Question about Rome2Rio in Thailand
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Translated into English.

Original post
YU
Hi there,

I have a question about the Rome2Rio app. Can you set it up to show routes using the BTS and MRT (for Bangkok) instead of buses or taxis? For example, I’d like to know how long the trip from Chong Nonsi to Bang Khun Non will take, but the app doesn’t suggest the MRT or BTS, even though it’s totally doable. Any tips on how to fix this?
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hi there,

Rome2Rio and 12Go aren’t philanthropic sites covering every possible transport option—they’re commercial platforms that only show what you can book through them ($$$!..). Since metros and similar systems don’t require reservations, don’t expect them to list those. The same goes for local buses or slow trains (which also never require reservations). When only public transport options exist for a route, these sites would rather suggest a taxi than tell you there’s a bus.

You’ll see how long your MRT/BTS journey takes when you’re there—is it really crucial to know in advance? Do you have a tight connection in mind? If so, forget it. In Thailand, never cut it close with timing between two transports or between transport and anything requiring a precise schedule. Even when schedules are posted (anywhere), never rely on them blindly—always allow extra time, or you’ll run into trouble.
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Thanks for the explanation. Yeah, I’d like to know what time I need to leave the hotel, so I need an approximate travel time. I’m still planning to go to Kanchanaburi by train, so I’ll have to factor in the departure time plus a buffer.
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
What other app can give travel times (like our Transilien equivalent)? Thanks in advance!
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Taking one of the two daily 3rd-class local trains that stop 23 times before arriving late in Kanchanaburi?? Do you *really* enjoy making life difficult for yourself? Do like the Thais—take the bus or a minivan instead. They only stop 4 times and leave every 20 minutes. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. For your other question about apps, I don’t know.
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Even if I take the bus, I still have to get to the station, which is pretty far away. So, we're back to the question: how do you calculate the approximate travel time from the hotel to the bus station? Especially if I have (for example) an extra hour of travel time from the hotel to the bus station compared to the hotel to Thon Buri—I don’t save anything by taking the bus. So, does an app like our Transilien exist for Bangkok?
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
I just found out: Google Maps works pretty well, I hope it gives the right info! :)
SO Songsam Veteran ·
You're reasoning in a completely inappropriate way.
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Why? We’ve got 2 weeks of vacation, and I want to make the most of the time.
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

In Bangkok, I’ve ditched reseller sites and even Google Maps for estimating travel times. Since ChatGPT is my new buddy, I asked it your question. Here’s its answer:

Route Chong Nonsi → Bang Khun Non (BTS + MRT) 🚆 Step 1: BTS

Chong Nonsi → Sala Daeng (BTS Silom Line, 1 station) ⏱️ ~2 minutes

🔄 Transfer

BTS Sala Daeng → MRT Silom (on foot, signposted) ⏱️ ~5 minutes

🚇 Step 2: MRT (Blue Line)

MRT Silom → Bang Khun Non ⏱️ ~25–30 minutes

👍 Bang Khun Non is an MRT station, so no need for a taxi or bus at the end.

⏱️ Total estimated time

Under normal conditions: ~35–40 minutes

During rush hour: ~45 minutes

🎯 Clear summary

✅ BTS + MRT only

✅ Easy transfer at Sala Daeng / Silom

❌ No extra transport needed

⏱️ About 40 minutes door-to-door
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Thanks for the tip!

The bus station is really far away. Thon Buri station is much closer. So, either we take the train or a minivan. If anyone has taken minivans to Kanchanaburi before, do they run 2h30 non-stop, or is there a bathroom break?
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Minivans usually make a bathroom stop halfway through the trip, but it’s not guaranteed. If you need to stop, I’d recommend mentioning it to the driver before you leave. They’re generally pretty understanding 😉
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Thanks for the reply!
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hi,

Chong Nonsi → Sala Daeng (BTS Silom Line, 1 station) ⏱️ ~2 minutes

That timing is unrealistic. From Chong Nonsi to the BTS Sala Daeng station, I see a bit over 2 km, which in Bangkok means a 30-minute walk or 10 to 20 minutes by taxi, depending on the time of day.
YU YuliyaS Regular ·
That was the estimate by BTS, not on foot. Either way, I’ll add a buffer.

Why walk or take a taxi if there’s public transport, even for just one station? 😉

The format suggested by Google Maps or ChatGPT matches the Transilien format I’m used to (I think people who live in the Paris region will get it). That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
The bus station is really very far away.

The southern bus terminal is indeed quite a trek, but the two minivan stations serving Kanchanaburi (Sai Tai Guo and Mo Chit Minivans) are closer.

If anyone has taken minivans to Kanchanaburi before, do they run non-stop for 2.5 hours, or is there a bathroom break?

I’ve taken them about thirty times. Yes, they stop to refill the LPG tank roughly halfway, and all passengers have to get off and wait a little farther away at a spot that has restrooms, among other things. Since all the minivans stop at the same place and look alike, note your van’s license plate number so you don’t get on the wrong one when it’s time to board again. During the break, you can leave your bag in the minivan—it’s safe, and you’ll have the van in sight.

Bang Khun Non

Actually, from this MRT station, the nearest train station isn’t Thonburi but Jaran Sanitwong. Both Thonburi-Kanchanaburi trains stop there for 3-4 minutes after leaving Thonburi (it’s the first of 23 stops...😎😎).

Inside the train (photos borrowed from here: https://www.railway.co.th/SRTTimetable/TrainDetail):



YU YuliyaS Regular ·
Songsam, thanks for all these details!
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi there! - Since ChatGPT is my new buddy, I asked it your question. Here’s what it said:

They changed it on us in Asia 😵‍💫
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Hi Bruno

I don’t understand your message :/
Mes photos sur Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/153304262@N05/albums "Le Temps nous égare. Le Temps nous étreint. Le Temps nous est gare. Le Temps nous est train".
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Hi Bruno

I don’t get your message 😕

It’s gotten a bit old 😉
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hi Bruno

I don’t understand your message 😕

By adding a comma after "changed"...
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi Bruno

I don’t get your message 😕

True, with a comma it makes more sense... I was really surprised that AI could be your new buddy [;]
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

Google Maps provides public transit routes.

Like any other site, it's best to cross-check with the transit authorities' websites, but it gives you some good leads!

As for AI, I’m really skeptical. It all depends on what data it’s been fed... Never trust it without verifying! !
Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de voter!
FL FloAsie ·
Oh yeah, good question—I get your frustration. Rome2Rio is handy, but it’s true that it’s not always focused on public transport, especially in Bangkok where you really want to avoid those sketchy taxis during rush hour.

Honestly, from what I remember, Rome2Rio doesn’t really have an option to filter *just* the BTS and MRT. Like, you can’t say, "Show me ONLY the rail options." It’s a bit of a shame because the app often pushes mixed solutions that include taxis, which bumps up the total time and cost.

Personally, for this kind of hyper-local route in Bangkok, I use two apps that are way better: the official BTS Skytrain app and the MRT one. They show you exact transfers, wait times, everything. For Chong Nonsi to Bang Khun Non, I think there’s a direct MRT line, right? So honestly, it’s faster to check those instead of Rome2Rio.

Rome2Rio is still useful for intercity trips or when you’re mixing different types of transport (like an express bus + BTS), but for pure Bangkok travel, the official apps are just better. They’re free, up-to-date, and give you the real local info.

Also worth checking: Google Maps has improved its BTS and MRT info lately. It’s worth comparing schedules there too.

Anyway, sorry there’s no magic fix with Rome2Rio itself.
Flo — Expat Bangkok depuis 2019 · Thaïlande, Vietnam, Cambodge, Bali · Je réponds sur le budget, les visas et la logistique terrain

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