Things to Know about BTS Skytrain in Thailand

1. Overview Of Thailand BTS

BTS train station operates on an elevated rail platform linking major areas of importance within central Bangkok. The BTS connects with the MRT subway and with the BRT express bus service. It also links to Chao Phraya Express riverboat service.

BTS Skytrain The Elevated Rapid Transit System In Bangkok

If you’re taking a mainline train elsewhere in Thailand, change to the MRT subway and then travel to Hualamphong station. Suvarnabhumi airport also can be reached by Airport Rail Link from BTS Phaya Thai, and Don Muang airport is connected by a special bus route from BTS Mo Chit station.
The system consists of 52 stations along two lines. The Sukhumvit line and the Silom line. They intersect at Siam station in the center of Bangkok’s business district.
Operating Time: Daily from 06:00 to midnight
Frequency: Every 5 minutes

BTS Skytrain In Thailand

2. Kinds Of BTS Ticket

There are 3 different kinds of BTS ticket: Single Journey Card, One-Day Pass, and Rabbit Card. If you plan to stay in Bangkok for more than a week, the rabbit card is a good choice. For tourists who don’t have many days in Bangkok, a one-day pass is great for you who plan to go to at least 2 locations in 1 day. It will save you a lot of time especially in rush-hours. But if your destinations are less than 5 stations, then go with Single Journey Ticket.

BTS SkyTrain Route Map

1. Single Journey Card
This ticket is valid for a single journey on the date of purchase. The ticket price starts from 16 Baht up to 44 Baht per journey depending on the chosen destination. It will be retained at an Automatic Gate upon exit. There is a time limitation for passengers to remain in the Paid Area (120 minutes) and Penalty for overstay (maximum published fare rate). You can purchase a Single Journey Tickets at any Ticket Issuing Machine (TIM), Integrated Ticketing Machine (ITM), and Ticket Vending Machine (TVM).
To buy the ticket, just follow the following steps:
1. Touch the screen on your destination area. The Route map will then zoom in to the area selected.

Step One

2. Swipe to find your destination station.

Step Two

3. Select a destination by pressing on the circular area of the station code. In case of wrong selection, press the cancel button and select station again

Step Three

4. Select the number of tickets. Ticket Machine issue a maximum of 4 cards. If no quantity selected, then 1 card will automatically be dispensed.

Step Four

5. There are two ways to make a payment. First insert coins or banknote. Second, scan the QR code. While waiting for the queue, passengers should open the application and be ready for a transaction. Passenger can make a payment via Rabbit LINE Pay or any Mobile Banking application

Step Five

6. Take the ticket from the tray below and receive change (if any)

Step Six

2. One-Day Pass
It is valid for unlimited rides on the date of issue or registration only. The ticket price is fixed at 140 Baht. There is a time limitation for passengers to remain in the Paid Area (120 minutes) and Penalty for overstay (maximum published fare rate).
You can purchase a One-Day Pass at any BTS Ticket Office.
3. Rabbit Card
There are six different kinds of Rabbit Card. The most popular one for tourists is a Standard rabbit card which can be bought at all BTS Ticket Offices.
There are 3 steps to buy Rabbit Card:
Step 1: Pay 100 Baht which is the initial issuing fee
Step 2: Pay card deposit
Step 3: Choose among 3 options: “Add Stored Value” or “Add 30-Day Trips” or both.
Rabbit Stored Value Card
After paying for the initial issuing fee, you can then add between 100 and 4,000 baht to the card. Every time you use the card it will automatically deduct the cost of the journey from the card.
Rabbit 30-Day Trips Card
This is the same Rabbit card as mentioned above, but instead of loading the card with the cash, you can buy a certain number of trips (journeys).
• 15 trips 465 Baht Average 31 Baht/trip.
• 25 trips 725 Baht Average 29 Baht/trip.
• 40 trips 1,080 Baht Average 27 Baht/trip.
• 50 trips 1,300 Baht Average 26 Baht/trip.
This card has to be used within 30 days of the first journey. If not used, it expires and you don’t get a refund. You can only travel on 25 original stations only, not the extensions. So the ticket is suitable for people who use the BTS system on a daily basis and know in advance roughly how many journeys they’ll make. It’s exceptional value for money if you make long journeys every day, as you can get a journey that normally costs 52 baht for as low as 16 baht.

Easily Pay With Rabbit Card

3. How To Use Thailand BTS

At the entrance, tap your card on the card reader on the Automatic Gate where a green arrow is displayed. When exiting, insert your Single Journey Card with the arrow facing up and pointing into the front slot of the Automatic gate where a green arrow is displayed. For Rabbit Card or One-Day Pass, you need to tap your card on the card reader on the Automatic Gate where a green arrow is displayed. The automatic ticket gates open and close fast so be ready to burst through the gate.

Immerse In The Bustling Hours Inside BTS Skyline

Tips For Using The BTS

- Staying away from the edge of the platform when the train is approaching.
- Eating and drinking is banned on all of the trains and platforms.
- Letting passengers out before you get in the train.
- Avoiding the hours from 07:00 - 09:00 and 17:00 - 19:00 which is rush hour if possible.
- Knowing the first and last train time schedules (Mo Chit: 05:15 - midnight, Silom: 05:30 - midnight, the station gates will be closed approximately 10 minutes before the last train arrives at the station).

Keep A Safe Distance From The Train

- Knowing the best BTS stations for markets:
• Mo Chit station for Chatuchak weekend marketSala Daeng station for Patpong night market.
• Udom Suk station for vintage-themed Talat Rot Fai night market.

Visit The Lively Patpong Night Market

- Knowing the best BTS stations for shopping malls:
• Siam station for Siam Paragon and Siam Center.
• National Stadium for MBK.
• Chit Lom station for Central Chidlom.
• Phloen Chit for ultra-luxe Central Embassy.
• Asok for airport-themed Terminal 21.
• Phrom Phong for sister malls EmQuartier and Emporium.

Shopping At MBK Center One Of The Most Famous Mall

- Knowing the best BTS stations for food:
Asok, Mo Chit, or Sala Daeng stations or taking the MRT subway to Hualamphong station for Chinatown.

Wander Around The Chinatown In Thailand

- Best BTS stations for nightlife
• Nana station for Sukhumvit Soi 11’s popular strip of restaurants, bars, and clubs, alight at (the Nana red-light district is also across the road).
• Thong Lo station for all kinds of nightlife that attracts trendy, high-flying Bangkokians and ex-pats.
• Sala Daeng station for the red-light district around Patpong, Silom Soi 2, and Soi 4 for foreigner-favored gay.
• Chong Nonsi for the stylish and sophisticated bars and restaurants of Sathorn.

Enjoy The Bustling Nightlife In Sukhumvit

Hope that the above information is helpful for your trip to Thailand. Try BTS when you are in Thailand and share with us your experience. If you are still not confident using it, chat with us in the orange box at the bottom right of the website.

Jenny Tran

(Image Source: Internet)