While Bangkok is known as a prime tourist destination in Asia, it is also known for its notorious traffic jams! In Thailand, the average working person spends about 2 hours every day travelling to and from work because of this, a lot of transport modes exist to make commuting a breeze even for the Bangkok novice. There is no one dominant mode of transport, with many options to fit every kind of budget and need to ensure that you will eventually get to your destination despite the congested roads!

Many elevated highways, partially - finished rail projects, rebuilt intersections lace the landscape of Bangkok and its suburbs and this has done much to alleviate the traffic conditions. Getting around by land transport has been made easier with options, such as:

Metered air-conditioned taxis abound and you won't miss the sign on the cab's roof along with their bright colors (hot pink, green, orange, yellow, blue and more). The taxi charge is 35 Baht for the first 1 km., then fares increase by 2.50 Baht in the first 20kms then increments gradually. A surcharge of 1.25 Baht kicks in when you're stuck in traffic for a long period of time or when the taxi travels at less than 6 kph. Booking a taxi for the whole day is advisable if you want to tour around Bangkok, which you can negotiate the price between 1,000 - 1,500 Baht.

Non-metered taxis are also available but are usually more expensive, so one must negotiate the rate. A trip within Bangkok should cost between 60 - 100 Baht (plus an additional 10 - 20 during rush hours). The trip to the airport is about 200 - 300 Baht.

Whether meter or non-meter, the freeway tolls (20 - 49 Baht) are paid by the customers.

If you want a private and comfortable way of going around Bangkok, rent a car or van. International car rental companies have branches in Bangkok and other major cities. The rental rates are between B. 1,500 - 15.000 per day and B. 9,000 - 20,000 per week, depending on the car brand. Remember that you must have a valid international license if you are doing the driving yourself.

The distinctive tuk-tuk, or locally called samlors, are usually faster than taxis in traffic jams as they can go to smaller lanes, but you must be prepared for inhaling a day's dose of traffic fumes. Tuk-tuk fares have escalated and they are now on par with metered taxis. Be prepared to pay about 40 baht for a short hop, or better yet, negotiate with the driver before you take the ride.

If you're in a rush, the motorcycle taxis can beat the jams as they can weave in between cars. Fares are a bit cheaper than the tuk-tuk but it is still better to negotiate before you hop in. While some of the motorcycle taxis provide a helmet for their passengers, be forewarned that riding a motorcycle taxi on the main thoroughfares can be a little dangerous. But they can be a perfectly safe and pleasant solution in the sois (lane or secondary streets) where Bangkok retains a village-like atmosphere.

This is Bangkok's answer to traffic jams as its stops are along the key commercial areas of Sukumvit and Silom. The Sukhumvit line (from Mo chit to On Nut) and the Silom line (from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin Bridge) runs from 6 a.m. to midnight, the fare depends on distance traveled, ranging from 15 - 40 Baht/person. For frequent riders, it would be best to buy a stored value card, ranging from 440 - 800 Baht/person that would ensure you a multiple trips at a flat rate of 20-22 Baht per trip regardless of the destination.

Bangkok's newest mass transit system, the subway, was inaugurated in July 2004. With fares ranging from 14 - 36 Baht, the subway runs from the city's main railway station, Hua Lampong, under two major thoroughfares, Rama 4 Road and Ratchadaphisek Road.

By linking several hotels, shopping centers and business districts, as well as the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and Thai Cultural Center, the subway can definitely help you reach your destination on time. It also has interchange stations to the BTS Skytrain in three busy key points on Sukhumvit - Asok, Silom and Mo Chit.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) runs express, fast and ordinary services throughout the country at very reasonable fares. This starts from the central railways station Hua Lampong Station and terminates down south to as far as Malaysia and up north to as far as Chiangmai and beyond to Laos. There is also a train service between the city center and Don Mueang Airport.

Currently under construction, this high speed elevated railroad will link the city to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The announced opening date was December 2009 but was pushed to March 2010. This link will also be connected to the BTS Sky Train Phyathai Station and the MRT Petchburi Station.

• Inner City Buses
  

  The public bus system is provided by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and operates within Bangkok and its suburbs even around the clock in certain routes. For just a few pennies, one can still be comfortable as many main route buses are air-conditioned. A non air-conditioned ride costs around 7 Baht, while adding just another 5 Baht lets you travel in air-conditioned comfort. Routes are numbered and indicated on most tourist maps. However, you are advised to guard your belongings when traveling on buses as they tend to be very crowded.

  There are also micro buses which charge a uniform fare of 25 Baht and accommodate a maximum of 30 passengers. Euro buses are also in service and theses between 10 and 18 Baht.

• Provincial Buses
  

  All cities and provinces are easily reached by bus from Bangkok. For destinations in the South and West, buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in the Thonburi Area. For destinations in the East, one can take the bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai. The Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit accommodates passengers heading for northern destinations.

Bangkok used to have a nickname as "Venice of the East" for its elaborate network of canals or "khlongs" and the major transportation used to be by boat. Today, nearly all of the smaller canals have been filled in and converted to streets. But a few canals are still in use, and are populated by the following mode of transport:

One of the most pleasant ways to get around Bangkok is the shuttle boats plying Bangkok's waterways. They are faster and much more interesting. Although many of the khlongs (canals) have been paved over, there are still a number of routes to be savored, e.g. along the Chao Phraya River, the Saen Saeb canal and its adjoining canals. Fares range from 6 - 10 Baht.

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are one of the busiest air transport hubs in Asia. Outside Bangkok, other major international airports are found in Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket. As such, you have many options from both international and domestic carriers ready to meet your travel needs. Traveling around Thailand is made easy by booking domestic flights operated by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and even low-cost carriers such as Nok Air, Air Asia and Orient Thai.