Bangkok BTS stations worth getting off at, stop by stop

The BTS Skytrain is the easiest way to read Bangkok. Its two lines are a spine through the modern city, and for most visitors the question is not how it works but which Bangkok BTS stations deserve a stop. This is a run through both lines, north to south and east to west, naming the stations worth getting off at and what is there. Stations not listed are mostly residential or best reached for a specific reason.

Sukhumvit Line, north of Siam

• Mo Chit: Chatuchak weekend market, the Or Tor Kor food market across the road, and Chatuchak Park. See Chatuchak guide. Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, one stop north, has Central Ladprao and connects to the Blue Line.
• Ari: a residential soi of cafes, bakeries and small restaurants, the best stop for a slow afternoon. See Ari guide.
• Victory Monument: boat noodle alley, Rangnam Road and Saxophone Pub. See Victory Monument guide.
• Phaya Thai: the Airport Rail Link terminus and Phaya Thai Palace.
• Ratchathewi: the footbridge view of Khlong Saen Saep and cheap hotels.

Bangkok BTS stations around Siam

• Siam: the interchange and the city's shopping centre. Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Square, with Jim Thompson House a short walk away. See Siam guide.
• National Stadium: the BACC art centre and MBK mall, one stop west on the Silom Line.
• Chit Lom: CentralWorld, the Erawan Shrine and the Ratchaprasong intersection; Pratunam clothing market is ten minutes north.
• Phloen Chit: embassies and Central Embassy. Mostly a hotel stop.

Sukhumvit Line, east of Nana

• Nana and Asok: the busiest nightlife strip and the interchange with MRT Sukhumvit; Terminal 21 and Soi Cowboy are at Asok. See Asok and Nana guide.
• Phrom Phong: Emporium, EmQuartier and Benjasiri Park; the Japanese sois of 24, 33 and 39. See Phrom Phong guide.
• Thong Lo: Thonglor, the dining and cocktail soi, a long walk or motorbike taxi up Soi 55. See Thonglor guide.
• Ekkamai: the Eastern Bus Terminal for Pattaya and the islands, plus Soi 63's bars and restaurants. See Ekkamai guide.
• On Nut and Phra Khanong: cheap eating, W District and the real Bangkok of long-term residents. See On Nut guide.
• Udom Suk and Bang Na: Central Bangna, the shuttle to Mega Bangna, and BITEC. See Bang Na guide.

Silom Line, across the river

• Sala Daeng: Silom Road, Lumphini Park, Patpong night market and the gay bars of Silom Soi 4; interchange with MRT Silom. See Silom guide.
• Chong Nonsi: the office district of Sathorn, the rooftop bars and the Mahanakhon tower's skywalk. See Sathorn guide.
• Saphan Taksin: the river. Sathorn Central pier for the Chao Phraya Express and the shuttle boats to ICONSIAM and the riverside hotels. See Charoen Krung guide.
• Krung Thon Buri: interchange for the Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon and ICONSIAM.
• Wongwian Yai: the Thonburi roundabout and the start of the Maeklong railway. See day trips by train.
• Talat Phlu: an old Thonburi market district known for evening food stalls around the railway station.
• Bang Wa: interchange with the MRT Blue Line, and the walk to Khlong Bang Luang and the Artist's House.

Getting there

• The two lines meet at Siam. Single-journey tickets come from machines; a stored-value Rabbit card saves queueing.
• Trains run from early morning until around midnight; the last trains leave the ends of the lines earlier, so check the station boards.
• Interchanges with the MRT are at Asok/Sukhumvit, Sala Daeng/Silom, Mo Chit/Chatuchak Park, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao/Phahon Yothin and Bang Wa. The Airport Rail Link connects at Phaya Thai.
• For the underground side of the network, see Bangkok by MRT Blue Line.