Skytrain (BTS)
The Skytrain is an efficient and convenient way to navigate around the inner city, at a cost low enough to relax and enjoy the ride, though not cheap -- short distances are about one dollar or slightly less, while longer distances are the equivalent of $1.50. It is a very high tech, modern and smooth elevated train that runs through the main business districts, but doesn’t go ’everywhere’ (i.e taxis and tuk tuk rides may still be needed depending upon your itinerary). Train stations are well marked and well tended and trains run very often, with little or no wait times. Many hotels are just a short walk away from a stop so check your map to see if the Skytrain is your best option for returning to your hotel, or better yet -- book a hotel near the skytrain in order to avoid the horrible Bangkok traffic. You can take the skytrain to the river and then use the river boats to visit the Grand Palace and other major sites. It may be worth buying a ticket that you can charge up by adding more money to it and recharge when you like so as to save queueing for tickets or for change for the machines, though it may be difficult to figure out how to do this. Skytrain does not cater well for disabled people, being elevated and access generally being by steps and escalators. Elevators for disabled people are available at many stations though so it is possible to take these if you check in advance which stations have them. The service ends at midnight. Skytrain was recently extended further west, on the west side of the river for several stops. If you stay near Siam Center, an interchange between the two skytrain lines, using skytrain as transportation to many places becomes easy and very quick. Here is their English language website: http://www.bts.co.th/en/index.asp