Hua Lamphong Railway Station

What to expect when visiting Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!

Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station

Hua Lamphong Railway Station is Bangkok’s main train station, boasting an Italian neo-renaissance style with a distinct half-dome structure. The train station serves as the main hub for intercity and international train services in Thailand, and it is also connected with the MRT underground system.

5 ways to get from Hua Lamphong Railway Station

The 5 ways to travel the distance of 4 kilometers (2 miles) from Hua Lamphong Railway Station are by: bus (30 minutes), taxi (15 minutes), train (MRT) (10 to 55 minutes), train (BTS) (20 minutes - 1 hour) and TukTuk (15 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 10 minutes - 1 hour and the quickest way is by train (mrt). The lowest priced tickets start from 10 THB ($0.30) for the bus.

The cheapest way to get to the city centre is to catch a public bus outside Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Bus #53 is a red-coloured non-aircon bus that travels throughout the city centre. It is the only shared transport that makes a stop at Khao San Road.

Tickets only cost 10 THB ($0.30) to the city centre. The fare speaks for itself, so don’t expect a comfortable ride. The bus will likely be hot and crowded.

Buses are available every 20 minutes from 05:00 until 22:00 daily. Travel time is about 30 minutes, but this depends entirely on traffic. Be prepared to spend up to an hour on the bus due to heavy traffic in Bangkok during peak hours.

This bus line circles around the downtown Bangkok area. For a complete list of bus stops, you can check the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority website.

There are two main train networks that offer easy transport options to travellers within Bangkok: the Skytrain (BTS) and the underground train (MRT).

The MRT is directly connected to Hua Lamphong station, and you can easily find it by following the signs. The MRT connects Hua Lamphong Railway Station to the northeastern part of Bangkok, which includes the following areas:

• Bang Rak
• Thung Maha Mek
• Lumphini
• Khlong Toei
• Din Daeng
• Huwai Kwang
• Samsen Nok
• Chum Phon
• Chatuchak.

The MRT line is continuously expanding its network, so more destinations will follow when completed.

Trains operate from 05:30 to 00:00 from Monday to Friday. During weekends and public holidays, trains are available from 06:00 to 00:00.

Fares start from 20 THB ($0.60) , depending on your current location and desired destination. For a single journey, you can buy tickets from the counter or vending machines at the train station.

The BTS is the most popular train line in Bangkok with trains running to different areas in Bangkok every few minutes. This train is your best option if you are staying in the city centre because it stops at all tourist, shopping, and sightseeing areas in Bangkok, except the popular Khao San Road area.

There are two BTS lines: the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line.

To reach the BTS lines, you need to take a taxi or tuk-tuk from Hua Lamphong Station to National Stadium or Siam BTS Station. Tuk-tuk or taxi fare is about 60 THB ($1.80) to 80 THB ($2.30), but expect to pay more during peak hours.

Travel time via BTS can take around 20 minutes - 1 hour, depending on your destination. The sky trains operate from 06:00 to 00:00 every day.

The Sukhumvit Line

The Sukhumvit route passes through the followings areas:

• Chatuchak
• Phaya Thai
• Ratchathewi
• Nana
• Asoke
• Thong Lo
• Phra Khanong
• Bang Na
• Bearing

Fares start from 20 THB ($0.60). This BTS line is projected to extend further north and south in the coming years.

The Silom Line starts at the National Stadium and passes through the following stations:

• Sala Daeng
• Pathumwan
• Bang Rak
• Yan Nawa
• Thon Buri

For this line, ticket prices start from 20 THB ($0.60). For more information, you can visit the BTS Skytrain website.

Want to travel to or from Hua Lamphong Railway Station straight to your hotel? Taking a taxi is your best option. Taxis are available outside the train station.

Note that the roads in Bangkok can get extremely busy during peak hours. This is why many taxi drivers will request a flat rate, which may be much higher than using the meter. Some drivers will refuse to use the metre or agree on a fare, so prepare your negotiating skills or simply find another driver.

The taxi fare for a ride to and from the city centre starts from 70 THB ($2.10) . An alternative option is to book a Grab taxi with fares from 125 THB ($3.70).

PRO TIP: Always take a metered taxi so that you don’t end up paying twice the actual fare!

Tuk-tuk drivers tend to charge around the same price as a taxi, especially in tourist areas. This option is a good way to experience the local transportation in Thailand, but if you’re not hoping for that, it’s best to stick with a taxi.

Bangkok is hot and sunny almost all year round, even during the rainy season. While a ride in a tuk-tuk may get hot, especially if stuck in traffic, it does provide a nice, refreshing breeze.

Also, note that tuk-tuks do not provide a lot of space for your luggage, so it could be quite cramped.

Negotiate your price

Many tuk-tuk drivers will quote you a high price, which may start at 140 THB ($4.10) or more for two people to the city centre. Tuk-tuks are not metered, so you will need to negotiate a price. You can just move along to the next driver if you think the price is too expensive.

Note that some drivers may try to lead you to a restaurant or hotel that they are affiliated with to receive a commission. If they offer you a ride that is much cheaper or even free, you should be aware that they will likely try to sell you something.

In this case, be firm in your negotiations and tell the driver you do not want any stops on the way to your destination. This does not apply to all drivers, but it’s certainly something to be aware of.