BTS Bangkok is a detailed guide covering skytrain lines in the capital city of Thailand. The skytrain system in Bangkok is complex and consists of several separate systems, so it might be a bit confusing, especially for first-time visitors. To make things easier, discover Bangkok BTS lines, the route map, stations, fare, tickets, and tips for using the skytrain in Thailand.
Bangkok BTS Lines
The Bangkok mass rapid transit system currently consists of 10 skytrain and metro lines used for transportation in the capital city of Thailand.
Bangkok Skytrain Lines
The 5 Bangkok skytrain lines are the following:
Sukhumvit Line (Light Green) - the Skytrain line connecting the northern part of the city with downtown Bangkok and southern areas.
Silom Line (Dark Green) - the Skytrain line connecting downtown Bangkok with the western bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Gold Line - an elevated monorail train line to the ICONSIAM shopping mall.
Yellow Line - an elevated monorail train line in eastern Bangkok.
Pink Line - an elevated monorail train line in northern Bangkok.
The Yellow and Pink lines are actually MRT but they are also managed by the company BTS Group. Therefore, these two lines currently use the same ticketing solution as the BTS Green lines.
It is now possible to buy one ticket for traveling between both BTS Green lines, the Yellow Line, and the Pink Line, but the fare calculation system for each skytrain line is different, with the exception of the 2 Green lines that share the same fare calculation system.
Other Bangkok Metro Lines
In addition to the skytrains, there are 5 other Bangkok metro lines operated by companies BEM (Bangkok Expressway and Metro) and SRT (State Railway of Thailand):
Blue Line - the first underground metro system of Thailand, encircling the city center.
Purple Line - an elevated metro system serving the northwestern area of Bangkok.
Airport Rail Link - an elevated train line connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with the city.
Dark Red Line - an elevated commuter train line connecting Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (the main railway station in Bangkok) with Don Mueang Airport and northern suburbs of the city.
Light Red Line - an elevated commuter train line connecting Krung Thep Aphiwat with western Bangkok.
To board one of the trains on these lines, buying a separate ticket is necessary, unless you are using the EMV contactless card as a ticket.
More metro lines will be added to the Bangkok mass rapid transit system, as several MRT lines are currently under construction while some of the already opened lines are going to be extended further.
Bangkok BTS Map
Explore the detailed map of all skytrain lines and stations in the city here: Bangkok BTS Map.
Bangkok BTS Line Connections
The Bangkok BTS is a convenient way to travel around the city, as skytrain lines are well-connected between themselves and with other Bangkok metro systems. The skytrain system is very useful if you want to escape the busy traffic of Bangkok and save costs on traveling around the capital city of Thailand.
The BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green) has the following connections with other Bangkok skytrain and metro lines:
- BTS Silom Line (Dark Green) at the Siam BTS Station.
- MRT Blue Line - 3 connections at Asok BTS Station, Mo Chit BTS Station, and Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station.
- Airport Rail Link at Phaya Thai BTS Station.
- Yellow Line at Samrong BTS Station.
- Pink Line at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS Station.
The BTS Silom Line (Dark Green) has the following connections with other Bangkok skytrain and metro lines:
- BTS Sukhumvit Line (Dark Green) at the Siam BTS Station.
- MRT Blue Line - 2 connections at Sala Daeng BTS Station and Bang Wa BTS Station.
- BTS Gold Line at Krung Thon Buri BTS Station.
The Yellow Line has the following connections with other Bangkok metro lines:
- MRT Blue Line at Lat Phrao Station.
- Airport Rail Link at Hua Mak Station.
- BTS Sukhumvit Line at Samrong Station.
The Pink Line is connected with the following Bangkok metro lines:
- MRT Purple Line at Nonthaburi Civic Center Station.
- SRT Dark Red Line at Lak Si Station.
- BTS Sukhumvit Line at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Station.
The Gold Line has a connection with the BTS Silom Line at Krung Thon Buri BTS Station.
Bangkok BTS Operating Hours
All Bangkok BTS lines operate daily from 06:00 until midnight.
You can normally find information about departure times of the first and the last train at the specific Bangkok BTS station. Depending on the station, the first train might depart before and the last train might depart after the specified official operating hours.
Bangkok BTS Fare
In most cases, the Bangkok BTS fare for a single journey depends on the distance or the number of stations traveled. However, the fare calculation varies between different Bangkok skytrain lines.
The current Bangkok BTS fare of each line:
Green Line - from 17 THB to 65 THB per trip
Gold Line - a flat rate of 16 THB per trip
Yellow Line - from 15 THB to 45 THB per trip
Pink Line - from 15 THB to 45 THB per trip
The exact fare for a journey can be found at the station or by using the official Bangkok BTS fare calculator. However, the calculator only calculates the fare for the skytrain lines the company operates.
With the Rabbit Card you can often pay less than the official fare, as they are normally making various promotions. It is usually possible to buy a package of tickets for as low as 25 THB per ticket for any distance ride.
Discover detailed information about the fare on different BTS lines here: Bangkok BTS Fare.
Bangkok BTS Tickets
The Bangkok skytrain system is reliable and relatively easy to use. There are several types of Bangkok BTS tickets that can be used for traveling on different skytrain lines.
The most popular way to pay for a ride in Bangkok is purchasing a single journey ticket. These tickets can be purchased at ticket-vending machines or at the ticket counter of the BTS station. Tickets come as a thin plastic card. After the latest update, it is now possible to buy one ticket when transferring between the BTS Green Line, the Yellow Line, and the Pink Line.
To make traveling easier, it is also possible to get a prepaid card that can be topped up and used for tapping in and out at the station. The Rabbit Card is the most popular Bangkok BTS card, as you can use it for both BTS Green lines, the Yellow Line, the Pink Line, the Gold Line, and the Chao Phraya Express Boat. You can book a Rabbit Card online and conveniently pick it up at the airport on arrival.
Another option that can be used as a ticket card on some of the skytrain lines in Bangkok 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.
It is also possible to get the BTS SkyTrain One-Day Pass that allows you to use the BTS Green Line all day long for a fixed price.
Discover detailed information about the ticket options on different BTS lines here: Bangkok BTS Tickets.