Guide to Bangkok's three major bus terminals: Mini Van transportation guide

In October 2016, under the leadership of the Thai government, the Mini Vans gathered at the Victory Monument in Bangkok were scattered and moved to the three major bus terminals in the north, east and south (old) of Bangkok. The starting point was to improve the congestion in the center of Bangkok. Traffic problems. At this moment, minibuses are like night markets and roadside stalls. The traditional common people’s culture is far away from the center of Bangkok, becoming a monument to the development of Bangkok’s modern city. Wendy and Anya also arranged their itinerary when they went to Bangkok in early 10. When I visited the three major bus terminals, I recorded the appearance of the minibus after the relocation. In fact, it also marked the future travel footprint of the love of travel in Thailand, which is about to change into the next stage.

Tour and complete introduction to the three major bus stations in Bangkok

.The past and present of Mini Van

.Overview of Bangkok's three major bus terminals

.Transportation routes from the three major bus terminals in Bangkok

.The location and surroundings of the North Bus Station

.Guide to tour and boarding at the North Bus Station

.The location and surroundings of the East Bus Station

.Guide to tour and boarding at East Bus Station

.Location and surroundings of South Bus Station

.Guide to tour and boarding at South Bus Station

.Bangkok bus boarding advice and itinerary

.Comprehensive evaluation: Map of the three major bus terminals in Bangkok


The past and present of Mini Van

Mini Van (mini bus), also known as van or van, is a highly maneuverable and inexpensive vehicle in Thailand. It is mainly used by Thai locals to move across cities. With backpackers’ word of mouth, gradually It has become a transportation option for tourists to go to cities around Bangkok. Take minibuses to Amphawa, Maeklong, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi and other places. It is very convenient and cheap. Take this kind of common transportation. It has also become a special sightseeing experience.

The minibus greeting station, which is well-known to tourists, was originally located in the center of Bangkok and gathered near the Victory Monument station of the air rail. The transfer is convenient but also prone to traffic congestion. In October 2016, the Thai government rectified the traffic. For consideration, the three major bus stations in the east, north and south on the fringe of Bangkok’s urban area are scattered. Large and small buses share stations. Passengers have more choices, but the transportation to the bus station is more inconvenient.

The advantages of the Mini Van are that it is cheap, fast and has few stops. It departs when the passengers are full. Compared with larger buses, it has high mobility, but its safety is also much lower. In addition, the large number of minibus operators will inevitably cause unevenness of good and bad conditions, overloading, Speeding and major car accidents have been heard from time to time, and the Thai government announced in early 2017 that it would replace it with 20-seater minibuses. However, considering the livelihood of the industry, it is temporarily controlled by strictly banning overloading and speeding.

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Overview of Bangkok's three major bus terminals

There are currently four bus terminals around the city of Bangkok: North Bus Station, East Bus Station, South Bus Station, and Old South Bus Station. The minibuses that originally gathered at the Victory Monument have been moved to the east and north according to the convenience of the geographical area of ​​the route. There are three bus terminals in South (old), and Xinnan Bus Station originally has a minibus route, and each bus terminal can take minibuses.

Except that the old South Bus Station is converted to minibus dedicated use, the other three bus terminals have large bus routes. Each bus terminal has its main operating regional routes, but the routes in many sightseeing areas overlap, such as Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, Popular routes such as Pattaya may not be available only to specific bus terminals.

  • North Bus Station: The full name is Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak). สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทฯ(จตีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทฯ(จตุจักร), also known as Mo Chit Mai (ชจักร), ชจักร), also known as Mo Chi
  • East Bus Station: The full name is Bangkok Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทพฯ (เอกมัย), abbreviated as Ekkaัมยย
  • South Bus Station: The full name is Bangkok Bus Terminal (Borommaratchachonnani Road). 2
  • Old South Bus Station: The full name is Bangkok Bus Terminal (Pinklao). สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทพฯ (ปิ่นเกล่นเกล่นเก๸่นเกล่นเกล่นเก๸่นเก๸๸๸น

※ Gao is the Thai pronunciation of "old" and Mai is the Thai pronunciation of "new". Usually, a "2" is added to the end of the location, which can also represent the new meaning. Mo Chit Mai (Mo Chit 2) is the Xinbei bus station, the original Mo Chit old bus station is out of service, Sai Tai Mai (Sai ​​Tai 2) is the Xinnan bus station, and the original old south bus station (Sai ​​Tai Gao) is mainly Receive Mini Van operators from Victory Monument.

Transportation routes from the three major bus terminals in Bangkok

Bangkok North Bus Station has the largest scale and the most complete routes. No matter which city you plan to go to from Bangkok, you can come here to find the most choices. Especially if you arrive at Don Mueang Airport, you have to go directly to cities outside of Bangkok. The North Bus Station is the most suitable choice. The East Bus Station is the smallest and has the fewest routes, but it has the most convenient transportation advantage. If you plan to go to Pattaya, Samet and other eastern cities, the East Bus Station is the most convenient choice; the South Bus Station is novel and not small in scale. If you are in a Bangkok city hotel, planning to travel to Hua Hin/Cha-am, Amphawa, Maeklong and other places, choosing to take a taxi directly from the hotel will be the best way.

The three bus terminals of North Bus Station, East Bus Station and South Bus Station currently provide large bus and mini bus routes. The old South Bus Station has been converted to provide Mini Van mini bus routes. Large bus routes mainly provide correspondence based on geographic relations. Routes to the area, but if the station is larger, it will provide more routes and cover a wider range. As for minibus operators with high flexibility in operation and routes, they will provide routes based on market demand. The scope of coverage is quite flexible and changes will be relatively large. Big.

  • Convenient transportation: East Bus Station>North Bus Station>South Bus Station
  • Station size: North Bus Station>South Bus Station>East Bus Station
  • Novel architecture: South Bus Station>North Bus Station>East Bus Station

The transportation route of the North Bus Station: Northern, Central, and Northeastern Thailand

The North Bus Station is the largest bus terminal in Bangkok. It mainly operates in northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, etc.), central (Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, etc.), and the northeast (Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri) South, Yasothon, Nong Khai, Surin, Sisaket and other places), but also provide a large city in the north of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and other places, and even cover Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui, Bangkok and other places around Bangkok. Almost all the routes of the East Bus Station and South Bus Station are covered by famous attractions such as Phuket, Hat Yai, and Krabi.

Traffic route from East Bus Station: Eastern Thailand

The East Bus Station mainly operates the bus routes in eastern Thailand, including: Pattaya, Koh Samet, Koh Chang and other well-known attractions, as well as Rayong, Chachoengsao, Da Trat, Chanthaburi, Prachin Buri, Rong Kluea, Bang Saen, Ban Phe and other areas.

Compared with the North Bus Station and the Xinnan Bus Station, the East Bus Station is quite small and can accommodate limited vehicles. The large bus routes are mainly in eastern Thailand and do not cover Hua Hin, Cha-am, Ayutthaya and Maeklong , Kanchanaburi and other famous scenic spots in the west and south.However, driven by market demand, minibus operators with fairly flexible operations have already reported that they have a route to Hua Hin, but the actual operating conditions may change at any time.

Traffic route from South Bus Station: Western and Southern Thailand

The South Bus Station mainly operates bus routes in the western and southern parts of Thailand. The Old South Bus Station (Sai ​​Tai Gao) mainly accommodates the Mini Van routes of the original Victory Monument, including: Hua Hin, Cha Am, Maeklong Railway Market (Maeklong), Amphawa Floating Market (Amphawa), Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak) and other well-known tourist attractions, as well as Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi (Phetchaburi) and other places.

Sai Tai Mai is second only to the North Bus Station in scale, and the bus routes cover Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Hat Yai, Samui, Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket In other places, the original minibus route in the station can also go to well-known tourist attractions such as Hua Hin, Cha-am, Maeklong Railway Market, Amphawa Floating Market, and Danneng Shaduo Floating Market. The Pakistan route even provides routes to Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, and Pattaya, covering part of the traffic route from the East Bus Station.

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The location and surroundings of the North Bus Station

The North Bus Station (Mo Chit 2) is located in the Chatuchak District (Chatuchak), nearby Mo Chit BTS Station, Phahon Yothin, Chatuchak Park, and Gampa Ambi (Kamphaeng Phet) The three subway stations seem to have very convenient transportation, but the walking distance between the bus station and the MRT station is more than 2 kilometers. If you are not physically strong and heat-resistant, it is recommended to take a bus or taxi to transfer.

The Chatuchak area, where the North Bus Station is located, can be said to be a favorite spot for tourists to visit. There are Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chatuchak Green Market and Andoro Market. There are also JJ Mall, Shopping malls such as CentralPlaza Ladprao can not finish shopping for two days and nights. MRT stations and malls have built many lockers. It is recommended to use more lockers to store luggage and trophies. It is not only easier to shop in the Chatuchak area, and then It will also be more convenient to bring your luggage to the bus station and transfer.

Related Reading ▶️JJ Market|Jj green|Jj mall|MOF Farmers' Market

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Guide to tour and boarding at the North Bus Station

The North Bus Station is the largest bus terminal in Bangkok. Whether it is a large bus or a minibus, it covers almost all major attractions in Thailand. The station body is in an arc shape and has a total of 6 large platforms. After passing through the station ticket hall , In order are the waiting platforms 4, 6, 5, 3, 2, and 1, the 4 and 5 are the long-distance large bus platforms, the 4 is the largest platform used by the long-distance buses, and the 3 and 6 are the mini-mini On the Ba platform, the Victory Monument minibus is mainly relocated to platform 3. The remaining platforms can be used by city buses and taxis.

On the last day of their free travel in Bangkok, Wendy and Anya used the AIRPORTELs baggage check service to transport their luggage directly from the hotel to the airport. After visiting the Chatuchak Weekend Market and Or Tor Kor Market with nothing, they took the car. Went to the North Bus Station to stroll around, and then took a taxi directly to the airport. It was quite smooth to arrive.If you are flying to Thailand from Don Mueang Airport, it is recommended that you can arrange to go directly to Hua Hin, Pattaya and other places on the first day. It will be easier to take a ride from Don Mueang Airport to the North Bus Station.

Klook.Itinerary reservation:Free charter from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi|Ayutthaya ruins and sunset cruise|Ayutthaya Ruins Day Tour (AK)|Ayutthaya Pearl One Day Tour|AIRPORTELs Bangkok Airport Baggage Delivery

Bangkok free travel guide-

▲ Aerial view of the North Bus Station. The white building in the center is the largest platform No. XNUMX, the waiting and ticketing hall is on the right, and the other platforms are on the left.

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▲ The North Bus Station is located next to the elevated expressway. It is also very convenient to take a taxi to Don Mueang Airport. The North Bus Station building is on the left.

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▲ The architectural appearance of the North Bus Station presents an arc shape.

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▲ The floor plan of the waiting and ticketing hall of the North Bus Station.

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▲ In front of the gate of the North Bus Station, there is a row of ticket counters, mainly selling long-distance large bus tickets.

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▲ In the waiting hall of the station, there is a service counter in the center, you can go to inquire if necessary.

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▲ At the ticket counter in the station waiting hall, there is a banner on the top to remind the platform direction of the Mini Van.

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▲ After entering the city waiting hall, turn left and go straight to the platform where you can board the Mini Van.

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▲ Platform 3 accommodates the minibus operators from the Victory Monument, and the sign is newly affixed.

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▲ When going to take the Mini Van, you will pass the food stalls in the station.

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▲ Platform XNUMX is the largest, located directly behind the waiting hall, and is mainly used by long-distance large buses.

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▲ Platform 6 also accommodates some minibus operators.

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▲ There are a large number of minibus ticket counters in the platform. If you take a minibus, you can buy tickets directly here.

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▲ Platform 3 accommodates minibuses from Victory Monument. There are quite a number of operators, covering a wide range of routes.

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▲ The floor plan of Platform 7, with 11-XNUMX and the restroom next to it.

The location and surroundings of the East Bus Station

The East Bus Station (Ekkamai) is located in Khlong Toei District, close to the Ekkamai Skytrain Station and the Gateway Shopping Mall. The East Bus Station is close to the MRT station, making it the most convenient bus station for transfers. It is a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Ikkamai Skytrain Station. The area is dominated by schools, hospitals and other cultural and educational institutions, while shopping malls and other tourist attractions are relatively few.

In the Klong Tee area where the East Bus Station is located, Khong Tee Market and the pier are the most vibrant local markets in Bangkok. There are also well-known seafood restaurants such as Songtong and Shangweitai nearby, and the Gateway Department Store and Snow Town next to Ikkamai. Although Syracuse (opened in July 2018) is a well-known scenic spot, it is a little far away from the downtown area, and the tourist activity is not high. It is the continuous Dongluo Station and Peng Phong Station, but it is the area where restaurants and SPA massage gather. It is very convenient for tourists.

Related Reading ▶️Gateway ekamai|Molly Fantasy

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Guide to tour and boarding at East Bus Station

The East Bus Station is the smallest and oldest station, but it is adjacent to the Ikkamai Skytrain Station, where the traffic can be said to be the most convenient. The building is T-shaped, the front of the building is the ticket hall, and the rear is the long waiting platform. .Because the station space is relatively narrow, and the large buses and minibuses share a limited number of routes, it can only operate eastern routes such as Pattaya and Samet, which is very convenient for tourists.

After Wendy and Anya returned to Bangkok from Pattaya, they moved in near Bangkok UniversityQiss Residence, I wanted to stay in the apartment hotel all day, and then I took the hotel’s free tuk-tuk to Ekamai Station. After a stroll at the East Bus Station, I took the MRT directly to the department store along the Skytrain. visit.For travelers planning to go to Pattaya, it is very convenient to take a ride to and from the East Bus Station, which is the most convenient bus terminal in Bangkok.

Klook.Itinerary reservation:Transfer service from Bangkok to cities around Pattaya, Samed and Koh Chang

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▲ The East Bus Station is next to the Ikkamai Skytrain Station. The triangular golden roof building on the right is the large city ski resort Syracuse.

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▲ The East Bus Station has the oldest buildings and the smallest space, and it also provides the fewest bus routes.

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▲ The floor plan of the East Bus Station. Behind the station hall is a long waiting platform.

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▲ The counter in the central lobby of the East Bus Station sells tickets for large buses.

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▲ Ticket counters for Mini Van mini buses are located on the left and right sides of the station.

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▲ The front half of the long-strip waiting platform is used by large buses, and the second half is used by Mini Van.

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▲ The Mini Van waiting area in the back half of the East Bus Station.

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Location and surroundings of South Bus Station

The South Bus Station is located in Taling Chan, the Old South Bus Station is in Bangkok Noi, and the South Bus Station is 6 kilometers west of the Old South Bus Station. Relocated from the Victory Monument to the Old South Bus Station in Mini Van In the initial stage, a free shuttle bus will be provided at Victory Monument to the South Bus Station in the first 6 months. There is also a fixed fee bus route connecting the two places. However, for tourists, taking a taxi directly from downtown Bangkok or a hotel will be the best option. Convenient choice.

Dalinjiang District, where the South Bus Station is located, has two well-known tourist markets, Khon Lak Mayong Floating Market and Dalinjiang Floating Market. Near the Old South Bus Station, there is Central Plaza Pinklao Shopping Mall, which can be reached by walking straight along the main road. Bangkok's Grand Palace and Maharashtra Wharf Wenqing Market, but the above famous attractions are all over 8 kilometers away, and they can only be reached by car.However, there is a huge night market at the South Bus Station called Klong Lord 2 Market (Klong Lord XNUMX Market), which is a tourist attraction with great potential.

Related Reading ▶️Dalinjiang Floating Market|Klong Marong Floating Market|Xinkongluo Night Market

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Guide to tour and boarding at South Bus Station

Sai Tai Mai's main building is a four-story square building. It is used for ticket counters, waiting halls and restaurants. The open-air curved building next to it is provided as Mini Van ticket counters and waiting platforms in the city. There are numerous ticket counters, restaurants and shops in the lobby, and there are also service counters that provide luggage storage. There is a connecting passage to the large bus waiting platform in the back. Tickets are required to pass. The South Bus Station has a wide range of bus routes, but For tourists, even if they go to Hua Hin and other places, the North Bus Station is more convenient.

Wendy and Anya visited the Klong Marong Floating Market during the day, and then called Uber to the South Bus Station. The purpose was not to take the Mini Van, but to visit the Xinkong Lao Night Market next to the South Bus Station. The bus stop swung around.If you are returning from Hua Hin to Bangkok and the drop-off point is at the North Bus Station, you can leave your luggage in the bus station first, go to the nearby Xinkong Lao Night Market, and then take the bus back to downtown Bangkok, but we will call Uber on the return trip. At that time, the non-service area message unexpectedly jumped out, but fortunately, GrabTaxi, a standby plan for calling a taxi, came to the rescue.

Klook.Itinerary reservation:Hua Hin Nostalgic Town One Day Tour (AK)|Cha-am in-depth walkthrough day trip (Vacio)

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▲ A bird's-eye view of the Old South Bus Station in Bangkok. Because there is only one department store nearby and the Dalinjiang Floating Market that I have been to, I did not visit this time.

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▲ Aerial view of Bangkok's Xinnan Bus Station. The main body of the left half of the station is a square building, the bottom is a large bus platform, the right fan-shaped building is a Mini Van platform, the middle is an urban bus platform, and the right half is the new Kong Lao Night Market.

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▲ The viaduct is directly in front of the entrance of the Xinnan Bus Station.

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▲ Xinnan Bus Station has 4 floors. Building G is the Mini Van platform, Building M is the parking lot and shops, the first floor is the ticket hall and the platform, and the second floor is the food court.

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▲ Xinnan Bus Station has many luggage storage services. It is recommended to make good use of it and visit the scenic spots around the bus station along the way.

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▲ Drug store and luggage storage service in Xinnan Bus Station.

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▲ The ticket counter on the first floor is new and bright, selling tickets for large buses to various parts of Thailand.

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▲ The ticket hall of Xinnan Bus Station is an air-conditioned indoor space, which is more comfortable in summer.

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▲ Xinnan Bus Station also has large bus routes to Pattaya, Rayong, Samet and other places in the east.

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▲Take a long-distance bus to Koh Samui and Phuket, but it is not fun to take a long-distance bus.

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▲ In front is the walkway to the large bus platform.

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▲ After purchasing a bus ticket, you must present the ticket to go to the waiting platform.

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▲ The fan-shaped open scaffold next to the square station building is the ticket counter and waiting area of ​​Mini Van.

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▲ I used to take the Mini Van back to Bangkok from Hua Hin, and I got off here. Now I can go shopping in many night markets.

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▲ Mini Van ticket and service counter in the waiting hall.

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▲ A one-way ticket to Hua Hin only costs 180 baht, which is the cheap advantage of Mini Van.

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▲ Here you can take the Mini Van to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

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▲ There is a small bus building next to the South Bus Station building, which provides the use of bus routes in Bangkok.

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▲ Go ahead and pass the bus platform in the city. The Xinkongluo Night Market is in front of you!

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Bangkok bus boarding advice and itinerary

Bangkok's large buses have large seats and comfortable seats and complete air-conditioning. They are suitable for planning long-distance rides to Sukhothai, Koh Samui, Samet and other islands. The safety will be higher. The disadvantage is that the speed of the bus is slow and it will take more time; Mini The buses are fast and cheap, and are popular with backpackers. They are suitable for short trips to Hua Hin, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Amphawa, etc. However, the safety is low and the driving speed is very fast. If you are mentally prepared, it is not recommended for elders or children to travel together.

  • No need to go to the Victory Monument anymore, transfer to the bus to the bus stop.
  • Except for the East Bus Station, it is recommended to take a taxi directly to the bus station.
  • Make good use of the locker service and visit the scenic spots around the bus station along the way.
  • For children traveling with elders, it is recommended to use one-day trip, shuttle or chartered service.

Suggestions for boarding to Pattaya:

  • If you are going directly after getting off the plane from Don Mueang Airport, it is recommended to go to the North Bus Station.
  • If you are travelling from downtown Bangkok, priority is given to East Bus Station.

Ride suggestions to Hua Hin:

  • If you are going directly after getting off the plane from Don Mueang Airport, it is recommended to go to the North Bus Station.
  • If traveling from downtown Bangkok, take a taxi to South Bus Station/Old South Bus Station.
  • Readers reported that there is a minibus route to Hua Hin at the East Bus Station, and minibus operators will flexibly adjust the route according to market demand.

Suggestions for boarding to Thailand Floating Market:

  • Take a taxi from downtown Bangkok and take a minibus to the South Bus Station.
  • If there are children traveling with elders, it is recommended to buy a one-day itinerary.

Klook.Itinerary reservation:Amphawa Original Ecology Day Tour (AK)|Oriental Venice In-Depth Tour (Vacio)|Explore Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Half Day Tour|Bangkok Classic Day Tour (AK)|Floating Market Weekend Experience Tour (Vacio)

Comprehensive evaluation: Map of the three major bus terminals in Bangkok

When Wendy took the Mini Van back to Bangkok from Hua Hin, she was vomited all over by children in the Mini Van under the fast and bumpy conditions of the Mini Van. In retrospect, she confirmed that she was not a child under the age of 6 in the Mini Van. A suitable mode of transportation, and I will move towards a parent-child travel mode. Here, I have to say goodbye to the Mini Van, a means of transportation for the common people in Thailand. This article is used as a record. When you take the Mini Van again in the future, it will probably be a small After the kids go to school, maybe Bangkok traffic has been completely renovated at that time!

Klook.Klook itinerary reservation: chartered pick-up service

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