Bangkok public bus service is still rarely used by tourists. Even if taxis in Bangkok are not expensive and very easy to find, using Bangkok public transport is a cheaper option that lets you enjoy the local traveling experience. Learn how to take the bus in Bangkok with this guide, where you will discover Bangkok bus routes, map, ticket, fare, and how to pay for the bus.
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Bangkok Public Transport
Using one of Bangkok’s mass transit systems (BTS SkyTrain, MRT Metro, and Airport Rail Link) is a convenient way to travel around Bangkok, as all three of these systems are well connected to each other, making them very useful if you want to escape busy traffic and save some money in Thailand’s capital. Bangkok’s rapid transport systems are reliable and easy to use, the only downside of them being the lack of a single ticketing system. For detailed guides on using them, check:
Even if the network of trains in Bangkok is quite large and still expanding, it won’t let you reach all the desired destinations. At this point, another important means of the city’s public transportation – Bangkok bus – becomes handy and lifts your local traveling experience to another level.
Bangkok Bus
Public buses in Bangkok are operated by the governmental Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and private operator Thai Smile Group (also called Thai Smile Bus), which was established in 2020 and jointly invested with 8 original private bus companies with licenses to operate public transport routes.
The Bangkok bus network can take you to any part of Bangkok and its suburbs. The size of the city and a huge number of Bangkok bus routes shouldn’t scare you off of using public buses in Bangkok.
More distant areas or smaller streets not covered by public buses can usually be reached by songtaews or motorbike taxis. You can always be sure that you will find a way to reach your desired destination.
Here you will find all the most important information on how to take the bus in Bangkok.
If you would prefer a more tourist-friendly way of exploring main Bangkok attractions by bus, get yourself a Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket and see the most famous attractions in the city at your own pace for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
Bangkok Bus Map
As Bangkok city is huge and there are many public bus routes connecting different corners of the metropolis, you will not find a unified Bangkok bus map with all the routes laid out on one sheet of paper. However, to find your way to travel from your location to the desired destination by public bus, you can use one of the applications with a Bangkok bus map or rely on the route map found at the bus stop (if you will be lucky enough to find one).
Bangkok Bus Map on Google Maps
The easiest way to find a required Bangkok bus route for your journey is using the Google Maps app, as it works quite well with the Bangkok public transport system. Just search for your desired destination, click “Directions”, choose public transport, and the best route will be presented to you. If the only type of public transport you would like to use is a public bus, just click “Options” and choose “Bus” as your preferred mode.
However, don’t rely on the schedule and the length of the proposed journey presented on the app. Traffic is unpredictable in Bangkok, and your waiting time and journey time might vary significantly depending on the traffic.
Bangkok Bus Map on ViaBus
ViaBus is one of Thailand's apps that is a must-have for public bus riders. The app is very useful when traveling by Bangkok bus, as with the use of it, you no longer have to stand and wait for the bus without knowing when it will come. The new buses are equipped with GPS, so you can check the current location of each bus, bus route, and bus stop. Bangkok Bus Map on ViaBus is especially useful if you are looking to combine traveling by public bus with songthaews, as this app displays songthaew routes as well.
On this Bangkok Bus Map application, you can:
- Explore bus stops nearby and track buses passing you in real-time.
- See bus routes passing by, check each route's GPS status, and get other details of the route.
- Get transit directions from A to B, or search bus stops.
Bangkok Bus Route Map at Bus Stop
You can also see a Bangkok bus map for a specific route on the display board at some of the bus stops. However, consider yourself lucky if you will find.
The names of the roads passed by the bus route are written on the colorful scale, and the most famous landmarks are noted nearby. There are separate scales for both directions, as the bus route can differ a bit depending on the direction.
Bus Stops in Bangkok
There are thousands of bus stops all around Bangkok. However, finding one sometimes can be a challenge, as it’s not uncommon for the bus stop signs to be covered by other objects. Look for a bus stop sign like this.
There are also shelters at some of the bus stops. These are much more difficult to miss.
Bangkok bus routes passing the bus stop are normally written on the bus stop sign, but it won’t necessarily be like that, as the sign can be covered with graffiti, stickers, or any other form of “art”.
If the bus stop has a shelter, your chances of seeing the list of bus routes passing by are much higher. But it still can be incomplete or outdated.
If you can’t find the list of bus routes at the bus stop, just stay there for a while and watch buses passing by – you will get an idea about your options at that particular bus stop soon. Otherwise, use an app such as ViaBus or Google Maps.
Bangkok Bus Types
There are two main types of Bangkok buses: air-conditioned buses and regular or fan buses. Some of the routes are covered only by one bus type, but quite often you will have a choice of both bus types.
How do you know what type of bus it is?
The easiest way to know the bus type is by checking the color of the bus.
Air-conditioned Buses
Most of the air-conditioned buses in Bangkok are blue...
...or yellow…
…or light orange.
There are actually 5 different types of air-conditioned buses:
- Air-Conditioned Bus (White-Blue)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (Euro 2, Yellow-Orange)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (PCB, White)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (NGV, Blue)
- Electric Air-Conditioned Bus (Dark Blue), operated by Thai Smile Group
Electric buses of the Thai Smile Group can be recognized by the different type of dark blue buses that also normally have a Thai Smile Bus logo on the side. They are also using the new Bangkok bus route numbering in the format Z-NN, where Z is the zone number (from 1 to 4) and NN is the new route number. However, the old bus route number without a zone is usually also displayed on the bus, as the route corresponds with the route previously operated by the governmental BMTA.
Regular or Fan Buses
Most of the regular fan buses in Bangkok are red/cream…
…or light pink...
...or blue/white...
However, like with many things in Thailand, it’s not a rule, just a tendency. It’s not uncommon to see buses painted in other colors as well.
So how to be sure what type of bus it is, you will ask? Check the windows – if they are half open, it’s definitely a fan bus!
Bangkok Bus Ticket & Fare
Bangkok bus ticket fare depends on the bus route, type of bus, and time of your journey.
How to pay for a bus in Bangkok?
Bangkok bus tickets can be bought on board. Just get on the bus, find a place to sit, and the conductor will approach you. Conductors are the ones you need to pay for the bus in Bangkok. You will definitely notice the conductor, as they always have a long, round metal box in their hand and quite often wear a uniform (see below).
If you are planning to use the electric Thai Smile Bus and the electric Chao Phraya River boat of the same company (Thai Smile Boat) often, consider getting an HOP Card that can be used to tap and pay for fares for public electric buses and boats. However, the HOP Card can be used on buses and boats of the Thai Smile Group only.
HOP Card can be purchased online on Shopee, Lazada, or LINE, or at the place on the Thai Smile Bus or at the Thai Smile Boat Passenger Pier. However, topping up the card is a bit tricky if you don't have a Thai bank account.
Bangkok Bus Fare 2026
Bangkok bus fare increased in 2019 as the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) decided to increase most of Bangkok's public bus fares by 2 baht from 21 January 2019. More info: Bangkok public bus fares up in 2019.
Another Bangkok bus price update was made on 22 April 2019, when some of the air-conditioned bus fare rates were increased by 1 baht.
Bangkok bus fare 2026 rates are provided below.
Bangkok Regular or Fan Bus Fare
The base Bangkok bus fare for BMTA-operated regular buses (red-cream buses) is 8 baht, which gets higher at night and becomes 9.5 baht. Expect to pay a higher price between 23:00 and 05:00. However, the most common regular Bangkok bus fare is 10 baht, as it's charged by BMTA buses using the expressway (for the routes using the expressway, a service fee of 2 baht is added) and by private service providers that use fan buses of different colors (not red-cream ones).
How to know the exact price of your fan bus ticket? Sometimes you can find a bus fare table sticker on the window inside the bus, but they are not so common.
Searching for a fare table or asking about the price isn’t worth it. Just pay 10 baht for every person; it will be enough, and in some cases you will even get some change.
Bangkok Air-conditioned Bus Fare
Bangkok air-conditioned bus fare depends on the length of your journey. The air-conditioned bus fare range is from 12 to 25 baht for a single trip.
There are 4 categories of public air-conditioned buses in Bangkok with different fare rates:
- Air-Conditioned Bus (White-Blue): 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 baht (depending on the distance traveled)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (Euro 2, Yellow-Orange): 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 baht (depending on the distance traveled)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (PCB, White): 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 baht (depending on the distance traveled)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (NGV, Blue): 15, 20, 25 baht (depending on the distance traveled)
You will know the exact price of your journey on the bus. You just need to tell the conductor your destination - choose some famous landmark near your destination, such as a shopping mall, market, or temple. The conductor will tell you the price and most probably even let you know when you need to get off, as they are often quite helpful.
Fare rates for the special airport bus routes S1, A1, A2, A3, and A4 are different from the ones listed above and are from 30 to 60 baht (depending on the route).
Thai Smile Bus Fare (Electric Blue Bus)
The fare for the electric air-conditioned bus, operated by Thai Smile Group, depends on the distance traveled and is the following:
- 15 baht: not more than 4 km
- 20 baht: from 4 to 16 km
- 25 baht: more than 16 km
An additional fee of 2 baht is charged when taking the expressway.
In case of taking the bus to or from Suvarnabhumi Airport, an additional fee of 10 baht is charged.
If you will be using the electric bus service several times a day, consider getting Thai Go Day Pass that covers all Thai Smile Bus routes as well as 3 Thai Smile Boat routes. You can choose from 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day pass.
Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Fare
Standard Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket prices are the following:
- 24-hour bus pass - 800 THB
- 48-hour bus pass - 900 THB
- 72-hour bus pass - 1,000 THB
Bus tickets can be conveniently booked online here: Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
How to Take a Bus in Bangkok
As taking a bus in Thailand can be a bit different experience than in your country, below are the tips on how to take a bus in Bangkok.
Getting on a bus
If you are at the bus stop and want to get on some bus, just raise your hand, as normally buses here don’t stop if they see no people willing to get on the bus. If the traffic is busy or there’s not enough space at the bus stop, don’t be surprised to see the bus stopping in the second or even third lane of the road. Be careful but fast, as the driver won’t wait too long if he sees you napping.
If you are taking the electric Thai Smile Bus and using an HOP Card to pay the fare, don't forget to tap the card on the black machine near the entrance to the bus.
Inside a bus
Normally all the windows in a fan bus are open, making a ride on it quite pleasant if only it’s not jammed with people. Taking a fan bus is really fun, as most probably you will be the only foreigner on that bus, and you’ll be able to see and hear the real life on the streets of Bangkok. You might hate or love them, but that’s the streets of Bangkok that make the capital of Thailand so special.
The environment on the air-conditioned buses is much cleaner and more comfortable. If sweating in the heat of Bangkok is not your thing, you should choose one of these buses.
Getting off a bus
When you want to get off the bus at the next stop, you need to press one of the red buzzer buttons that can usually be found on the walls or ceilings all around the bus. Be quick and careful when getting off the bus, as bus drivers here are always ready to move on as soon as the feet of the last passenger touch the ground.
If you are taking the electric Thai Smile Bus and using an HOP Card to pay the fare, you have to tap the card on the black machine once again when you reach the stop you want to get off at.
Bangkok Bus Routes
There are a number of airport shuttle bus routes connecting Bangkok City with both airports - Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Currently you can use 5 special Bangkok bus routes for reaching the city directly from one of Bangkok's airports:
S1 - Bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road
A1 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to BTS Mo Chit
A2 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Victory Monument
A3 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Lumphini Park
A4 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Khao San Road
These Bangkok airport bus routes are operated by BMTA.
There's also a free shuttle bus running between two airports in Bangkok.
The Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off bus route passes by Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Chinatown, Khao San Road, Wat Suthat, the Giant Swing, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, ICONSIAM, King Power MahaNakhon, and Patpong Night Market.
BMTA Bus Routes in Bangkok
Useful Bangkok bus routes operated by the governmental Bangkok Mass Transit Authority:
Bus route 1: Thanon Tok - Tha Chang (bus for getting to Bangkok Old Town from Chinatown, Silom, and the Riverside along the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River)
Bus route 2: Mega Bangna - Pak Khlong Market (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Pratunam, Sukhumvit, or even Erawan Museum; also can be used in the opposite direction for getting from Sukhumvit or Pratunam to the Grand Palace and other attractions in Bangkok Old Town)
Bus route 3: Northern Bus Terminal Mochit 2 - Khlong San (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Mochit Bus Terminal)
Bus route 15: The Mall Thapra - Sanam Luang (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Siam, Silom, and Asiatique The Riverfront)
Bus route 16: Northern Bus Terminal Mochit 2 – Surawong (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Silom)
Bus route 32: Pakkret Market - Sanam Luang (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Ko Kret)
Bus route 47: Khlong Toei Pier - Department of Lands (bus for getting from Khao San Road to the pier, where you can take a ferry to cross the river to Bang Kra Chao)
Bus route 49: Northern Bus Terminal - Hua Lamphong (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Hua Lamphong Railway Station and vice versa)
Bus route 59: Rangsit – Sanam Luang (cheaper alternative than A4 bus for getting from Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road)
Bus route 60: Siam Park - Pak Khlong Talat (bus going from Khao San Road and Pratunam to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 71: Siam Park - Wat That Thong (bus going from the upper Sukhumvit to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 77: Sathu Pradit Garage - New Mochit (bus going from Mochit Van Terminal to Silom and Sathorn)
Bus route 79: Phutthamonthon Sai 2 - Ratchaprasong (bus for getting from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Khao San Road or CentralWorld and other popular spots in Siam)
Bus route 136: Khlong Toei - Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Ratchada)
Bus route 145: Pak Nam - Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to the places on Srinakarin Road, such as Srinagarindra Train Night Market)
Bus route 168: Siam Park - Victory Monument (direct bus going from Victory Monument to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 501: Minburi - Hua Lamphong (bus for getting from Hua Lamphong and Siam Area to the places along Sukhumvit Road, such as Nana, Terminal 21, EM District, and Ekkamai Bus Terminal)
Bus route 505: Pak Kret - Lumphini Park (bus for getting to the island of Ko Kret from Lumpini Area and Pratunam)
Bus route 508: Pak Nam – Ratchaworadit Pier (bus for getting from Siam and Sukhumvit to Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm)
Bus route 509: Phutthamonthon Sai 2 - Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Chatuchak Weekend Market or Mochit Bus Terminal)
Bus route 510: Thammasat University Rangsit Center - Victory Monument (slightly cheaper option than A2 bus for getting from Victory Monument to Don Mueang Airport or vice versa)
Bus route 511: Pak Nam - Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal (bus for getting directly from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Khao San Road and Sukhumvit or vice versa; can also be used for visiting the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm)
Bus route 516: Buathong Keha Village - Thewet (another bus option for getting from Khao San Road to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal)
Bus route 555: Rangsit - Suvarnabhumi Airport (if you are not eligible for using the free shuttle bus, use this public bus to travel between Bangkok airports)
Bus route 556: Wat Rai Khing - Democracy Monument (alternative bus for getting from Khao San Road to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal)
A full list of Bangkok bus routes operated by BMTA can be found here: BMTA Routes. To see the most up-to-date information, use the website in the Thai language, as the English version of the website is not updated timely and is different from the original.
Thai Smile Bus Routes in Bangkok
A private operator, Thai Smile Group, currently operates more than 120 bus routes in Bangkok. Some of the most useful bus routes of the electric bus are the following:
Bus route 1-1 (29): Bang Khen - Hua Lamphong (bus for traveling between Chatuchak and Hua Lamphong Railway Station)
Bus route 1-17 (187): Khlong 3 Village - Victory Monument (slightly cheaper option than A2 bus for getting from Victory Monument to Don Mueang Airport or vice versa)
Bus route 1-18E (504E): Rangsit - Bang Rak (cheaper alternative than A3 bus for getting from Don Mueang Airport to Pratunam or Silom)
Bus route 1-24E (538E): Thaniyaburi - Priest Hospital (bus for traveling from Phaya Thai or Victory Monument to Dream World)
Bus route 1-39 (71): Siam Park - Khlong Toei (bus passing on part of Sukhumvit Road and going all the way to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 1-45 (115): Siam Park - Bang Rak (bus going directly from Silom to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 1-56 (517): SUT - Mo Chit 2 (bus convenient for travelers who stay in Lat Krabang, Suvarnabhumi area, and want to go to Mochit Bus Terminal)
Bus route 1-63: Patthavikorn - Suan Luang Rama 8 (bus for getting from Khao San Road to MBK or Victory Monument)
Bus route 1-64: Safari World - Nawalan (bus for getting from MRT Pink Line Khu Bon station to Safari World)
Bus route 2-42 (44): Khlong Chan Housing - Tha Tien (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Chatuchak Weekend Market)
Bus route 3-1 (2): Pak Nam - Saphan Phut Pier (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Pratunam, Sukhumvit, or even Erawan Museum; also can be used in the opposite direction for getting from Sukhumvit or Pratunam to the Grand Palace and other attractions in Bangkok Old Town)
Bus route 3-13 (507): Samrong - Southern Bus Terminal (bus for getting directly from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Khao San Road and Chinatown or vice versa)
Bus route 3-35 (1): Central Rama 3 - Tha Tien (bus for getting to Bangkok Old Town from Chinatown, Silom, and various destinations along the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, such as Asiatique The Riverfront)
Bus route 3-53: MRT Hua Mak - Giant Swing (bus for getting from Sukhumvit areas Nana and Asok to Chinatown and Giant Swing)
Bus route 3-8 (38): Ramkhamhaeng University 2 - Victory Monument (bus for getting from Victory Monument to Ekkamai Bus Terminal and other destinations along Sukhumvit Road)
Bus route 4-1 (6): Phra Pradaeng Pier - Charoen Nakhon Road - Bang Lamphu (bus for getting from Khao San Road to ICONSIAM and other Riverside destinations along the western bank of the Chao Phraya River)
Bus route 4-13 (75): Phutthabucha - Hua Lamphong (bus for getting from Hua Lamphong Area to Asiatique)
Bus route 4-3 (17): Phra Pradaeng - Victory Monument (bus for getting from Pratunam and Siam areas to Asiatique)
Bus route 4-38 (28): Southern Bus Terminal - Changrakasem Rajabhat University (bus for getting to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal from Chatuchak and Victory Monument)
Bus route 4-39 (40): Southern Bus Terminal - Ekkamai Bus Terminal (direct bus connection between the eastern and southern bus stations in Bangkok)
Bus route 4-41 (57): Taling Chan - Thonburi Circle (bus for traveling between Taling Chan Floating Market and Wat Arun or Khlong San station of the Gold Line Train near ICONSIAM)
Bus route 4-47 (89): Southern Bus Terminal - Rajamangala University (bus for getting from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to ICONSIAM)
Bus route 4-51 (124): Salaya - Sanam Luang (bus for getting from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Bangkok Old Town)
Bus route 4-53 (149): Borommaratchachonnani - Ekkamai Bus Terminal (another bus option for traveling between Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal and ICONSIAM or Ekkamai)
Bus route 4-61 (515): Central Salaya - Victory Monument (bus for getting to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal from Victory Monument)
Bus route 4-68: Suan Phak Bus Terminal - Thanon Tok (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Lumpini Park or Patpong)
Bus route S2 (554): Rangsit - Ram Intra - Suvarnabhumi (public bus that can be used for traveling between Bangkok airports; if you are not eligible for using the free shuttle bus, you can take this bus from DMK to BKK or from BKK to DMK)
Bus route S3 (559): Rangsit - Siam Park - Suvarnabhumi (bus for getting directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the amusement parks Siam Amazing Park and Dream World)
Bus route S5 (550): Happyland - Suvarnabhumi Airport (bus for getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the popular places near the airport, such as The Paseo Lat Krabang and Robinson Lifestyle Lat Krabang)
Bus route S6 (555): Krung Thep Aphiwat - Suvarnabhumi Airport (bus for getting directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mochit Bus Terminal or Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal)
Bus route S7 (558): Suvarnabhumi Airport - Keha Rattanaburi (bus for getting from Suvarnabhumi Bus Terminal to Mega Bangna or Central Bangna shopping malls)
A full list of Bangkok bus routes operated by Thai Smile Group can be found here: Thai Smile Group Routes (Thai language only).
There are more Bangkok bus routes operated by private companies, but almost all the most important ones are covered by BMTA and Thai Smile Bus.
To find the detailed map of one of the Bangkok bus routes listed above, use the ViaBus application.
