Bangkok's subway can be one of the best options for a tourist in Bangkok. The subway system is
- Economical
- Efficient
- Convenient
- Fast
- Predictable
It is basically Bt 10 - 14 plus Bt 2 for each extra station.
Efficient - everything seems to work, with plenty of staff eager to help. Trains tend to be on time. All stations have escalators going up, except for minor transitions. Most stations have escalators going down. All have lifts and the stations seem to be sufficiently disabled friendly.
The
system is very intuitive. For one-use token, you will find vending
machines with touch-screen maps having english language options. Your present station will be represented by a red spot on the route outline. Touch your destination station on the map.
The destination name will show in a box .. as will your fare.
If that destination is the one you want, insert the fare and press "Select". The token and any change will drop into a tray below. The machines take banknotes and coins.
The concourse levels are past the gate. The cards or tokens don't need
to be "swiped", just touched on the sensor pad. Keep the token for exit at your destination. Just drop it into the slot to exit.
If using a card, touch it to the sensor to exit.
Each station has an attended gate for pregnant women, handicapped and others who would have difficulty using the standard gates.
The train level concourses are down a flight of stairs or an escalator.
Note: Some stations have different level for trains traveling in different. It's a good idea to be sure before descending. directions.
Each station will have 2 to 5 exits. And each station has several maps that show the station exits and local landmarks. It is a good idea to check the station map before deciding which exit to use.
As an example: At the Sukhumvit station, the #2 exit will take you to the east side of Asoke between Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit Road. Take exit #3 and you will surface on the north side of Sukhumvit, west of Asoke and at the escalator that leads to the Asoke Skytrain station.
While you can often go back down, walk across to the proper exit, there are a few stations where it is difficult to retrace your steps without going back through the station gates.
Convenient trains run on interval of 4.25 minutes during peak hours to 7 minutes on holidays. The system has a number of stations common to the Skytrain. Most stations are air con. During our reviews, Bangsue didn't have air. Maybe because it is such a huge station.
If you don't mind walking a few hundred meters at each eng, you can get to lots of places quite easily.
Fast - station to station time averages 2 minutes. Stops are quite brief.
Predictable - maybe one of the most important factor for someone with an appointment. Barring breakdown, you will arrive within a very few minutes of the time scheduled.
The skytrain and subway are probably the only predictable transportation in Bangkok.
Subway stations & station maps and what is around them.
