Popular Routes
Real prices, real travel times. Every option for the most-searched Thailand routes — from budget buses to quick flights.
Thailand's Airlines Compared
Five airlines serve domestic routes. Budget carriers fly from Don Mueang (DMK), full-service from Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Know the difference before you book.
Flight Booking Tips
- Book 2–3 weeks ahead for the best domestic prices. Last-minute fares can be 3–5x more expensive.
- Tuesday and Wednesday flights are consistently the cheapest days to fly domestically.
- DMK (Don Mueang) = budget airlines. BKK (Suvarnabhumi) = full-service. They're 30km apart — don't go to the wrong one.
- AirAsia bags cost ฿300–500 extra. Nok Air and Thai Lion include 15kg. Factor this into your comparison.
- Use Skyscanner to compare all airlines side-by-side in one search.
Local Transport
How to get around once you're there. Prices are for Bangkok unless noted — other cities are generally cheaper.
Grab
Thai Uber. Use for everything. No scams, fixed price, AC. Always cheaper than street taxis.
BTS Skytrain
Bangkok only. Fast, air-conditioned, avoids traffic. Get a Rabbit card for tap-and-go. Day pass ฿150.
MRT Metro
Bangkok underground. Connects to Hua Lamphong train station and Chatuchak market.
Tuk-Tuk
Fun once. Always negotiate before getting in. Or just use Grab — it's cheaper and air-conditioned.
River Boat
Chao Phraya Express. Orange flag = tourist route. Best way to reach Grand Palace and Wat Arun.
Scooter Rental
Essential outside Bangkok. License technically required. Check insurance — most don't cover motorbike accidents.
Songthaew
Red trucks in Chiang Mai, blue in Phuket. Shared transport — flag one down and negotiate your stop.
Motorbike Taxi
Orange vest riders. Fastest through Bangkok traffic. Short distances only. Hold on tight.
Tools We Recommend
These are the platforms we actually use to plan Thailand trips. Each one is the best at what it does.
Compare flights across every airline in one search. Shows the cheapest dates, includes budget carriers, and lets you set price alerts.
The one-stop platform for trains, buses, ferries, and transfers in Southeast Asia. Book the Bangkok–Chiang Mai sleeper train in 2 minutes.
Huge hotel selection with free cancellation on most listings. Best filter system for finding what you need, and "Genius" discounts add up.
Asia-specialist hotel platform. Often has better prices than Booking.com for Thai hotels, especially boutique and mid-range properties.
Tours, activities, SIM cards, airport transfers, cooking classes, temple tours — pre-book experiences and skip ticket queues on arrival.
Travel insurance designed for nomads. Covers motorbike accidents (others usually don't), monthly billing, cancel anytime. No lock-in.
Transport Pro Tips
- Always use Grab over street taxis. No haggling, no "meter broken" scams, fixed price, air conditioning. It's cheaper too.
- Overnight transport saves hotel costs. The sleeper train BKK→CM or overnight bus BKK→Phuket means you travel while you sleep and save ฿500–2,000 on a night's accommodation.
- DMK and BKK are different airports. Don Mueang (DMK) = budget airlines. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) = full-service. They're 30km apart. Check before you book a hotel.
- 12Go combo tickets save time. For island destinations, book the flight/train + bus + ferry as a combo ticket. One booking, one price, all transfers included.
- Scooter insurance is critical. Most travel insurance policies exclude motorbike accidents. SafetyWing is one of the few that covers it. Don't ride without coverage.
- Domestic flights can be cheaper than buses. If you book 2–3 weeks ahead, AirAsia fares start around ฿800 — sometimes less than a VIP bus. Always compare.
- BTS + MRT beats taxis in Bangkok. During rush hour (7–9am, 5–7pm), rail is 3–5x faster than sitting in Bangkok traffic. The 15-minute Skytrain ride from Siam to Mo Chit would take an hour by car.