BTS Skytrain is the first electric mass transit railway system to commence operations in Thailand, built and operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC). Inaugurated on 5th December 1999, BTS Skytrain operates on 2 lines, serving 23 stations in total.
Sukhumvit Line royally bestowed with the title Elevated Train in Commemoration of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday, Route 1, running over a distance of 17 km from Mo Chit Station to On Nut Station.
Silom Line royally bestowed with the title Elevated Train in Commemoration of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday, Route 2, running over a distance of 6.5 km from National Stadium Station to Saphan Taksin Station
Currently, there are a total of 60 fully-operated stations on the Silom and Sukhumvit lines.
How to buy BTS ticket:
There are few ways to buy BTS Skytrain tickets
1) Single ride ticket. This ticket is valid for a single journey, with fare according to chosen destination. (starting at 16 Baht, up to 44 Baht per journey) Valid for travel on date of purchase only. Ticket will be retained at an Automatic Gate upon exit.
1. Touch the screen on your destination area. The Route map will then zoom in to area selected.
2. Swipe to find your destination station.
3. Select destination by pressing on the circular area of station code.
In case of wrong selection, press the cancel button and select station again
4. Select number of tickets. Ticket Machine issue a maximum of 4 cards. If no quantity selected, then 1 card will automatically be dispensed.
5. There are two ways to make a payment. First insert coins or banknote. Second, scan QR code. While waiting the queue, passengers should open application and be ready for transaction. Passenger can make a payment via Rabbit LINE Pay or any Mobile Banking application.
6. Take ticket from tray below and receive change (if any)
2) buy one day pass – Price 140 Baht Buy it HERE – pick up at airport or Central world
1. Valid for unlimited rides on the date of issue or registration only.
2. Non-refundable
3. Available at all BTS Ticket Offices.
3) buy Rabbit Adult card – 100 baht issue Buy it here – 200 baht credit on card
it is basically a prepaid card that you top up with money and use it as you go. Just tap in at the entrance and exit of each station and it will automatically deduct the amount depending on which route you used. You can check prices between stations HERE
How to use the BTS ticket
Now that you have the credit card-sized BTS ticket, head over to the metal barriers. Choose one of the ones that displays a big green checkmark. This indicates that it is an entry point. The red X show exit points are from the other side. Put your ticket in the bottom slot of the barrier. The ticket will go in and out at the top when the red barrier rolls back. Take the return ticket and walk briskly. Don’t take too long as the barrier only stays open for about few seconds.
How to board the BTS skytrain
BTS platforms have yellow lines near the runway, please don’t try to cross them! Please wait in an orderly line behind the yellow arrows pointing towards the platforms. The Thai queue in relatively straight lines for the BTS skytrain. No pushing or queue jumping! When a skytrain approaches (about every 5-10 minutes), it will stop with the gates directly in front of the yellow arrows on the ground. When the doors open, wait until passengers have fully disembarked before entering. Inside, there will be bright yellow seats to sit on and cool air conditioning. Or, if no one is available, there are handrails you have to hold on to. Do not lean against the doors. There will be a map above the gates showing where you are and the next stations. There are also announcements telling you which station is next.
Getting off a BTS Skytrain
As the station you want approaches, an announcement will be made. Get ready to leave immediately. Once the train stops, the doors will open and you can get off. There’s usually a bit of a rush here. Feel free to hang back and let the crowd go ahead of you. Usually you will have to go down a few steps to the exit barriers. Just like the first time you passed, insert your ticket into the slot in front of you. The ticket won’t appear again this time, but the barrier will be removed so you can exit.
Here are few stations that are most frequently visited by the tourists
Phaya Thai – Phaya Thai (BTS): Probably the second busiest stop if arriving from Bangkok airport. The airport rail link stops at Phaya Thai Station, which is directly connected to Phaya Thai BTS Station.
Hua Lamphong: This is the name of the main railway station in Bangkok. It is also the name of the MRT station located in this area. There are 4 entrances/exits from Hua Lamphong MRT. Exit 1 is at the train station itself.
Silom (MRT) – Sala Daeng (BTS): Both stations are interconnected. Take the MRT to Silom, go up the escalator, make a U-turn, return your token, exit the station by going up another escalator. In front of you is Silom road with the BTS skywalk above it. Don’t leave the platform, just make a U-turn to the right to reveal some stairs and an escalator that leads to the BTS walkway above. At the top of the escalator, take the first left and go straight along Silom road until you reach Sala Daeng BTS station.
Sukhumvit (MRT) – Asok (BTS): Both stations are interconnected in the popular Sukhumvit area. The BTS is above ground, while the MRT entrance/exit is below the BTS station at ground level.
Chatuchak Park (MRT) – Mo Chit (BTS): This is where both the MRT and BTS connect to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market. The MRT is located in what is now Chatuchak Park, while the BTS is located on the main road outside the park. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is located next to the park. Mo Chit is also close to where the Bangkok North Bus Terminal is located. It is better to take a taxi from the BTS station to the bus terminal than to walk.
Siam (BTS) – Siam Station is the busiest of all BTS stations, as it connects with another BTS line right next to one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping districts, Siam Square. There are three BTS floors here and it can get crowded during peak hours.
Saphan Taksin (BTS) – Saphan Taksin Pier/Sathorn Pier (River Boat): If you want to take a river boat along the Chao Phraya River to visit attractions such as the Grand Palace or Wat Arun, head to Saphan Taksin BTS. Go down the first steps and turn left. Proceed to the end, insert your BTS card into the exit machine and go down one of the two staircases to the street below. Continue straight until you come to the river and river boats.
Victory Monument (BTS): Take the BTS to the Victory Monument for a variety of local bus and minivan services around Bangkok.
Wongwian Yai (BTS): Just across the river is Bangkok’s Thonburi district. It is also where the small Thonburi railway station is located. It’s not close to the BTS station (30-40 minute walk), but it’s easier to get a taxi to the station from here than across the river. And that’s about it for major transport links. Yes, there are many more important stops, but these are the main ones that will come in handy when visiting Bangkok. If you can familiarize yourself with these, you’ll be one step ahead of the others on your journey.