Bangkok's MRT (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร) is the city's underground-led rapid transit network, distinct from the elevated BTS Skytrain. The system currently has four active lines — the Blue, Purple, Yellow, and Pink — with the Blue Line forming the backbone most relevant to tourists. Blue Line fares run from THB 17 to THB 45 per journey, while Purple Line fares range from THB 14 to THB 42. Trains operate daily from 05:30 to midnight on weekdays and from 06:00 to midnight on weekends and public holidays.

What the Bangkok MRT Map Shows

Bangkok MRT Map
The Bangkok MRT map covers four colour-coded lines that span both underground tunnels and elevated monorail tracks across Greater Bangkok. The network launched with the mostly underground Blue Line and has since expanded to include the elevated Purple Line, plus the monorail-style Pink Line (officially the Wiwat Nakhon Line) and the Yellow Line.

A key thing to understand before reading any Bangkok MRT map: the Yellow Line and Pink Line are technically monorail SkyTrain systems — even though they fall under the MRT brand, they operate on separate ticketing from the Blue and Purple Lines. Each line on the map uses a distinct colour and station-code prefix (BL, PP, YL, PK) to make navigation easier.

The Four MRT Lines at a Glance

Line Type Key Termini Stations Best For
Blue Line Underground / Elevated loop Tha Phra ↔ Tha Phra (loop) 38 Temples, Chinatown, CBD, Chatuchak
Purple Line Elevated Tao Poon ↔ Khlong Bang Phai 16 Northern suburbs, Bang Sue Grand Station
Yellow Line Elevated monorail Lat Phrao ↔ Samrong 23 Eastern districts, shopping malls
Pink Line Elevated monorail Nonthaburi Civic Center ↔ Min Buri 32 Northern suburbs, Impact Arena

MRT Blue Line Map: The Tourist Essential

MRT Blue Line
The Blue Line is around 48 kilometres long with 38 stations, forming a near-complete loop around central Bangkok and the Thonburi area west of the Chao Phraya River. It's the line you'll use most — and the reason most visitors search for a Bangkok MRT map in the first place.

The loop structure means you can travel in either direction between two points. Always check the station code (BL01–BL38) on the platform screens to confirm your train's direction before boarding.

Key Blue Line Stations for Tourists

Station Code Why You Need It
Chatuchak Park BL13 Direct interchange to BTS Mo Chit; entry to Chatuchak Market
Sukhumvit BL22 Interchange with BTS Asok; Sukhumvit nightlife and dining hub
Silom BL26 Interchange with BTS Sala Daeng; financial district
Lumphini BL25 Nearest MRT stop to Lumpini Park
Wat Mangkon BL29 Gateway to Yaowarat Road and Chinatown street food
Sam Yot BL30 Sampheng Market, Phahurat, Old Town
Sanam Chai BL31 Closest MRT station to Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and Wat Phra Kaew
Hua Lamphong BL28 Old Bangkok rail terminus; edge of Chinatown
Phetchaburi BL21 Airport Rail Link interchange for Suvarnabhumi Airport

Sanam Chai is the most useful station for temple-hopping — it sits closest to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, and a short ferry from the nearby Rajinee Pier (N7) takes you across the river to Wat Arun.

Wat Mangkon station is the best entry point for Chinatown, placing you directly on Yaowarat Road near Bangkok's most famous street-food vendors and the I'm Chinatown Shopping Center.

For the weekend market, Chatuchak Park station (BL13) sits directly on the Blue Line with a BTS Sukhumvit Line interchange, making it easy to reach from almost anywhere in the city. See our full Chatuchak Market map for navigating the 15,000+ stalls once you arrive.

MRT Purple Line Map

MRT Purple Line
The Purple Line runs 23 kilometres from Tao Poon (interchange with the Blue Line) northwest to Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi province, carrying around 75,000 passengers per day — primarily commuters. Most tourists only use it to reach Bang Sue Grand Station (Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal) for long-distance train departures, accessed via the Blue Line's Bang Sue station below the same complex.

From 1 December 2025, the Purple Line introduced a THB 40 all-day cap when paying by EMV contactless card, valid until 30 November 2026. That makes it genuinely good value for a day of exploring Nonthaburi.

MRT Yellow Line Map

MRT Yellow Line
The Yellow Line is an elevated monorail running between Lat Phrao and Samrong in the east, offering a scenic journey above street level. It intersects with the Blue Line at Lat Phrao and connects to the BTS Sukhumvit Line at Samrong. Useful for reaching eastern shopping malls and residential areas most tourists skip, but not a priority on a first visit.

MRT Pink Line Map

MRT Pink Line
The Pink Line connects northern Nonthaburi government complexes to the eastern district of Min Buri. A short extension opened in May 2025 added two stations serving the Impact Muang Thong Thani complex and Lake Muang Thong Thani, putting Impact Arena directly on the rail network for the first time. If you're attending a concert or trade show at Impact, this is now the most sensible way to get there.

How to Read Interchange Points on the Bangkok MRT Map

The most confusing part of any Bangkok rail map is the interchange system. Because the MRT and BTS are operated by separate entities, you must exit the fare gates and purchase a new ticket when switching between systems — your single journey token or card credit does not transfer.

The main interchange hubs to know:

MRT Station Connects To Line
Chatuchak Park (BL13) Mo Chit BTS Sukhumvit
Phahon Yothin (BL12) Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit (BL22) Asok BTS Sukhumvit
Silom (BL26) Sala Daeng BTS Silom
Phetchaburi (BL21) Makkasan Airport Rail Link
Tao Poon (BL10/PP16) Purple Line MRT Purple
Lat Phrao (BL15/YL01) Yellow Line MRT Yellow

For a broader overview of how MRT fits into Bangkok's full transit picture, our guide to the best way to get around Bangkok covers taxis, tuk-tuks, boats, and BTS comparisons side by side.

MRT Fares and Tickets in 2026

Blue Line fares start at THB 17 and reach a maximum of THB 45 for a single journey, with increases calculated by distance. If your trip requires a Blue-to-Purple Line transfer, the combined fare can reach up to THB 73.

As of June 2026, the traditional MRT and MRT Plus stored-value cards have been permanently retired. Top-ups ended on 1 April 2026, and the cards stopped working entirely on 1 June 2026. The system has now fully transitioned to EMV contactless payment.

Ticket Type Where to Buy Accepted Lines Notes
Single-journey token Station vending machines (cash only) Blue & Purple Valid day of purchase only
EMV contactless bank card Tap your own Visa / Mastercard / UnionPay at the gate Blue & Purple Fastest option for most foreign visitors
Mangmoom EMV Card Station ticket offices Blue, Purple, Pink & Yellow Available to all riders including foreign tourists — no Thai ID required
Rabbit Card BTS stations Pink & Yellow Lines Not valid on Blue or Purple Lines

As a tourist, you likely don't need to buy a physical Mangmoom Card at all. Your own contactless Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay credit or debit card taps directly at the turnstiles on the Blue and Purple Lines. The Mangmoom Card is the better choice if you plan to use all four MRT lines — it covers Blue, Purple, Pink, and Yellow in one card, and is now available to foreign visitors without a Thai ID requirement. Note that neither the Mangmoom Card nor contactless bank cards work on the BTS Skytrain or the Airport Rail Link. Our dedicated guide on whether you can use a Rabbit Card on the MRT Blue Line explains the full card compatibility breakdown.

MRT Operating Hours and Frequency

The MRT operates daily from 05:30 to midnight on weekdays and from 06:00 to midnight on weekends and public holidays. The best windows for comfortable travel are 09:30–11:30 and 13:30–16:00. Rush hour crowds peak between 07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:30.

During weekday peak periods, the Blue Line runs every 3 to 4 minutes — frequent enough that you rarely need to check a timetable. Off-peak and weekend frequency is every 5 to 10 minutes.

How to Navigate Without Mobile Data

The official Bangkok MRT app is available on both the App Store and Google Play for offline route checking. For multi-line trips involving BTS and MRT together, Google Maps handles Bangkok rail routing reliably as long as you download the offline map for Bangkok in advance. Every station also displays large physical maps at platform level — English labels are on all signs.

MRT Tips That Save You Time

  • Always check the station code direction (lower BL numbers go one way; higher go the other) — the loop can be disorienting at Tha Phra.
  • Carry small coins or THB 20/50 notes for vending machines, which don't accept THB 500 or THB 1,000 bills without change back.
  • Contactless credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone mobile wallets are fully accepted across the Blue and Purple Line fare gates.
  • Air-conditioning inside Blue Line underground stations is strong — useful on a hot day, but bring a layer for long waits on the platform.
  • The MRT pairs well with the Chao Phraya Express Boat: alight at Sanam Chai (BL31) and walk to Rajinee Pier (N7) to continue to Wat Arun or Khao San Road by water.