Transport in Thailand: A Complete Guide to Getting Around

One of the reasons why Thailand has long become a "Mecca" for independent and budget travelers is its well-developed tourist and public transport system. You can easily explore almost the entire country without needing expensive taxis or special tourist transport. Even taxi costs, if you know how to use them right, can seem laughably low. And overall, the cost of getting around Thailand can seem incredibly low compared to similar distances back home – even though they're so rich in fossil fuels.

An important note for 2026: Lately, fuel prices in Thailand have gone up noticeably, and with them, transport services. Gasoline at some stations now reaches 50 baht per liter, which inevitably affects the cost of taxis, airfares, and rentals. When planning your budget, allocate a bit more for transport than you would have a couple of years ago – the savings are still significant, but not as extreme as before.

By plane

Airports are found near almost every major city in Thailand. The country's main air hub is Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. What's nice is that several low-cost airlines operate here (AirAsia, NokAir, Thai VietJet, Thai Lion Air, etc.), offering flight prices comparable to bus tickets in Russia for similar distances. The key is to book your tickets well in advance, because the closer to the departure date, the higher the price. Even better, wait for flight sales – then you can snag a ticket for the price of a bus ride.

Here's what we usually do: a few weeks before the trip, we start monitoring prices for our dates through aggregators, watch the trends, and compare costs across different carriers. This helps figure out whether it's better to buy tickets right away or wait for a sale, and sometimes even buy them on the spot – it all depends on the route and season. But keep in mind that closer to the departure date, the price can skyrocket, especially on popular routes. The sweet spot for most destinations is booking 2-3 weeks ahead.

You can easily find and pay for domestic flights in Thailand with Russian cards through these services:

• Trip.com
• Aviasales

By train

General info

Trains in Thailand are a great way to travel, especially for budget travelers. They're slower than planes but cheaper and safer than buses. It's easy to sleep on trains during night journeys, and the network covers almost all tourist destinations. The cost depends on class and distance: a 3rd-class seat can cost as little as 15 baht (0.45 USD) for a short hop, while a 1st-class sleeper might run a few hundred baht. Trains can even take you to neighboring countries: Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia.

Routes and schedules

The main hub is Bangkok, with trains heading north (Chiang Mai), northeast (Laos), east (Cambodia), south (Hua Hin, Krabi, Malaysia), and west (Kanchanaburi). Bangkok has two main stations: the old Hualamphong (listed as Bangkok in schedules) and the new Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue). Official schedules and prices can be found on the railway.co.th website, but it's unstable. A good alternative is 12go.asia, where you can view schedules and buy tickets online. We also have a section with route schedules and a map of Thailand's railways.

Carriage classes

• 3rd class – seats without air conditioning, cheap (from 15 baht, 0.45 USD), suitable for short trips. Keep in mind that it can get very crowded and stuffy, and during peak hours you might not get a seat. For long hauls, this class is uncomfortable.
• 2nd class seats – air-conditioned seats with reclining backs, about twice the price of 3rd class.
• 2nd class sleeper – berths with curtains, air-conditioned or not, the best choice for overnight trips.
• 1st class – two-berth compartments with a sink and a toilet with shower, the most comfortable and expensive. The AC here really blasts, so a warm sweater or light blanket won't hurt even in hot weather.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are sold on the official website dticket.railway.co.th (English available, but Russian cards not accepted), as well as through 12go.asia, where you can pay with non-Russian bank cards, PayPal, and other methods. At stations, tickets are sold up to 30 days in advance with no commission, but for the most sought-after routes, like night train #9 to Chiang Mai, tickets may appear up to 90 days out. For long-distance and sleeper berths, book well in advance, especially during holidays.

More info: complete guide to Thailand's trains.

By bus

Thailand's bus network is the most extensive and budget-friendly: you can get to practically any corner of the country. Intercity buses fall into two main types: tourist and regular. Each has its pros and cons.

Tourist buses

These are private company buses and minivans running between popular resorts. Their main advantage is that they depart right from tourist areas, often with hotel pickup. But you pay for convenience with punctuality: delays, unpredictable travel times, many transfers, and minimal luggage space are par for the course. If you're short on time or traveling with large suitcases, think twice before buying such a ticket.

Regular buses

State and large private regular buses depart from bus terminals on schedule and are cheaper than tourist buses. They are much more punctual. Comfort is divided into several classes:

• VIP – the fastest and most comfortable, with toilet and minimal stops;
• First class (1st class) – air-conditioned, with toilet, slower than VIP;
• Second class (2nd class) – the cheapest, often without AC, with many stops, suitable for short routes.

It's best to buy tickets for regular buses at bus station ticket offices. Online booking for all routes isn't available, but the most popular routes are listed on 12go.asia. You can also check schedules and prices in our bus schedules section for Thailand.

More info: what else you need to know about Thailand's intercity buses.

Taxis

Taxis are mostly used for getting around cities, but sometimes you can also take a taxi to a nearby town or the airport. Surprisingly, a taxi ride can sometimes be cheaper, or at least not much more expensive, than a bus. If you're traveling with a group of several people and everyone chips in a little for the taxi, it comes out not too expensive per person. There are three types of taxis in Thailand, and to avoid overpaying, you need to understand their differences.

Metered taxis (Taxi meter)

These are painted cars with checkered decals, easy to spot. They're everywhere, hailed and hired like regular taxis. Just remember to remind the driver to turn on the meter before you go (they're required to do so), otherwise they might take you at a fixed price with an unpleasant surprise at the end of the ride. For short trips within the city, this is the most cost-effective option.

Private taxis

Private drivers charge a negotiated price, usually cheaper than official ones. But there are very few left, and you might accidentally overpay if you don't know the real price. So we advise being careful with them. For long taxi trips, we recommend agreeing on a fixed price with the driver (and haggling as usual).

Taxi apps

These are official taxi drivers, but mostly in regular cars without checkered decals or special paint. We mostly use these ourselves, so we'll go into more detail.

In Thailand, the ride-hailing apps Grab, Bolt, Maxim (not in all regions), and InDrive work. Uber does not work. Grab is the most reliable and has the most cars, so pickup is fast. Bolt and Maxim are a bit cheaper. But be careful with Maxim taxis if you need to get to the airport or station on time: you might wait 30 minutes for a pickup. The InDrive app is good for long trips, as you can save money by naming your price. We personally use all four apps in Thailand depending on the situation and location.

To order a taxi through the apps, you obviously need internet. It's best to buy a local SIM card or eSIM – we've explained how to do that without spending extra in this guide: Connectivity and Internet in Thailand. If you don't have mobile internet, you can temporarily use WiFi at a cafe, hotel, or airport. The ride price is fixed when you request it; you'll see it on the screen and pay that amount to the driver (unless there are extra charges for toll roads). Just remember to note the price before you lose signal. Payment is in cash at the end of the ride, or you can link a card in the app, but Russian cards don't work.

Motorbike taxis

Motorbike taxis are a very popular and fast way to get around Thai cities and resorts. They're available almost everywhere, especially in big cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai. You can book a motorbike taxi through the same apps (Grab, Bolt, Maxim) or just flag one down on the street and haggle.

The official rate: first 2 km – no more than 25 baht (0.75 USD); from 2 to 5 km – an extra 2–5 baht per km; 5–15 km – 10 baht/km; over 15 km – negotiable, but not more than 150 baht (4.5 USD). In practice, tourists are often charged double, so always confirm the final price before the ride and bargain if needed. Try to name your destination as precisely as possible, including the area, so you don't end up going the wrong way.

Motorbike taxis are two to three times cheaper than regular car taxis, which makes them attractive for short trips. But keep in mind the higher risk: motorcycles are less stable, and drivers often ignore traffic rules. It's inconvenient and unsafe to ride with luggage or as two passengers. Although we once rode as two with backpacks on an illegal motorbike taxi, it felt genuinely dangerous, and we won't do it again – we don't recommend you repeat the experience.

More info: separate article about motorbike taxis in Thailand.

Tuk-tuks

Real three-wheeled tuk-tuks are only found in Bangkok; they are strictly for intracity travel and not suitable for long distances. A ride costs from 100 baht (3 USD), but tourists are almost always quoted inflated prices. This is the most expensive and exotic form of city transport.

Tuk-tuk drivers actively try to lure passengers, offering free or very cheap rides, but it's a classic scam: either they'll take you on a "shopping tour" to jewelry stores and restaurants, or they'll demand far more than agreed at the end. The only truly free way to ride is to agree to such a shopping tour, where the driver gets a commission.

If you just want to take a tuk-tuk ride, always agree on a fixed price for the entire trip before getting in, write it down, and don't fall for vague promises without a specific amount. Remember, Pattaya doesn't have three-wheeled tuk-tuks – only songthaews, which locals sometimes mistakenly call tuk-tuks, but they're a completely different transport.

Renting a vehicle

What license you need

Since May 2020, Thailand has ratified the Vienna Convention, so in theory, a Russian national driver's license is sufficient. However, in practice, police and some rental companies still require an International Driving Permit (IDP). So we recommend getting an IDP in addition to your regular license before your trip. For a motorcycle, you need category "A", but rental shops rarely check.

Very important: only an IDP issued by the traffic police is a legal document for foreigners abroad. Various booklets like "International Driver's License" sold online are invalid and can lead to hefty fines or insurance claim denials. Without the correct license, you risk not just money but also your safety. More info: What license you need in Thailand.

Traffic rules

Traffic drives on the left, roads are good, and traffic is heavy. Drivers are skilled but have a different mindset: Thais are slow but adept at maneuvering. As a tourist, drive calmly, don't speed, always wear a helmet (fine up to 500 baht (15 USD)). The road fatality rate is one of the highest in the world, so don't overestimate your abilities. Conflicts with local drivers can be dangerous – don't get into arguments.

Renting a motorbike

A motorbike is the most economical form of personal transport. Rental rates for a simple automatic start from 150–200 baht per day (4.5 USD), and from 3000 baht per month (90.01 USD). Haggling is acceptable. Usually, they ask for a passport or cash as a deposit, but it's not advisable to hand over your passport – you can offer an old one or your internal passport instead. Insurance is typically not included, so the renter pays for any damage.

Before taking the bike, inspect it carefully, take photos of any scratches, and check that everything works. Fill up at branded gas stations (Ptt, Shell) with 95-octane gasoline, which costs from 35 baht per liter (1.05 USD). Buckle your helmet, park only in designated areas, and leave the bike overnight at a hotel's guarded parking or a paid lot (20–50 baht).

Renting a car

Renting a car costs from 800 baht (24 USD) per day, cheaper for longer periods. We recommend booking online – it's often better value than at the rental desk on site. Always check the insurance and deductibles. They'll ask for a passport and/or a bank card as a deposit, but Russian cards currently don't work for blocking deposits. Major international companies like Avis and Budget are present in most tourist areas, offering good insurance but at a higher price.

More info: all about vehicle rental in Thailand.

By ferry

In some cases, water transport is the only way to reach your destination. But Thailand has that covered too. Wherever tourists flock, convenient routes by air, land, or sea emerge – sometimes all three combined. You can find very convenient combined transfers: a flight, a ride from the airport to the pier, and then a boat ride to your dream island, all on one ticket. Such combined tickets are sold not only at travel agencies but also on airline websites. Sometimes you can buy bus+ferry combos, which is also very convenient. Regular ferries and speedboats connect the mainland to islands like Samui, Phangan, Koh Tao, and others.

You can check ferry schedules on aggregator sites, and buy tickets at street travel agencies, at the piers, or online:

• 12go.asia – a reliable search engine; tickets can be paid for with a non-Russian card or booked and paid at the counter in Thai stores.
• busonlineticket – another reliable local aggregator, but payment is only online with a non-Russian card.