Bus Travel

Getting Here: Bangkok has three major terminals for buses headed from other parts of the country. Buses to and from Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Phuket, and points south and west arrive at the Southern Bus Terminal, in Thonburi. The Eastern Bus Terminal, called Ekkamai, is for buses headed to and from Pattaya, Rayong, and Trat provinces. Buses to and from Chiang Mai and points north arrive at the Northern Bus Terminal. Minivans to nearby destinations like Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, and elsewhere depart from Victory Monument.

Bus companies generally sell tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. This is seldom a problem because service is frequent. The most comfortable buses are those of Nakhon Chai Air, which has its own terminal near Mo Chit. Nakhon Chai connects Bangkok with many destinations within Thailand.

Getting Around: Bangkok Mass Transit Authority provides bus service in the city. For a fare of B8 on non-air-conditioned buses and B12 to B25 on air-conditioned ones, you can travel virtually anywhere in Bangkok. Air-conditioned microbuses charge B25. Most buses operate from 5 am to around 11 pm, but a few routes operate around the clock. You can pick up a route map at most bookstalls for B35, or just to ask locals which bus is headed to your destination.

Contacts

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. 131 Thiemruam-mitre Rd., Huay Khwang, Huai Khwang, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10320. 02/246–0339; 02/1348; www.bmta.co.th.

Bangkok Southern Bus Station (Sai Tai Mai). Borommaratchachonnani Rd., Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10700. 02/894–6122; 02/435–1190; www.transitbangkok.com.

Mo Chit Northern Bus Station. Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10900. 02/936–2852; 02/936–2842; www.transitbangkok.com.

Nakhon Chai Air Bus Station. 27 Vipavadi-Rangsit Rd., Soi 19, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10900. 02/1624; 02/0009; www.nca.co.th.