The BTS Sky Train, or in Thai ‘rot fai fah’, is without doubt the most efficient and reliable way to travel in Bangkok. It is fast, cheap and by having its own tracks 10m above regular streets there is no traffic jam. Opened in 1999, this transport option has revolutionized traveling in Bangkok. Trips that used to take up to an hour can now be completed within minutes. Even areas with the most notorious traffic jams can now be accessed in a short lap of time. The Sky Train covers many major business, shopping and entertainment locations but also residential areas with 2 lines – the Sukhumvit and Silom line. They are planning to expand the network and maybe introducing a new line. But those aren’t to be done until 2009. To date, there are 23 stations where the trains operate from 6am-midnight.
 

Unlike public buses in Thailand, the BTS Sky Train stops automatically at every station and announces its name before arriving. This is extremely useful for tourists as they don’t have to be worried to miss their stop.

Exploring Bangkok the easy way

The BTS Sky Train has several stations where an interchange with the MRT Metro is possible (view List of Stations below). This makes traveling and exploring Bangkok even easier as a bigger range of the area is covered. Unfortunately, the Sky Train ticket is not available for the Metro, thus a new ticket has to be purchased. Apart from covering the central city, BTS offers access to the Chao Praya River through Saphan Taksin station, enabling one to travel with the Chao Phraya Express Boat (BTS Sky Train partner) to Bangkok's most famous historical places, such as the Royal Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple, and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

Tickets can be purchased directly at the Saphan Taksin station at the service counter or from the ticketing machines. There are many other small private companies that offer similar tours. However, reliability concerning the price and service can not be guaranteed. Click for more information on the Chao Phraya River Express.

The Fare

For offering such a good, reliable and modern service, the BTS Sky Train is very cheap. Depending on how far your destination is the prices range from 15 to 40 Baht. Traveling a distance of over 30km, avoiding traffic jam in an air-conditioned and comfortable train with a beautiful ‘bird-view’ over Bangkok city for a maximum price of 40 Baht ($1,2 / 0,9 Euro) is an unbeatable service worldwide!

Gaysorn Plaza
Amarin Plaza
Central World Plaza
Central Chit Lom
Erawan Shrine
Pratunam Market (further transport required)

BTS Sky Train Map

Here is a map of the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line, covering a big part of Bangkok's major city locations. Stops marked with the MRT Metro logo are interchanges.

Saphan Taksin, the end stop of the Silom Line has a connection to the Chao Phraya Express Boat - a wonderful sightseeing tour on Thailand's longest river.