BTS, AirLink and Metro tickets?

[GypsyT]

In coming winter I plan to stay in downtown Bangkok for a month or so to see if I like to live in the big city.

Can I buy all above tickets always at same place? I want to pay cash. No apps etc.

Why? The most English speaking ladies are there...

 

- WHY 3 different systems? And prices? And discounts? It doesn't make sense... Oh well, at least it's cheap and fast.

 

In the EU I always use public transportation. The poorer the country better the system!

 

[Yellowtail]

If you only want to pay cash, you can do that at any station, but it is a big PITA. 

 

If you stay in Bangkok proper, not much point in going anywhere the BTS does not go. 

[GypsyT]

I'll fly out from BKK and DMK many times. From Jomtien to DMK is pain in the S.

Also, I like to travel all lines from end-to-end to see Bangkok 🙂

 

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

I'll fly out from BKK and DMK many times. From Jomtien to DMK is pain in the S.

You'll fly out from BKK and DMK many times in a month?

2 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Also, I like to travel all lines from end-to-end to see Bangkok 🙂

Again, if you insist on paying cash, you will have to buy your tickets at the stations. 

[impulse]

Bring your passport and buy the stored value tickets at any MRT and BTS station.  If you don't go during prime times, the queue is generally minimal.  I bought mine with cash, and top them up with cash.  I only had to present my passport the first time. And once, post Covid when my cards hadn't been used in years.  I don't recall whether they binned my expired cards or topped them up.  Someone else may chime in with the expiry date if they aren't used for awhile, but I suspect it's over a year.

 

TBH, I only use the ARL once a month in each direction, so I don't know how to buy a stored value ticket for the ARL, though I suspect it's the same.  If I had a need to use the ARL more often, I'd certainly try to get a stored value card.  The queues at the machines can get long during peak times.

I'm told that the BTS has never offered a discount for old farts, and that the MRT discount for old farts has recently been limited to Thai passports.  But it's so cheap that I haven't even looked to see of my BTS Elder card still gives me the discount since last month when I topped it up.

 

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

Bring your passport and buy the stored value tickets at any MRT and BTS station.  If you don't go during prime times, the queue is generally minimal.  I bought mine with cash, and top them up with cash.  I only had to present my passport the first time. And once, post Covid when my cards hadn't been used in years.  I don't recall whether they binned my expired cards or topped them up.  Someone else may chime in with the expiry date if they aren't used for awhile, but I suspect it's over a year.

 

TBH, I only use the ARL once a month in each direction, so I don't know how to buy a stored value ticket for the ARL, though I suspect it's the same.  If I had a need to use the ARL more often, I'd certainly try to get a stored value card.  The queues at the machines can get long during peak times.

I'm told that the BTS has never offered a discount for old farts, and that the MRT discount for old farts has recently been limited to Thai passports.  But it's so cheap that I haven't even looked to see of my BTS Elder card still gives me the discount since last month when I topped it up.

 

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

He (apparently) only wants to use cash, so stored value cards are out, which mean he'll have to stand in line for every trip. 

 

Airport link has stored value cards and stored trip cards. 

 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I don't think it is any problem paying with cash when getting a new Rabbit Card from BTS, but in addition to ID, they will want a phone number. At least they did when I had to get a new card some years ago when my old card expired. No problem topping up with cash, either. Don't know about MRT or ARL.

[GypsyT]

Thank you guys! I'll get the card as well.