MRT Bangkok (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) is part of the public transport system of the bustling Asian metropolis. Conveniently connected with other mass transit systems, MRT is a convenient way to travel around Bangkok as this metro system helps to escape busy traffic in Thailand’s capital. MRT links central Bangkok with important areas of the city making it very useful for exploring Bangkok.
Bangkok MRT Metro
MRT Bangkok consists of two connected MRT lines (MRT Blue Line and MRT Purple Line) with 54 stations around the city at the moment as Bangkok metro network was significantly expanded. MRT Blue Line connects major business, residential and cultural areas of Bangkok, while MRT Purple Line serves the north-western area of Bangkok.
Recently MRT Yellow Line and MRT Pink Line were opened but despite being managed by the same company and called MRT, they are actually monorail SkyTrain systems. Even if the first station of MRT Yellow Line is connected to the station of MRT Blue Line and the first station of MRT Pink Line is connected to the station of MRT Purple Line, these new SkyTrain lines are not considered to be a part of the same MRT system and therefore require to use separate tickets.
Bangkok metro connects with city’s other mass transit systems such as BTS SkyTrain, Airport Rail Link and SRT Red Line in several places.
If you are planning to use public transportation in Bangkok, there's a high chance that you will find yourself on MRT Blue Line train at some point as this line passes by various important attractions of the city. However, MRT Purple Line will hardly be of any use for an ordinary traveler.
To simplify things when traveling on Bangkok city train systems such as BTS SkyTrain, MRT Yellow Line and MRT Pink Line, consider getting Bangkok Rabbit Card as with it you won't need to queue up and buy separate tickets for each ride. Even if this card can't be used on MRT blue and purple lines, it's still worth it in most cases as mainly BTS lines are used by Bangkok visitors for exploring the city.
Bangkok MRT Map 2024
Current Bangkok MRT map with all the stations on MRT Blue Line and MRT Purple Line can be seen below. For a larger copy of the map, click on the picture.
The map of the specific MRT line can be found at all Bangkok metro stations.
The route of MRT line with all the stations on it is also displayed at each platform for you to make sure that the train departing from the platform is going to the direction you need.
Stations on Bangkok MRT Route
Currently there are 54 metro stations on Bangkok MRT route. Finding one of the stations shouldn’t be difficult if you are staying in the area near one. All entrances to MRT stations are clearly marked and can be easily noticed.
There are automated escalators leading down to the station and at least one of the entrances have a lift near it.
MRT Bangkok Operating Hours
Bangkok MRT Blue Line operates daily from 06:00 to midnight.
On weekdays, the first train on MRT Blue Line departs from the start of the route at 05:30 and from all other stations just before 06:00. On weekends and public holidays trains start running a bit later but the first departure from all MRT stations is still scheduled not later than 06:03.
The last departure from the first station on the route is scheduled just after 23:00 with the last train reaching the final station at around 00:30. If you are looking to transfer to MRT Purple Line, the last train you can take normally should be at least one hour earlier than the last departure at the station.
Bangkok MRT Purple Line operates from 05:30 to midnight on weekdays and from 06:00 to midnight on weekends and public holidays.
Bangkok Metro Timings
A detailed Bangkok MRT timetable for the specific station can be found at the place.
MRT Blue Line train frequency depends on the day of the week and the time of the day. On weekdays during rush hour MRT trains depart every 3.5-4 minutes, while during off-peak hours the departures are scheduled every 5-7 minutes. On weekends and public holidays trains on this MRT line depart every 8 minutes, with the exception of the 16:00-19:00 timeframe on Saturdays when departures are slightly more frequent.
MRT Purple Line train frequency during peak hours (06:30-08:30 and 17:00-19:30 on weekdays) is not exceeding 6 minutes, while during normal hours trains should depart not more than every 9 minutes.
Bangkok MRT Fare 2024
Bangkok MRT fare of a Single Journey Ticket, which is valid for a single journey, depends on the distance (the number of stations traveled) and was recently increased.
In 2024 Bangkok MRT fare rates were increased and currently Bangkok MRT price for a single journey is from 17 THB to 45 THB per journey on MRT Blue Line.
Important update! According to Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited announcement, new MRT Blue Line fare rates are effective from 3 July 2024 to 2 July 2026. Bangkok MRT fare 2024 starts at 17 THB and can reach a maximum of 45 THB (from the original starting fare at 17 THB and a maximum of 43 THB). The fare is increased by 1 THB for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 stations travelled from the departure station and increased by 2 THB for 8, 10, 12 and more stations travelled.
Tickets on MRT Purple Line in 2024 cost from 14 THB to 20 THB per journey (lowered from maximum 42 THB). If your journey requires a change between the Blue and Purple lines, currently MRT fare can go up to 51 THB (lowered from maximum 71 THB).
The exact Bangkok MRT fare for your journey can be found on the board at the station (see below).
Bangkok MRT Fare Calculator
To know the exact Bangkok MRT fare in advance, you can use the official Online MRT Fare Calculator.
Bangkok Metro Tickets
Where to buy Bangkok Metro ticket?
There are few ways to buy Bangkok metro tickets but the most common way is using Ticket Vending Machines. All these machines are cash only and accept Thai Baht coins and banknotes.
How to buy Bangkok MRT ticket?
These Ticket Vending Machines are easy to use as you can choose between English and Thai language on the touchscreen. Then you just need to choose your destination. If your destination isn’t listed on the screen, most probably you need to swap lines – you can do it by clicking blue or purple button on the top left of the touchscreen. The exact fare will appear on the screen. Tickets must be bought one by one on these Ticket Vending Machines.
You need 1, 5, 10 Baht coins or 20, 50, 100 Baht banknotes as 2 Baht coins, satangs and larger banknotes are not accepted by the ordinary MRT Ticket Vending Machines. The new ticket machines accept 2 Baht coins and large banknotes but they are still quite rare.
Insert coins and banknotes into dedicated slots.
When the amount inserted will reach the required fare, your ticket (token) and change (given in coins only) will fall down into the windowed chamber below. Take the token and your change (if any).
You can also buy your ticket from MRT Station Ticket Office. Just stand in a queue, proceed to one of the windows, tell your destination and a number of tickets, pay money and you will get a token and change (if any).
Keep in mind that Single Journey Tickets are valid for travel on date of purchase only.
It is also possible to purchase a stored value MRT Card - a smart card which can be stored and topped up value for multiple rides. Bangkok MRT Card can be bought and topped at any MRT Station Ticket Office.
However, if you are visiting Bangkok only as a tourist for a short stay and will rarely use MRT, getting such a card might be not worth it.
Another option that can be used as Bangkok MRT card is EMV Contactless Card of VISA or Mastercard. EMV stand for "The Europay Mastercard and Visa", which has contactless payment logo on the front or the back of card. EMV Contactless cards that can be used to pay for fares on the MRT Blue Line and Purple Line are the following:
- Credit card from every Thailand bank issuer and every International bank issuer under VISA or Mastercard brand
- Debit card from Krungthai bank / UOB bank only for Thailand bank issuers under VISA or Mastercard brand
If you are planning to use other Bangkok city train systems such as BTS SkyTrain and MRT Yellow or Pink Line, consider buying Rabbit Card as it helps to simplify things when traveling on these systems because you don't need to queue up and buy separate tickets for each ride on BTS or MRT Yellow and Pink Lines. Rabbit card can be conveniently purchased online and picked up at the airport with the help of this website: Rabbit Card online.
How to use MRT ticket?
When you get your token, proceed to the metallic gates. Green arrow signs indicate entry points - you need to choose one of them.
Touch your token to the indicated place on the metallic part of the gate. The red gate will open then. Quickly walk through as the gate stays open for just a couple of seconds.
Don’t lose the token as at the exit you will have to insert it into the dedicated slot for the exit gate to open.
Taking Bangkok Metro
When you enter the Paid Area of Bangkok metro station, just follow signs leading to the trains.
On the ground level, you will need to choose the platform. The platforms are named with the last station of the line and you just need to choose correct direction. MRT Blue and Purple lines connect at Tao Poon station and you might need to change the train and platform there.
When you will get to the platform, you will notice that MRT platforms have yellow arrows pointing towards and back from the track. You should wait in a line behind the yellow arrows pointing to the track.
The doors of the train will stop directly in front of the arrows pointing back from the track and passengers will disembark the train there.
There’s a map inside the train above the door showing stations on the line. The name of the next station is clearly announced in advance so you have time to prepare for disembarking the train.
If you will choose wrong direction or miss your station, don’t worry and just swap platforms at the next station. You don’t need to buy a new ticket if you just change platforms and don’t leave the station.
Tips for Bangkok MRT
Before exiting MRT station, check the Locality Map and choose the exit which is the most convenient for you.
If you see long queues near Ticket Vending Machines and Ticket Offices on one side of the station, just walk to another side (you can do it without entering the Paid Area of metro station) as the situation there might be much better.
Bangkok MRT is very convenient when used with other Bangkok’s Mass Transit Systems such as BTS and Airport Rail Link. Connections between systems are the following:
MRT Blue Line connects with BTS Sukhumvit Line at MRT Sukhumvit, MRT Chatuchak Park and MRT Phahon Yothin stations
MRT Blue Line connects with BTS Silom Line at MRT Si Lom and MRT Bang Wa stations
MRT Blue Line connects with Airport Rail Link at MRT Phetchaburi station
MRT Blue Line connects with MRT Yellow Line at MRT Lat Phrao station
MRT Blue Line connects with SRT Red Line at MRT Bang Sue station
MRT Purple Line connects with SRT Red Line at MRT Bang Son station
MRT Purple Line connects with MRT Pink Line at MRT Nonthaburi Civic Center station
MRT (Metro) is just one part of the complex public transportation system in Thai capital. Get familiar with other means of transportation used for public transportation in Bangkok.
Where to Stay in Bangkok?
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok? You should choose one of the areas well connected with MRT or BTS as it can really save your time. Our recommendations for choosing the right area to stay in Bangkok can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok.
The most popular area to stay along Bangkok MRT line is Sukhumvit Asoke area, which is directly connected to MRT Sukhumvit Station and BTS Asok Station that makes getting around the city from there especially easy. Some of the best places to stay in the area:
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit - fabulous 5-star hotel in the heart of Sukhumvit
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 - 5-star hotel above Terminal 21 shopping mall
Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit - luxury hotel between BTS Asok and Phrom Phong stations
Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok - 5-star hotel close to Interchange 21 building and Soi Cowboy
Park Plaza Bangkok Soi 18 - 4-star hotel by Radisson, close to MRT Sukhumvit station
Hotel Clover Asoke - well-rated art-inspired boutique hotel in the heart of Bangkok's city centre
Sukhumvit Suites Hotel - good 3-star hotel next to Interchange 21 building
For more hotel options in the area check Bangkok Asoke Hotels.
Any Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions about public transportation in Bangkok and ask your own question if it's not answered there yet.
