Bangkok is the largest city and the main transport hub in Thailand. Therefore, you will never be short of options for traveling to Bangkok or for getting from Bangkok to any destination in Thailand by different means of transport. Discover a detailed guide to Bangkok intercity transport with airports, bus and railway stations, and popular routes, so you can easily travel to and from Bangkok.
Thailand has several domestic full-service and low-cost airlines, a comprehensive railway network, numerous bus companies, a massive minibus network, and ferries providing easy access to all major islands. To travel from Bangkok to other destinations in Thailand and vice versa, depending on the route, you can choose from a wide range of domestic flights, trains, and intercity buses. On shorter routes, such as from Bangkok to Pattaya or Hua Hin, private transfers are also very popular.
Air Transport from/to Bangkok
There are two international airports in Bangkok that offer domestic flights to various destinations in Thailand.
Bangkok Airports
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is Thailand’s main travel hub that is mostly used for long-haul and full-service flights. However, an increasing number of domestic flights are available at BKK Airport.
Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is the second airport in Bangkok, which is well connected with all the main destinations in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries by low-cost carriers.
Domestic Flights
Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways are the major full-service airlines on the internal flight network. Low-cost carriers such as Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, and Nok Air make traveling by air from Bangkok to other destinations in Thailand convenient for a very reasonable price.
Fares with the low-cost carriers are often comparable to train or bus fares, especially if you book online well in advance. Airline tickets can be purchased online directly from the airlines or through travel agents and third-party flight agencies.
The most popular routes for domestic flights from Bangkok:
Flights from Bangkok to Phuket
Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui
Domestic flight tickets can be compared with other kinds of transport and booked by using this search form.
Road Transport from/to Bangkok
Intercity buses and vans are the most affordable way to get from Bangkok to various destinations that are not on the railway lines. These buses and vans are connecting Bangkok with most provincial capitals, which are then linked with smaller towns by secondary bus services.
Bangkok Bus Stations
There are 3 main bus terminals in Bangkok, and you need to choose one depending on your desired destination, as each of them mainly serves specific regions.
Mochit Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal) is the largest bus station in Bangkok. It is used by buses and vans departing to the provinces in Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Chiang Rai), Northeast Thailand, and a few other central and eastern destinations such as Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Chonburi (including Pattaya), Trat (including Koh Chang), and others. Minibuses and vans leave from the nearby Mochit Van Terminal.
Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Eastern Bus Terminal) is mainly serviced by buses and vans running to the provinces in Eastern Thailand, such as Rayong, Chonburi, Trat, and Chanthaburi, and tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Sriracha, Sattahip, Koh Chang, and Koh Samet.
Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal (Southern Bus Terminal) is served by buses and minivans departing to the provinces in Southern Thailand, such as Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani, and provinces in Central Thailand, such as Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, and others.
Bus Routes from Bangkok
Nearly all bus companies operating on intercity routes from Bangkok use regular air-conditioned buses. These basic buses are inexpensive and generally run frequently during daylight hours. The ride can be slow because they pack in as many people as possible and stop often.
First-class and VIP buses, offering express services with fewer stops, are the best option for long-distance journeys. First-class buses have fewer seats and more legroom for reclining than regular buses. VIP buses have even fewer seats and are often positively luxurious. These buses are still reasonably priced, and usually the more you pay, the larger and more comfortable your seating is.
The most popular bus routes from Bangkok:
Tickets can normally be bought at the bus station or online. Tickets for the more popular routes should be booked at least a day in advance, especially during public holidays.
Bus schedules can be found and bus tickets can be booked by using this search form.
Vans in Bangkok
Another popular means of transport for domestic travel from Bangkok to various destinations in Thailand is air-conditioned vans. Vans normally run more frequently than intercity buses and cover the distance faster, but they are often driven at excessive speed and can be uncomfortably cramped when full.
Currently vans operate in all three main Bangkok bus terminals, with the largest selection of van routes available at Mochit Van Terminal.
Some of the van services have a timetable, but they often depart only when they’re full. Fares are reasonable, usually about the same as air-conditioned buses. If you have a specific departure time in your mind, pre-booking minivan tickets might be a good idea.
Private Transfer from Bangkok
On shorter routes, such as from Bangkok to Pattaya or Hua Hin, private transfers are also a very popular way to travel, as by Western standards they are really affordable.
Traveling this way helps you to avoid the inconvenience of navigating public transit with heavy bags. Instead, you travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle straight to your desired destination. It is especially convenient if you are looking to travel to your destination directly from the airport in Bangkok.
Book a private airport transfer online, and once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a professional driver who will help you with your luggage. Then you can enjoy a private transfer in a comfortable car from the airport to one of the major vacation destinations, such as Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, or Laem Chabang.
Rail Transport from/to Bangkok
Thailand’s rail network is operated by State Railways of Thailand (SRT). Traveling by train in Thailand is largely safe and comfortable but slow. The trains tend to start their journey on time, but the arrival can be an hour or two later than scheduled.
Bangkok Railway Stations
As Bangkok is the capital city, which is centrally located, all the main Thailand train lines start at the railway stations of the city.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is currently the main railway station in Bangkok. Here you can now board most of the long-distance trains traveling from Bangkok to different regions of Thailand.
However, there are still several ordinary trains a day that depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station, which served as the main train station of the city for many years and therefore is known as Bangkok Railway Station.
Thonburi Railway Station, which is located on the western side of the Chao Phraya River, is another railway station in Bangkok that serves ordinary trains. The railway line that goes to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai starts here.
All the above-mentioned railway stations are the terminal stations on the line. Most of the trains also make a stop at other Bangkok railway stations along the route. Therefore, you can board northbound trains at Don Mueang Railway Station and Rangsit Railway Station or eastbound trains at Asoke Railway Station.
Train Routes from Bangkok
Thailand’s rail network consists of four railway lines.
The Northern Line connects Bangkok with Chiang Mai via Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok, and Lampang.
The Northeastern Line has two branches, with one branch running from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani via Korat and Surin, and the other linking the capital city with Nong Khai via Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
The Eastern Line also has two branches, with one branch running from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet on the Cambodian border and the other connecting Bangkok with Si Racha and Pattaya.
The Southern Line extends from Bangkok via Hua Hin, Chumphon, and Surat Thani to Hat Yai, where it continues to Butterworth in Malaysia and makes it possible to travel down south to Singapore after changing the train. There are branches to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang on this line too. At Nakhon Pathom a branch of this line goes to Nam Tok via Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Tickets for sleeper services should be purchased in advance. It can be done online or from stations at a maximum of 60 days in advance.
Fares depend on the class of seat and on the speed of the train. Hard third-class seats are much cheaper than buses. For longer journeys it would be wise to opt for the padded and reclining seats in second class. On long-distance trains, second-class berths, with day seats that convert into comfortable curtained-off bunks in the evening, and first-class air-conditioned sleeping compartments should be the options to choose from.
The most popular train routes from Bangkok:
Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani (for ferry to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan)
Train from Bangkok to Chumphon (for ferry to Koh Tao)
Train schedules can be found and train tickets can be booked by using this search form.
Bangkok Intercity Transport Tickets
Different means of intercity transport can be compared, and tickets for air or ground transport for a trip from Bangkok can be booked through this search form.