Arrival & Transport

Bangkok has two airports — and the confusion costs thousands of travelers their connecting flight every year:

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — The Main Airport

30 km east of Bangkok. Almost all international long-haul flights land here. Coordinates: [13.6900, 100.7501]. Modern terminal, well connected via Airport Rail Link (45 ฿ / 1.17 €, 30 Min. to city center).

Direct Flights from Germany:

• Thai Airways: Frankfurt → BKK (10:30h), Munich → BKK (10:45h). Daily nonstop flights, 500–900 € round trip.
• Lufthansa: Frankfurt → BKK and Munich → BKK. 500–850 €.
• Condor: Frankfurt → BKK, seasonal. Cheaper option from 400 €.

Cheap Connecting Flights:

• Emirates: Via Dubai (3h layover). Often the cheapest premium option, from 450 €.
• Qatar Airways: Via Doha. Excellent service, from 420 €.
• Turkish Airlines: Via Istanbul. Many German departure airports, from 400 €.
• Oman Air / Etihad: Occasionally bargains from 350 €.

Don Mueang (DMK) — The Low-Cost Airport

24 km north of Bangkok. Hub for domestic flights and Asian low-cost airlines. Coordinates: [13.9126, 100.6071]. Older and simpler than BKK, but functional. Connection: Bus A1 to BTS Mo Chit (30 ฿), taxi (200–300 ฿ / 5–8 €).

Airlines from DMK: AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air — all domestic flights and short-haul routes in Southeast Asia.

Transfer between BKK and DMK

The airports are 45–90 minutes apart (depending on traffic). Free shuttle bus every 30 Min. (proof of both flight tickets required). Plan at least 3 hours for the transfer — Bangkok traffic is unpredictable!

Flight Prices (Guidelines Round Trip from Germany)

Thailand's domestic flights are cheap, fast, and reliable. For routes like Bangkok → Chiang Mai or Bangkok → Phuket, flying is almost always worth it compared to 10+ hours by bus.

The Main Airlines

Important Domestic Routes

Thailand's railway network radiates star-shaped from Bangkok and offers one of the most romantic train routes in Southeast Asia. Slower than flying, but an experience in itself.

Train Stations in Bangkok

• Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue Grand Station) — Thailand's new main station. Coordinates: [13.8525, 100.5250]. All long-distance trains to the north, northeast, and south start here.
• Hua Lamphong — The historic terminus from 1916. Coordinates: [13.7381, 100.5173]. Since 2023, only used for some local trains, but architecturally worth seeing.

The Main Routes

Night Train Bangkok → Chiang Mai

The classic among Thailand's train journeys. Departure in the evening at 18:00–19:30, arrival in the morning at 7:00–8:30. In the 2nd class sleeper (upper berth cheaper than lower) including freshly made beds and curtains. The dining car serves acceptable Thai food. Book in advance — especially on weekends and holidays, sold out weeks in advance!

Booking: Online via 12go.asia (surcharge ~50 ฿) or directly at the station (in person only, max. 60 days in advance).

Death Railway (Kanchanaburi)

The historic "Death Railway" over the Bridge on the River Kwai — built by prisoners of war in World War II. The route Bangkok (Thon Buri) → Nam Tok leads through jungle-covered mountains and over dramatic viaducts. The journey itself is the destination. 3rd Class: 100 ฿ (2.60 €).

Buses are Thailand's cheapest long-distance transport and connect virtually every place in the country. Quality ranges from rickety local buses to comfortable VIP buses with 24 seats.

Bus Classes

Important Bus Connections

Minivans

On shorter routes (2–5 hours), minivans are the most popular option. 12–15 seats, AC, often faster than the bus because they drive directly. The downside: tight seats, high speed, and sometimes reckless driving.

• Bangkok → Kanchanaburi: 2.5h, 120 ฿ (3 €), from Victory Monument or Southern Bus Terminal
• Bangkok → Hua Hin: 3h, 180 ฿ (5 €)
• Bangkok → Ayutthaya: 1.5h, 60 ฿ (1.55 €), from Victory Monument
• Krabi → Ao Nang: 30 Min., 150 ฿ (4 €)

Booking

Online: 12go.asia (best overview), busonlineticket.co.th. At the Bus Station: Spontaneously possible, but book VIP buses in advance on holidays!

Bangkok's Bus Terminals:

• Mo Chit 2 (Northern Terminal): North, northeast, some southern destinations. Coordinates: [13.8148, 100.5546]
• Sai Tai Mai (Southern Terminal): South, west (Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Phuket). Coordinates: [13.7625, 100.4365]
• Ekkamai (Eastern Terminal): East (Pattaya, Koh Samet, Koh Chang). Coordinates: [13.7198, 100.5859]

Thailand's islands are accessible by ferry. The main providers: Lomprayah (fast catamarans, Gulf), Seatran Discovery (Gulf), Raja Ferry (car ferries, Gulf), Tigerline (Andaman), Songserm (both coasts).

Gulf of Thailand — Ferry Connections

Andaman Coast — Ferry Connections

Joint Tickets

The most convenient way to travel: Bus/Train/Flight + Ferry in one ticket. The provider organizes the transfer between bus station/airport and pier.

• Bangkok → Koh Samui (night bus + ferry): from 950 ฿ (25 €), 12h
• Bangkok → Koh Tao (night bus + ferry): from 1,050 ฿ (27 €), 14h
• Bangkok → Koh Phi Phi (night bus + ferry): from 1,100 ฿ (29 €), 14h
• Surat Thani Airport → Koh Samui (transfer + ferry): from 350 ฿ (9 €)

Thailand's local public transport is an experience in itself — loud, colorful, and never boring.

Tuk-Tuks

The iconic three-wheeled vehicles are part of the Thailand experience. Open cabin, loud engine, full speed through traffic. In Bangkok, however, they are almost always more expensive than taxis or Grab and are mainly used by tourists.

• Bangkok: 80–200 ฿ (2–5 €) depending on the route. ALWAYS negotiate beforehand! No taximeter.
• Chiang Mai: 60–100 ฿ within the old town.
• Ayutthaya: For temple tour 200 ฿/hour (as an alternative to a bicycle).

Songthaews (สองแถว)

Converted pickups with two benches on the loading area and a roof. The cheapest means of transport in most Thai cities. They run fixed routes (like a bus) or can be chartered as a shared taxi.

• Chiang Mai: Red songthaews run everywhere in the city for 30–40 ฿ (0.78–1.04 €). Just wave at the roadside, state your destination, hop on the back. Ring the bell to get off.
• Phuket: Blue songthaews between the beaches, 30–50 ฿.
• Bangkok: Less common, but still active on some side streets.

Grab — Thailand's Uber

Grab is by far the most important transport app in Thailand. Works like Uber: fixed price before the ride, GPS tracking, card payment. Available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and most larger cities.

• GrabCar: Air-conditioned car, cheapest fixed price. Bangkok 5 km: ~70–120 ฿ (1.80–3.10 €).
• GrabBike: Motorcycle taxi — fastest in Bangkok's traffic jam! 2 km: ~25–40 ฿ (0.65–1.04 €).
• GrabFood: Food delivery. Convenient in the hotel room after a long day.

Moto-Taxis

Recognizable by the orange vests. Stand at every major intersection and soi entrance. Perfect for short distances and traffic jams. 10–40 ฿ for 1–3 km. Clarify the price beforehand!

Price Comparison Bangkok (5 km Route)

A rented scooter is the most popular means of transport among travelers on the islands and in northern Thailand. Cheap, flexible, and the best way to reach remote beaches and viewpoints.

Prices

For rentals of 3 days or more: negotiate a discount (often 150–200 ฿/day possible). Weekly price: 1,000–1,500 ฿. Monthly rental: 2,500–4,000 ฿.

What You Need to Know

• Driver's License: Officially, you need an international driver's license with a motorcycle class (A/A1). In practice, hardly any rental company checks — but the police do. Fine without an international driver's license: 500 ฿ (13 €). Worse: Your travel insurance won't pay in case of an accident without a valid license!
• Insurance: Most rental companies offer no or minimal insurance. You pay for damage to the scooter out of pocket. Photograph everything beforehand — every scratch, every dent!
• Passport: Many rental companies require the passport as a deposit. Never give your passport! Instead, offer a copy + cash deposit (1,000–3,000 ฿). If necessary, find another rental company.
• Helmet: Helmet laws are enforced, especially during police checks on the islands. Fine: 400 ฿. Always wear the helmet — not just because of the fine, but because Thailand's roads are among the most dangerous in the world.
• Left-Hand Traffic: Thailand drives on the left! Be especially careful at intersections. Drive slowly and cautiously for the first 30 minutes until you get used to it.
• Fueling: At gas stations or from whiskey bottles by the roadside (40–50 ฿ per bottle, about 1 liter). Fuel type: "91" or "Gasohol 91" is standard for scooters.

The Best Scooter Routes

• Koh Lanta: From north to south across the entire island — increasingly deserted beaches. 30 km, 1 hour.
• Pai: Pai Canyon, Pai Hot Springs, Pam Bok Waterfall, Land Split — all perfectly accessible by scooter. Be careful on the mountain roads!
• Koh Samui Coastal Road: Around the island, 50 km. Beaches, viewpoints, Big Buddha, Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.
• Chiang Mai → Doi Suthep: Serpentine road up to the golden temple. 15 km, spectacular view over the city.