Buses are the cheapest form of public transport In Bangkok and this probably makes it amongst one of the cheapest bus services in the world. A famous expatriate columnist once claimed that if you knew the Bangkok bus system then you could travel around the city at any time in the day faster than using a taxi. It certainly seems true to an extent as using their size you will often see a bus barging it's way through the Bangkok traffic, but knowing the routes is another thing completely!
It could take a lifetime to understand the intricacies of the Thai bus systems with ever changing routes, destinations written in only in Thai, and to confuse us even further, they will use the same number for both air con and non air con buses that will take completely different routes. Bangkok bus services generally operate from between 5:00am to 11:00 pm. All in all, the city bus system can be used cheaply and effectively for getting around Bangkok, but you will be lost many times before you learn to use it properly, whether you can speak good Thai or not.
Non Air Conditioned Bus
The cheapest buses and form of travel in Bangkok costing around 5 baht to take you any distance though this may go up to 6.50 baht if the bus takes the expressway. Non air conditioned buses are generally red, cream or green in colour although if you really aren't sure just look for the bus with all its windows open. Though very cheap, in the heat of the day or when stuck in the notoriously bad Bangkok traffic is can prove an uncomfortable way to travel especially with the petrol fumes of all the other vehicles pouring in through the open windows.
Air Conditioned Bus
Certainly a more comfortable way to travel and still at a very reasonable price are the air conditioned buses, prices start at about 6-7 baht and goes up to around 20 baht depending on the distance travelled. Air conditioned buses are distinguishable by having no windows open of course and come in a variety of colours including cream, blue, white, pink, yellow and orange.
Micro Bus
For around 20- 25 baht regardless of distance you can travel on one of the purple or red Bangkok microbuses. This is a privately run bus service that runs through the major areas of Bangkok, and provides sitting down only air conditioned travel.
Airport Bus
Though most expensive by the mile than the regular public buses the airport buses costing 100 baht per person still offer a cheap method of travel from the airport into the city, and often quicker as they use the toll way. Airport buses start their service from 5:00am and the last bus leaves the airport at around 11:00pm.
Easy to use for the first time visitor to Bangkok, you can get your ticket for the bus outside the arrivals hall at Terminal 1 and they have staff to assist you in finding the correct bus if you just give them your hotel name, and once you have arrived at your destination on board English speaking staff will announce your hotel so all in all a very helpful and convenient service. There are four main routes into the city, A1, A2, A3 and A4.
Route A1: BIA - Silom
Inbound - Airport, Century Hotel, opposite Indra Hotel, Anoma Hotel, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Regent Hotel, Dusit Thani and opposite Lerd Sin Hospital is downtown terminal (destination)
Outbound - Narai Hotel, opposite Regent Hotel (Police Hospital), World Trade Center, Indra Hotel, opposite Century Hotel, Airport (destination).
Route A2: BIA - Sanam Luang (Grand Palace)
Inbound - Airport, Victory Monument (Ponglee Restaurant), Siam City Hotel Soi Kink Petch, Petchburi Rd., Sapan Kao, opposite Majestic Hotel, Larnluang, Democracy Monument, Ratchadamnoen Klang, Tanao, Khao San Rd., Rattanakosin Hotel and Sanam Luang is the downtown terminal (destination)
Outbound - Sanamluang, Soldier Monument, Phrapinklao Bridge, Phra Arthit Rd., Phra Sumen Rd., Banglampoo (Bavornnives Temple), Majestic Hotel, Royal Princess Hotel, Democracy Monument, Rajdamnoen Rd., Larnluang, Victory Monument, Airport (destination).
Route A3: BIA Prakanong (Sukhumvit)
Inbound - Airport, Ambassador Hotel, Delta Grand Pacific Hotel, Ban Chang Glas Haus, Novotel Building, opposite the Ekamai Eastern Bus terminal and Prakanong is the downtown terminal (destination).
Outbound - The Ekamai Eastern Bus terminal, Benjasiridij Park, opposite Ban Chang Glas Haus, Sheraton Hotel, opposite Ambassador Hotel, Land Mark Hotel, Airport (destination).
Route A4: BIA - Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lumpong)
Inbound - Airport, Ploenchit Rd., Siam Inter-Continental Hotel, Siam Center, Siam Square, Phayathai Rd., Maboonkrong Shopping Center, Rama IV Rd., Mandarin Hotel, Bangkok Centre Hotel, Wongwien 22, Hua Lumpong Railway Station (destination)
Outbound - Hua Lumpong Railway Station, Rama IV Rd., Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Maboonkrong Shopping Center, Siam Inter-Continental Hotel, Airport (Destination)
