Bangkok MRT Guide 2026: Blue and Purple Line Routes, Fares & Tickets

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What Is the Bangkok MRT and How Is It Different from the BTS?

The MRT is Bangkok's underground and elevated metro system, run separately from the BTS Skytrain. Where the BTS mostly runs above Sukhumvit and Silom roads, the MRT tunnels beneath old Bangkok — reaching Chinatown, Hua Lamphong, and the area around Chatuchak Weekend Market that the BTS never touches.

Think of the two systems as complementary rather than competing: locals routinely ride the BTS for the Sukhumvit corridor, then dip underground on the MRT to reach the old city or the northern markets. For a side-by-side breakdown of routes and fares, see our BTS Skytrain guide.

Which MRT Lines Exist and Where Do They Go?

Bangkok currently runs two MRT lines: the Blue Line (Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line) and the Purple Line (Chalong Rattanakosin 200 Pi Line).

• Blue Line: a loop connecting Hua Lamphong, Wat Mangkon (Chinatown), Sam Yan, Silom, Sukhumvit, Phetchaburi, and Chatuchak Park, before curving back through Bang Sue and Tha Phra.
• Purple Line: runs north from Tao Poon (interchange with the Blue Line) out to Nonthaburi, mainly useful for commuters and day-trippers heading to riverside Nonthaburi town.

According to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, both lines together now cover dozens of stations, with extensions periodically added as the network expands.

How Much Does the MRT Cost and How Do You Buy Tickets?

MRT fares are distance-based, typically ranging from around 17 to 45 THB per trip depending on how far you travel. You buy tickets at coin-shaped token machines or staffed counters inside each station.

Ticket Options

• Single-journey token: a plastic coin you tap in and drop in the slot when exiting — best for occasional riders.
• MRT stored-value card: reloadable at machines, saves queuing if you're riding several times a day.
• Rabbit-linked card: some Rabbit cards now work across both systems, though MRT and BTS fares are still charged separately since they're run by different operators.

How Do You Transfer Between MRT and BTS?

You can walk between the two systems at a handful of interchange points, most usefully Sukhumvit MRT to Asok BTS and Sala Daeng MRT to Silom BTS, connected by covered walkways and shared exits.

Because the BTS and MRT are operated by different companies, you'll tap out of one system and back into the other — there's no combined single fare, so budget a small top-up each time you switch. Compare the full network in our BTS Skytrain guide if you're planning a multi-line day out.

Best MRT Stops for Sightseeing and Markets

A few MRT stations do most of the heavy lifting for visitors staying in the Sukhumvit area.

Getting to the MRT from Sukhumvit Soi 4 / Nana

From Royal Ivory Nana Hotel at 73 Sukhumvit Soi 4, the fastest route to the MRT is a short BTS ride: walk two minutes to Nana Station, take one stop to Asok, then follow the connecting walkway down to Sukhumvit MRT station.

One local timing quirk worth knowing: during the evening rush between roughly 5:30 and 6:30pm, the walkway between Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT gets a steady one-way crowd flow, so it's often faster to let the first wave pass rather than push through it. If you'd rather skip transit altogether, our Grab vs taxi vs tuk tuk guide covers when a direct ride makes more sense.

MRT Etiquette and Safety Tips

MRT trains run on the same courtesy norms as the BTS: stand to one side on escalators, let passengers exit before boarding, and keep priority seats free for monks, the elderly, and pregnant riders.

• Eating and drinking are not allowed inside stations or on trains.
• Keep your token or card until you exit — gates won't open without it.
• Platforms are air-conditioned and well-lit; the MRT is generally considered a safe, reliable option even late in the evening.