How To Get From Sukhumvit To Grand Palace, Bangkok

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok is The Grand Palace. It’s on the front page of every Thailand guide book and at the start of every Bangkok itinerary. However, Bangkok is a crowded city which can seem overwhelming to first-time visitors.

Therefore getting from Sukhumvit to The Grand Palace can seem somewhat impossible. However, it’s much easier than you might think.

The best way to get from Sukhumvit to Grand Palace is on the BTS Skytrain. Head along the Sukhumvit line until you reach Siam Station, then switch to the Siam line until you get to Saphan Taksin Station (S6). Then get off the BTS Skytrain and walk down a ramp to board the Chao Phraya Express boat.

However, there are some alternative methods of transport you might want to consider if you’re looking to add a little luxury to your trip or traveling as part of a family or group.

Transport	Duration	Cost
BTS & Chao Phraya	1 hour	120 Baht
Tuk-Tuk	20 min	200 Baht
Taxi	30 min	300 Baht

Costs and duration are averages. Exact durations and costs will vary depending on the class, date and time of travel.

BTS & Chao Phraya Express

The most common route tourists take when travelling from Sukhumvit to Grand Palace is on the BTS before transferring to the Chao Phraya Express. The reason being is this route is relatively simple, flexible, and very affordable.

If this is your first trip to Bangkok, then you might find that the BTS Skytrain is a little overwhelming, we suggest reading up on the experience prior to your trip. However, honestly, after a few trips, it’s just as simple as any other metro system elsewhere in the world.

The BTS Skytrain has the Sukhumvit line (green) that runs along the majority of Sukhumvit within central Bangkok (Sukhumvit road is actually more than 300 miles long) with 23 stations including Siam where you’re able to transfer to the other BTS line Silom.

To get from Sukhumvit to Grand Palace you’ll want to join the BTS Skytrain at any point on the Sukhumvit line and head towards Siam.

At Siam Station, you’ll need to change onto the Silom Line. From there you’ll be going six stops to Saphan Taksin Station (S6).

This journey will cost around 50 Baht per person (price is dependent on the time of travel and the station in which you board the BTS Skytrain) and will take around 30 minutes (again dependent on where you board the Skytrain)

Once you get off the BTS at Saphan Taksin Station you’ll be walking towards the river where you’re going to board the Chao Phraya Express. There can be a lot of people trying to sell you tickets to Grand Palace, private tours, private boat rides etc.

Just say no thank you and continue towards the official Chao Phraya Express. It goes without saying that all those advertising anything else are unofficial and are much more expensive than the ‘official’ method.

Tuk-Tuk

A taxi (or depending on where you are on Sukhumvit a tuk-tuk) is a great choice when traveling from Sukhumvit to The Grand Palace. It offers air conditioning, a direct route, and some additional privacy. Of course, this all comes at a cost.

If you’re travelling in a taxi then it should go on a metre rate. Always ask if the driver plans to use a metre before the journey. If they don’t, simply say no thank you and move on. The metre is regulated ensuring you get the very best price.

If you’re traveling from Sukhumvit To Grand Palace in a tuk-tuk then you’ll need to negotiate the price. The driver is likely to start the price at over 500 baht, however, you shouldn’t expect to pay over 200.

Taxi

Grab is Asia’s take on Uber. Download the application and use your mobiles GPS to request a taxi to your exact location.

The advantages of using Grab Taxi to get a taxi from Sukhumvit to The Grand Palace include;

• There’s a little bit more protection. Just in case anything goes wrong (when compared to hailing a cab on the street)

• You’re able to estimate the cost of the taxi from Sukhumvit to The Grand Palace

• You can pay by credit card (in our case the Halifax Credit Card that with awesome real-time exchange rates)

• Don’t have to struggle with language translations

• No need to argue as to whether or not the cab is using a meter

The disadvantage of using Grab Taxi to travel from Sukhumvit to The Grand Palace;

• The wait maybe ~10 minutes for the taxi to turn up depending on where the most local driver is based who takes your request (it’s not as quick as sticking out your hand at the side of the road)

• A surcharge may be applicable depending on the time in which you choose to travel

• WIFI or mobile internet will be required to use the service

• If you’re not a big believer in the concept (or the politics) or Uber or Grab Taxi then you can always get a taxi the more traditional way by hailing a cab.

This can be done in one of two ways;

• If you’re staying at a hotel in Sukhumvit then ask them to assist you in hailing a taxi and translating the destination.

• If you’re in Sukhumvit and you’re looking to hail a cab independently to The Grand Palace then simply look for an available cab – you’ll know if the cab is available by seeing this in the windscreen. Be sure the taxi is on a meter to ensure you get maximum value for money.

The advantages of hailing a cab on the street;

• It’s instantaneous (stick your arm out to hail the available taxi and you’re off!)

• You can pay in cash

The disadvantages are;

• There’s less of a ‘quote’ / estimate system to find out how much you might pay to get to the airport

• You might find yourself haggling over whether or not the taxi has a meter – which you should always look to use.

• You’ve more chance of being scammed, and there’s very little you can do in the terms of reporting the driver