Up until now, the only unorthodox Thailand travel I did, was crossing the Indian Ocean via ferry to reach Koi Li Pe from Satun pier of Hat Yai (extreme south of Thailand)! This time it was all about land travel. Thailand Public Transportation possibly being one of the best I have experienced in all my Southeast Asian travel, I was prepared to avail the other modes of transportation.

Despite trying to be as budgeted as possible, travel expenses tend to shoot up if not planned prudently. The best way to keep the expense in check is to keep the commute options open.

Our sojourn led us on 11-hour bus ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, then on a six-hour minivan ride from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, then an hour inside a yellow shared van from Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai and then a 15-hour bus drive back to Bangkok from Mae Hong Son.

And I am going to break down every part of the trip so that it can help you plan yours!

 

Types of Public Transportation at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok

It’s surprising how well-connected Bangkok Airport is with areas in and around Bangkok as well as to the rest of Thai provinces!

The different modes of transport available at the airport are:

• Shuttle Bus from Bangkok to Don Mueang Airport
• MRT
• Public Bus
• Taxis

 

How to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai

 

By Flight

In case you have a flight for Chiang Mai that leaves from Don Mueang Airport, there is a free shuttle bus that departs from level 2, right outside Gate 3.

Note that most of the Chiang Mai flights from Don Mueang Airport is scheduled either for early morning or late evening. On our first trip to Thailand, we took a flight to Chiang Mai and reached at around 9:15 pm, post which we had to haggle with the ride to reach our Airbnb.

 

By Bus

The Public Bus Service from 1st floor of Main Terminal Building (MTB) of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If you plan on taking a taxi or a cab, step to Level 4 where all the taxis are parked.

Once we landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, we went straight to the underground level which is below Level 4 to get on the Airport Link – MRT. There is no direct metro to Mo Chit so one needs to be changed at Phaya station. Booked the tickets from one of the kiosks for Phaya, then stepped down to the basement to board the MRT bound towards Phaya, which is the last stop.

Ticket Price: THB 45/ person

Since we were headed to Mo Chit hence booked tickets to Phaya, then another ticket from Phaya to Mo Chit.

 

 

Ticket Price: THB 45/ person

 

Once we off-boarded at Mo Chit, we ran down to the bus stop and caught a local orange bus that dropped us across the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak). We took the over-bridge to reach the other side.

 

 

 

Ticket Price: THB 15/ person

 

After we reached the bus station where you will come across several counter of bus operators and one of the most renowned ones is Sombat Tour with whom we decided to embark on our journey. There are three categories of seats to choose from – Star, Super and Supreme. Supreme is equivalent to VIP seats.

You can either book the bus tickets through 12goasia.

or if you prefer Sombat Tour then directly through their site.

But we opted to book ours over the counter.

P.S. – They will need your passport to book the tickets so don’t be alarmed when they ask for it.

Ticket Price: Starts at THB 511/ person

 

By Car

Now this is gonna be a helluva ride! A good 9 to 9.5 hours of drive through AH2 (Asian Highway 2 which is equivalent to the status of National Highways in India). If you are driving, then be informed that all gas filling stations have 7 elevens and cafes as well as all-night open eateries to grab a bite.

In case you wanna opt for a self-drive car, apply for an IDP as its mandatory in Thailand (irrespective of any nationality barring the locals)

 

By Train

There are the following trains that leave from Bangkok for Chiang Mai. The tickets can either be booked through 12goasia or at the counter. Since the price point between the two mediums doesn’t vary by a mile, it is advisable to book online to avoid ‘fully booked’ at the counter.

 

 

• From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station: 14:15 to 4:05 – This is the best seller and also the cheapest!

Class 3 Fan

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station: 14:15 to 4:05 – This is the best seller and also the cheapest!

Class 3 Fan

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station: 18:40 to 7:15 – This is one of the best sellers

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station: 20:05 to 8:40 – This is the best seller!

Class 3 Fan

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

1^st Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Don Mueang to Chiang Mai: 20:22 to 8:40

 

 

Class 3 Fan

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

1^st Class Sleeper AC

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station: 22:30 to 12:10

Class 3 Fan

 

 

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

• From Don Mueang to Chiang Mai: 22:47 to 12:10

Class 3 Fan

2^nd Class Fan Seats Only

2^nd Class Sleeper AC

 

If there are any doubts check the Thailand Trains site for more info and book your tickets through

You can get your tickets from 12goasia

Ticket Price: Starts at INR 734

 

How to Travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son

The most reliable and the only operator that operates in this zone is Prempracha Transports. There is a minibus that leaves at 8:30 in the morning from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2, while all other vehicles are minivans and the last one to leave for Mae Hong Son is at 20:00 which is a bus.

 

How to book tickets for Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai?

Probably the best way to travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son – that’s by a minibus or a minivan that’s operated by Prempracha Tours. You can either book the tickets online on the Prempracha site.

Head to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (this is opposite Chiang Mai Terminal 3).

 

 

Walk to Platform 12 from where all the Prempracha minibus and minivans depart.

 

 

 

Right across the platform is Prempracha Transport’s counter.

 

 

You can purchase your ticket there.

 

 

Ticket Price: THB 300/ person (approximately INR 800)

P.S. – If you are planning your stay in Ban Rak Thai first, then it is advisable to get on the late-night bus so that you can avail the shared yellow van at 8 am from Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal to Ban Rak Thai. With no other means of transport for the day you will have to book a cab for THB 1,500 (something we were forced to do)!

Another option is to rent a self-drive car at Mae Hong Son so that you can cover the loops to head up to the Thai-Burma border. Renting a normal gearless bike is not advisable because the slopes are too steep, only a geared bike has the power to push forward is those steep slopes.

 

How to Travel from Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai

 

Travel from Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai is slightly tricky as shared vans from Mae Hong Son plies only twice a day – one at 8 am and the other at 12 pm to Ban Rak Thai.

 

 

But there is only one shared yellow van that leaves for Mae Hong Son from Ban Rak Thai at 8:30 am.

 

 

The shared van keeps honking along the route to announce its arrival!

 

 

Price: THB 150/ person one way

 

How to Travel from Ban Rak Thai to Bangkok

Like I mentioned before, the only shared yellow taxi leaves early morning at 8:30, we boarded the same one. We reached Mae Hong Son at exactly 9:30 am. Since our bus back to Bangkok was at 16:30, we parked for a few hours at Styles Stay, an exquisite guesthouse that works great for the pocket too and the host was generous to pick us up and drop us to the bus-stop without any extra charge.

The bus ticket was booked on Sombat Tour site.

Ticket Cost: THB 1,935/ person

 

Besides the extensive travel in the Thai hinterland, I would be remiss if I didn’t drop points on some seafaring down south, namely to Koh Lipe or Koh Adang.

Here’s how you can get to the extreme south of Thailand from Bangkok.

 

How to Travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe in Southern Thailand

I am most certain many of you might not have explored beyond the beaches of Pattaya, Phuket or Krabi. But there is a turquoise paradise neighbouring Langkawi in Peninsular Malaysia that can be reached by a high-speed ferry with designated seating within air-conditioned cabins.

To get there from Bangkok, take a flight to Hat Yai. Most resorts arrange pick-up vans from the airport or get on a shared cab or a van and head to Satun Koh Lipe ferry which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to cover.

 

 

Remove tickets at the counter and board the speed boat Satun Koh Lipe ferry to Lipe island (approximately 1.5 hrs.

 

 

Among all the Southeast Asian countries, Thailand public transportation system has been my favourite because of its connectivity to the remotest of places and the convenient roadmaps.

 

 

Additionally, if you ever find yourself in a bind wherein you have missed timetable of the local transport there’s always Bolt or Uber at your service (but they ply only in the most popular places and seldom in remote locations).

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

• What is the best way to get around in Bangkok?

The best way to get around Bangkok is to either rent a bike or use their public transport system like buses, metros and even tuk-tuks. If you prefer travelling privately it’s best to book Uber, Bolt or Maxim, or get on a metered taxi or even fixed-fare taxis where you must bargain before boarding the ride.

 

• Is there Uber in Bangkok?

Yes, there is Uber in Bangkok, but this isn’t the only one. You can also download either Bolt and Maxim app to compare prices.

 

• What are taxis called in Thailand?

Taxis are called taxis in Thailand, but they are two types – metered ones and fixed fare ones in Bangkok.

 

• What is the best way to get around in Chiang Mai?

The best way to get around Chiang Mai is to rent a bike or a car. In case you fancy local means of travel then tuk-tuks or songthaews. Ride sharing apps like Uber, Bolt and Maxim are also available in Chiang Mai.

 

• What is the best way to get around in Phuket and Krabi?

It would definitely be Uber, tuk-tuks or songthaews

 

• What is the best way to get around in Koh Lipe?

Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt or Maxim do not work in the islands of Koh Lipe, Koh Adang. But there is a traditional means of travel like an open-air tuk-tuks that’s usually ply on the islands. To cross the islands long-tail boat taxis are the best way.

 

• What are the different types of transportation in Thailand?

There are several types of transportation in Thailand

1. Metro
2. Ride sharing apps – Uber, Bolt and Maxim
3. Local buses plying inter-city
4. Buses plying inter-city
5. Tuk-tuks
6. Songthaews

 

7. Metered taxis

8. Fixed-fare taxis

9. Longtail boat taxis

 

10. Speed boats

11. Yachts

 

• What is the best way to get around in Chiang Mai?

Apart from songthaews and red taxis, minivans, Bolt and Uber, also bicycles are a great way to get around and explore the vibrant culture of Chiang Mai.

 

• How much is the bus in Bangkok?

Fare starts from THB 8 for non-air-conditioned buses and THB 12 for air-conditioned ones.

 

• Can you rent a car or a bike in Thailand?

Yes, you can as long as you have International Driving Permit (IDP).

Note that only few rentals will ask you for IDPs although it’s a norm to have. We happened to come across so many foreign tourists being fined for not carrying IDP and mind you the fine is a monumental THB 12,000 (approximately INR 31,700) or even north of it! That’s another way of saying – it’s better to apply for an IDP for as low as INR 1000 (over the counter) or INR (through an agent) instead of paying the hefty fine!

 

Using local transport is a great way of interacting with locals about local eating joints, culinary suggestions and also getting a drift of the alleys, by lanes and off-grid explorable locations. So the next time you plan your Thailand trip, make sure to get on the different rides this country has to offer for an intense immersive experience!