different bus services from Southern Bus Terminal to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.

If heading to Khao Sarn rd, Petchaburi rd, Central World or Sukhumvit rd. Take Route 511 (24 hour normal route) Every 5 mins.

If heading to Sanam Luang, Chinatown, Hualamphong SRT station, Rama 4 Silom, Lumpini Park or Klong Toei. Take route 507 (4.10am to 10pm Normal route) Every 10 mins.

If heading to Mochit 2 bus terminal. Take route 170 (5am to 10pm). Every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Victory Monument. Take route 515 (4.30am to 11pm). Every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to closest BTS station. Take route 79 (4.30am to 11pm) to Ratchathewi BTS station Every 10 mins.

If heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Take route 556 (Expressway 24 hour) Every 20 to 30 mins.

If heading to Don Mueang Airport: Take Bus 515 (4.30am to 11pm) Every 10 mins to Victory Monument then take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) or Route 29 Normal route (3.45am to 10.30pm) Every 2 to 5 mins.

Hualamphong SRT railway station:

The following are different bus services from Hualamphong SRT station to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.

If heading to MBK, Siam Sukhumvit road. Take these buses. Route 501 (24 hours) Every 15 to 20 mins. OR Route 40 (4am to 11pm) Every 10 mins. OR Route 25 (24 hours Normal route) every 10 to 15 mins. A BTS/MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).

If heading to Victory Monument. Take these buses Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins. Or Route 34 (24 hour normal route) Every 15 mins. A BTS and MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).

If heading to Silom Rama 4 Rd Lumpini Klong Toei. Take Route 507 (4.10am to 10pm normal route) Every 10 mins. OR route 4 (24 hour) Every 5 mins. OR Route 109 (4am to 10pm). A MRT route also exists (6am to 12am).

If heading to Mochit 2: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Chinatown: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) OR route 7 (24 hours every 5 mins.

If heading to Petchaburi road: Take Route 113 (24 hour) every 2 to 5 mins.

If heading to Khao San rd: Take Route 113 (24 hour every 2 to 5 mins) to Petchaburi road then take Route 511 (24 hour Normal route Every 5 mins).

If heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins to Victory Monument then take route 551 (24 hours every 10 to 15mins) To Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If heading to Don Mueang Airport: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins.

Mochit 2 Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal):

The following are different bus services from Mochit 2 to different major tourist areas of Bangkok.

If heading to Hualamphong SRT station: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Khao San Rd: Take Route 3 (24 hours) every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Mochit BTS station: Take Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins.

If heading to Sukhumvit rd: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm every 5 to 10 mins) to Central World then take Route 511 Normal route (24 hours every 2 to 5 mins) to Sukhumvit road. A faster option is via BTS from Mochit BTS station see above.

If heading to Rama 4 OR Silom: Take route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins OR Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins to Mochit BTS then BTS to Silom area.

If heading to Victory Monument: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins.

Suvarnabhumi Airport:

For details on Bus services to Suvarnabhumi Airport visit the following link:

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2...-of-suvarnabhumi-airport-and.html

Don Mueang Airport:

If heading to Hualamphong station: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route) Every 2 to 5 mins.

If heading to Mochit 2 bus terminal: Take Route 145 (24 hour every 5 to 10 mins) to Mochit BTS station then take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins).

If heading to Silom/Rama 4: Take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) to Victory Monument. Then take Route 77 (2am to 11pm every 5 to 10 mins).

If heading to Sukhumvit road: Take Route 538 (Expressway 4.30am to 9pm every 10 mins) to Victory Monument then take Route 513 (3.30am to 9pm every 15 to 20 mins) to Sukhumvit. A faster option is to take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins) to Mochit BTS then BTS to Sukhumvit.

If heading to Khao San road: Take Route 59 (24 hour every 10 mins).

If heading to nearest BTS station: Take Route 29 (3.45am to 10pm normal route every 2 to 5 mins) To Mochit BTS.

Wong Wien Yai SRT station:

If heading to Khao San road: Take Route 82 (24 hour) every 2 to 5 mins.

If heading to Sukhumvit road: Take Route 529 (4.30am to 10pm normal route every 10 to 15 mins). To MBK then take Route 40 (4am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins)

If heading to Silom: Take Route 529 (4.30am to 10pm normal route every 10 to 15 mins) to Rama 4/Hualamphong. Then take route 4 (24 hours every 5 mins).

If heading to Hualamphong SRT station: Take Route 85 (5am to 9pm every 10 mins).

If heading to MBK/Siam: Take Route 21 (4.20am to 11pm every 10 to 15 mins)

If heading to Nearest BTS station: Take Route 173 (5am to 10pm every 15 to 20 mins) to Surasak BTS station. OR walk about 300 meters and cross Latya road and take Route 149 (5am to 10pm every 10 to 15 mins) to Surasak BTS.

This section of bus service information cover commonly visited areas in the middle and outer suburban areas of Bangkok. These area are less visited by tourists but are often used by expatiates and business visitors.

All of the listed routes below are based on quickest full time bus route direct to the BTS or MRT system. Not direct bus service to and from inner Bangkok. This is due heavy traffic in most inner city areas of Bangkok using the MRT or BTS to start with helps to keep traveling times reasonable.

If your destination is along a major road quite often there will be a number routes operating along that road therefore creating an every 30 second bus service. For example if you travel from Hualamphong SRT station to MBK there are 7 bus routes operating.

Paknam/Samrong/Bangna area:

If heading to Paknam. Take the BTS to Onnut station then take Bus Routes 25,507,511,544 or 508 towards Paknam.

BITEC convention centre:

If heading to BITEC convention centre. Take the BTS to Onnut station then take Bus routes 507,511,544,2,25 or 508 towards Bangna/BITEC.

Ramkamheng University:

If heading to Ramkhamhaeng University. Take the BTS to Phra Khanong station then take Bus route 71 and 501.

Traffic free option: Take BTS to Ratchathewi station walk about 300 meters to Klong Saen Saep and take direct boat service to Ramkhamhaeng University.

Minburi:

If heading to Minburi. Take the MRT to Petchaburi station then take Bus Route 58, 60 or 113.

A faster option: Take BTS to Ratchathewi station walk about 300 meters to Klong Saen Saep and take boat service to Wat Sriboonreung then take motorbike taxi to main road then take bus routes 58,113, 514,173,519.

Bang Kapi:

If heading to Bang Kapi: Take the MRT to Petchaburi station then take Bus routes 58,60,93,99.

Traffic free option: Take MRT to Petchaburi station then exit to the south side and walk to Klong Saen Saep and take direct boat service to Bang Kapi.

Bang Khen/Kasetsart University:

If heading to Bang Khen or Ngam Wong Wan (Nonthaburi): Take BTS to Victory Monument station and then take Bus route 522 from the north west side of Victory Monument.

Rangsit:

If heading to Rangsit: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 538 from North eastern side of Victory Monument.

Traffic free option: Take MRT to Bang Sue station then take SRT train on the main north line towards Rangsit. Note departs from the north bang sue station. At Rangsit bus connections are a 600 metre walk from the station entrance under the highway bridge.

Rama 2:

If heading to Rama 2 area: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus Route 140 expressway OR Route 529 expressway.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong then take Bus Routes 76, 147, 169, 105, 68 to Rama 2 road. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Mahachai city:

If heading to Mahachai city: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 140 to Central Rama 2 then take aircond route 68 to Mahachai city.

Mostly rail option: Take BTS to Surasak station then take Bus route 173 to Wong Wain Yai SRT station then take SRT train to Mahachai station.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong then take Bus Route aircon 68 to Mahachai city. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Bang Khae:

If heading to Bang Khae: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 509 from south west side of Victory monument.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station the take Phet Kasem 20 Klong Boat service to end of the line then take bus route 171,509,7,80,84,547,157. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Dao Khanong:

If heading to Dao Khanong. Take BTS to Surasak Station then cross the side road near the station and take Bus route 76.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Srinagarinda Road/Seacon shopping centre:

If heading to Srinagarinda road or Seacon: Take BTS to Phra Khanong Station then take Bus 133.

Low traffic option: Take BTS to Phra Khanong station then take Bus route 511,2,25,508 one stop to Talat Phra Khanong then walk about 300 meters to Klong Phra Khanong then take Boat service to Srinagarinda road then take bus route 145 to Seacon. This is really only worth doing at peak hour due to amount of transfers.

Nonthaburi Town:

If heading to Nonthaburi town. Take MRT to Bang Sue station then take Bus routes 97 OR 65 to Nonthaburi. Note check route direction at Bang Sue as both directions depart from same stop!

Traffic free option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Nonthaburi Peir N30.

Pak Kret/Ko kret:

If heading to Pak Kret or Ko Kret: Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument.

Traffic free option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Chao Phraya Express Boat to Pak Kret Peir. Note: This boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Taling Chan Floating Market:

If heading to Taling Chan Floating market: Take BTS to Ratchathewi then take Bus route 79 from inbound side to Tailing Chan Floating Market.

Puttha Monthon:

If heading to Puttha Monthon Sai 4. Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 539 from south west side of Victory Monument.

Sanam Luang and Khao San Road:

If heading to Sanam Luang or Khao San Road area. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Route 59. OR take BTS Siam station then take Bus route 79 to Sanam Luang departs from paragon side.

Phrapradaeng:

If heading to Phrapradaeng. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 140 Expressway OR Bus route 529 Expressway to Kilometer 9 then take Bus route 82.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Then take Bus route 82. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

Phra Samut Chedi (Access point to roadless Phra Samut Chedi Lower):

If heading to Phra Samut Chedi. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 140 Expressway OR Bus route 529 Expressway to Kilometer 9 then take Bus route 20.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin station then take Dao Khanong Boat service to Dao Khanong. Then take bus route 20. Note: the boat only operates to Bangkok in morning and outbound in evening.

IMPACT Arena/Mueang Tong Thani:

If heading to IMPACT Arena or Mueang Tong Thani: Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument.

Chaeng Watthana Road:

If heading to Chaeng Watthana road. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus Route 166 from north west side of Victory Monument to 1st bus stop after leaving expressway then cross the road and take Bus routes 150 or 356 or 52 eastwards along Chaeng Watthana road.

Rail option: Take MRT to Bang sue station then take SRT from bang sue north station to Lak Si station. Then walk westward about 400 meters along Chaeng Watthana road and take Bus routes 150, 356 or 52 from there. Note: SRTs main north line frequency is quite low outside of peak times so check timetable beforehand.

Din Daeng/Labour Ministry:

If heading to Din Daeng. Take BTS to Victory Monument then take Bus route 12 from north eastern side of victory monument.

Thai Immigration Office (Sathorn):

If you’re heading on that hideous trip to extend you visa at Immigration. Then take MRT to Klong Toei station and then take Bus route 22 to the door of immigration.

Sathorn Road:

If heading to Sathorn area. Take MRT to Lumpini station then take Bus routes 62 or 17.

Lat Phrao Road:

If heading to Lat Phrao road. Take MRT to Lat Phrao station then take Bus routes 8, 145, 44, 96, 122, 502, 545, 27 or 92.

Bang Bua Thong and Bang Yai Night Market:

If heading to Bang Bua Thong or Bang Yai Night Market. Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 515 from south west side of victory monument and then get off at southern bus terminal and take Bus route 516 from the stop at the front of the Bus terminal.

OR

Take BTS to Mochit station. Then take Bus routes 77 or 145 to Mochit 2 and take Bus route 134 to Bang Bua Thong.

Ram Inthra Road:

If heading to Ram Inthra road. Take MRT to Phahon Yothin station then take Bus route 26 towards Ram Inthra road.

Peak hour option: Take BTS to Victory Monument station then take Bus route 26 Expressway from north west side of victory monument. This peak hour option only covers Ram Inthra road from Soi 34 to Minburi town.

While this bus guide covers most areas of Bangkok it is not complete. If your are going to be in Bangkok for a long time or will be using the bus system a lot then I recommend purchasing the following map and bus guide.

“Bus Routes & Map 5th edition by Bangkok Guide”. This is available for 50 baht in Thai, English, Japanese and Chinese from Asia Books, B2S and SE-ED bookshops in most major shopping centres in Bangkok.

I hope this bus route and destination guide for Bangkok’s mass transport bus system is helpful for you if you have any questions or need help on how to get to somewhere not listed in this guide Please leave a comment for me or post a comment on my forum section. Please visit: http://thaimelbournetransport.myf...ort_system_ask_here__about58.html

HamBearGer · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Singapore

Thanks for given a very good description of Bangkok buses. What about these buses? Are they BMTA?

admin · Site Admin Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 130

The 1st pic is a MERC O405 artic bus operated by BMTA on its 24hour bus route 511. The artics only operate on the normal version not expressway 511. Route 511 and route 145 are the only bus routes that still have artic buses on them. If i recall correctly these buses run on NGV.

The second pic is of a microbus now defunct. the company was taken over by a new company called Metro bus that no longer uses these older aircond buses. The have brand new 30 baht per trip aircond white buses.

HamBearGer · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Singapore

admin · Site Admin Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 130

The Ikarus artics used to operate on route 512 and 502 untill around 2006. They are not in service any longer. Not sure where they are stored currently there could be 30 different places around middle and outer bangkok where they might be.