By Skytrain (BTS)
The BTS Sukhumvit Line runs, as the name suggests, entirely over Sukhumvit Road from west to east. Sukhumvit can directly be reached by Skytrain if you're coming from Siam Square or Phahonyothin. A ride from Mo Chit takes about 25 minutes to reach Asok station, while a ride from Siam station takes about 10 minutes. If you're coming from Silom, you'll need to take the Silom Line north and change onto the Sukhumvit Line at Siam station. It takes about 20 minutes for a ride from Saphan Taksin station to reach Asok station, including the transfer at Siam. Trains leave every five to ten minutes for a fare of about 15 to 40 baht.
The following BTS stations are currently present in Sukhumvit (from west to east): Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, Ekkamai, Phra Khanong and On Nut. Each station serves the neighborhood of the same name. Asok is the most convenient station as it is in the center of Sukhumvit and has a direct transfer with Bangkok's MRT metro system. In the following years, the Sukhumvit Line will extend even further south connecting other residential areas in the south of the city.
By Metro (MRT / Underground)
If you're coming from Silom or Ratchadaphisek, you can directly reach Sukhumvit by Bangkok's MRT metro system. The most convenient station is Sukhumvit, which is right in the middle of the district and with a possible transfer onto the BTS Sukhumvit Line. The other stations in the district are Khlong Toei and QSNCC. The metro ride from Silom takes about ten minutes, while the ride from Ratchadaphisek takes about 15 minutes. Trains leave every five to ten minutes for a fare of about 15 to 40 baht.
By Boat
The Saen Saep Express Boat service is a rough, but entertaining way of getting in and around Sukhumvit. The Saen Saeb canal forms the northern boundary of Sukhumvit's sois and is a cheap alternative means of escaping the traffic jams if you're coming from Khao San Road, the eastern side of Rattanakosin or Ramkhamhaeng. There are two lines: The Golden Mount Line runs from Phan Fa Lilat near the Golden Mount in Rattanakosin east to Pratu Nam in Siam Square. The NIDA Line runs from Pratu Nam all the way northeast along Ramkhamhaeng Road to Wat Si Bun Rueang. A single trip from Phan Fa Lilat to Pratu Nam takes about 20 minutes and costs around 18 baht. Pratu Nam is the most central pier for both lines as from there it is only a short walk to Pratunam, Ratchaprasong intersection and Siam Square. The most important stop on the Golden Mount Line is Saphan Hua Chang, while the most important stops on the NIDA Line are Chit Lom, Nana Nuea, Asok and Thong Lo.
If you're coming from the Grand Palace area in Rattanakosin, there are two ways to get into Sukhumvit. You can choose to take a 40-minute walk (or a 5-minute taxi ride) to Phan Fa Lilat and from there start your journey using the Saen Saep Express Boat. Most visitors, however, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat service to Sathorn (Taksin) pier in Silom. From there, you can continue your way north using the BTS Skytrain Silom Line. You'll need to switch trains at Siam station and continue your way east onto the Sukhumvit Line. The whole ride from Rattanakosin takes about 40 minutes.
By Bus
This first tip on bus travel is one to remember: do not do it! Sukhumvit Road is probably the most congested road of Bangkok and traffic jams exist the whole day till late in the evening. Also, it is really hard to find out which bus goes where or where to get out. Better take the Skytrain, metro or express boat, even if it costs a little more.
If you insist, there are a gazillion bus lines going through the Sukhumvit area. The most important one is ordinary and air-conditioned bus 25, which starts at the Eastern Bus Terminal at Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai). From there, it goes all the way northwest till the end of Sukhumvit Road and heads for Siam Square, Hualamphong Train Station, Yaowarat and Pahurat and Tha Chang (for the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin).
From the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, you can take bus AE3 for 150 baht to Sukhumvit. It runs up the Bang Na-Trat Expressway and along Sukhumvit all the way up to Siam Square. It then loops back around to Nana and then back out to the Airport. Another option is bus 552, which heads on to On Nut, where you can continue your way with the Skytrain. There are many stops and depending on traffic the ride can take from 1 to 2 hours.
