Following numerous delays, the long-awaited Bangkok metro was officially opened in July 2004. Since then, the underground train line has proved to be a welcome transport addition for Bangkok commuters. First time visitors to Bangkok may find the metro of limited value because it isn’t particularly convenient for a number of the city’s major attractions and is currently limited in range. However, the metro does provide useful links with a number of Skytrain stations and can be utilised to get around Bangkok in air-conditioned comfort. The trains and stations are clean and modern and the underground metro line can be a hassle-free option for connecting to the railway station at Hualamphong or to visit somewhere like the famous weekend market at Chatuchak.
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Bangkok’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) metro system runs from the main train station at Hualamphong and then travels east towards Silom and Lumpini Park. The underground line then heads north towards the Sukhumvit area and on to Chatuchak Park before finishing at Bang Sue. The full list of metro stations is:
The Bangkok metro operates daily from 06.00 to midnight. During peak times (06.00 to 09.00 and 16.30 to 19.30) the wait for a train is under 5 minutes and during off-peak times it is less than 10 minutes.
The cost of a single journey depends on distance travelled with adult prices currently ranging from 15 Baht to 40 Baht. For children or senior citizens it is 8 Baht to 20 Baht. Adult day passes for unlimited travel are available for 120 Baht.
For single journeys you pay at an automated ticket machine (instructions available in English) and are issued with a small black token which is deposited at the automatic barrier when you go through to catch your train.
