In a crowded metropolis of about 9.5 million people and over seven million cars, congestion is a way of life in Bangkok. During peak hours, road traffic can come to a complete standstill, inciting lots of frustration. But believe it or not, it’s possible to move around fairly seamlessly in the city — even during your daily commute.
If you are travelling by road, try to tailor your schedule around rush hour, when most people are in a hurry to get to work or go home. Consider starting your day an hour earlier or an hour later, and you could cut your commute time considerably.
Also, explore alternative modes of transportation, such as the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, commuter boats in the Khlong Saen Saep canal network, and express boats on the Chao Phraya River. Depending on where you are heading, these options can be combined to cover an expansive area from central Bangkok to the outskirts of the city, including neighboring provinces.
Getting around Bangkok is a breeze via the BTS and MRT systems. The BTS currently includes 34 stations along two lines: the Sukhumvit line running north and eastwards, and the shorter Silom line that cuts through the city’s central business district to the other side of the Chao Phraya River. These routes cover about 55 kilometres, and they continue to expand slowly, eventually reaching Bangkok’s suburbs.
Similarly, the MRT provides good coverage of the inner city, with 18 stations along 27 kilometres of underground track. Two extensions are under way that will loop around the centre of Bangkok, with an extension to the west. An additional 40-kilometer line is also in the works, connecting to Nonthaburi in the northwest.
Klong boats are useful for getting to popular high-traffic spots in the inner city. The boats cover an 18-kilometre route that encompasses two lines: the eastern line, which runs from Pratunam to NIDA; and the western line, from Pratunam to the Golden Mountain. From Hua Chang Pier, between MBK Centre and Siam Discovery, the boats offer access to several BTS stations, including National Stadium, Ratchathewi and Siam. From the Phetchaburi MRT station, you can also connect to the boats at a nearby pier.
For travel to areas adjacent to the river on both the Bangkok and Thonburi sides, utilise the Chao Phraya express boats. From the Central Pier off Saphan Taksin BTS station, you can catch a number of express boats, identified by different colored flags, heading for various spots along the river, such as Chinatown, Siriraj Hospital and Phra Arthit Road.
With a bit of trial and error, it’s possible to devise an efficient (and creative) route for the commute from your Bangkok condo or house to your workplace, saving time and preserving sanity. And don’t forget the motorcycle taxis – they service small sois and major roads, getting you from point A to B in a flash.
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