By Josh Butterworth. Josh is our Thailand Program Coordinator, and lives in Thailand.
Unlocking all the wonders that the Land of Smiles has to offer can be a daunting task. When you don’t speak the local language and information is unclear – it’s no surprise you can be left feeling a bit lost. But fear not, because I’m here to guide you through some of the best ways to explore this wonderful country by public transport as someone who has lived here for over two years and travelled extensively. Pack your bags, grab your passport, and let’s go!
Catch Flights, Not Feelings – Plane Travel in Thailand
All roads lead to Bangkok – or should I say flight paths! Thailand’s capital has two major airports, both of which offer international and domestic flights. Wherever you may be in the county, you’re never too far from an airport, which means you can easily get to Bangkok and then on to whatever your next destination is.
The longest domestic flight to Bangkok in from Hat Yai in the very south of the country, and it only takes an hour and a half. A few hours flying and a short layover in the Big Mango means you can get anywhere in the country easily, as well as internationally. There are also direct domestic flights that avoid Bangkok altogether, but these are only from bigger cities, Chiang Mai to Phuket takes around two hours for example.
Here are a list of the major airports from which you can get to and from Bangkok, and may have direct flights to other parts of the country and abroad:
North – Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
East – Udon Thani and Khon Kaen
South – Phuket, Krabi, Samui, and Hat Yai
There are also many smaller airports dotted across the country, but above are the biggest ones in the larger cities, all of which are never too far away. Check out Skyscanner to find the best deals, that’s what I use and highly recommend. I recently got a return flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok for around £50. The airport experience was efficient and easy, the flight was smooth, and you can just stroll out without any passport control at the end. Lovely!
Stay Grounded – Bus Travel in Thailand
Flying is by far the most efficient way to travel in Thailand, but there are times when it isn’t always the most appropriate or necessary. That could either be because you’re on a bit of a tighter budget or the distance you need to travel doesn’t really justify it.
Bus or coach travel is very popular with Thais and foreigners alike, but just like with both of the flying alternatives I’m about to discuss, it has its pros and cons. Let me simplify it for you below:
Pros of Bus Travel in Thailand
- Cheaper than flying (but not by much)
- Travelling overnight saves on accommodation
- You get to see more of the country from your window
- You can get to smaller towns and cities that don’t have airports
Cons of Bus Travel in Thailand
- Buying tickets can be a bit confusing
- Travel takes significantly longer than flying
- Delays and traffic are very possible
- Not always comfortable and difficult to sleep
For example, a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok will take you more than nine hours, rather than just over one on a flight. It will be cheaper but not by a lot, however, if you choose to travel at night then you effectively get free accommodation. The choice is yours is yours but I would always opt for a flight if possible these days.
If disagree and do opt for the bus, the best way to buy your tickets is by going to the station a few days or even longer before you want to travel. Busses at popular times often sell out. Find the route you want online first then head to a ticket booth to whip out your best Thai, use a translation app, or pray the sales assistant can speak English. You can also get tickets online, on sites such as Rio2Rome, but these are usually a bit more expensive and I prefer to scout out the station and get a physical ticket.
Another frustration with bus travel between smaller towns is that you may not be able to go directly from where you are to where you want to be, what would be a three-hour direct trip could take a whole day with a few layovers in several small towns. But it’s all part of the experience and there aren’t too many other options unless you’re willing to split the cost of a private taxi or songthaew with others.
It’s Not About the Destination, It’s About the Journey – Train Travel in Thailand
Trains are another option that can be a lot of fun, but the rail network in Thailand is far less extensive than that offered by buses, meaning some remote or small towns may not be accessible. Similarly though, I would find your route online and buy your tickets at the station a few days before your journey. If the train network in Thailand is like a skeleton propping up the country, bus routes are more like the veins stretching to all corners and keeping things ticking along.
It’s important to be aware of the different classes on trains when you are buying your tickets. The 3rd class is not very pleasant at all, but is very cheap. No air-conditioning and hard upright benches make it impossible to get comfy, I would only recommend this for journeys of less than a few hours that are motivated more by experience rather than efficiency. The 2nd class is far better with reclining seats and air-con, most of the time. But by now you’re already reaching a similar cost to that of a plane ticket for what is a much longer trip. Trains are even slower than busses, believe it or not. Your journey in 1st class will set you back more than a flight, and although it can be ok considering you’ll save on accommodation, it’s not something I’d go for in a rush.
By all means choose the train for a cultural experience and a way to see some stunning scenery as you trundle along through rural Thailand. But for comfortability and speed, similarly to the bus, flying always wins for me. Bangkok is the only exception, the BTS is an absolute must for any escapades around the buzzing capital megacity.
So there you have it, the three best ways you can utilise explore Thailand on public transport. If it’s an option then I would always recommend catching a flight, you may miss some interesting sites and cultural nuances, but what it will save you in time and energy is invaluable. Busses are inevitable when you’re travelling between smaller towns, providing you don’t want to rent a car or motorbike, which I will cover in another article soon, so keep an eye out for that.
But the best way to enjoy this fantastic country is as course as a teacher, which gives you the chance to really understand the rich culture and of course earn in-between all your adventures. Our Thailand program offers you choices in schools across the country, check it out today and make your impact this year!
