There are 3 bus terminals in Bangkok: Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Which bus station should you choose for your trip? It depends on your next destination.
Phuket
Buses from Bangkok to Phuket leave from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has 4 departures to Phuket a day. There are many other companies serving this route. Taking an overnight bus is the most popular option for traveling from Bangkok to Phuket by bus. The trip all the way to Phuket takes about 12-13 hours.
Most of the buses going to Phuket also make a stop at Khao Lak and Phang Nga.
Chiang Mai
Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Mai leave from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). The route is served by a big number of air-conditioned buses departing almost every hour. Most of the buses to Chiang Mai leave in the evening. The journey takes about 9 hours in the day time and up to 12 hours at night.
Pattaya
Buses from Bangkok to Pattaya are provided by Roong Reuang Coach. Buses of this company depart from all 3 Bangkok bus terminals.
Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) is the best choice for taking a bus to Pattaya as the buses here are the most frequent (depart approx. every 30 minutes) and the journey is the shortest.
Buses from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Pattaya depart every 30 to 40 minutes and the journey is a bit longer (normally it takes from 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours).
Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) is also served by the buses of the same company but there are only 5 departures during the day. The journey takes about 3 hours.
Minivans from Bangkok to Pattaya also depart from all 3 stations. Minivans from Ekkamai to Pattaya depart every 15 minutes. There are several companies offering minivans to Pattaya from Mochit New Van Terminal but they are less frequent. Minivans to Pattaya also depart from Sai Tai Mai every hour.
Krabi / Koh Phi Phi / Koh Lanta
Buses from Bangkok to Krabi leave from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has 3 departures a day. There are other bus companies serving this route and most of buses from Bangkok to Krabi depart in the evening as taking an overnight bus is the most popular option for covering this route. The trip all the way to Krabi takes about 12 hours.
Buses stop in Krabi Town. From there you can go to Ao Nang, Railay or take a ferry to Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta.
Ayutthaya
For taking a bus from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, head to Mochit New Van Terminal as there are several minivan companies covering this route.
Hua Hin / Cha-Am
Buses from Bangkok to Hua Hin depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) 3 times a day. The trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin takes about 3 hours. Bus stops at Cha-Am on the way.
Minivans to Hua Hin are more frequent and depart from all 3 Bangkok bus terminals. Minivans from Sai Tai Mai Bus Station to Hua Hin depart every 30 minutes and the trip takes about 3 times. Minivans from Ekkamai depart every hour and it takes about 4 hours to get to Hua Hin. Minivans depart from Mochit New Van Terminal as well.
Most of minivans make stops in Phetchaburi and Cha-Am.
Kanchanaburi / Nakhon Pathom
Buses from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Buses from Bangkok Sai Tai Mai Bus Station depart every 20 minutes and the journey takes about 3 hours. Buses departing from Mo Chit Bus Station are less frequent (leave almost every hour) and the trip takes about 3-4 hours.
Buses also make a stop in Nakhon Pathom.
Minivans from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi depart from Sai Tai Mai and Mochit New Van Terminal. Normally there are separate minivans going to Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
Trat / Koh Chang
Buses from Bangkok to Trat and Koh Chang ferry pier depart from Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Governmental 999 Bus has two direct buses to the ferry pier in Laem Ngop (ferries to Koh Chang) every morning. The journey takes about 5-6 hours.
There are also buses departing from Ekkamai to Trat every hour. The trip takes about 6-7 hours. From Trat you can take public transport to the pier.
Minivans from Bangkok to Trat depart from Mochit New Van Terminal.
Surat Thani / Koh Samui / Koh Phangan
Buses from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which is used as a gateway to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands, depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai).
Governmental 999 Bus has 5 departures to Donsak Pier from where the ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan depart. There are many bus companies going to Surat Thani. Most of the buses depart in the evening. The trip to Surat Thani takes about 10-11 hours. Add 3-4 hours for reaching Koh Samui and 4-5 hours for getting to Koh Phangan from Surat Thani.
Sukhothai
Buses from Bangkok to Sukhothai depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Buses depart every hour and the journey takes about 7-8 hours.
Rayong / Koh Samet
Buses from Bangkok to Koh Samet depart from Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Buses leave every hour and the journey to Ban Phe, where the ferries to Koh Samet depart, takes about 4 hours.
Minivans to Rayong depart from all 3 Bangkok bus terminals. Minivans from Ekkamai Bus Station and Sai Tai Mai Bus Station to Rayong depart every hour. Minivans also depart from Mochit New Van Terminal. From Rayong you can easily go to Ban Phe and catch a ferry going to Koh Samet.
Chumphon / Koh Tao
Buses from Bangkok to Chumphon, where you can catch a ferry to Koh Tao, depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). The trip to Chumphon takes about 7 hours. Getting to Koh Tao can take about 3-4 hours more.
Chiang Rai
Buses from Bangkok to Chiang Rai depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Most of the buses leave in the evening and the journey takes about 11-12 hours.
Sri Racha / Koh Si Chang
Buses from Bangkok to Sri Racha depart from Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). The journey takes about 1.5-2 hours. From Sri Racha, you can take a tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi to Koh Loi Pier to catch the ferry to Koh Si Chang.
Minivans to Sri Racha depart from all 3 Bangkok bus terminals.
Samut Songkhram / Maeklong
Minivans from Bangkok to Samut Songkhram, the city of the famous Maeklong Railway Market, depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). The journey takes about 2 hours.
The minibuses also make a stop at Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon. Mahachai Market is one of the largest seafood markets in Thailand.
At Samut Songkhram you can transfer to Amphawa Floating Market.
Amphawa / Damnoen Saduak
Direct minibuses from Bangkok to Amphawa Floating Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Minivans depart every hour and the trip takes about 2 hours.
Ranong / Koh Phayam / Koh Chang Noi
Buses from Bangkok to Ranong depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus runs once a day but there are more buses of other companiesMost of the buses from Bangkok to Ranong depart in the evening. The trip all the way to Ranong takes about 9-10 hours.
From Ranong you can take a ferry to Koh Phayam or Koh Chang Noi.
Lopburi
For taking a bus from Bangkok to Lopburi, head to Mochit New Van Terminal as there are several minivan companies covering this route.
Trang
Buses from Bangkok to Trang depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has buses to Trang 4 times a day. There are buses of other companies covering this route as well. Most of the departures are in the evening as taking an overnight bus is the most popular option. The journey to Trang takes about 12-13 hours.
From Trang you can take a ferry to Koh Muk, Koh Kradan and Ko Ngai.
Satun
Buses from Bangkok to Satun depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has 3 departures a day. There are more buses departing from Bangkok to Satun in the evening as taking an overnight bus is the most popular option. The trip to Satun takes about 13-15 hours.
Hat Yai
Buses from Bangkok to Hat Yai depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has 4 departures a day. There are more buses departing from Bangkok to Hat Yai in the morning and in the evening. The trip all the way to Hat Yai takes about 13-14 hours.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Buses from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat depart from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Governmental 999 Bus has 3 departures a day. There are more buses departing from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat in the evening. The trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat takes about 12-13 hours.
Chachoengsao
Minivans from Bangkok to Chachoengsao depart from Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and Mochit New Van Terminal. Minivans depart every hour and it normally takes about 2 hours to get there.
Roi Et
Buses from Bangkok to Roi Et depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). There are 3 daily departures at night. The journey takes about 9 hours.
Lampang
Buses from Bangkok to Lampang depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). There are 4 daily departures. The journey takes about 8-9 hours.
Phitsanulok
Buses from Bangkok to Phitsanulok depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Buses depart every hour and the journey takes about 6-7 hours.
Ubon Ratchathani
Buses from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Buses are offered by many bus companies. The journey takes about 10 hours.
Udon Thani
Buses from Bangkok to Udon Thani depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). The total journey can take about 8-9.5 hours, depending on the bus.
Loei
Buses from Bangkok to Loei depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). The journey from Bangkok to Loei normally takes about 8-9 hours. From Loei you can easily reach Chiang Khan.
Nakhon Ratchasima
For taking a bus from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, head to Mochit New Van Terminal as there are several minivan companies covering this route.