Google App for Cheaper & Reliable Commute in Bangkok, Thailand

When in Thailand, we wanted to commute the way locals commute with some exceptions wherein we wanted to save time. I am very happy that we managed to try almost all modes of transportations of Thailand during our 10 days trip to Chiang Mai, Aayutthaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Phi Phi Islands. Bangkok was very special for me because of brilliant connectivity within the city through local buses and ferries. Language is a challenge in Thailand especially when you think of using local buses as most of the buses have local script or bus numbers. The good part is that Google has mapped bus numbers pretty well, so you don't need to worry about the language and follow what Google asks you to do. I learned that when I visit San Diego 2 years ago. This post shares the experience and why I highly recommend this for traveler/explorers, especially backpackers.

When in Thailand, we wanted to commute the way locals commute with some exceptions wherein we wanted to save time. I am very happy that we managed to try almost all modes of transportations of Thailand during our 10 days trip to Chiang Mai, Aayutthaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Phi Phi Islands. Bangkok was very special for me because of brilliant connectivity within the city through local buses and ferries. Language is a challenge in Thailand especially when you think of using local buses as most of the buses have local script or bus numbers. The good part is that Google has mapped bus numbers pretty well, so you don't need to worry about the language and follow what Google asks you to do. I learned that when I visit San Diego 2 years ago. This post shares the experience and why I highly recommend this for traveler/explorers, especially backpackers.
 
We reached Bangkok by taking overnight sleeper AC bus from Phuket and landed early in the morning at Sai Tai Bus Termminal Bangkok. Then we started figuring out which bus would take us to our Hotel. We had booked our hotel at Khao San road which is a popular place to hangout during night time. After visiting Chiang Mai, Aayutthaya & Phuket, using Google didn't occur to us because Google is not as helpful in other cities of Thailand when it comes to planning commute. So we were asking people around us, which was a challenge because many of them didnt know English so only Khao San made sense to them. One of the smart chap realised that we are looking for bus and he directed us to a stop at a distance and told bus number. After checking in, we walked around Khao San Road, Phra Sumen Fort, Golden Mountain Temple, Democracy Monument, King Rama Memorial and few more Wats. It was a weekend so it was recommended by a friend to visit Chatuchak weekend market and trust me it was all worth. It was a little far so either we had to take taxi or tuk-tuk. Here is when we opened Google, searched for Chatuchak Market and google suggested multiple alternates to reach their and the shortest and direct route was taking bus number 3 from Phra Sumen Fort to Chatuchak. It was just a 2 minutes walk from where we searched for market. Google directed us well to reach the bus stop. It didn't look like a stop but then we saw a board and bus number 3 was also mentioned. So we were sure that we are right spot.


We reached Bangkok by taking overnight sleeper AC bus from Phuket and landed early in the morning at Sai Tai Bus Termminal Bangkok. Then we started figuring out which bus would take us to our Hotel. We had booked our hotel at Khao San road which is a popular place to hangout during night time. After visiting Chiang Mai, Aayutthaya & Phuket, using Google didn't occur to us because Google is not as helpful in other cities of Thailand when it comes to planning commute. So we were asking people around us, which was a challenge because many of them didnt know English so only Khao San made sense to them. One of the smart chap realised that we are looking for bus and he directed us to a stop at a distance and told bus number. 



After checking in, we walked around Khao San Road, Phra Sumen Fort, Golden Mountain Temple, Democracy Monument, King Rama Memorial and few more Wats. It was a weekend so it was recommended by a friend to visit Chatuchak weekend market and trust me it was all worth. It was a little far so either we had to take taxi or tuk-tuk. Here is when we opened Google, searched for Chatuchak Market and google suggested multiple alternates to reach their and the shortest and direct route was taking bus number 3 from Phra Sumen Fort to Chatuchak. It was just a 2 minutes walk from where we searched for market. Google directed us well to reach the bus stop. It didn't look like a stop but then we saw a board and bus number 3 was also mentioned. So we were sure that we are right spot.

Bus arrived in 10 minutes, so unlike US time prediction of buses is not accurate for Bangkok buses. We boarded the bus and there is bus conductor who comes to your seat for ticket. It was 13 Baht for 2 of us. I don't think there can be any cheaper way than this. But note that Bangkok has different kinds of buses running on different routes. This was the basic one and there are AC buses running between the stops. Even those are much cheaper than Taxis and Tuk-tuks in Bangkok.

Bus arrived in 10 minutes, so unlike US time prediction of buses is not accurate for Bangkok buses. We boarded the bus and there is bus conductor who comes to your seat for ticket. It was 13 Baht for 2 of us. I don't think there can be any cheaper way than this. But note that Bangkok has different kinds of buses running on different routes. This was the basic one and there are AC buses running between the stops. Even those are much cheaper than Taxis and Tuk-tuks in Bangkok.

There after we used Buses to different places to the Bangkok city like - Central World, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun etc. Google not only tells about bus routes but also considers Metro rail as well as boat ferries. It's a known fact that Taxis and Tuk-Tuks ask for random money in all these touristy cities of Thailand. If you are a good negotiator, it may work for you. If you don't want to spend your energies on that, Google is your friend. Unfortunately Uber didn't work for me in Bangkok but there are other app based taxis in Bangkok. Anyways, I see this as a huge value addition by Google in planning your commute in some of the major cities of the World. If you have anything to share or ask, please use comment section below.

There after we used Buses to different places to the Bangkok city like - Central World, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun etc. Google not only tells about bus routes but also considers Metro rail as well as boat ferries. 

It's a known fact that Taxis and Tuk-Tuks ask for random money in all these touristy cities of Thailand. If you are a good negotiator, it may work for you. If you don't want to spend your energies on that, Google is your friend. Unfortunately Uber didn't work for me in Bangkok but there are other app based taxis in Bangkok. 

Anyways, I see this as a huge value addition by Google in planning your commute in some of the major cities of the World. If you have anything to share or ask, please use comment section below.

If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling - 1. Manage your waste well and don’t litter Use dustbins. 2. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin. 3. Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem. 4. Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits. 5. Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite.

If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling - 

1. Manage your waste well and don’t litter Use dustbins.
2. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin. 
3. Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem. 
4. Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits. 
5. Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite.

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