Thai for Transportation: Key Travel Phrases

Getting around in Thailand doesn’t have to be confusing.

This guide takes you step by step, from learning basic Thai transportation vocabulary to common expressions Thai people use on the go, and finally, to simple dialogues you can use in real-life situations like taking a bus or calling a taxi.

Perfect for travelers who want to understand and speak Thai naturally on the road.

Getting Around Thailand: Must-Know Thai for Transportation Vocabulary

Traveling in Thailand gets a lot easier when you know how to say more than just “taxi”! In this beginner-friendly lesson, you’ll not only learn the Thai names of common vehicles—you’ll also pick up essential phrases to use when getting around by bus, train, tuk-tuk, or boat etc.

This guide will help you speak with confidence, avoid misunderstandings, and feel more in control while getting around in Thailand.

Water Transportation

Transportation-Related Places in Thai

When traveling in Thailand, it’s not just the vehicles you need to know—but also the places where those vehicles stop, start, or pass through. Here’s a list of essential transportation-related places to help you navigate Thai cities like a local.

Must-Know Thai Phrases for Public Transportation

Taking a bus in Bangkok? Hopping in a tuk-tuk in Chiang Mai? Whether you’re exploring the city or just trying to get back to your hotel, knowing a few key Thai phrases will make your trip smoother—and way more fun.

These short and easy phrases will help you ask for directions, talk to drivers, and feel more connected to everyday life in Thailand.  Let’s hit the road with Thai!

• Are you going to [place]?  ไป… ไหมครับ/คะ  (bpai… mái kráb/ká)

This is a useful question when you’re not sure if the vehicle goes to your destination. For example:

Does this bus go to Chatuchak?  ไปจตุจักรไหมครับ/คะ (bpai Chatuchak mái kráb/ká)

When stopping a taxi or tuk-tuk on the street – Not all drivers want to go to every location. Some may avoid long-distance or high-traffic areas. So, it’s polite to ask first.

Will you go to Silom?  ไปสีลมไหมครับ/คะ (bpai Silom mái kráb/ká)

• Where’s the bus stop?  ป้ายรถเมล์อยู่ไหนครับ/คะ  (bpâay ród may yùu năi kráb/ká)

Ask this when you’re trying to find where to catch a bus. Locals are usually happy to help point it out.

• Is it Grab?  ใช่ แกรบไหมครับ/คะ (châi, Grab mái kráb/ká)        

Use this when a car pulls up and you’re not sure if it’s the one you booked through a ride app like Grab. You can also add your name: “Are you my Grab driver?” ใช่แกรบของนีน่าไหมคะ (Châi Grab kŏorng Nina mái ká) This helps avoid getting into the wrong car, especially in busy places like malls or stations.

• How much is the fare?  ค่ารถ/ค่าเรือ เท่าไหร่ครับ/คะ  (kâa ród/kâa ruea tâo-rài kráb/ká)

Ask this question, especially if there’s no meter. When taking a bus or boat, fares are usually cheap, but it’s still good to ask.  The word “How much?” เท่าไหร่ (tâo-rài) can be used to ask the price of anything-not just transport, but also food, clothes, or services etc. It’s one of the most useful Thai question words for daily life!

• When we arrive, ถ้าถึงแล้ว (tâa tŭeng láew)

please tell me. ช่วยบอกด้วยนะครับ/คะ (chûay bòorg dûay ná kráb/ká)

Say this if you’re not sure where to get off. The driver or the bus conductor will tell you when you’ve arrived. Super helpful for first-time visitors or unfamiliar routes.

• Please turn on the meter.  ช่วยกดมิเตอร์ด้วยครับ/ค่ะ  (chûay gòd meter dûay kráb/kà)

A polite request to avoid flat fares. Some drivers might not start the meter unless asked. This helps ensure a fair price.

• That’s too expensive. Can it be (your preferred price)?

แพงไปครับ/ค่ะ …ได้ไหม  (paeng bpai kráb/kà …dâay mái kráb/ká)

Use this phrase when the price feels too high and you want to offer a lower one. It’s very common in Thailand to negotiate prices, especially with tuk-tuks, taxis without meters, or at markets. Just say your preferred price after the sentence. This polite question makes it easier to bargain without sounding rude. It shows you understand the culture while still standing up for your wallet!

• Can you drive slowly? I’m scared. 

ขับช้าๆ ได้ไหมครับ/คะ กลัวครับ/ค่ะ  (kàb cháa-cháa dâay mái kráb/ká, glua kráb/kà)

Say this if the ride feels too fast. Thai drivers will usually slow down if you ask nicely.

• Please stop at the bus stop. จอดป้ายด้วยครับ/ค่ะ    (djòord bpâay dûay kráb/kà)

Use this on public buses or vans. You’re asking the driver to stop at the next stop.

• Please stop here.  จอดตรงนี้ครับ/ค่ะ   (jòord dtrong-níi kráb/kà)

Say this when you’ve arrived at your destination. Simple and clear.

• The traffic is very bad.  รถติดมาก (ród dtìd mâag)

Sorry, I’m late. ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ  (kŏor-tôd kráb/kà)  ที่มาสาย (tîi maa săay)

This is a classic excuse in big cities like Bangkok! Use it when you arrive late and want to politely explain why. Great phrase to memorize-because chances are, you’ll need it at some point!

Useful Dialogues for Real Situations

In this part, you’ll practice real Thai conversations for everyday travel-like getting on a bus or grabbing a taxi. These quick dialogues are simple, polite, and sound just like what locals say.  Let’s talk Thai that actually works!

Asking for Help on the Bus

A passenger asks the bus conductor to tell him when he reaches Central World. The conductor agrees and says she’ll let him know.

You: Do you go to Central World? 

ไป Central World ไหมครับ/คะ (bpai Central World mái kráb/ká?)

Conductor: Yes, it does. The fare is 15 baht.

ไปครับ/ค่ะ ค่ารถ 15 บาทครับ/ค่ะ (bpai kráb/ká. kâa ród sìb hâa baht kráb/ká)

You: Can you tell me when to get off, please?

ถ้าถึงแล้ว (tâa tŭeng láew)  please tell me. ช่วยบอกด้วยนะครับ/คะ (chûay bòorg dûay ná kráb/ká)

Conductor: Sure. When we get there, I’ll let you know.

ได้ครับ/ค่ะ (dâay kráb/kà) เดี๋ยวถึงแล้ว จะเรียกนะ (dĭaw tŭeng láew  dja rîag ná)

[Later]

Conductor: Central World is the next stop. Get ready to get off.

ป้ายหน้า Central World เตรียมลงครับ/ค่ะ (bpâay nâa Central World  dtriam long kráb/ká) You: Thank you very much. ขอบคุณมากครับ/ค่ะ (kòorb-kun mâag kráb/ká)

Negotiating with a Taxi Driver

A traveler stops a taxi and tries to go to Chinatown. The driver offers a high price, the traveler negotiates, but the driver refuses due to traffic.

You: Excuse me, are you going to Chinatown? 

ไปเยาวราชไหมครับ/คะ (bpai Yao-wa-ráad mái ká/kráb)

Taxi Driver: I’ll go, but it’s a flat rate—300 baht. ไปครับ/ค่ะ เหมา 300 (bpai kráb, măo săam-róoy)

You: That’s a bit much. Can you do 200?
แพงไปค่ะ 200 ได้ไหมครับ/คะ (paeng bpai kà, sŏng- róoy dâay mái kráb/ká)

Taxi Driver: No, I won’t go. The traffic is bad.

ไม่ไปครับ/ค่ะ รถติด (mâi bpai kráb/kâ, ród dtìd)

Passenger: That’s okay. I’ll pass.

ไม่เป็นไรครับ/ค่ะ ไม่ไปครับ/ค่ะ (mâi bpen rai kráb/kâ, mâi bpai kráb/kâ)

Hope you enjoy learning Thai and have fun along the way. Travel with confidence wherever you go!  Stay tuned—next, we’ll explore useful Thai for checking in at a hotel or hostel.