How to Get Around Thailand: Complete Transport Guide (2026)

Getting around Thailand is one of those things that seems overwhelming until you actually do it. The country has a surprisingly well-connected transport network that runs from luxury VIP buses to the back of a songthaew where you are clinging to a metal bar while bumping down a dirt road. Both get you where you need to go.

This guide covers every transport option you will encounter in Thailand, with real prices, booking advice, and recommendations for the most popular backpacker routes. Whether you are planning a two-week sprint through the highlights or a three-month deep dive, knowing how transport works here will save you money and a lot of headaches.

For a broader first-trip overview, check out our Thailand first-time guide. If you want to drill into costs, our budget breakdown has the numbers.

Every Transport Type in Thailand at a Glance

Here is the full picture before we get into details:

| Transport Type | Best For | Cost Range | Comfort | Speed | Book Via | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Domestic Flights | Long distances (Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Phuket) | 800-3,000 THB ($23-$86) | High | Fast | AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air apps | | Sleeper Trains | Overnight travel, the experience | 500-1,500 THB ($14-$43) | Medium-High | Slow | 12go.asia, train station | | Day Trains | Scenic routes, short hops | 50-500 THB ($1.50-$14) | Low-Medium | Slow | Station booking | | VIP Buses | Long distances on a budget | 400-900 THB ($11-$26) | High | Medium | 12go.asia, bus station, operator websites | | Regular Buses | Budget long-distance | 200-500 THB ($6-$14) | Low-Medium | Medium | Bus station | | Minivans | Medium distances, mountain routes | 150-400 THB ($4-$11) | Low | Medium-Fast | Travel agents, bus stations | | Songthaews | Local transport, short distances | 20-60 THB ($0.60-$1.70) | Low | Slow | Flag one down | | Tuk-Tuks | Short city trips, the experience | 60-200 THB ($1.70-$5.70) | Low | Medium | Negotiate on the spot | | Grab/Bolt | City transport, airport transfers | 40-300 THB ($1.15-$8.60) | Medium-High | Medium | Grab or Bolt app | | Ferries | Island access, island hopping | 200-800 THB ($5.70-$23) | Medium | Slow-Medium | 12go.asia, pier offices | | Longtail Boats | Beach access, short water trips | 100-500 THB ($2.85-$14) | Low | Slow | Negotiate at pier | | Motorbike Taxis | Quick city trips, traffic jams | 20-100 THB ($0.60-$2.85) | Low | Fast | Flag down (orange vests) | | Scooter Rental | Island exploration, Pai, rural areas | 200-350 THB/day ($5.70-$10) | Medium | Your pace | Rental shops |

Booking Platforms Compared

You do not need a dozen apps. Here are the ones that actually matter:

12go.asia — Your Main Booking Tool

This is the platform most backpackers use for trains, buses, ferries, and combined tickets. It aggregates operators across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Pros: One platform for almost everything, English language, shows real reviews, e-tickets for most bookings, good customer support.

Cons: Slightly more expensive than booking direct (markup of 50-150 THB on some routes), not all operators listed, sometimes shows sold-out options.

Best for: Sleeper trains, VIP buses, ferry combos, cross-border trips.

Grab — City Transport

Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia. It works in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and most major cities.

Pros: Fixed prices (no haggling), GPS-tracked, pay by cash or card, receipts for everything.

Cons: Surge pricing during peak hours, not available in rural areas or small islands, drivers sometimes cancel.

Best for: Airport transfers, city transport, late-night rides.

Airline Apps — Domestic Flights

For flights within Thailand, book directly through airline apps or websites. The three budget carriers to know:

AirAsia — Usually the cheapest, flies everywhere, 7kg carry-on included
Nok Air — Good domestic network, 15kg checked bag sometimes included
Thai Lion Air — Competitive prices, newer fleet

Tip: Booking direct is almost always cheaper than through aggregators like Skyscanner. Check all three airlines for the same route.

Train Station Booking

For trains, you can book at any major station up to 60 days in advance. The booking office at Hua Lamphong (Bangkok's main station, though many routes now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) has English-speaking staff.

When to book at the station: If you are already in Bangkok with time to spare, or if 12go.asia shows sold out (the station sometimes has seats the platform does not show).

Budget Transport Strategy by Trip Duration

How you move around Thailand should match how long you have.

Two-Week Trip

You do not have time to waste on 14-hour bus rides for every leg. Here is the smart approach:

Fly between the furthest points (Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to the south)
Use overnight transport for one or two legs to save on hotels
Grab for all city transport (haggling with tuk-tuk drivers eats into your limited time)
Budget: Allocate 4,000-6,000 THB ($115-$170) for transport

One-Month Trip

Now you have room to enjoy the journey:

Sleeper trains for the major routes (the Bangkok-Chiang Mai overnight train is a classic backpacker experience)
VIP buses for medium distances
Minivans for shorter hops
One or two flights only for the longest legs
Budget: Allocate 6,000-10,000 THB ($170-$285) for transport

Two to Three Months

You can go full budget mode:

Trains and buses for everything — no flights needed
Local transport (songthaews, local buses) instead of Grab
Scooter rental on islands and in Pai for daily transport
Budget: Allocate 8,000-15,000 THB ($230-$430) for transport

Common Routes and Recommended Transport

These are the routes almost every backpacker in Thailand takes. Here is how to do each one:

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

The most popular route in the country. You have four solid options:

| Method | Duration | Cost | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | Sleeper Train | 10-14 hours | 500-1,500 THB ($14-$43) | Experience seekers, budget travelers | | VIP Bus | 9-10 hours | 400-700 THB ($11-$20) | Budget travelers with flexibility | | Budget Flight | 1.5 hours | 800-2,500 THB ($23-$72) | Time-pressed travelers | | Regular Bus | 10-12 hours | 300-500 THB ($8.60-$14) | Extreme budget |

Our recommendation: The sleeper train at least once. It is one of the defining backpacker experiences in Thailand. After that, fly if you are short on time.

We have a full breakdown of this route in our Bangkok to Chiang Mai transport guide.

Bangkok to the Islands (Gulf Side)

Getting to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao from Bangkok:

Option 1: Bus + Ferry Combo (cheapest)

VIP bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Surat Thani or Chumphon (8-10 hours), then ferry (1.5-4 hours depending on island)
Total: 600-1,200 THB ($17-$34)
Book as a combined ticket on 12go.asia

Option 2: Sleeper Train + Ferry (most comfortable overnight)

Overnight train to Surat Thani (10-12 hours), then ferry
Total: 700-1,800 THB ($20-$52)
Combined tickets available

Option 3: Flight + Ferry (fastest)

Fly to Surat Thani (1 hour), then ferry. Or fly direct to Koh Samui (expensive — only Bangkok Airways operates direct).
Surat Thani flight + ferry: 1,200-3,000 THB ($34-$86)
Direct to Koh Samui: 3,000-8,000 THB ($86-$230) — usually not worth it for backpackers

Our recommendation: Overnight bus+ferry combo gets you there by morning, and you save a night's accommodation. Book the combo ticket so transfers are handled.

For island-specific tips, check our guides to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui.

Bangkok to the Islands (Andaman Side)

Getting to Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi, or Koh Phi Phi:

Option 1: Budget Flight to Phuket or Krabi (fastest)

1-1.5 hours, 800-2,500 THB ($23-$72)
Then local transport or ferry to your final island

Option 2: VIP Bus to Phuket (cheapest)

12-13 hours overnight, 500-900 THB ($14-$26)
Arrives morning, ready to explore

Our recommendation: Fly. The Andaman coast is far from Bangkok, and the bus is a genuinely long ride. Flights are often barely more expensive than a VIP bus once you factor in the time saved.

Check our Phuket backpacker guide for what to do on arrival.

Chiang Mai to Pai

The famous mountain road with 762 curves:

| Method | Duration | Cost | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Minivan | 3-4 hours | 150-200 THB ($4-$5.70) | Most common, can be nausea-inducing | | Scooter | 3-4 hours | 200-300 THB/day rental ($5.70-$8.60) | Experienced riders only, stunning scenery |

Our recommendation: Take the minivan to Pai, rent a scooter once you are there. Riding the mountain road requires real experience with curves and elevation changes. Motion sickness pills are not optional for the minivan — take them 30 minutes before departure.

See our Pai guide for the full rundown.

Island Hopping

The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) and Andaman islands (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta) have regular ferry networks:

Gulf Islands:

Lomprayah and Seatran operate high-speed catamarans between all three islands
Fares: 300-700 THB ($8.60-$20) per crossing
Multiple daily departures in high season (Nov-April), fewer in low season

Andaman Islands:

Ferries run between Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta
Some routes only operate November through April
Fares: 300-800 THB ($8.60-$23) per crossing

Tip: Buy island-hopping combo tickets on 12go.asia if you know your route. Individual tickets at the pier work too but sell out during peak season (December-January).

Money-Saving Transport Tips

These tips are based on what actually works, not theory:

Overnight transport saves a hotel night. A sleeper train or night bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs 500-700 THB and saves you 300-600 THB on accommodation. That is a two-for-one.
Book direct when possible. 12go.asia adds a markup. If you know the operator (like Nakhonchai Air for buses), book through their website or at the station.
Avoid tourist minivans booked through hostels. These are marked up 50-100%. Walk to the bus station or book on 12go.asia instead.
Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. In Chiang Mai, the red songthaews run set routes for 30 THB per person. A tuk-tuk for the same distance will cost 100-150 THB.
Book flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Domestic flight prices fluctuate by day. Midweek is consistently cheapest.
Grab is almost always cheaper than a tuk-tuk in Bangkok. And you do not have to negotiate. Use it.
Travel in low season (May-October). Transport prices drop, ferries run less frequently but are less crowded, and flights get significantly cheaper.
Buy water and snacks before boarding. Station and on-board prices are double. A 7-Eleven run before you leave saves easy money.

Safety Ratings by Transport Type

Not all transport in Thailand carries the same risk. Here is an honest assessment:

| Transport Type | Safety Rating | Main Risks | Mitigation | |---|---|---|---| | Domestic Flights | Very High | Minimal | Book reputable airlines | | Sleeper Trains | High | Minor theft | Lock bags, keep valuables close | | VIP Buses (major operators) | High | Road accidents (rare) | Choose Nakhonchai Air, Sombat Tour | | Regular Buses | Medium | Road quality varies | Avoid the cheapest options | | Minivans | Medium-Low | Aggressive driving, mountain roads | Seatbelt, motion sickness prep | | Ferries (major operators) | High | Rare incidents | Check weather, use Lomprayah/Seatran | | Longtail Boats | Medium | No safety equipment often | Wear life jacket if provided | | Scooter Rental | Low-Medium | Accidents (very common) | IDP, helmet, experience required | | Motorbike Taxis | Low-Medium | Traffic exposure | Short distances only, hold on | | Tuk-Tuks | Medium | No seatbelts, scam risk | Agree on price first | | Grab/Bolt | High | Minimal | GPS tracked, registered drivers | | Songthaews | Medium | Open-air, no seatbelts | Hold the bars, watch your bags |

The big one to watch: Scooter accidents are the number one cause of injury for tourists in Thailand. Read our scooter rental guide before you ride.

For more on staying safe, check our Thailand safety tips.

Dedicated Transport Guides

We have written detailed guides for the transport types and routes that matter most to backpackers:

Thailand Sleeper Train Guide — Classes, routes, schedules, booking walkthrough, and what to bring
Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Every Option Compared — The most popular route in Thailand, broken down method by method
Scooter Rental in Thailand — License requirements, insurance, safety tips, costs by destination, and scam warnings
Getting Around Thailand — Quick-reference overview of transport options

Practical Booking Tips

A few things that will make your transport experience smoother:

Download these apps before you arrive:

Grab (city transport)
12go.asia (trains, buses, ferries)
AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Lion Air (flights)
Google Maps (offline maps for navigation)

Arrive early. Thai transport runs mostly on time, but finding your platform, gate, or pier can take a while. Give yourself 30 minutes at bus stations, 45 minutes at train stations, and 2 hours at airports.

Keep your ticket. Some bus and train conductors check tickets multiple times. On ferries, your ticket is sometimes collected on boarding and returned when you arrive.

Carry small bills. Many local transport options (songthaews, tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis) cannot break large notes. Keep a stash of 20 and 50 THB bills.

Learn the Thai word for your destination. Showing a driver your destination in Thai script on your phone works better than trying to pronounce it. Google Translate's camera feature is useful here.

Final Thoughts

Thailand's transport network is one of the best in Southeast Asia for backpackers. The combination of cheap domestic flights, overnight trains, reliable buses, and local options like Grab and songthaews means you can get anywhere without spending much.

The key is matching your transport to your trip style. Short trip? Fly more. Long trip? Embrace the trains and buses — they are part of the experience. Either way, you will spend more time enjoying Thailand and less time stressing about logistics than you might expect.

Start planning your route with our first-time guide, figure out your budget with our cost breakdown, and then dive into the specific guides linked above for the routes you will actually take.