MRT Yellow Line Bangkok SkyTrain is an elevated monorail train system connecting Lat Phrao and Samrong. The newly opened Yellow Line expanded the network of skytrains and metros in Bangkok by connecting the eastern part of the city and making it much more reachable from different areas of Thailand's capital city.
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MRT Yellow Line Bangkok SkyTrain
The MRT Yellow Line Bangkok is a recently opened cross-city link in the middle of the northeastern and eastern areas of Bangkok. A key highlight of this line is its connectivity to other rail systems, such as the BTS SkyTrain Sukhumvit Line at Samrong Station (YL23), the Airport Rail Link at Hua Mak Station (YL11), and the MRT Blue Line at Lat Phrao Station (YL01).
The MRT Yellow Line doesn’t pass the city center and other areas frequently visited by tourists, but you might still find it useful during your visit due to the good connection with other lines, several places with a local vibe along the route, and numerous affordable accommodations in the area.
As this Bangkok line is an elevated train system (SkyTrain), quite often it is confused to be the BTS Yellow Line, but it is actually an MRT line. However, even if the Yellow Line is MRT and it connects with the original MRT underground system, it is not a fully integrated part of the MRT metro system, so ticketing for this line is separate, and you won't be able to change trains without getting a new ticket.
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line Map & Stations
The Bangkok MRT Yellow Line consists of 23 stations. Stations on the Bangkok MRT Yellow Line SkyTrain route:
YL01 Lat Phrao – the station next to MRT Metro Lat Phrao station on the MRT Blue Line, which is convenient for reaching the central part of Bangkok city. Nearby the station you can find The Bazaar Ratchadaphisek shopping mall and a couple of well-rated affordable hotels: MyBed Ratchada Bangkok and The Bazaar Hotel.
YL02 Phawana
YL03 Chok Chai 4
YL04 Lat Phrao 71
YL05 Lat Phrao 83 - the station next to Big C Supercenter Lat Phrao.
YL06 Mahat Thai
YL07 Lat Phrao 101 - the station close to a well-rated affordable accommodation, 130 Hotel & Residence Bangkok.
YL08 Bang Kapi - the station close to a very lively local shopping area with The Mall Bangkapi shopping mall, Happyland Center, and Tawanna market next to it. If you would like to stay in the area, you can choose an affordable apartment-style accommodation at Mall Suites Hotel.
YL09 Yaek Lam Sali - the station that will be connected to the MRT Orange Line, which is under construction.
YL10 Si Kritha - the station next to Piya Phirom Park with the very well-rated The Grand Fourwings Convention hotel close to it.
YL11 Hua Mak - the station is connected with the Airport Rail Link Hua Mak station and is close to a great Halal hotel, Zayn Hotel Bangkok.
YL12 Kalantan - the station next to Thanya Park shopping mall.
YL13 Si Nut - the station near Iam Sombat Market.
YL14 Srinagarindra 38 - the station is close to a very well-rated hotel, Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok.
YL15 Suan Luang Rama IX - the station that is nearest to Seacon Square shopping mall, Paradise Park shopping mall, Rama IX Park, and Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin Night Market. Very spacious accommodation is offered by The Vertical Suite right next to the station.
YL16 Si Udom - the station close to Synphaet Srinagarindra Hospital.
YL17 Si Iam - the station closest to Central Plaza Bangna shopping mall and Pororo AquaPark located at its premises. Maple Hotel is a popular place to stay in this area.
YL18 Si La Salle - the station close to Sikarin Hospital.
YL19 Si Bearing - the station next to Lee's Mark Residence.
YL20 Si Dan
YL21 Si Thepha
YL22 Thipphawan
YL23 Samrong - the station connected to BTS Samrong station with Napa Hostel Samrong Station next to it.
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line Timetable
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line SkyTrains operate from 06:00 to midnight.
Actually, the first train departs from the start of the route at 05:30, and the last departure is scheduled at 00:00, with the last train reaching the final station at 00:46.
MRT Yellow Line SkyTrain frequency depends on the time of day, as during peak time (07:00-09:00 and 17:00-20:00 on weekdays), trains depart every 5 minutes, while during off-peak hours, on weekends, and on public holidays, departures are scheduled every 10 minutes.
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line Fare
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line fare depends on the distance and the number of stations traveled and can be from 15 THB to 45 THB for a single journey between the stations on the line.
With Rabbit Card, sometimes you can pay less than the official fare, as Rabbit Card is making various promotions, e.g., buying a package of tickets for as low as 25 THB per ticket for any distance ride.
Current MRT Yellow Line ticket prices are the following:
- 0 stations (you get in and out at the same station) - 15 THB
- 1 station - 18-21 THB
- 2 stations - 22-25 THB
- 3 stations - 24-28 THB
- 4 stations - 27-32 THB
- 5 stations - 30-36 THB
- 6 stations - 33-40 THB
- 7 stations - 38-43 THB
- 8 stations - 42-45 THB
- 9 stations and more - 45 THB
To find the exact MRT Yellow Line fare for your trip, check the "Fare Information" board at the station or use THE SKYTRAINs application.
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line Tickets
There are several types of Bangkok MRT Yellow Line tickets that can be used for traveling on this line: the single journey ticket, the Rabbit Card, and the EMV contactless card.
MRT Yellow Line Single Journey Ticket
The most popular way to pay for a ride on this train line is purchasing an MRT Yellow Line Single Journey Ticket.
Bangkok MRT Yellow Line tickets for a single journey can be purchased at ticket-issuing machines. You need Thai Baht coins or banknotes for buying a ticket.
Ticket-issuing machines are easy to use, as you can choose between the English, Thai, and Chinese languages on the touchscreen. Then you just need to choose your destination and a number of tickets.
While previously it was possible to buy a single journey ticket only for the Yellow Line, now passengers can purchase a single journey ticket for the Green Line and Pink Line (one card valid for all three systems).
The exact fare will appear on the screen.
You need 1, 2, 5, or 10 baht coins or 20, 50, or 100 baht banknotes, as smaller coins (satangs) and larger banknotes are not accepted by MRT ticket vending machines. Insert coins and banknotes into dedicated slots. When the amount inserted reaches the required fare, your ticket (plastic card) and change will fall down into the chamber at the lower part of the machine.
In case you have a Thai bank account and its application on your phone, it is also possible to pay for your single journey ticket by QR code.
Single journey tickets are valid for travel on the date of purchase only.
Rabbit Card
At the MRT Yellow Line SkyTrain station, tickets can only be purchased for stations within the line, and you will need to buy another ticket at the MRT Metro or BTS station if you are looking to extend your trip on another train line.
To simplify things, you can purchase a Rabbit Card that can be topped up and used for traveling not only with the MRT Yellow Line SkyTrain but also with the BTS Green Line, Gold Line, MRT Pink Line, and even the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Rabbit cards can be bought at any MRT Yellow Line, Pink Line, or BTS Station ticket office. The Rabbit card can also be conveniently picked up at the airport by booking online here: Rabbit Card online.
EMV Contactless Card
Another option that can be used as a Bangkok MRT Yellow Line ticket card is the EMV contactless card of VISA or Mastercard. EMV stands for "Europay Mastercard and Visa," which has a contactless payment logo on the front or the back of the card.
While most such cards should work on the system, some cards might not be accepted. We've been successfully using our Wise Card to pay the Bangkok MRT fare, as it is much cheaper than using the card issued by the bank in Europe due to the mid-market THB exchange rate used on transactions.
If you are planning to transfer from the MRT Blue Line to the MRT Yellow Line by using the same EMV contactless card as your ticket on both systems within 30 minutes, normally you can get a discount on your second ticket.
How to use the MRT Yellow Line ticket?
To take a train, proceed to the metallic gates. Green arrow signs indicate entry points - you need to choose one of them.
Tap your card at 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 card, as at the exit you will need it for the exit gate to open.
To use an EMV card as your ticket, you need to tap in at the dedicated swing gate, which is normally the gate nearest to the ticket office. When using an EMV card, make sure to use the same card to tap out.
Taking the Bangkok MRT
When you enter the paid area of the Bangkok MRT Yellow Line station, follow the signs leading to the platforms. The platforms are named with the last station of the line (Platform 1 - To Samrong and Platform 2 - To Lat Phrao), and you just need to choose the correct direction. There are boards at the station that are very helpful for choosing the correct platform (see below).
When you get to the platform, you will notice that MRT platforms have yellow arrows pointing towards the track. You should wait in a line behind the yellow arrows pointing to the track, as the doors of the train will stop directly in front of the black 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 choose the 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
Before exiting the MRT Yellow Line station, check the area map and choose the exit that is the most convenient for you.
As many travelers get confused, traveling on the MRT Yellow Line SkyTrain is not covered by the BTS SkyTrain One-Day Pass.
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 you time. Our recommendations for choosing the right area to stay in Bangkok can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok.
