Reviewed 2026-11-04. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team The cheapest transit passes you see quoted in Malaysia are for citizens: Kuala Lumpur's RM50 My50 pass is for Malaysians only, so foreigners pay RM150 for Rapid KL's 30-day pass, and Penang's bus operator charges non-Malaysians RM110 a month. Bangkok's much-reported 20-baht flat fare also excluded foreigners, and the government has since dropped it. Budget with the price you will actually pay, not the headline fare.
This page is for expats who want to live without a car or scooter, walking, taking the train and using Grab for the rest.
The trade-off: the cities with the best rail networks, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, are also the ones with the longest commute times. Smaller cities are easier to cross, but you will lean on ride-hailing.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest rail network | Bangkok | Nine lines and more than 275 km of track |
| One pass for rail and buses | Kuala Lumpur | RM150 for 30 days, open to foreigners |
| Living on one metro corridor | Ho Chi Minh City | Line 1 links Ben Thanh, Thao Dien and Thu Duc |
| Cheap metro commuting | Hanoi | Two lines; monthly pass ₫280,000 |
| Walkable small city | George Town, Penang | Free CAT shuttle every 10 to 15 minutes |
How we chose
- Rail coverage: lines and length in operation now.
- What foreigners pay: monthly passes open to non-citizens.
- Commute time: Numbeo's current Traffic Commute Time Index (higher means longer commutes).
- What is coming: lines under construction with published target dates.
Checked on 4 November 2026.
1. Bangkok — best for the widest rail network
A September 2024 overview by Voyages d'Affaires counted nine rail lines, including a monorail, covering more than 275 km. Numbeo lists a one-way ticket at ฿35 and a monthly pass at ฿1,177.50.
Fares are in flux. The 20-baht flat fare was limited to Thai citizens registered in the Tang Rath app, according to Pattaya Mail, and it ended on the Purple and Red lines on 30 September 2025. In June 2026, the cabinet dropped the plan to extend it; instead, a single-entry fare of 17 to 45 baht per trip, paid by contactless bank card, is expected from 1 January 2027, Thairath reported. Bangkok's commute score (45.1) is the highest in Numbeo's current Southeast Asia table after Jakarta and Manila. See our Bangkok areas guide.
2. Kuala Lumpur — best for one pass covering rail and buses
Since 1 January 2026, Rapid KL's Rapid Bulanan pass has given anyone, including expatriates, 30 days of unlimited travel for RM150, according to Malay Mail. It covers the LRT, MRT, Monorail, BRT Sunway, Rapid KL buses and MRT feeder buses, and you can buy it in the TNG eWallet app. Numbeo lists a single ticket at RM3.
Kuala Lumpur's commute score is 41.6. Choose a home within walking distance of a station; our Kuala Lumpur areas guide shows which neighborhoods have one.
3. Ho Chi Minh City — best for living on one metro corridor
Metro Line 1 opened on 22 December 2024: 19.7 km and 14 stations from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, passing Thao Dien, An Phu and Thu Duc. Fares run from ₫7,000 to ₫20,000 in cash, and a monthly pass costs ₫300,000. VOV reported about 52,000 riders a day in its first year. Line 2 broke ground in 2026 and is expected to open in 2030.
If you live in District 2 / Thao Dien and work near Ben Thanh, you can commute by train. Elsewhere, expect motorbike taxis and Grab. Vietnam's 2025 administrative reform renamed many districts and wards, so check addresses on listings.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. Hanoi — best for cheap metro commuting
Hanoi runs two lines: Line 2A (13.1 km, 12 stations, opened 2021) and the elevated part of Line 3 (8.5 km, 8 stations, opened 2024). Line 3's underground section to Hanoi Station is targeted for 2027. A monthly pass costs ₫280,000. The Hanoi Times reports nearly 21 million passengers in 2025.
Hanoi's commute score (28.0) is low, but two lines cover only part of the city, so check that both your home and your work are near a station. Air is a bigger issue: Numbeo's Pollution Index for Hanoi is 89.3.
5. George Town, Penang — best for a walkable small city
The free CAT bus loops George Town's heritage zone between Weld Quay and Komtar every 10 to 15 minutes, from 6 am to 11:45 pm. Rapid Penang runs about 46 routes, with fares from RM1.40. Non-Malaysians pay RM110 for the Rapid Preferred monthly pass, per The Star, while the state's subsidized Mutiara pass is aimed at local residents. Since January 2026, a free shuttle also runs from Komtar to Penang Hospital.
The Mutiara Line LRT (29.5 km, 21 stations) is targeted for completion on 31 December 2031.
Why Chiang Mai, Da Nang and Bali are not on the list: none has urban rail, so daily life depends on Grab, taxis or your own scooter.
What to check before you decide
- The walk from your door to the station, at rush hour and in the rain.
- The pass you are eligible for as a foreigner.
- Whether your Grab costs fit your budget for trips the network misses.
- Current fare rules in Bangkok before January 2027.
- Your total in our budget calculator.
FAQ
Which Southeast Asian city has the best public transport?
Bangkok has the largest rail network of the cities we cover; Kuala Lumpur offers the simplest pass for foreigners.
Can foreigners use the My50 pass in Kuala Lumpur?
No. My50 is for Malaysians. Foreigners can buy the RM150 Rapid Bulanan pass.
Related guides
- Destination finder
- Budget calculator
- Best areas to live in Kuala Lumpur
- Best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City
- Best cities for clean air
Choose the right services for your move.
Explore independent selection criteria and optionally request an introduction. No provider referral, delivery time or quotation is guaranteed.
