TL;DR
- • BTS = Elevated train, covers Sukhumvit + Silom (main expat areas)
- • MRT = Underground, covers Ratchada + Rama 9 (cheaper areas)
- • Best strategy: Live near an interchange (Asoke or Sala Daeng)
- • Walking distance matters more than which line
- • Under 5 min walk to station = premium worth paying for
The Quick Comparison
| Factor | BTS | MRT |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam, Chatuchak | Ratchada, Rama 9, Chatuchak, Riverside |
| Price Range | ฿17-62 | ฿17-42 |
| Hours | 5:15am - midnight | 6:00am - midnight |
| Rush Hour Crowding | Very crowded | Crowded (slightly less) |
| Expat Areas | More | Fewer |
| Air Conditioning | Strong | Strong |
| Platform WiFi | No | No |
| Rain Protection | Covered platforms | Underground (better) |
BTS Sukhumvit Line — Station by Station
The Sukhumvit Line is where most expats live and work. It runs from Mo Chit (Chatuchak) through central Bangkok down to Samut Prakan province.
Best Stations to Live Near
Asoke — The gold standard
- Interchange with MRT (access to both lines)
- Terminal 21 mall right at the station
- Tons of condos within walking distance
- Most convenient location in Bangkok
- Browse Asoke buildings →
Phrom Phong — Upscale and central
- Emporium + EmQuartier malls
- Very expat-friendly area
- Good restaurants and cafes
- Slightly quieter than Asoke
- Browse Phrom Phong buildings →
Thong Lo — Trendy lifestyle hub
- Best food and nightlife scene
- Lots of high-quality condos
- Station at mouth of soi — some condos are far
- Browse Thonglor buildings →
On Nut — Best value on the line
- Much cheaper rent than central Sukhumvit
- Big C, Tesco, Century Mall nearby
- Still only 15-20 min to Asoke
- Rapidly improving area
- Browse On Nut buildings →
Stations to Consider Carefully
Nana
- Adjacent to red light district (Soi 4)
- Can feel seedy, especially at night
- Cheap for a reason
- Fine if you're not bothered by the area's reputation
Victory Monument
- Extremely crowded, chaotic area
- Traffic nightmare
- Noisy 24/7
- Better for passing through than living
Mo Chit
- End of the line (now extended further)
- Good for Chatuchak Weekend Market
- But far from most things you'd do daily
BTS Silom Line — Station by Station
The Silom Line runs from National Stadium (Siam area) through the business district down to the river.
Best Stations
Sala Daeng
- Interchange with MRT Silom
- Central location, professional area
- Walking distance to Lumpini Park
- Browse Silom buildings →
Chong Nonsi
- Heart of the business district
- Quieter than Sala Daeng
- Modern high-rises
- Browse Sathorn buildings →
Saphan Taksin
- River access — boat connections
- Great sunset views
- Mix of old and new Bangkok
- Good for Riverside living
MRT Blue Line — The Growing Alternative
The MRT has been expanding rapidly and now forms a loop around central Bangkok with extensions to the suburbs.
Best MRT Stations
Sukhumvit
- Interchange with BTS Asoke — same location, different name
- Best of both worlds
Silom
- Interchange with BTS Sala Daeng
- Access to Silom/Sathorn business area
Rama 9
- New business district, cheaper condos
- Central Plaza Grand Rama 9
- Good value for money
Thailand Cultural Centre
- Close to Rama 9, slightly cheaper
- Near Esplanade mall
- Growing area
Lat Phrao
- Very affordable area
- Local Thai neighborhood
- Good for budget-conscious long-termers
Why MRT is Improving
- Constant expansion: New stations added regularly
- Less crowded: Slightly more bearable than BTS at rush hour
- Train station access: Connects to Bang Sue Grand Station
- Cheaper areas: Ratchada/Rama 9 are more affordable
- Air conditioned stations: Underground = cooler waiting
The Interchange Advantage
The smartest move is living near an interchange where BTS and MRT connect. You get access to both systems without transfers.
| BTS Station | MRT Station | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|
| Asoke | Sukhumvit | Access both lines, most central location |
| Sala Daeng | Silom | Business district, Lumpini Park access |
| Mo Chit | Chatuchak Park | Weekend market, bus terminal |
Walking Distance Reality Check
"Near BTS" in a listing can mean anything from 2 minutes to 20 minutes walking. Here's what the distances actually feel like:
| Walk Time | Reality |
|---|---|
| <5 minutes | Premium. Worth paying extra for. |
| 5-10 minutes | Good. Totally livable daily. |
| 10-15 minutes | Okay. You'll feel it in the heat. |
| 15+ minutes | Not really "near BTS." Motorcycle taxi territory. |
Pro Tip
Walk the route yourself at midday. If it's unbearable in the heat, imagine doing it every day. Bangkok sun + humidity + traffic pollution = brutal.
When Transit Doesn't Matter
Consider other factors if:
- You work from home: WiFi quality matters more than commute
- You have a car/motorbike: Parking availability matters more
- You only travel off-peak: Any area is fine, trains aren't packed
- You're staying short-term: Grab/taxi everywhere is affordable
The Boat Alternative
If you live riverside, don't forget the Chao Phraya Express Boat:
- Connects to BTS at Saphan Taksin
- Cheap (15-30 baht)
- Avoids traffic completely
- Scenic commute
- Great option if you work in Silom/Sathorn
Motorcycle Taxis — The Real Transit System
Let's be honest — most Bangkok residents use motorcycle taxis for the "last mile." Those guys in orange vests at every soi corner.
- Short trips: 10-25 baht
- Medium trips: 30-50 baht
- Fast, efficient, slightly terrifying at first
Living 15 min walk from BTS + motorcycle taxi = practically the same as 5 min walk. Factor this into your calculations.
My Recommendations
If you work in Silom/Sathorn:
Live on BTS Silom line (Chong Nonsi, Surasak) or near MRT Silom interchange. Sathorn condos are good value for business district.
If you work in Asoke/Sukhumvit:
Live on BTS Sukhumvit line, anywhere from Nana to On Nut. Asoke itself is most convenient but most expensive.
If budget is priority:
MRT Blue line (Rama 9, Lat Phrao, Thailand Cultural Centre) or BTS extensions (On Nut, Bang Chak, Bearing). Much cheaper rent, still connected.
If you want options:
Near an interchange. Asoke/Sukhumvit for Sukhumvit life, Sala Daeng/Silom for business district access.
Share Your Commute Experience
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