Getting to Bangkok

Getting to Bangkok is easy.

Whew!

But really, as Thailand’s capital, as well as the geographical mid-point, as well as a hub for international flights, getting in and out of Bangkok is a breeze.

Getting to Bangkok by air

Cheap flights abound, both domestic and international. Bangkok has two airports, Suvarnabumi (Swambi) and Don Muang. You can read more about those airports here, but in general Swambi services international flights while Don Muang handles domestic flights.

Any Thai city with an airport has flights to Bangkok, and you can get some pretty good deals that include ferry service and bus transfers to places like Ko Samui.

Read more about getting to Bangkok from Ko Samui

Other major domestic flight destinations, with several flights per day, include Chiang Mai and Phuket. You can also catch a short flight to Trat (for Ko Chang).

Read more about getting to Bangkok from Chiang Mai
Also read more about getting to Bangkok from Phuket

Internationally, you can fly direct to any major city in Asia, including Singapore, Mumbai and Manila.

Read about getting to Malaysia from Bangkok

Getting to Bangkok by train

Bangkok’s Hualumphong train station is also a major hub, and taking the train in Thailand is an inexpensive and fun way to travel. You’ll find service north to Chiang Mai, and south all the way to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (see above link regarding Malaysia). You can reach Bangkok easily from Ko Samui with a quick ferry transfer. It’s less easy to reach Bangkok from Phuket, or the west coast in general, by train, since the line runs along the east coast.

Getting to Bangkok by bus

The bus system in Thailand is prolific, to say the least, with all manner of buses constantly arriving and departing in Bangkok’s three major long-distance bus stations. (Read more about bus transportation in Thailand here).

International, overnight(s) buses are available to Vientiane and Phnom Penh, and plenty of all day services to Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) are available as well.

I never recommend taking buses that travel to or from Bangkok’s Khao San Road. Theft is common on these buses, and even if your luggage is locked you’re not immune to it. Prices are often cheap and it’s convenient not having to travel to a bus station, but buss that leave from official stations are far more reliable and safe.

Always consider bumping up to a VIP, first-class, air-con bus if you’re traveling all night. The extra leg room and service (and therefore extra sleep!) is well worth your money.

[Photo credit: The Travelista, Flickr]