Key hubs
Bangkok airport and railway station
- Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), about 25 km from the city centre, with an Airport Rail Link into town; a second airport, Don Mueang (DMK), also serves the city
- Railway station
- Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at Bang Sue is the main long-distance station; no train service links Bangkok with India, so most visitors arrive by air
- Getting around
- BTS Skytrain, MRT metro and Chao Phraya river boats beat road traffic; metered taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the rest. Agree fares before boarding a tuk-tuk.
How to reach Bangkok by air
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is about 25 km from the centre and is linked by the Airport Rail Link. Direct flights from several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, were listed at the time of writing; check schedules before booking. Don Mueang (DMK) is the city's second airport.
How to reach Bangkok by train
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at Bang Sue is the main long-distance rail station, connected to the MRT Blue Line. No railway line connects India to Thailand, so most visitors arrive by air.
How to reach Bangkok by road
Bangkok is the hub of Thailand's road network, with highways to Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Visitors usually go by hired car and driver or organised tour, which is easier than self-drive on Thai roads.
Getting around Bangkok
The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro cover most tourist areas. Chao Phraya Express boats run along the river, and taxis and ride-hailing apps fill the gaps. Agree tuk-tuk fares before boarding.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Bangkok
- Choose hotels near a BTS or MRT station with a lift to the platform. Skytrain stations have stairs and lifts, but check where the lift is before you commit to a route.
- Temples need covered shoulders and knees, and shoes come off at many halls. Wear slip-on shoes and carry a light scarf or shawl.
- Use the Chao Phraya river boats or taxis for the old city, as road traffic is heavy, and keep a screenshot of your hotel's name in Thai for taxi drivers.
- Arrange travel insurance that covers hospital care. Bumrungrad International Hospital in central Bangkok is among the best-known private hospitals for visitors, but costs without cover can be high.
- Pavements are uneven, with raised kerbs and street stalls in the way. Carry a stick or use a taxi for short hops if balance is a concern.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.