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Getting
Around Bangkok from Khao San Road
Getting
around Bangkok can seem complicated,
but it's easy if you know how...
Getting
around Bangkok can seem complicated, but it's easy if you know
how. There are plenty of people who will insist that they know
the best and quickest route to your destination - before taking
you on a complete tangent. The best thing to do is to figure out
where you want to go first. If you get stuck, the travel agents
on Khao San Road are a good source of information.
Taxis
All
taxis are supposed to use the meter. However, some refuse, especially
around Khao San Road. Check to make sure that the meter is used
and that the fare starts at 35 baht. If not, simply get out and
take the next taxi. Many taxi drivers have trouble understanding
the Western pronunciation of Thai place names. If your Thai is
limited, ask someone at a travel agents or restaurant to write
the name in Thai for you. Also bear in mind that taxis with signs
saying "I love Farang (foreigners). I can speak English,"
can be rather misleading!
Tuk-tuks
These
three wheeled vehicles are more streamlined than a taxi and better
at dodging through the traffic. Make sure you negotiate the fare
before getting in. Tip: if you are negotiating in English and
especially in Western areas of Bangkok such as Khao San Road,
the price will be automatically higher, usually by 30-50%. Ask
a local the going rate before setting out.
Motorbikes
'Taxi
motor-cy': These can work out cheaper than a taxi or a tuk-tuk
for short distances, although they are often much more expensive
for long journeys. Not for the faint of heart, motorcycle taxis
are the quickest way of getting through rush hour traffic, when
the daring drivers manage to squeeze through the tiniest of gaps,
often narrowly avoiding heads-on collisions.
You
can easily recognize these guys as they wear bright orange vest
with Thai numbers on the back and usually hunt in packs.
Buses
There
are three main kinds, indicated by colour. The orange or dark
blue buses with tinted windows are air-con. These are the most
comfortable and typically cost 12-22 baht, depending on your destination.
Fan buses are blue and white and cost 8 baht to any destination
in and around Bangkok.
The
red buses have no fans and cost just 7 baht, but they can get
pretty hot. The little green buses are also fan free and can feel
very cramped - avoid unless absolutely necessary.
There
are many places around Khao San Road to catch buses. Some good
places are around Democracy Monument, near the Phra Sumen Fort
or along Samsen Road. Many buses have their destinations written
on the side in English. If not, simply find the bus conductor
or driver and ask "Bai (name of destination) mai?"
Canal
The
canal starts near Golden Mount and runs along side some tourist
places such as Siam, Silom and Pratunam.
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