Get Around In Thailand

Get Around In Thailand

Travel By Bus Travel By Railway Travel By Car Travel By Air: Airlines Directory

Travel Thailand By Bus

When travelling around in Thailand, the cheapest and not least comfortable means of transport is probably by coach.
Thailand has a ramified network of bus routes crisscrossing the entire country and a bus terminal can be found in every rural small town. There are frequent connections between Bangkok's three main bus terminals and virtually every city and province. It's highly recommended, though, to use the slightly more expensive air-conditioned VIP coaches, especially when travelling overnight and long distances.
Morchit bus terminal, not far from Don Mueang Airport, is a gigantic complex in Bangkok's North, which caters for the Northern and Northeastern routes and connects Bangkok with the provinces in the North (e.g. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) and the various provinces of Isaan.
Ekamai bus station on Sukhumvit Road has immediate Skytrain (BTS) connection and connects downtown Bangkok with the provinces at the East coast (e.g. Chonburi and Pattaya)).
The Southern bus terminal connects Bangkok with the provinces in the South.
The Transport Co. Ltd. (Routes & Timetables) (Thai language only)

There are frequent connections between the small bus terminal on North Pattaya Road, near the junction with Sukhumvit Road, and Bangkok's three major bus terminals. Buses depart virtually every 30 minutes, starting from around 5am until the late evening hours. The price for a one-way bus ride to Bangkok approximates 120 Baht.
Mukdahan province at the Lao border (Savannakhet) as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport can also be reached from the North Pattaya bus terminal.
In fact, many parts of the country can be reached directly from Pattaya.
The "407 Pattana" bus company, located at the Petronas gas station just around the corner from Central Pattaya Road on Sukhumvit Road, connects Pattaya with the Northern provinces of Isaan (Khorat/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nongkhai). The Lao capital Vientiane can be reached conveniently via Nongkhai.
"Nakornchai" bus company on the opposite side of Sukhumvit Road (turn right when coming from Pattaya Klang) operates bus services to Chiang Mai in the North and Ubon Ratchathani.
When travelling from Pattaya to the provinces in the South, and other provinces of minor touristic importance, it's recommended to travel via Bangkok.

Travel Thailand By Railway

Thailand's railway network, though much less developed than the country's ramified bus network, still covers most regions of the country. Trains are relatively slow compared with overland buses. When travelling longer distances, however, a night trip in a 1st or 2nd class carriage with sleeper berths (lower bed recommended) can be a comfortable and cheap alternative.
Bangkok's main Hua Lamphong railway station is located in the capital's old city centre and has direct MRT subway access. There are four major routes:
1) Northern route (Chiang Mai and Northern provinces)
2) Northeastern route (Khorat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nongkhai)
3) Northeastern route (Ubon Ratchathani)
4) Southern route (all the way through Southern Thailand, with stops in Hua Hin and Surat Thani among others, down to Butterworth in Malaysia and the island of Penang)
State Railway Of Thailand (official SRT website with destinations, timetables, fares). SRT Hotline 1690. Good info on train travel in Thailand can be found at Seat61.com

Pattaya's little railway station is situated off Soi Siam Country Club - on the so-called "dark side" of Sukhumvit road. Tel. 038-429 285 (no English)
There's one daily train connection between Pattaya and Bangkok, leaving from Pattaya at 14.21h and arriving at Hua Lamphong at 18.25h. One-way fare (3rd class) is 31 Baht (with only 3rd class available). Due to the length of the journey, however, this alternative shouldn't be of much interest for you unless you're a die-hard railway fanatic.
What makes Pattaya's little railway station interesting, is that railway tickets for journeys all over Thailand (including from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station) can be booked here up to 60 days in advance (counter open until 16.30h every day).
Advance booking is highly recommended especially when travelling over public holiday periods or you want a sleeper berth in an air-conditioned train.
From Feb 2009, passengers can also buy railway tickets online. Booking must be made at least three days before the reservation date but not exceeding 60 days.
www.thairailwayticket.com

Travel Thailand By Car

A rented car might provide a comfortable transportation mode for those travellers who prefer to be independent and wish to explore Thailand on their own
All major international car rental companies, as well as many local companies, provide car rental services in Thailand.
The basic requirement for driving a car in Thailand is either an international or, preferably, a Thai driving licence - although most local car rental companies may be satisfied with a national driving licence, too. If you manage to rent a car without an appropriate driving licence, though, not having one would invalidate the insurance and count against you in the event of a road accidence. Also, if police should catch you without an appropriate driving licence, you'd be punished by a fine.
Unlike in other Southeast Asian countries, roads in Thailand are in excellent order but, as driving can be hazardous sometimes, particularly when you're not used to driving on the left, it might be a good alternative to hire a car with a driver.
Get Around In Pattaya (listing of car rental companies based in Pattaya)

Travel Thailand By Air - Airlines Directory

Due to increasing competition in commercial aviation, and the launch of a number of inexpensive Thai-based or Southeast Asian low cost airlines operating flights to most Thai airports, domestic flights are getting increasingly popular with foreign tourists and Thais alike.
It's now possible to show up at Suvarnabhumi, or any other Thai airport, and purchase a ticket at the counter for less than 2000 Baht sometimes. Some air tickets can also be purchased online, from local travel agencies or even at 7-Eleven branches.
Please note, however, that advertising prices, due to additional taxes and surcharges, are just a fraction of the actual price you will have to pay for your flight.
For details on destinations, fares and online booking please check the listed websites of airlines operating flights throughout Thailand and neighbouring SEA countries.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Guide & Flight Schedule
Thai Airports Flight Schedule (official website)

AirAsia (Thai)
Popular Malaysian budget airlines operating frequent flights throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. Has very cheap offers when booked well in advance.
Bangkok Airways
Had a monopoly on flights to Samui in the past. Bangkok Airways operates scheduled services to 20 destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Maldives, Burma, Singapore and Vietnam.
Jetstar Asia Airways
Aussie low-cost carrier operating flights from Bangkok and Phuket to Australia and serving a few Asian destinations.
Nok Air
Budget airlines with a similar price scheme as AirAsia which operates flights to several domestic destinations. Bookings can be made online, directly at the airport or by phone (call center 1318).
Payments can be made at 7-eleven branches, too.
One-Two-Go
Thai low-cost carrier operating frequent flights to several domestic destinations. Plane crash on Phuket in September 2007.
PB Air
Flies domestically throughout Thailand.
Thai Airways
Thailand's national airliner is a member of the international Star Alliance and offers frequent flight throughout Thailand, but is also the most expensive local carrier.
Tiger Airways
Budget airline that operates flights throughout Southeast Asia, to Australia and a few domestic destinations.

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