Public buses in Bangkok are mainly operated by the governmental Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and private operator Thai Smile Group (also called Thai Smile Bus). Discover a detailed guide to BMTA bus service in Bangkok with the main bus routes, route map, fare rates, and ticket options for using the bus in Bangkok.
The governmental Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is the largest public bus service provider in Bangkok.
BMTA Bus Routes in Bangkok
There are a number of airport shuttle bus routes connecting Bangkok City with both airports - Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Currently you can use 5 special Bangkok bus routes operated by BMTA for reaching the city directly from one of Bangkok's airports:
S1 - Bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road
A1 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to BTS Mo Chit
A2 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Victory Monument
A3 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Lumphini Park
A4 - Bus from Don Muang Airport to Khao San Road
Other useful Bangkok bus routes operated by the governmental Bangkok Mass Transit Authority:
Bus route 1: Thanon Tok - Tha Chang (bus for getting to Bangkok Old Town from Chinatown, Silom, and the Riverside along the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River)
Bus route 2: Mega Bangna - Pak Khlong Market (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Pratunam, Sukhumvit, or even Erawan Museum; also can be used in the opposite direction for getting from Sukhumvit or Pratunam to the Grand Palace and other attractions in Bangkok Old Town)
Bus route 3: Northern Bus Terminal Mochit 2 - Khlong San (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Mochit Bus Terminal)
Bus route 15: The Mall Thapra - Sanam Luang (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Siam, Silom, and Asiatique The Riverfront)
Bus route 16: Northern Bus Terminal Mochit 2 – Surawong (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Silom)
Bus route 32: Pakkret Market - Sanam Luang (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Ko Kret)
Bus route 47: Khlong Toei Pier - Department of Lands (bus for getting from Khao San Road to the pier, where you can take a ferry to cross the river to Bang Kra Chao)
Bus route 49: Northern Bus Terminal - Hua Lamphong (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Hua Lamphong Railway Station and vice versa)
Bus route 59: Rangsit – Sanam Luang (cheaper alternative than the A4 bus for getting from Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road)
Bus route 60: Siam Park - Pak Khlong Talat (bus going from Khao San Road and Pratunam to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 71: Siam Park - Wat That Thong (bus going from the upper Sukhumvit to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 77: Sathu Pradit Garage - New Mochit (bus going from Mochit Van Terminal to Silom and Sathorn)
Bus route 79: Phutthamonthon Sai 2 - Ratchaprasong (bus for getting from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Khao San Road or CentralWorld and other popular spots in Siam)
Bus route 136: Khlong Toei - Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to Ratchada)
Bus route 145: Pak Nam - Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Mochit Bus Terminal to the places on Srinakarin Road, such as Srinagarindra Train Night Market)
Bus route 168: Siam Park - Victory Monument (direct bus going from Victory Monument to Siam Amazing Park)
Bus route 501: Minburi - Hua Lamphong (bus for getting from Hua Lamphong and Siam Area to the places along Sukhumvit Road, such as Nana, Terminal 21, EM District, and Ekkamai Bus Terminal)
Bus route 505: Pak Kret - Lumphini Park (bus for getting to the island of Ko Kret from Lumpini Area and Pratunam)
Bus route 508: Pak Nam – Ratchaworadit Pier (bus for getting from Siam and Sukhumvit to Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm)
Bus route 509: Phutthamonthon Sai 2 - Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (bus for getting from Khao San Road to Chatuchak Weekend Market or Mochit Bus Terminal)
Bus route 510: Thammasat University Rangsit Center - Victory Monument (slightly cheaper option than the A2 bus for getting from Victory Monument to Don Mueang Airport or vice versa)
Bus route 511: Pak Nam - Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal (bus for getting directly from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Khao San Road and Sukhumvit or vice versa; can also be used for visiting the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm)
Bus route 516: Buathong Keha Village - Thewet (another bus option for getting from Khao San Road to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal)
Bus route 555: Rangsit - Suvarnabhumi Airport (if you are not eligible for using the free shuttle bus, use this public bus to travel between Bangkok airports)
Bus route 556: Wat Rai Khing - Democracy Monument (alternative bus for getting from Khao San Road to Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal)
A full list of Bangkok bus routes operated by BMTA can be found here: BMTA Routes. To see the most up-to-date information, use the website in the Thai language, as the English version of the website is not updated timely and is different from the original.
Bangkok BMTA Bus Route Map
As Bangkok city is huge and there are many public bus routes connecting different corners of the metropolis, you will not find a unified Bangkok bus map with all the routes laid out on one sheet of paper.
However, to find your way to travel from your location to the desired destination by public bus, you can use one of the applications with a Bangkok BMTA bus map or rely on the route map found at the bus stop (if you will be lucky enough to find one).
For detailed information about the most popular map apps and route maps at the bus stops, explore the Bangkok bus map.
BMTA Bus Types
There are two main types of Bangkok buses operated by BMTA: air-conditioned buses and regular, or fan, buses. Some of the routes are covered only by one bus type, but quite often you will have a choice of both bus types.
Air-conditioned Buses
There are actually 3 different types of BMTA air-conditioned buses:
- Air-Conditioned Bus (Cream-Blue)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (Euro 2, Yellow-Orange)
- Air-Conditioned Bus (NGV, Blue)
Regular or Fan Buses
The regular fan buses in Bangkok that are operated by BMTA are red/cream.
Bangkok BMTA Bus Ticket & Fare
Bangkok BMTA bus ticket fare depends on the bus route, type of bus, and time of your journey. Currently, the bus ticket price can be from as low as 8 THB to 60 THB, which is charged on one of the airport bus routes.
Bangkok BMTA bus tickets can be bought on board the bus. Just get on the bus, find a place to sit, and the conductor will approach you. BMTA buses accept cash payments, while some of them now also accept contactless card payments.
For more details about the bus ticket price and ticket options, explore the Bangkok bus fare & tickets.