What time does the Bangkok BTS Skytrain open and close?

The BTS operates approximately from 6:00 AM to midnight daily, seven days a week. First and last train times vary slightly by station and direction — check the timetable boards at each station for exact departure times.

Can I use a credit card to buy BTS tickets?

Standard BTS ticket machines only accept coins and banknotes up to 100 THB. Credit cards are not accepted at the machine, but you can use a card to top up a Rabbit Card at some BTS service counters. The Rabbit LINE Pay card also supports credit card top-ups through the LINE app.

How much does a Rabbit Card cost and is it worth getting?

A Rabbit Card costs 100 THB to obtain (50 THB card deposit plus 50 THB activation fee, both non-refundable) plus your chosen initial credit load. It is worth it if you plan to take more than two or three BTS trips — it saves queuing at machines, is reloadable at 7-Eleven, and is accepted at many retail partners across Bangkok.

Is the BTS Skytrain safe for tourists?

Yes. The BTS is very safe, well-lit, air-conditioned, and monitored by CCTV throughout. It is used daily by commuters, families, and tourists alike. As on any busy urban metro, keep an eye on your belongings during peak-hour crowds.

Which BTS station is closest to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho?

The BTS does not serve the Grand Palace area directly. Take the Silom Line to Saphan Taksin (S6), walk two minutes to Central Pier, and board a Chao Phraya Express Boat upriver. Disembark at Maharaj Pier (N13) for the Grand Palace or Chang Pier (N8) for Wat Pho. Total journey from Nana station takes around 50 minutes.

Quick Answer: The Bangkok BTS Skytrain runs two air-conditioned elevated rail lines across the city, with fares from 17–59 THB per trip. Buy a single-journey token at any station or save time with a reloadable Rabbit Card.

Bangkok BTS Skytrain Guide — How to Use It, Costs & Tips

Bangkok BTS Skytrain elevated train arriving at Nana Station on the Sukhumvit Line with city skyline in background

What Is the Bangkok BTS Skytrain?

The BTS Skytrain (officially the Bangkok Mass Transit System) is the city's elevated rail network and the fastest, most comfortable way to move around Bangkok. Since opening in December 1999, it has expanded to cover the key tourist and business corridors of the city — running above the traffic-choked streets and whisking passengers between stops in air-conditioned comfort.

For first-time visitors, the BTS is a revelation. Bangkok's roads can grind to a standstill during rush hour, but the Skytrain sits safely above it all, covering the distance from Nana to Siam in around six minutes — a journey that could easily take 40 minutes by taxi. Once you understand the basic network, it becomes your default way to explore the city.

The BTS Lines at a Glance

The BTS network has two main lines, both colour-coded green, plus a short connecting monorail called the Gold Line.

Sukhumvit Line (Dark Green)

This is the line most visitors use most often. It runs roughly north–south through the heart of the tourist and business district, from Khu Khot in the north all the way to Kheha in the south. Key stops include Mo Chit (Chatuchak Weekend Market), Ari, Phayathai (Airport Rail Link connection), Ratchathewi, Siam, Chit Lom, Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, On Nut, and Bearing.

Silom Line (Light Green)

The Silom Line crosses the Sukhumvit Line at Siam station — the network's central hub — and heads southwest toward the Chao Phraya River. Key stops include National Stadium (MBK Center), Sala Daeng (Silom and Patpong nightlife), Chong Nonsi, Surasak, and Saphan Taksin (Chao Phraya Express Boat pier). The line continues west to Bang Wa.

Gold Line

A short three-station monorail linking Krung Thon Buri on the Silom Line to ICONSIAM shopping mall on the west bank of the Chao Phraya — useful if you plan to visit ICONSIAM.

How to Buy a BTS Ticket

Buying a ticket is straightforward. At every station you will find automated ticket machines near the fare gates. Here is how the process works:

Check the fare map displayed above the machines. Find your destination station and note the fare in THB.
Select your fare amount on the touch screen, then choose the number of tickets you need.
Insert coins or banknotes. Machines accept 1, 5, and 10 THB coins plus 20, 50, and 100 THB notes. Larger notes (500 or 1,000 THB) are not accepted — visit the staffed service counter for change if needed.
Collect your token — a small black plastic disc. Tap it on the sensor to pass through the entry gate, then insert it into the slot at the exit gate when you leave. The machine keeps the token.

If the machine is unclear, every station has a staffed service counter where agents speak basic English and can sell you a ticket directly.

Rabbit Card — Bangkok's Reloadable Travel Card

If you plan to use the BTS more than a couple of times, a Rabbit Card is well worth getting. It is a rechargeable stored-value card — Bangkok's equivalent of London's Oyster or Tokyo's Suica — and it saves you queuing at machines on every journey.

How to Get One

Pick up a Rabbit Card at any BTS service counter. The one-time cost is 100 THB (50 THB card deposit plus 50 THB activation fee, both non-refundable) plus whatever initial credit you choose to load. There is no required minimum top-up beyond the 50 THB included at purchase.

Where to Top Up

Rabbit Cards can be topped up at BTS service counters, top-up machines at stations, and at 7-Eleven convenience stores across Bangkok. The card is also accepted as payment at participating 7-Elevens, Tops supermarkets, and various retail partners — though the main reason to have one is the train.

Day Passes and Tourist Options

BTS also sells a 1-Day Unlimited Pass for 150 THB, ideal if you are cramming a lot of sightseeing into a single day. Ask at the service counter about the Tourist Rabbit Card, which comes pre-loaded with credit and is designed for short-stay visitors.

BTS Fares: What Does It Cost?

Single-journey fares are distance-based and range from 17 THB to 59 THB. The fare steps up by roughly 3 THB per additional station. Here are typical fares from Nana station to give you a realistic sense of pricing:

Route	Stops	Approx. Fare
Nana → Asok	1 stop	17 THB
Nana → Chit Lom	1 stop	17 THB
Nana → Siam	2 stops	24 THB
Nana → Phrom Phong	2 stops	24 THB
Nana → Thong Lo	3 stops	28 THB
Nana → On Nut	5 stops	37 THB
Nana → Mo Chit	7 stops	44 THB
Nana → Saphan Taksin	6 stops via Siam	44 THB

Fares are subject to periodic adjustment by BTSC. Always check the fare map at the station for the current rate before purchasing.

Key Stations and What Is Nearby

Knowing which station serves which attraction saves significant time and unnecessary backtracking. Here is a quick reference for the most visited destinations:

Mo Chit (N8) — Chatuchak Weekend Market (Saturday and Sunday only), Chatuchak Park, MRT Chatuchak Park interchange
Phayathai (N2) — Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport (approximately 30 minutes, 15–45 THB)
Ratchathewi (N1) — Jim Thompson House, a 10-minute walk from the station exit
Siam (CEN) — MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, CentralWorld; the central interchange for both BTS lines
Chit Lom (E1) — CentralWorld, Erawan Shrine, Gaysorn Village
Nana (E3) — Sukhumvit Soi 3–11, international restaurants, local street food, nightlife
Asok (E4) — Terminal 21 mall, Soi Cowboy, MRT Sukhumvit interchange
Phrom Phong (E5) — Emporium, EmQuartier luxury malls, Benjasiri Park
Thong Lo (E6) — Bangkok's trendiest neighbourhood, boutique dining, rooftop bars
On Nut (E9) — Local markets, affordable street food, Tesco Lotus
Sala Daeng (S2) — Patpong Night Market, Silom business district, Lumphini Park (10-minute walk)
Saphan Taksin (S6) — Central Pier; board a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Grand Palace area

Connecting to Other Transit Networks

The BTS does not cover every corner of Bangkok, but it connects cleanly to the city's other transport systems — giving you a combined network that reaches almost everywhere worth going.

MRT (Subway): Transfer at Asok/Sukhumvit, Mo Chit/Chatuchak Park, or Sala Daeng/Si Lom. The MRT requires a separate ticket and reaches Hua Lamphong (main train terminus), Chinatown (Yaowarat), and Bang Sue Grand Station.
Airport Rail Link: From Phayathai BTS station, the ARL runs direct to Suvarnabhumi Airport in around 30 minutes for 15–45 THB — far faster and cheaper than a taxi during peak hours.
Chao Phraya Express Boat: Take the Silom Line to Saphan Taksin (S6), walk two minutes to Central Pier, and board an upriver express boat (15 THB) toward the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho.
Gold Line Monorail: Transfer at Krung Thon Buri on the Silom Line for the three-stop ride to ICONSIAM shopping and entertainment complex.

BTS Tips Every Visitor Should Know

Avoid rush hour when you can. The BTS gets very crowded between 7–9 AM and 5–8 PM on weekdays. Shifting sightseeing trips to mid-morning makes for a far more comfortable experience.
Stand right on escalators. The left side is reserved for walking. Thais observe this convention strictly — tourists who block the left side attract polite but firm attention.
Follow the platform queue markers. Yellow lines show where the doors will open. Orderly queuing is the norm; wait your turn as passengers exit before boarding.
Note exit numbers. Every station has multiple numbered exits with signs indicating the nearest streets and landmarks. Using the correct exit saves significant time above ground.
Keep your token. The black plastic disc is collected at the exit gate — do not pocket it or discard it before you leave the station.
Rabbit Cards do not expire as long as you use them at least once every two years. If you return to Bangkok regularly, keep yours.
Lifts are available at every station, making the BTS fully accessible for travellers with strollers, heavy luggage, or mobility requirements.

Best Routes from Nana Station

Nana station (E3) on the Sukhumvit Line puts a remarkable amount of Bangkok within easy reach. Royal Ivory Nana Hotel Bangkok is a two-minute walk from Nana exit 2 — making it one of the most transport-convenient bases in the city. Here are the most useful journeys from here:

Chatuchak Weekend Market: Sukhumvit Line north to Mo Chit (N8), 7 stops, around 25 minutes. Open Saturday and Sunday only — plan accordingly.
Grand Palace and Wat Arun: Sukhumvit Line to Siam, transfer to the Silom Line south to Saphan Taksin, then an express boat upriver — total journey around 50 minutes.
Siam Shopping District: Two stops west to Siam (CEN), about 6 minutes. Step out into Siam Paragon, MBK Center, and CentralWorld.
Lumphini Park: Change at Siam to the Silom Line, ride to Sala Daeng (S2), then walk 10 minutes south to the park entrance — a perfect morning run route.
Arriving from the airport: Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phayathai, then Sukhumvit Line south to Nana (E3). Total journey around 50 minutes for under 60 THB — no taxi negotiation required.

Stay Two Minutes from Nana BTS

The single best thing you can do for your Bangkok itinerary is to stay within walking distance of a BTS station. You can leave your hotel room, tap your Rabbit Card, and reach almost any major attraction within 30 minutes — no traffic stress, no meter disputes, no navigating unfamiliar sois in the midday heat.

Royal Ivory Nana Hotel Bangkok sits on Sukhumvit Soi 4, a two-minute walk from Nana BTS exit 2. The family-owned property has 90 rooms ranging from 32 to 80 sqm, an outdoor pool, and a no-joiner-charge policy that guests consistently highlight in reviews — Google 4.2/5 from over 850 reviews, Trip.com 8.4/10 Excellent. Book direct at royalivory.com for the best available rate and flexible cancellation, with no booking-platform markups or hidden fees.