Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) (2026)
You’re stuck at Sai Tai Mai, Bangkok’s main southern bus hub. It’s inside SC Plaza, a 4-floor air-conditioned shopping mall. Not confusing if you know the trick: buses leave from 1st floor (platforms 25-98), minivans from ground floor outside. First-timers get lost because ticket counters are scattered across two floors.
Good news: it’s clean, fully AC, and has cheap food. Bad news: taxi drivers outside will try to scam you. Expect 170 THB to central Bangkok (25-45 min), but they’ll quote 300+. Read this before you leave the building.
Layout & Navigation
Terminal sits inside SC Plaza on Borommaratchachonnani Road. Ground floor has platforms 1-24, ticket counters, 7-Eleven, and shops. Most long-distance buses leave from 1st floor (platforms 25-98). Take the escalator up. Signs are in Thai and English, but small.
Minivans park outside ground floor. Walk out the main entrance, turn left. You’ll see rows of vans with destination signs. Drivers shout routes. Chaos, but it works.
Walking distance from entrance to furthest platform: 3 minutes. SC Plaza is compact. Prayer rooms on 1st floor near platforms 60-70.
Essential Facilities
ATMs everywhere. Ground floor has Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, SCB. Luggage storage costs 20-60 THB per piece (depends on size and hours). Counter is near ground floor ticket area, look for ‘Left Baggage’ sign in English.
Toilets are free inside SC Plaza (ground and 1st floor). Clean enough. Outside minivan area, you pay 5 THB. No showers. If you need one, book a day room at nearby hotel (300 THB for 3 hours).
Food court on 2nd floor is your best bet. Thai dishes 40-80 THB. Pad Thai, fried rice, noodle soup. Cheap and fast. KFC and cafes in SC Plaza charge double (120+ THB for a meal). Two 7-Eleven stores: one on ground floor, one outside minivan zone. Stock up on snacks before overnight buses.
No SIM card shops inside terminal. Buy at 7-Eleven (tourist SIMs available, 299 THB for 15 days unlimited data). Or grab one at Klook before arrival and pick up at airport.
Getting to the City
Taxi meter to Khao San Road or Sukhumvit: 170 THB (25-45 min depending on traffic). Drivers outside will say ‘no meter, 300 baht’. Walk to the main road (Borommaratchachonnani), flag a passing taxi, insist on meter. Or use Grab (150-180 THB, same route).
Cheapest option: City bus 515. Stops right outside terminal, goes to Victory Monument (1 hour, 20 THB). Few stops, faster than other buses. Runs 5am-10pm. Bus 177 also works but takes longer.
BTS Bang Wa station is 15-20 min by taxi (80 THB). From there, take BTS to city center (40-60 THB). Total: 120-140 THB, but you avoid traffic jams. If you’re heading to Kanchanaburi or Hua Hin, buses leave hourly from 1st floor platforms.
SRT Red Line (new commuter train) stops at Taling Chan, 10 min taxi from terminal (60 THB). Train to Bang Sue: 15 THB. Connects to MRT and airport link. Runs 5:30am-11pm.
Survival Tips
WiFi exists but it’s slow. SC Plaza has free WiFi (ask shop staff for password). 7-Eleven and KFC have better speeds. Charging points at food court tables (2nd floor) and some benches on 1st floor. Bring your own cable.
Terminal is safe. Security guards patrol 24/7. Pickpockets rare, but watch your bag in crowded minivan area outside. Don’t leave luggage unattended.
Ticket counters open 10am-7pm, but buses run until midnight (some overnight departures). Buy tickets online via 12Go to skip queues. Sombat Tour and other operators have counters on ground and 1st floor.
Sleeping overnight: SC Plaza closes at 10pm. You can wait on 1st floor near platforms (benches available, AC stays on). Not comfortable, but doable. Security won’t kick you out if you have a ticket. Better option: book a late bus and sleep onboard.
VIP buses (to Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani) have reclining seats, blankets, snacks. Worth the extra 200-300 THB for overnight trips. Standard buses are cramped.
Where to go next
Most travelers head to these spots:
Schedules change seasonally. Check current availability online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Sai Tai Mai from Bangkok airport?
Take Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (45 THB, 30 min), then BTS to Bang Wa (40 THB, 40 min), then taxi to terminal (80 THB, 15 min). Total: 165 THB, 90 min. Or direct taxi from airport: 400-500 THB (1 hour). Use Grab to avoid scams.
Is there luggage storage at Sai Tai Mai?
Yes. Ground floor near ticket counters. 20-60 THB per piece depending on size and duration. Counter labeled ‘Left Baggage’ in English. Open 6am-10pm.
What buses leave from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal?
All southern routes: Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Chumphon, Hua Hin, Ranong, Trang, Phang Nga. Also west routes like Kanchanaburi. Check schedules on 12Go or at ticket counters (1st floor).
How much is taxi from Sai Tai Mai to Khao San Road?
170 THB by meter (25-45 min). Drivers quote 300+ without meter. Insist on meter or use Grab (150-180 THB). Walk to main road if drivers refuse.
Are there showers at Sai Tai Mai bus station?
No showers. Nearest option: book day room at hotel near terminal (300 THB for 3 hours). Or wait until you reach your destination.
