Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [140]
The city’s new Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai; Map; 0 2435 1200; cnr Th Bromaratchachonanee & Th Phuttamonthon 1, Thonburi) lies quite far from the centre of Bangkok. Commonly called si âi mài, it’s among the more pleasant and orderly in the country. Besides serving as the departure point for all buses south of Bangkok, transport to Kanchanaburi and western Thailand also departs from here. To reach the station, take bus 503 from Th Phra Athit, or hop on a river-bound taxi at Th Ratchadamnoen.
Train
Bangkok’s Hualamphong station (Map; 0 2220 4334, general information & advance booking 1690; www.railway.co.th; Th Phra Ram IV; Metro Hualamphong) is the terminus for the main rail services to the south, north, northeast and east. Click here for information about train classes and services.
Bookings can be made in person at the advance booking office (just follow the signs; open from 8.30am to 4pm). The other ticket windows are for same-day purchases, mostly 3rd class. From 5am to 8.30am and 4pm to 11pm, advance bookings can also be made at windows 2 to 11. You can obtain a train timetable from the information window. Avoid smiling ‘information’ staff who try to direct all arrivals to a travel agency in the mezzanine level.
Hualamphong has the following services: shower room, mailing centre, luggage storage, cafes and food courts. To get to the station from Sukhumvit take the Metro to the Hualamphong stop. From western points (Banglamphu, Thewet), take bus 53.
Bangkok Noi station (Map; next to Siriraj Hospital, Thonburi) handles infrequent (and overpriced for foreigners) services to Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok. The station can be reached by river ferry to Tha Rot Fai. Tickets can be bought at the station.
GETTING AROUND
Although Bangkok’s rush-hour traffic is the stuff of nightmares, seemingly random acts of embouteillage can impede even the shortest trip, any day, any time. If it’s an option, going by river, canal or Skytrain is always the best choice; otherwise assume a 45-minute journey for most outings.
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To/From the Airport
At the time of writing there were still two functioning airports in Bangkok; the vast majority of flights are relegated to shiny new Suvarnabhumi, but some domestic flights still fly in and out of the old Don Muang Airport. If you need to transfer between the two, pencil in at least an hour, as the two airports are at polar opposite ends of town.
The following ground transport options are allowed to leave directly from the airport terminal to in-town destinations: metered taxis, hotel limousines, the airport express bus, private vehicles and private buses. If there are no metered taxis available kerbside or if the line is too long, you can take the airport shuttle to the taxi stand at the public transport centre.
The public transport centre is 3km from the airport terminal and includes a public bus terminal, metered taxi stand, car rental and long-term parking. A free airport shuttle running both an ordinary and express route connects the transport centre with the passenger terminals.
SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport Bus
Airport Express runs four useful routes between Suvarnabhumi and Bangkok. They operate from 5am to midnight and cost 150B, meaning a taxi will be a comparable price if there are two of you heading to central Bangkok, but slightly more expensive if you’re going to Banglamphu. The Airport Express counter is near entrance 8 on level 1. Routes stop at Skytrain stations, major hotels and other landmarks.
AE-1 to Silom (by expressway) Via Pratunam, Central World Plaza, Ratchadamri Skytrain, Lumphini Park, Th Sala Daeng, Patpong,