Bangkok Metro: How to Use It (BTS, MRT, ARL) – Guide for Independent Travelers

Types of Bangkok Metro: BTS, MRT, ARL and Monorail (MRL) Compared

Bangkok's metro is the fastest way to get around the city. By using the BTS Skytrain, underground MRT, or Airport Rail Link (ARL), you can quickly cover long distances across Bangkok and even beyond, avoiding all traffic. From the metro station, you can walk or take a taxi to your final destination. The only downside is the cost – it's quite high and in some cases comparable to taking a taxi.

There are four independent types of metro in Bangkok:

• BTS Skytrain
• MRT Underground
• Airport Rail Link (ARL)
• MRL Monorail

Important! The different metro systems intersect, and convenient transfers are available. But when switching between systems, you'll need to buy a new ticket. When transferring between lines of the same system, you don't need a new ticket.

• All metro systems operate: from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
• Fare: from 17 baht depending on the distance, calculated by the number of stations.

Bangkok Metro Map

Here's a schematic map of all Bangkok's metro systems. You can download it to your phone for easy access anytime. However, if you have local mobile internet (read how to buy a cheap local SIM card in Thailand), it's easier to use the metro map and public transport route planner on Google Maps and the ViaBus app. Both allow you to plan routes with transfers and different options.

Inside the metro, maps are displayed in carriages and on boards, but not all have complete maps showing all systems. Maps are also available in free tourist brochures and city maps. Keep in mind that the network is constantly expanding, and many maps are outdated.

Here's our interactive Bangkok metro map with attractions and hotels marked on Google Maps:

BTS Skytrain: Lines, Fares and Useful Stations for Tourists

The "SkyTrain" is one of Bangkok residents' greatest prides. This metro was developed and built by Thais entirely on their own (or so they believe), and they're very proud of it.

The metro runs through the most modern and tourist-friendly areas of Bangkok and is more popular and convenient than other types. Stations are located in all the most commercial and shopping districts of Bangkok.

The metro consists of three lines: Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, and Golden Line. The Sukhumvit and Silom lines intersect at Siam station in Bangkok's Siam district. The Skytrain also connects with the underground metro (via transfers) at three stations, and with the Airport Rail Link at Phaya Thai station.

How much does BTS cost in 2026?

Access to the metro is via several types of tickets: single ride, one-day pass, 30-day pass, and stored-value cards. They are purchased at ticket counters or vending machines at each station. Cards work on both Skytrain lines the same way, and transferring between lines is not charged extra. Tickets must be purchased for each passenger individually; you cannot use one card for multiple people. If your trip to Bangkok is short, a single journey ticket is sufficient. If you have a longer stay and plan to move around a lot, you might consider passes or stored-value cards, but in most cases, a single journey ticket bought before each ride will work fine.

The fare depends on the distance, i.e., the number of stations. Here's how it works:

• At your departure station, check the table (map) or the terminal screen for the fare to your destination.
• Buy a ticket of the required value, use it to enter through the gate, and keep the ticket with you.
• Upon arrival, insert the same ticket into the exit gate. If you try to exit at the wrong station, the gate won't let you through.

The minimum fare is 17 baht (0.51 USD, see Thai currency and exchange rate), and the longest trip costs 65 baht (1.96 USD). You can calculate the fare using the interactive map here – just select the stations on the screen.

Types of BTS tickets

• Single Journey Ticket

  Cost: from 16 to 59 baht depending on the distance.

  This is the simplest ticket for a one-time ride. It's only valid on the day of purchase and has a time limit of 120 minutes in the paid zone. After entering through the gate, you must exit the metro within 120 minutes, or you'll be fined 40 baht upon exit.

  When entering, the ticket is inserted into the gate and pops out on the other side. Upon exit, the machine swallows it, so you leave the metro without a ticket.

  Purchased at stations from vending machines: Ticket Issuing Machine (TIM), Integrated Ticketing Machine (ITM), and Ticket Vending Machine (TVM).

• One-Day Pass

  Cost: 150 baht (4.53 USD).

  Allows unlimited rides during the day it was purchased. Note that it's valid for the calendar day, not 24 hours – you can use it only until the end of that day, and it won't work the next morning. Purchased at station ticket counters.

  When entering, the pass is inserted into the gate and pops out on the other side. The same procedure applies when exiting. At the end of the day, the pass is simply discarded.

• Rabbit Card

  Replacing the previous Sky SmartPass, the Rabbit Card is a stored-value payment card. The card is issued with a passport, costs 200 baht (100 baht is loaded as credit), and can be topped up with any amount. Rabbit Card offers a small discount – for example, a minimum trip costs 16 baht instead of 17. For tourists, this isn't a great deal compared to single tickets, unless you want to save time buying tickets each time – but you won't get the 100 baht card fee back.

How to buy a BTS ticket: vending machines, ticket counters, and Rabbit Card

Single Journey Tickets are sold at vending machines on each station, while passes are available at ticket counters.

There are three types of vending machines: Ticket Issuing Machine (TIM), Integrated Ticketing Machine (ITM), and Ticket Vending Machine (TVM). They mainly differ in which coins or banknotes they accept. If you don't have the right coins or bills, you can get change at the ticket counters. Note that single tickets are not sold at ticket counters. You'll likely figure out any machine without issues – everything has English. But here's a brief description just in case:

• TIM

  Accepts only 5 and 10 baht coins and gives change in 5 baht coins.

  You can't select your station directly. Instead, check the fare table next to the machine for your destination, then press the corresponding amount button (large buttons with numbers). After pressing, feed coins into the machine – once you've inserted the right amount, it will dispense your ticket and change if needed.

• Integrated Ticketing Machine (ITM)

  Accepts 5 and 10 baht coins and 20, 50, 100 baht banknotes. Gives change in 5 baht coins.

  On the touchscreen, you can select your language, choose your station, and then insert banknotes or coins.

• Ticket Vending Machine (TVM)

  Accepts 1, 5, and 10 baht coins and 20, 50, 100 baht banknotes. Gives change in 1, 5, and 10 baht coins.

  This is an upgraded version of the previous machine. Allows you to buy multiple tickets at once.

Important BTS stations for tourists

Here are some stations that may be of interest to tourists.

• BTS Phaya Thai (Sukhumvit Line)

  Connection to the Airport Rail Link station of the same name, where you can quickly and cheaply get to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

  This is also the nearest Skytrain station (about 500 meters, 10 minutes walk) to the Baiyoke Sky Tower and essentially the center of the Pratunam area.

• BTS Saphan Taksin (Silom Line)

  Sathon pier for river taxis. This is the only place where you can transfer from the Skytrain to boats plying the Chao Phraya River to reach the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), or even Khao San Road. More about Bangkok river transport.

• BTS Sala Daeng (Silom Line)

  This station is right in the center of the nightlife in Bangkok's Silom district, near Patpong Street (Soi Patpong).

• BTS Victory Monument (Sukhumvit Line)

  Right next to this station is Victory Monument bus stop, which used to be a departure point for minivans to cities near Bangkok. Now only city buses remain, making this a convenient transfer point between city bus routes to reach almost anywhere in Bangkok.

• BTS Morchit (Sukhumvit Line)

  From this station, you can walk (about 20 minutes) or take a songthaew to Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit). Bangkok's largest market, Chatuchak, is also located here.

• BTS Ekkamai (Silom Line)

  This station is next to Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai).

MRT Underground: Fares, Tickets and Important Stations

Currently, there are two MRT lines:

• Blue Line (M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line). Runs from Hualamphong railway station north to Bang Sue station through the Silom, Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek, and Chatuchak areas. Intersects with the BTS Skytrain at Si Lom (S2), Sukhumvit (E4), and Chatuchak Park (N18).
• Purple Line (M.R.T. Chalong Ratchadham Line). Does not intersect with the BTS Skytrain and is of little interest to tourists overall.

The use and payment system for the underground metro is exactly the same as the Skytrain: fare depends on distance, tickets are purchased at entry and checked at exit gates. Currently, tickets for the underground and Skytrain are separate, and you cannot transfer between them with a single ticket. However, plans to integrate these systems are in the works.

How to use MRT

Access to Bangkok's underground metro is via ticket cards or single-use tokens. For tourists, tokens are the easiest option. They can be purchased at each station from vending machines or ticket counters.

Ticket validation (tokens or cards) happens automatically at entry and exit, so keep them until the end of your trip. At entry, tap the token on the gate reader, and at exit, drop it into the slot on the gate.

For all ticket types, there's a time limit of 90 minutes from entry through the gate – you must exit the metro within that time, or you'll be fined 40 baht.

MRT fares and ticket types (single, passes)

• Single Journey Token

  Cost: from 17 to 44 baht depending on the distance. Most convenient for tourists.

  This is a plastic token that you tap on the reader at the entry gate and drop into the slot at the exit gate, where it's retained. Valid only on the day of purchase.

  Sold at vending machines and ticket counters at stations. Tokens for children are only available at ticket counters.

• Stored Value Card

  Cost: from 230 baht (150 for rides, 50 deposit, 30 issuance fee), rechargeable in increments of 100 baht. Child (under 14) and senior (over 65) cards are available at reduced rates.

  This card doesn't offer any savings – each ride costs the same as a single token. Its only advantage is convenience: you don't need to buy a token each time. Tap it on the gate reader each time you enter and exit.

  Sold only at ticket counters.

• One Day Pass

  Cost: 120 baht.

  Allows unlimited rides on the underground metro for a full day. Each passenger needs their own card. Valid only on the day the first ride was made, until midnight of that day. Sold only at ticket counters.

• Multi-day passes

  Same as the One Day Pass, but valid for different durations.

  Cost:

  • 15-DAY PASS – 600 baht.
  • 30-DAY PASS – 1400 baht.

How to buy an MRT ticket

Single-use tokens can be bought at ticket counters and vending machines, while passes are only available at ticket counters. Vending machines sell tokens for adults only; children's tickets are at the ticket counter.

When buying from a vending machine, select your destination station (you'll see the fare immediately), then feed coins (1, 5, 10 baht) or banknotes (20, 50, 100 baht). The machine gives change in coins.

Important MRT stations

• MRT Hua Lamphong

  This station is right at Bangkok's Hualamphong railway station and near Chinatown. Also within walking distance is the Golden Buddha Temple (Wat Trai Mit).

• Sam Yot and Sanam Chai

  These are two relatively new stations in Bangkok's historic district on Rattanakosin Island. From here, you can walk to the Grand Palace and most of the iconic temples, the Museum of Siam, and many other places. Sanam Chai station is considered one of the most beautiful in the world – worth visiting just for that.

• MRT Si Lom

  Located near Patpong night entertainment street.

• MRT Morchit and MRT Phahon Yothin

  From these stations, you can walk (about 20 minutes) or take a songthaew to Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit). Bangkok's largest market, Chatuchak, is also here.

Airport Rail Link (ARL)

The only ARL line connects the city center with Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and it's the fastest and very affordable way to get from the city center to the airport and back. This metro can also be used for travel within the city or to Bangkok's suburbs. Trains run from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM, approximately every 15 minutes.

These trains run the entire route with stops. You can ride as many stops as you need. The line starts at Phaya Thai station (the same as BTS Phaya Thai) in the very center of Bangkok in Pratunam area. At Makkasan station, you can transfer to the MRT Blue Line.

How to buy an ARL ticket

Tickets are sold at each station via vending machines. Ticket validation happens at entry and exit.

Important ARL stations

• ARL Phaya Thai. Transfer to the BTS Skytrain.
• ARL Makkasan. Transfer to MRT Phetchaburi station.
• ARL Ratchaprarop. Nearest metro station to the Baiyoke Sky Tower (10 minutes walk).

Bangkok Monorail (MRL)

The monorail is a new mode of transport and a new yellow line on Bangkok's public transport maps, launched only in 2023. We (the site authors) haven't personally used this transport yet, as there simply hasn't been a need. The line runs through residential areas on the outskirts of the city, and we just haven't found a use for it – nowhere interesting to go on the monorail.