What is the BTS, MRT, Light Green and Dark Green Line?

BTS, MRT, Skytrain, Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, Light Green Line, Dark Green Line, Blue Line… it can be confusing. Bangkok’s mass transit network is currently undergoing mass development to benefit the city and enable the easier, quicker, more reliable and efficient means to move around the capital. Welcome news for those living in the metropolis and those visiting for business and leisure pursuits. However, what does it all mean? This simple guide will help explain.

Skytrain.
As the name suggests this train operates above ground as the train tracks are elevated above the road as it glides across the city dodging the traffic. This term is commonly used by Bangkokians when referring to the mode of transport they use to get around the city. The skytrain was the first opened with the Sukhumvit and Silom Lines in 1999 that travelled in these neighborhoods of the same names.

BTS.
BTS Group Holding is the company that operates the Skytrain and hence why the Skytrain is often referred to as the BTS or sometimes as the BTS Skytrain. Essentially, the Skytrain, BTS, Sukhumvit and Silom Lines are all part of the same infrastructure despite having different names.

Sukhumvit Line.
Named after the road that it travels above, the Sukhumvit Line was one of the two lines that opened in 1999 and more recently is known as the Light Green Line. A popular branch of the BTS Skytrain Network since it takes people in and out of the Sukhumvit area of the city, which is one of the biggest residential areas. This branch has been extended numerous times and now travels into Bangkok’s neighboring province of Samut Prakan opening up new suburbs that were once very hard to reach due to the congestion on the roads.

Silom Line.
Also named after the area that it travels in, the Silom Line is the Dark Green Line on the mass transit network and was the second line that was opened at the same time as the Sukhumvit Line. The Silom and Sukhumvit Lines meet at Siam which was the original interchanging stations between the two lines. Today this line as been extended over the Chao Phraya River and into neighboring Thonburi.

MRT.
The Metropolitan Rapid Transport is Bangkok’s underground train that first operated from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue and is also known as the Blue Line on the mass transit network. The MRT opened in 2004, subsequent lines have since become operational that has expanded this network considerably.

Airport Rail Link.
As the name suggests the Airport Rail Link travels from the city centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok’s main and largest airport. Starting at Phaya Thai which is on the Sukhumvit/Light Green Line of the BTS Skytrain Network, it travels above ground stopping at several stops including Makkasan which is the intersectioning station to the MRT network at Phetchaburi on the Blue Line until it reaches the airport. This line is used by commuters as well as those travelling to the airport.

Other Colored Lines.
To avoid any further confusion all lines of the entire mass transit network have been given a designated color. Whilst the names Sukhumvit and Silom Lines are likely to stick going forward, this color coordination should hopefully ease confusion as the map now shows the following colored lines: light green, dark green, yellow, orange, purple, pink, red, and light pink lines.