Getting around
Grab and Bolt in town, 12Go for the long haul, SRT trains, Bangkok rail, and the Bangkok-airport trap.
Grab and Bolt
Rides, motorbike taxis, and food. Pay by card in the app or cash to the driver. At airports, walk to the in-app pickup pin.
Grab: App Store Grab: Google Play Bolt: App Store Bolt: Google Play
12Go
Buses, trains, ferries and vans booked online. Useful when you do not want to queue at a station the same day.
If you book through this link, the provider may pay us. Affiliate disclosure. A search widget will sit here once the affiliate is approved.
Buses
Long-distance buses leave Bangkok from Mo Chit 2 (Northern Bus Terminal: north and northeast), Ekkamai (Eastern) and Sai Tai Mai (Southern: south and west) (Dept. of Tourism). Bangkok to Chiang Rai VIP buses are a standard overnight option; operator names change, so book by destination and class rather than a remembered brand.
Trains (SRT)
Official booking: dticket.railway.co.th, or the SRT D-Ticket app.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal handles the northern, northeastern and southern long-distance trains. Hua Lamphong still runs Eastern Line, ordinary and excursion trains (SRT timetable); check the station on your ticket. The night train to Chiang Mai is the usual sleeper. Chiang Rai has no train: bus or fly.
BTS, MRT, Airport Rail Link
Bangkok's urban rail. Contactless Visa/Mastercard works on the MRT Blue and Purple lines (BEM) and on the Pink, Yellow, Red and Airport Rail Link lines. The BTS Green and Gold lines still need a Rabbit card or single ticket. ARL is the rail link from Suvarnabhumi toward the city.
Domestic flights
Names you will see on booking sites include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet. Thai Smile no longer flies; it merged into Thai Airways in January 2024 (Thai Airways). BKK vs DMK: they are on opposite sides of Bangkok. Booking the wrong one is a classic miss that costs a day.
Motorbike rental
You need a motorcycle licence (visitors: home licence plus an IDP that covers motorcycles), and both rider and passenger must wear a helmet (PRD). Insurance policies often refuse claims without that licence; check your wording.
Songthaews and tuk-tuks
Agree the price before you sit down. If the number is not clear, use Grab or Bolt instead.
Official sources
Last checked Oct 2026