Accessible Transport in Thailand - Autism Family Travel Guide

Thailand can be a wonderful destination for families, with its friendly locals, rich culture, and beautiful landscapes. But when travelling with accessibility needs—whether that’s wheelchairs, pushchairs, or hidden disabilities—it’s important to know what to expect from Thailand’s transport system. This guide looks at how easy it is to get around Thailand using public and private transport, plus what to consider if you’re travelling with autistic children or other additional needs.

Before I begin, I wanted to mention that I have linked out to some interesting transport tours or ways to book tickets for these types of transport. If GetYourGuide is the agent you can get a discount by using my discount code: AUTISMFAMILYTRAVELGUIDE5

If you do book something via a link of mine, I may earn a commission on your purchase but it will come at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Types of transport in Thailand

Thailand offers an incredible range of transport options for getting around. It is all very well organised, there is usually always English instructions or staff available to help tourists and I just find that the entire transport system in Thailand is so well-organised that it makes Thailand a very easy destination for any traveller – but the ease of travel is what families with children who have autism or other needs really value in a place like Thailand.

In Thailand, you can find the following types of transport available to use to get around cities and even between cities and islands:

trains, including the BTS Skytrain and the Metro
buses, both local and tourist buses
taxi, you can hail them and agree a price or travel on the metre
ride-hail cars, apps like Grab and Bolt can be used to hail a ride in a private car
motorbikes, you can hail a motorbike if you are travelling solo and you can also rent a bike for a longer period of time to travel around Thailand
tuk tuk, this special Thai vehicle is basically a little cabin attached to a motorbike that can seat multiple people (the most we ever squished into one was 5 adults and 1 kid)
songthaews, like a pickup truck but the back of it has been given benches
ferries, these are fairly easy to use if you can be ambulatory but would be very difficult if not totally impossible for anyone confined to a wheelchair
long tail boat, usually used for private tours or short rides on Chao Phraya or down in Thailand’s islands

Accessibility on Trains, Skytrain, and Metro

Bangkok has the most developed accessible transport network in Thailand. The BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground both have elevators, ramps, and accessible toilets at many stations, though access can still vary by location. Older stations, especially on the BTS Sukhumvit Line, may only have one lift or require staff assistance to use platform lifts. I have used the BTS once, and for me the whole process of boarding is just to quick and chaotic and what happened was I stepped on the train with Travis in a pushchair and by the time I did that the doors were closing and almost left David (Travis’ Dad) behind. It was such a terrifying moment because he had all of the money and my phone on him at the time. The train cabin was so crowded that I could hardly move and had to force the pushchair into such a tiny and cramped space with people standing all around, bags swinging into the pushchair as we moved. You can actually grab a 1 day pass for the BTS online in advance.

Train staff are generally helpful—if you need assistance boarding, they’ll usually provide a ramp. On less busy days, travelling mid-morning or early afternoon helps avoid crowds that can make boarding stressful for autistic travellers.

Long-distance trains operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have mixed accessibility. Some newer trains, such as those on the route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, include accessible toilets and wider doors, but ramps are not guaranteed at smaller provincial stations. I have taken the long-distance train once, back in 2016 I believe. It was from Surat Thani (the cheapest way to access Koh Samui via land and ferry) to Bangkok when we were returning from the islands at the end of our first trip there. It was okay, the station was mostly open meaning we were hot and among the mosquitoes while we waited for the train to come. The actual train I do not remember perfectly – I had no worries about accessibility at the time so I wasn’t looking out for anything like that. We had a room with bunks in it. The space is really small and it would be hard to travel with much more than a backpack.

Accessible Buses and Local Transport

Public buses in Bangkok are improving, with more low-floor buses being introduced. These have ramps for wheelchair users and space for pushchairs. However, many older buses remain in service and may not be accessible at all. I think that some buses, especially older ones or ones mostly used by locals, are hot because they do not have any aircon. This is a particular struggle for me and the kids as we all suffer with temperature regulation problems and this type of heat can be completely unbearable to us. I have used local buses in the past, well, it was something that seemed to be a bit of a mix between local and tourist bus. We took a bus from Bangkok to Sriracha in 2017 so we could spend some time in the Chonburi area. The bus was old but very cheap and had plenty of space for storing our pushchair and bags. There were steps up to the bus, just like a coach-style bus and it would be difficult to use this type of bus if you are wheelchair-bound. We found the bus to be manageable for the short-ish journey. The heat was well controlled, the seats were fine just old. It did rain outside and we always joked about how the bus rained inside too, it had a leak.

In other parts of Thailand, buses and songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) can be difficult to access with mobility aids, and drivers rarely speak English. If you’re travelling outside Bangkok, it’s best to arrange private transfers or taxis instead. You definitly need to be able to step up and down from a songthaew and I had an accident try to get out of one in Pattaya back in 2018. The metal step that you use to get up and down was wet, I slipped and slammed my hand off the ground in an attempt to save myself. For days, I thought my wrist was broken because the impact was big because of the height of the back of the sonthaew.

For long-distance journeys, Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) and Southern Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) both have wheelchair-accessible toilets and ramps, though not all buses departing from these stations are suitable for wheelchair users.

Tourist buses in Thailand

There are some buses which are geared toward tourists which operate in Thailand. I have listed some of them below for you to consider when you visit Thailand with accessibility needs.

Using Taxis, Tuk Tuks, and Private Transfers

Taxis are one of the most practical ways for families and those with hidden disabilities to get around. The Grab app (Thailand’s version of Uber) is used and allows you to choose vehicle types and communicate through the app if language is a barrier. Although Grab is used, we found that we have way more luck when using Bolt. You can also pay in-app, which removes the stress of cash handling and gives you the price upfront so no need to negotiate.

Tuk tuks, while iconic, are usually unsuitable for wheelchair users or travellers who struggle with steps or strong smells. However, they can be fun for short, sensory-friendly experiences if your child enjoys motion and noise. You can arrange some tuk tuk tours online, like this one I found of Bangkok Old City in an electric tuk tuk or in a traditional Thai tuk tuk.

Some companies in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai offer accessible minivan (sometimes referred to as a limo) transfers with ramps or hydraulic lifts—ideal for airport runs or day trips. It’s best to book these in advance through specialist providers or your hotel concierge. You may be able to find some of these on Bolt or GetYourGuide.

Private transfers in Thailand

I will often book transfers using GetYourGuide, because I really do trust GetYourGuide as the agent to step in should anything go wrong. I have managed to find a bunch of private transfer options on GetYourGuide for Thailand airports to the city and I will link them below. I also managed to find some options to book a private transfer between cities or even as a day tour. You can also of course book your transfer when you arrive in Thailand via Bolt or another ride-hailing app.

Bangkok

Pattaya

Phuket

Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

Koh Samui

Surat Thani

Krabi

Koh Lanta

Koh Chang

Private transfer to/from Trat (TDX) airport

Domestic Flights and Airports

Thailand’s major airports—Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), and Phuket (HKT)—all comply with international accessibility standards. They have wheelchair services, accessible toilets, and dedicated special assistance desks. We have used special assistance at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and could not fault it. We recently used it once upon landing, and once when we were leaving Thailand and for both of these experiences we were taken through the airport via specialist lanes or areas and this saved us so much time navigating such a busy and huge airport.

Families travelling with autistic children can request special assistance through their airline at least 48 hours before departure. I have an entire post dedicated to getting help at the airport and what you can expect from it. Staff can help with check-in, security, and boarding. Airports in Thailand are generally calm compared to Western hubs, but security queues and temperature changes can still be challenging, so carrying sensory comfort items can make the process easier. If your departure flight originates from the UK, this post I wrote should help you find the special assistance information for your local airport.

Airlines offering domestic flights such as Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and AirAsia provide wheelchair assistance when requested in advance, though policies can differ slightly between carriers.

Don’t forget, it can be worth wearing the Sunflower Lanyard in any airport because it is very well-recognised now even outside of the UK and Europe.

Ferries and Boats

Thailand’s ferries vary widely in accessibility. Routes between the mainland and islands such as Phuket–Phi Phi or Krabi–Koh Lanta often involve steep gangways or steps. However, some newer high-speed ferries and catamarans have ramps and indoor seating areas suitable for families.

accessible transport in Thailand cruise ferry boat

When travelling with wheelchairs or sensory needs, it’s best to check the operator’s website or message them before booking. Many will help arrange smoother boarding if notified early.

In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River Express has limited accessibility, but the ICONSIAM shuttle boats and Sathorn Pier are among the easiest to access, with sturdy ramps and staff assistance. We have used these boats many times over the years and most recently in September of 2025 where we were able to get on and off the Chao Phraya boat to ICONSIAM with a double pushchair. Although I have absolutely no problem taking the children in a pushchair onto these boats, I do not think I would be comfortable being a person who uses a wheelchair fulltime and trying to get on and off these boats. The main reason I am comfortable with the pushchair is really because I am holding the handle end of it and someone else lifts the wheel end of it into the boat. There are some where the access is completely flat, but sometimes there will be a step to go down on the boat.

Boat tours in Thailand

One thing I can never make my mind up on is if these boat tours are our best friend or biggest fear! Some bigger boats are great for us, anything the size of a ferry or above, but the idea of taking all three kids on a longtail boat or speedboat kind of worries me still until they get a bit older. We definitely give things a try, and especially when it is necessary (like taking a tender boat from the cruise ship to land) or if it is short enough that we think it won’t be overwhelming to be on constant alert while we are on the boat (e.g. getting a boat to a nearby island). We have done so many of these types of tours, but most of them when we travelled with one autistic child as opposed to three children with additional needs.

Longtail boat tours:

Speedboat trips and tours:

River cruise:

*I have more details about Chao Phraya river cruises and the transport boats in my Bangkok guide.

Ferries:

Other boat tours:

Cruise ships

I wanted to give a special mention to cruise ships for travelling around Thailand. Although this is not really the normal type of transport options you think of when you start to plan a trip in Thailand, it is something you can look into and see if any of the cruise companies offer stops in Thailand. We are currently in Asia as I write this, where we are on our second cruise ship back-to-back. We have had stops in Koh Samui (one of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand) and Laem Chabang (this is often listed as the access point for Bangkok but it is actually much closer to Pattaya in the Chonburi area). We have also stopped in Patong, Phuket in the past.

Sensory Considerations on Public Transport

Thailand’s transport can be hot, noisy, and crowded, particularly during rush hours (7–9 am and 5–7 pm). Carrying noise-cancelling headphones, handheld fans, or cooling towels helps manage sensory overload. We have really come to rely on fans for the kids especially, but cooling towels or little stick on cooling pads are also help and you can grab these in Thailand in stores like 7Eleven (speaking of that, I do have a post which details a whole bunch of over the counter medications you can grab in stores in Thailand without any prescription).

The MRT tends to be quieter than the BTS Skytrain, while newer buses and airport rail links have better air-conditioning and smoother rides. If your child struggles with loud announcements or bright lighting, private taxis or hotel transfers are often a calmer option.

We prioritise staying regulated now when we travel, so although we have tried and tested so many transport types in Thailand, we often now opt for private cars via Bolt and will sometimes use a tuk tuk for a short journey.

Thailand is gradually becoming more accessible, especially in Bangkok and other major tourist destinations. While challenges remain—particularly with older infrastructure—families can still explore comfortably with a bit of forward planning. Booking assistance in advance, travelling outside peak times, and choosing private transfers for longer journeys can make all the difference.

Ready to plan a trip to Thailand with autistic children? Head to my Thailand travel page where you can find links out to all of my Thailand destination guides, accessible attractions, practical travel tips and so much more!