Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Thailand take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
Rode Phuket town bus - zero card acceptance, pure cash, and they don’t carry change. One time I had to get off because I didn’t have small bills. In Bangkok, the BTS/MRT machines took my Visa/Mastercard and I also used Rabbit for a cheaper trip. Definitely have 100-200 THB on hand for buses and other small rides.
My phone’s NFC and international debit worked fine on BTS and MRT - tapped for entry removed link But I had to carry small cash (20-100 THB) for tuk‑tuks, motorbike taxis, and minibuses. I also tried a public Bangkok bus - no tap readers, cash only. Drivers sometimes didn’t have change, so get exact change or a 20 THB note.
Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Thailand take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
Spent a week in Chiang Mai and rode local red Songthaews - 100% cash, no exceptions. Back in Bangkok, I bought a Rabbit stored-value card and reloaded it at convenience stores. Worked on BTS/MRT and even some bus lines that showed the transit logo. But I still kept around 200 THB in coins for old-style buses - they just don’t accept cards or Rabbit.
Just got back from Bangkok in May. The BTS (Skytrain) and MRT both let me tap-on with my Visa debit - so slick, no need to queue for ticket machines. But I jumped on a city bus by Lumpini Park and had to pay in cash. Drivers don’t take cards, and some buses don’t even have change, so bring small bills (20-50 THB).