How to Ride the MRT

Getting around in Bangkok is not troublesome at all, thanks to the multiple transportation facilities, both new and traditional. Needless to say, Bangkok was and always will be a busy city with massive traffic jams, and this is why sometimes you need an option to avoid inconveniences. It’s fast, efficient, and new which is why you need to do an MRT ride at least once when you are in Bangkok. The city is working on expanding this network further, and this is great in terms of the tourism industry.

MRT in Bangkok

First of all, are you aware of what MRT means? MRT stands for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit and Bangkok took its first MRT initiative in 2004. As most people know, this operates trains using an underground network that links to the airport rail link and the BTS. Today, there are 18 stations and these, in collaboration, have made travelling within Bangkok and metropolitan areas easier and faster. According to the records, more than 400,000 people (both locals and tourists) use MRT in Bangkok daily, and the officials have made remedies (floodgates) in preparation for emergencies such as floods.

The MRT Stations

If the MRT station is connected to the BTS station, finding the MRT station that you need to go will be quite easy because, in general, the MRT will be just outside the BTS station (ground level). However, if you come across a detailed map (an updated one) you may be able to find all MRT and BTS stations marked very clearly and they can make your lives easier. If you are spending a blissful vacation at a serviced apartment in Bangkok the likes of Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok, you’ll be able to try one or two MRT rides when you are getting around the city. They may not support access to every attraction you need to visit but have considered the major attractions such as the Chatuchak Market and Sukhumvit.

Buying MRT tickets

Although you may call it a ticket, it’s not really a ticket. It’s a coin-sized token that supports RFID technology and if you need passes (that allows 1, 3, or 30-day travel facilities) you may simply contact one of the persons at a kiosk. The easiest method, however, is to use the token machines and as the commands are also available in English, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to understanding. These machines accept both coins and notes, but please use only the 20 baht notes when you are using the machines.

Ticket prices

The cost of a single station ride is 16 baht, and if that’s a full journey (single lane) the overall cost will be 42 baht. Details about prices are displayed at every ticket booth and they have English translations too. Prepaid MRT tickets are also available namely MRT Plus and Mangmoom and they have their different pricing strategies and own conditions as well.

Using the token

Using the MRT token you have already purchased is not a big deal. You just have to follow what others are doing- hovering the token above the red panel to get the metallic barriers open! Remember, these tokens tend to bounce, and make sure you don’t drop it anywhere.

Boarding and leaving

You will have to wait in the queue till the next train comes, but make sure you don’t attempt to skip the lines as the locals won’t tolerate this. MRT trains come every other minute and once it comes, it’ll open its doors for the people who are already in it to leave. Get in when everyone has left and just enjoy the ride, carefully!