bangkok thailand travel brochure

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Thailand’s modern capital, home to the magnificent Grand Palace.

A province featuring temples, cafés, and surrounding hill areas.

An island famous for beaches, luxury resorts, and reef diving.

Thailand is packed with magnificent temples.

Traditional Thai Massage

One of the must-do activities in Thailand for many travelers.

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Thai food is well-known around the world for its exotic flavors.

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Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok’s cityscape at night – bangkok travel guide, introduction to bangkok travel guide.

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and most populated city. In Thai, it is known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep, which means ‘City of Angels.’ Administratively, it is divided into 50 districts, each of which is subdivided into 169 subdistricts.

Before 1782, Bangkok was little more than a tiny trading post on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Then, after the burning of Ayutthaya by Burmese invaders, King Rama I (the first king of the current Chakri dynasty), made it the capital of Siam. Since then, Bangkok has been at the core of the late 19th century modernization of Siam, subsequently renamed Thailand, as the kingdom confronted Western pressures.

Bangkok is now one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, with beautiful temples and palaces, natural canals, bustling marketplaces, and a dynamic nightlife that caters to all tastes. Bangkok is a massive and contemporary city packed with nightlife and delicious food. The city’s views, activities, and nightlife appeal to a wide range of visitors. Its primary historical and cultural tourism attractions are royal palaces and temples. Shopping and eating experiences provide a variety of options and pricing.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How to get there
• Map of the Province
• How to get around
• Top attractions
• References and Attributions

Credit: [4K] Bangkok, Thailand | Cinematic Travel Video by filmk.

How to get to Bangkok

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport, which opened in September 2006, is Bangkok’s major airport and one of the busiest in Southeast Asia. It is situated east of Bangkok. Don Mueang Airport is an older airport and located north of Bangkok. Currently, low-cost carriers are operated in Don Mueang Airport.

Railways connect Bangkok with Chiang Mai in the north, Nong Khai on the Laos border, Ubon Ratchathani in the east, Aranyaprathet on the Cambodia border, Sattahip on the coast to the south, Nam Tok to the west, and Padang Besar on the Malaysian border along the peninsula to the south. The luxurious Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express also occasionally operates between Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Each province has its public bus terminal that links to one of Bangkok’s three public bus terminals. Each of the three public bus terminals in Bangkok serves a distinct route. They are intentionally situated in surrounding suburbs so that long-distance buses may avoid the city’s considerable traffic congestion.

The Eastern Bus Terminal is located close to the Ekkamai BTS station and serves locations in Eastern Thailand such as Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe (for Ko Samet), Chanthaburi, and Trat.

All sites in Western Thailand (including Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi) and Southern Thailand are served by the Southern Bus Terminal (including Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Hat Yai, and others).

The largest and busiest terminal is the Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal. The upper level serves the Isaan area in Thailand’s northeast. The ground level serves Northern Thailand, and specific destinations that are shared with the Eastern Bus Terminal.

There are 4 major highways connect Bangkok from every direction in Thailand. The best way to go to Bangkok from Northern Thailand is to take the Paholyothin Road (Route 1). Mittraphap Road (Route 2) connects the provinces in Northeastern Thailand to Bangkok. Sukhumvit Road (Route 3) connects the provinces in Thailand’s eastern region. The Phetkasem Road (Route 4) connects the provinces in Southern Thailand to Bangkok.

Map of Bangkok Province

Click Here to Enlarge the Map

How to get around bangkok, by bangkok mass transit system (bts).

Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok. Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a subsidiary of BTS Group Holdings (BTS), operates the system under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which owns the lines. The BTS Sukhumvit Line extends north and south, finishing at Khu Khot and Kheha, respectively. National Stadium and Bang Wa are the final stops on the BTS Silom Line. The Gold Line connects Krung Thon Buri and Klong San. Lines meet at Siam station and Krung Thon Buri.

By Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT)

The MRT Blue Line between Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue, Bangkok’s second metro system, was the first to open in 2004. The MRT Purple Line opened in 2016, linking Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi, northwest of Greater Bangkok. The Blue Line and Purple Line are operated by the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) under a concession given by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which owns the MRT lines.

By Airport Rail Link (ARL)

Airport Rail Link (ARL) is a commuter and express rail line in Bangkok. Through Makkasan Station, the line links Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai Station in downtown Bangkok. It is owned by the Thai State Railway (SRT) and operated by Asia Era One Company Limited, a group led by Charoen Pokphand (CP) Holding with partners including Ch. Karnchang PLC. (CK), Bangkok Expressway and Metro PLC. (BEM), Italian-Thai Development PLC. (ITD), and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).

By State Railway of Thailand Red Lines (SRT)

State Railway of Thailand Red Lines (SRT) is a commuter rail system in Bangkok. The SRT Dark Red Line connects Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus to Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon Province. In contrast, the SRT Light Red Line connects Salaya in Nakhon Pathom Province to Hua Mak in Bangkok. Both lines run via Bang Sue, which will serve as a connecting point to the MRT system. The system was developed and is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

By Bangkok Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT)

Bangkok Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) is a bus rapid transit system in Bangkok. The route has twelve stations in the center of the road that offers access to the right side of the buses. Both termini are connected to the Silom Line of the BTS Skytrain at Chong Nonsi and Talat Phlu. The BRT is now operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), while the system is owned by Krungthep Thanakom PCL, a holdings company of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

By Chao Phraya Express Boat

Chao Phraya Express Boat is a ferry transportation service in Bangkok operating on the Chao Phraya River. It provides riverine rapid transit between Bangkok and Nonthaburi. Using the boats, in addition to the BTS and MRT, lets commuters escape traffic bottlenecks during peak hours.

By Saen Saep Express Boat

Saen Saep Express Boat is a water bus that travels through Bangkok’s business areas on the Saen Saep Canal. The express boat system runs parallel to Phetchaburi Road and provides the most direct route from Rattanakosin’s Golden Mount (and neighboring Khao San Road) to Siam Square and Pratunam.

By Public Buses

Public buses are the cheapest mode of transportation in Bangkok, but they are also the most difficult to use. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates over 100 routes and over 3,000 vehicles, including regular and air-conditioned buses, as well as privately operated buses and minibuses. The most convenient approach to get a necessary Bangkok bus route for your travel is to use the Google Maps, which integrates nicely with the Bangkok public transportation system. However, because of Bangkok’s unpredictable traffic, the timetable and waiting time are frequently inaccurate. Nonetheless, visitors can use ViaBus as a helper to track Bangkok’s public buses in real-time.

A comfortable way to get around Bangkok. Taxis in Bangkok are metered and air-conditioned. The initial price is 35 THB. There are no additional fees (except from the airports). If a red sign on the taxi’s front window is lighted, it implies that the taxi is available for service.

Ride-hailing applications such as Grab, Bolt and inDriver are available in Bangkok. These applications make taxi rides easier and less likely to be scammed. There’s no need for users to try to pronounce the destination in Thai because they can simply input it into the app. These applications accept cash as well as credit card payments.

By Tuk-Tuk (Auto Rickshaw)

Tuk-tuks are one of Bangkok’s most identifiable modes of transportation, and they remain popular with tourists. Before getting into the tuk-tuk, always agree on the fare. Haggling is to be expected, and the driver will almost certainly offer an initially high price. Tuk-tuks are unmetered, therefore they will be slightly more costly than a taxi. It’s a good idea to compare the pricing to estimates of taxis from ride-hailing applications.

By Motorcycle Taxi

The quickest form of transportation in Bangkok. Motorcycle taxi drivers may be identified by their unique orange jackets. Unlike metered taxis, they usually remain at their regular stations rather than cruising about searching for passengers. To hire one, simply walk up to their station and indicate your location. Before boarding, make sure to agree on a fare with the driver. Fares are variable, although they are often less expensive than taxis and tuk-tuks for short distances and more expensive for longer cross-city trips. Nonetheless, there is usually a fare board with set rates published in Thai (some stations with tourists may have English written as well). It’s a good idea to compare the cost to estimates from ride-hailing apps.

Renting a car is a great alternative for traveling around Bangkok and the rest of Thailand. Although Bangkok’s roads are of high quality, driving in the city can be a nightmare due to enormous traffic jams. Applications such as Google Maps can assist cars in navigating the city from one location to another.

Top Attractions in Bangkok

Grand Palace

The official residence of the Kings of Siam.

Museum Siam

The country’s first national discovery museum.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

A well-known temple on the Chao Phraya River’s west bank.

Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

The temple that is best known for its high hill with a breathtaking view.

The temple that is best known for the Reclining Buddha.

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen

The temple famous for its iconic giant Buddha statue.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of the largest open-air markets in the world.

Jodd Fairs Night Market

One of Bangkok’s largest night market.

Yaowarat (China Town)

One of the largest Chinatowns in the world.

Famed for Ko Kret island and Buddhist monasteries in the Chao Phraya River basin.

Pathum Thani

Known for beautiful temples and interesting museums.

Nakhon Pathom

Home to an old religious monument known as Phra Pathom Chedi.

Samut Sakhon

Known for many cultural attractions and the making of Thai porcelains.

Samut Prakan

 Famous for the Mueang Boran Museum and Erawan Museum.

Chachoengsao

Famous for the Buddha image at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan.

Kanchanaburi

Well-known for its stunning waterfalls and WWII memorials.

Best known for Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, waterfalls, and mountain sceneries.

Samut Songkhram

Home to many temples and the Amphawa Floating Market.

Phetchaburi

Famous for the beauty of its beaches, mountains, and royal palaces.

Prachuap Khiri Khan

A famous beach getaway for Bangkokians.

Home to the remains of the Kingdom of Siam’s capital, temples, and royal palaces.

Nakhon Nayok

Best known for adventurous activities such as rafting and kayaking.

Bangkok’s closest coastal town, best known for its beautiful beaches and fresh seafood.

Popular for peaceful beaches and Koh Samet.

External Resources

• Tourism Authority of Thailand – Bangkok (EN)
• BTS Skytrain – Routes and Fares (EN)
• MRT – Route Map (EN)
• Airport Link – Train Schedule (EN)
• State Railway of Thailand

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) at sunset – Bangkok Travel Guide

Summary of bangkok travel guide.

Bangkok is a busy metropolis with a rich tradition and culture. It has become one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent and modern cities as a result of its expanding economic growth and tremendous appeal as an international tourist destination. The city’s emergence as a modern metropolis while keeping its cultural legacy is reflected by stunningly beautiful temples and palaces, as well as trendy skyscrapers and luxurious shopping malls. Still can’t make the decision? Feel free to check out other well-known provinces in Thailand:

• Ubon Ratchathani

A province in Isan region well-known for its national parks and temples.

Nakhon Ratchasima

A northeastern province known for the Phimai Historical Park and Khao Yai National Park.

Book Your Tickets

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Klook  is a travel e-commerce platform that specializes in activities and services, reducing the hassle of last-minute planning.

• Culture & Religion
• Food & Drink
• Nature & Outdoor
• Health & Wellness
• Entertainment
• Preparation
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Itinerary Ideas
• Activities & Tours

2024 BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget

If backpacking were a college degree, Bangkok would have to be the 101 course.

Not only is Bangkok the the most visited city in the world, it also considered the global epicenter of backpacking culture. The famed Banana Pancake Trail, perhaps Asia’s most used travel route, often starts and ends in the Thai capital. No shock there, given that it sits at the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, boasts affordable prices, serves delicious local cuisine, and is home to some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. Best of all, even during the pandemic, it remains tourist-friendly.

We have just arrived from our ninth — yes, 9th — Bangkok visit, and in this article, we’ll share with you all the tips and latest updates we’ve collected.

ESSENTIAL BANGKOK LINKS

Before we dive into the details, here’s a list of links to some of our recommended hotels, tours, attractions, and other must-haves, for easy reference in the future.

Top Bangkok Hotels Find Deals on Agoda! Top Day Tours on Klook Ayutthaya Day Tour Floating Market & Railway Market Tour Pattaya Day Tour Transportation Passes BTS Rabbit Card BTS One-Day Pass Internet Connection Data SIM Card Pocket Wifi

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING BANGKOK

Bangkok is the capital and the commercial, economic, and political center of Thailand. The name Bangkok is an exonym, something that foreigners use. Thais call it Krung Thep (meaning City of Angels), short for its official name Krung Thep Maha Nakhon , which is also a shortened version of its full, ceremonial name: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

At first glance, Bangkok appears as your typical highly-urbanized metropolis, but a closer look reveals it remains very much in touch with its past. The city’s roots as the capital can be traced back to 1782, when King Rama I, after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, ordered the people to move south and establish a new center at a more militarily strategic location along the Chao Phraya River. Many of Bangkok’s most visited attractions today were built under King Rama I, including the Grand Palace complex and the other temples that will be discussed in the guide.

Here are a few more facts you need to know:

• Language : Thai. For newly exposed non-native speakers, it can be quite intimidating, especially its lengthy words. It’s also a tonal language, i.e. the meaning changes with the tone. But many road and establishment signs are also written in Latin alphabet. English isn’t normally spoken. You’ll encounter taxi drivers and vendors who cannot speak English. But most younger locals can. And what the Thais lack in English fluency, they make up for with their friendly attitude toward tourists.
• Timezone: UTC+07:00 (ICT – Indochina Time), year round. No daylight saving time observed. Same time zone as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Thailand, in general, is one hour behind the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia.
• Currency : Thai Baht (THB, ฿). TTHB100 is roughly USD 2.89, EUR 2.72, SGD 3.9, PHP 161 (as of December 2022).
• Modes of payment : Cash. Although some restaurants and hotels accept credit cards, smaller establishments prefer cash.
• Religion: Buddhism is the predominant religion, practiced by almost 93% of the population. Most others identify with Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Confucianism.

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK

Best area to stay.

Bangkok is a vast city, and many of the key attractions are spread apart. Thankfully, there are also plenty of neighborhoods that are ideal places to stay. What’s best depends on why you’re in Bangkok in the first place.

• If you’re on a budget , SIAM and SILOM have a good selection of hostels and budget hotels, especially the areas around BTS National Stadium Station or MRT Ratchathewi in Siam and BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Si Lom in Silom. From any of these, most of the attractions easily accessible, ensuring savings on transportation. Cheap food spots are also scattered around these districts.
• If you’re backpacking or after Bangkok’s wild nightlife, the KHAO SAN area should be your top choice. Khao San Road is loud, but it is where backpackers from around the world congregate. The area also harbors countless hostels and other lodging options for budget travelers. It’s also easily accessible from the Grand Palace and the city’s popular temples.
• If you’re here to shop ’til you drop , the PRATUNAM and SIAM areas are ideal because of the many bargain centers and shopping malls around.
• If you wish to experience modern Bangkok, the SUKHUMVIT area has a lot of dining, shopping, and clubbing options, including many of its famed rooftop bars. It’s also where most expats are based, creating a more cosmopolitan vibe.
• If you’re a foodie , SILOM and CHINATOWN are home to some of the best but affordable food spots in the city. Silom is the business district with the Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s largest green space, at its center, ensuring a balance between quiet and chaos. The BANGLAMPHU area (near the Democracy Monument and Khao San Road) also has a great selection of Michelin-listed pocket-friendly restaurants.

All these areas are conveniently located because there are BTS/MRT stations nearby. Well, almost. The only exception is KHAO SAN / BANGLAMPHU, which is a 30-minute walk away from the nearest BTS Station (Sam Yot) . But Khao San is close to a pier, where you can board a boat to get to key attractions along Chao Phraya River. Other than that, tuktuk and taxi are the main transportation options to and from Khao San. That said, I can still recommend staying there, especially if you wish to have a taste of Bangkok’s backpacking culture.

If you prefer to stay somewhere easily accessible, the SILOM and SIAM areas are my top recommendations. Both have a number of BTS/MRT stations and offer a little bit of every thing that the other districts have to offer — good food, shopping, and nightlife.

Top Budget Hotels & Hostels in Bangkok

Here are some of the top-reviewed hostels and budget hotels on Agoda that won’t break the bank:

• Tamni , near Hua Lamphong Station & Chinatown. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Daraya Hostel , Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Siam Eco Hostel , Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Kinnon Deluxe Hostel , Silom. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• HOSTEL URBY , Chinatown. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Baan Kun Mhor Hostel , Chatuchak. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• LOBSUEK Hostel หลบศึก โฮสเทล, Khao San Area. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• VIX Bangkok @ Victory Monument. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Lub d Bangkok Siam Hostel , Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Top Mid-Range/Upscale Hotels in Bangkok

If you have a bigger budget, here are the top properties on Agoda:

• Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Siam/Silom. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Carlton Hotel Bangkok , Sukhumvit. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Bangkok , Sukhumvit. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Old Capital Bike Inn , Khao San area. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• ASAI Bangkok Chinatown . Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Ago Hotel Chinatown. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Bangkok Hotels

HOW TO GET TO BANGKOK

Bangkok is one of the busiest and most connected cities in the world. If you’re living in a major city, chances are, there’s a direct flight from where you are to Bangkok.

The city is served by two airports:

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) , the newer and bigger airport, serving most airlines, except a few low-cost carriers. It’s situated east of the city proper, roughly 1 hour away.
• Don Mueang Airport (DMK) , serving mostly AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and TigerAir Taiwan. It lies north of the city center, 45 minutes to 1 hour away, depending on traffic conditions.

Manila to Bangkok

If you’re flying from Manila, it’s easy to find direct, non-stop flights to Bangkok as multiple airlines operate this route. As of this writing, here are your options:

TO SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT (BKK)

• Philippine Airlines
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Thai Airways

TO DON MUEANG AIRPORT (DMK)

• Philippines AirAsia

Travel time: 3.5 to 4 hours.

For our most recent visit, we flew with Philippine Airlines for many reasons:

• 30 kg check-in baggage allowance. Most other airlines only provide 20kg. Although we had been to Bangkok many times before, this would be the first time we intended to go shopping here. Bangkok is a retail paradise, so bargain hunters can easily have a field day at any of their shopping centers. It turned out to be a great decision because we really did use almost the entire 30 kg.
• FREE rebooking. There were a lot of uncertainties about this recent trip. When we booked our tickets, we still weren’t decided yet on how long we wanted to stay in Thailand. It was a multi-city trip and we weren’t sure if we also wanted to visit Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. We wanted more flexibility, just in case. As of this writing, PAL doesn’t charge additional rebooking fees if the new flight is within 60 days after the original flight. (But double check first because airline policies change often these days.) Fare difference still needs to be settled, though.

To compare ticket prices, you may search Skyscanner!

HOW TO GET TO DOWNTOWN BANGKOK

Just in case you missed it, Bangkok has two airports: Don Mueang Airport (DMK) , located 25 km north of the city center, and the new Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) , 30 km west of the city center.

We’ll be creating a more detailed guide about this. But here’s a condensed rundown of the ways to get to downtown Bangkok from either airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City Center

The AIRPORT RAIL LINK is the fastest way to get to the city proper because you’ll be dodging Bangkok’s infamous traffic jams. You can find the station at the basement of the airport’s passenger terminal. There’s a train every 15 minutes from 6am to 12 midnight (every 10 minutes within the peak hours).

It’s connected to the city’s BTS Skytrain at two stations: Makkasan (฿35) and Phayathai (฿45), the last station. Travel time: around 25 minutes.

Depending on where your hotel is located, you can switch lines.

• To SUKHUMVIT or SILOM Area: You can connect at either Makkasan or Phayathai Station. Find out the station closest to your hotel and transfer to either the MRT Blue Line at Makkasan Station (then to Petchaburi Station) or to BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line) at Phayatai Station.
• To SIAM Area: Alight at Phayathai Station and transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line). Catch a train bound for Kheha. Get off at Siam Station (or whatever station is closest to your final destination).
• To VICTORY MONUMENT Area: Connect at Phayathai Station and transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line). Catch a train bound for Kho Khot. Alight at Victory Monument Station.
• To KHAO SAN Area: Alight at Makkasan Station, transfer to MRT Blue Line at Petchaburi Station, and get off at Sam Yot Station. From here, take a cab, tuktuk or Grab to Khao San.

By Taxi or Grab

If you’re a group or if you have heavy luggage in tow, consider taking a cab or book a Grab car straight from the airport (especially if you’ll be staying Khao San area). If you opt for a taxi, always insist on using the meter.

Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

TAXI RATES: Fare: around ฿400 Airport surcharge: ฿50 Highway toll fees: ฿75

GRAB RATES: ฿530 and ฿600, inclusive of toll fee or highway fee. This is based on the experience of our team.

Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok City Center

According to reports, the Don Mueang Airport was finally connected to Bangkok’s train network in August 2022. I say “according to reports” because we haven’t tried this ourselves yet.

From the airport, you can walk to the Don Mueang Station, along the SRT Dark Red Line . Board the train bound for Bang Sue and alight there, at the last stop. Transfer to the MRT Blue Line.

• To SILOM Area: Most stations in Silom are along the Blue Line, so just get off at the station closest to your hotel.
• To SIAM Area: Alight at Chatuchak Park Station and transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line) at Mochit Station. Catch a train bound for Kheha. Get off at Siam Station (or whatever station is closest to your final destination).
• To VICTORY MONUMENT Area: Connect at Phayathai Station and transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line). Catch a train bound for Kheha. Alight at Victory Monument Station.
• To SUKHUMVIT Area: The Sukhumvit area has a lot of stations that are either along the MRT Blue Line or the BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green Line). If the closest station to your hotel is along the Blue Line, it’s going to be easy because you’re already on the same line. If your hotel is closer to a Light Green line, alight at Chatuchak Park and transfer at Mochit Station. Then, board a train bound for Kheha.
• To KHAO SAN Area: Alight at Sam Yot Station (along the same Blue Line) and take a cab, tuktuk or Grab to Khao San.

If, for whatever reason, you do not like taking the train straight from Don Mueang Airport, you can also take the bus and the switch to BTS/MRT. And follow the steps above.

There are direct buses from Don Mueang Airport to select destinations around Bangkok.

• To MOCHIT BUS TERMINAL: Bus A1
• To BTS MO CHIT STATION: Bus A1
• To VICTORY MONUMENT: Bus A2
• To BTS RATCHADAMRI STATION: Bus A3
• To LUMPHINI PARK: Bus A3
• To KHAO SAN ROAD: Bus A4

Fare: ฿30-50 , depending on route

To see the complete list of stops, visit this page .

If you want a more straightforward journey, consider taking a cab or book a Grab car straight from the airport (especially if you’ll be staying Khao San area).

Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic Fare: around ฿540 (including ฿50 airport surcharge)

If you opt for a taxi, always insist on using the meter.

POCKET WIFI AND DATA SIM CARD IN BANGKOK

Data Sim Card

This is the cheapest and most convenient option. Klook has two main options: TrueMove and dTac. Both offer:

• 15GB data for up to 16 days
• Internet connection anywhere in Thailand
• Inclusive of FREE call credits
• Pickup at Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Muang Airport

✅ RESERVE TRUEMOVE DATA SIM HERE!

✅ RESERVE DTAC DATA SIM HERE!

Pocket Wifi

If your phone is locked to your home network or you have more devices to connect, you can rent a pocket wifi. You’ll find many wifi rental booths around Bangkok, but if you want to stay connected from the get-go, you can reserve one in advance via Klook and just pick it up at the airport, either at Don Muang Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If you’re coming from Manila, you can also get one at NAIA Terminal 3. Either way, they can accommodate up to five devices at one.

✅ RESERVE POCKET WIFI – BANGKOK PICKUP!

✅ RESERVE POCKET WIFI – NAIA PICKUP!

HOW TO GET AROUND BANGKOK

The Thais have their own address system and first timers in Bangkok can be easily disoriented. Wikitravel explains it really well: “Large roads such as Silom or Sukhumvit are thanon while the side streets branching off from them are called soi. Sois are numbered, with even numbers on one side and odd numbers on the other side. Thus, an address like 25 Sukhumvit Soi 3 means house number 25 on the 3rd soi of Sukhumvit Road.”

Although it is not as sweat-free as in Hong Kong or Singapore, commuting in Bangkok is quite easy. Vehicular traffic can get crazy during rush hour though. But if you’re used to the giant parking lot that runs across Manila called EDSA, you’ll be fine in Bangkok (or any other Southeast Asian city for that matter).

Getting around via public transportation means using one or more of these four modes:

• Train (BTS Skytrain/MRT) . Bangkok’s train system is fast and reliable, and will take you to many attractions throughout the city. I always find myself taking the train most of the time because many attractions are located close to a station. Also, it allows me to bypass traffic jams especially during rush hours. Although connected at a few stations, the BTS and the MRT are completely separate systems, run by different managements and use different tickets. The fares for both are similar, ranging from 16 to 52 baht. Most stations have a counter than can break your large bills and a ticket machine that accepts bills. For a more convenient journey on BTS, use a Rabbit Card (stored-value ticket) or a One-Day Pass (unlimited rides for 1 day).
• Boat . The two boat services operating in Bangkok are the Chao Phraya Express Boat, which plies up and down the Chao Phraya River and is popular among tourists for it stops at many of the city’s most popular landmarks; and the Saen Saep Express Boat, used mostly by locals who commute to work. The Chao Phraya boat is the best option for you if you intend to visit the Grand Palace complex (at Tha Chang) and Wat Pho (at Tha Tien), and Khao San Road (at Phra Athit) within one day! Both the Chao Phraya TOURIST BOAT and the cheaper ORANGE-FLAG BOAT will make a stop at these key tourist attractions. Fare: tourist boat, ฿50 single ride or ฿180 for day pass; orange-flag boat, ฿15 flat rate.
• Taxi/Grab . If my destination is too far from a train or boat station, I would just hail a cab. A ride costs more than in Manila but nowhere near the rates in Hong Kong or Singapore. The flagdown is 35 baht and the average ride within the city is probably around 100. You might encounter cab drivers who take advantage of tourists by not using the meter and then overcharging. If the driver refuses to use the meter, just get off the vehicle. Know that all cabs in Bangkok must use the meter. Many of these drivers wait for tourist passengers at the popular attractions like temples and Khao San Road.
• Tuktuk. I didn’t even bother. They are very expensive, even more expensive than cabs, and many (not all, but it’s hard to know) are involved in scams. If you really want to try for the heck of it, just agree on the price first.

THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND BANGKOK

Before we enumerate the many attractions waiting for you in Bangkok, allow us to introduce KLOOK PASS BANGKOK & PATTAYA . This ticket will give you up to 45% discount. The pass is valid for 30 days upon confirmation.

How it works is simple. With this pass, you’ll have access to a number of attractions. You get to choose how many and what these attractions will be. The first step is to choose how many attractions you want your pass to cover and purchase the pass. Once paid, you can go to the BOOKING section or your app or account, and redeem it. Say, if you purchase a 3-attraction pass, you can book up to 3 attractions from the list. Some attractions might also require you to reserve afterwards.

Here are the attractions in Bangkok and Phuket that you may choose from:

Mahanakhon Skywalk

Siam amazing park.

• Safari World
• SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World
• Madame Tussauds Bangkok
• Pororo Aquapark
• Sanctuary of Truth
• Dream World
• Frost Magical Ice of Siam
• Underwater World
• Ancient City Museum
• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
• Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha
• Wat Pho & Wat Arun Walking Tour
• One More Thai Massage
• Chao Phara Princess Dinner Cruise
• Alcazar Cabaret Show
• Tiffany’s Show
• Bangkok Hop on Hop Off Bus

✅ CHECK RATES & GET PASS HERE!

How much you save depends on what you book. Regardless of the attractions you use it on, the price of the pass remains the same. So what we recommend is to use this pass on pricey attractions.

Here are examples on how you could save using this pass:

Grand Palace and Temples Tour

If you’re fit and you enjoy walking, you’ll be glad to know that many of the city’s key attractions are located within walking distance of each other. For example, Bangkok’s most popular temples and shrines, Chinatown, and even Siriraj Forensic Museum are easily accessible from the Chao Phraya River and can be easily visited in one day.

How to get there : If you’re from Silom, Siam or Sukhumvit areas, take the train to Saphan Taksin Station. Take Exit 2, and walk to the boat terminal. Buy a ticket and board a boat to either Tha Thien or Tha Chang. Boat fare is ฿50 if you board the tourist boat or ฿15 if orange-flag boat.

Here are the usual stops:

• Grand Palace. A complex of structures, pavilions, and courtyards including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The entrance fee also includes admission to “Khon: Thai Classical Masked Dance”. Boat stop: Tha Chang Pier (No. 9). Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Ticket counters close at 3:30 PM). Entrance fee: ฿500.
• Wat Arun. Probably the most recognizable landmark in Bangkok with a 70m tall spire (called prang). Boat stop: Tha Thien pier (N8) and then cross the river on a smaller boat. Opening hours: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM Entrance fee: ฿100, inclusive of bottled water.
• Wat Pho. Famed for the enormous reclining Buddha that it houses. Boat stop: Tha Thien pier (N8) and then walk up the perpendicular road to Wat Pho. Opening hours: 8:00 AM-6:30 PM Entrance fee: ฿200, inclusive of bottled water.

Dress Code : The rule is to have your shoulders, knees, and heels covered. The following are not allowed:

• Shorts, short skirts, mini-skirts, tight fitting trousers
• Torn trousers/pants
• Sando, vests, sleeveless shirts
• See-through shirts

The management used to rent out pants to inadequately dressed tourists, but perhaps because of the pandemic, they only sell those now for ฿200 apiece.

Although it’s completely possible to pull this off DIY-style, it’s still much more recommended to join a guided tour so you have better appreciation of each site. These are historic and cultural landmarks that hold so much significance for the Thai people. You can book a guided tour on Klook, which includes all entrance fees, boat transfer fee, insurance, and the service of an English-speaking guide.

✅ CHECK ITINERARY & BOOK HERE!

Floating Markets & Railway Market

Aside from its ornate spires and temples, Bangkok is also best known for its floating markets. But the truth is, these boat-navigated markets are actually located outside the capital. Two of the most accessible are:

• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province
• Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram

A visit entails boarding a small boat as you negotiate the market canals. Plenty of souvenir and food options around!

Another market that has been attracting throngs of tourists is the Marklong Railway Market. Yes, railway, because it’s set up along the train tracks. And when a train chugs along, watch and be amazed by how the vendors make way for it. You can also spend an hour chilling at a railway cafe.

Klook has tours that combine Maeklong Railway Market with either Damnoen or Amphawa Market — your choice. There are several departure times available so choose the most convenient for you.

✅ CHECK RATES & OPTIONS HERE!

At 314 meters tall, King Power Mahanakhon is one of Thailand’s tallest buildings, housing a hotel, residential units and tourist attractions. From the outside, it looks like a pixelated skyscraper, a design that easily captivates. Inside, a multimedia elevator will take you to the highest outdoor observation deck in the country, allowing a magnificent view of Bangkok and surrounding areas.

But most visitors are here for the Skywalk. Atop the building is an area with a glass floor that you may walk on, creating a nerve-wracking but pretty mind-blowing experience.

You need to wear the shoe covers provided onsite before you’re allowed to step on it. And mobile phones (and other loose items) are NOT allowed within the glass tray area. This means that you won’t be able to take a selfie while on the glass. If you’re after photos, best to visit with someone else. Or if you’re traveling alone, make friends with other solo visitors and just take photos of each other.

Location: 114 1 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok Nearest Station: Chong Nonsi BTS Station Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Mahanakhon SkyWalk); Entrance Fee: Mahanakhon SkyWalk (Indoor & Rooftop) – Adult, ฿836; Child (3-15 y/o), ฿250; Senior (Above 60 y/o), ฿250.

Only a limited number of tickets are sold per day, so it’s best to book in advance. You can reserve online via Klook! You can also check out other Mahanakhon experience package options and choose the one that suits your preference.

✅ RESERVE A TICKET HERE!

Bangkok Nightlife

No Bangkok trip is complete without getting a taste of its (in)famous nightlife. We already mentioned Khao San Road , the backpacker mecca. It is crowded, loud, and wild. Thunderous music from nightclubs and the delicious smell of street food fill the air, while tourists fill every vacant seat, table and corner.

Aside from Khao San, Bangkok has several other nightlife districts! Most clubs and bars are safe, but as in any other major city, not all. Scams targeting tourists do exist at some establishments. You’ve probably heard about tourists entering a bar and then not being allowed to leave without paying a hefty price for a ridiculously overpriced drink.

If you want to try Bangkok nightlife and make sure you’re in good hands, you may join a guided tour. Klook has two main options: a bar hopping tour , more like a pub crawl, and a Hangover tour , where you get to visit the bars featured in The Hangover 2 movie (including a ping pong show)!

✅ JOIN HANGOVER TOUR HERE!

✅ BOOK BAR HOPPING TOUR HERE!

Dream World Bangkok

Bangkok has its fair share of theme parks, too! And on top of that list is Dream World , a 25-hectare adventure park featuring over 40 rides, shows, and other attractions, spread around four key zones!

Some of the most popular rides are the cable car, Sky Coaster (rollercoaster), Tornado, Vikings (pendulum ride), and Grand Canyon (water rapids)!

ENTRANCE FEE

• Dream World Visa (26 rides with unlimited time per ride EXCEPT Alien, Bump Car, and Haunted House, which can be enjoyed once only): ฿600
• Dream World Super Visa (includes all the rides for unlimited time): ฿1,000
• Children below 90cm : FREE

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The schedule might change, so it’s best to check updated opening hours before going. Location: 62 Moo 1, Rangsit-Ongkharak Road (Km.7), Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani How to Get to Dream World: From Victory Monument BTS Station, take Bus No. 523 or 538 to Dream World.

Dream World is very popular even among locals, so you might want to book your ticket in advance to skip the line. You may also add transfers.

✅ GET SKIP-THE-LINE TICKETS HERE!

The Siam Amazing Park is the largest theme park in Thailand and is home to the largest wave pool in the world (according to the Guinness World Records). You can also enjoy exhilarating rides including Southeast Asia’s first suspended looping coaster with five inversions and the 7-story water slides.

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The schedule might change, so it’s best to check updated opening hours before going. Entrance Fee: Adult, ฿1000; Child, ฿850; Children below 101cm, FREE. Location: 203 Suan Sayam Road, Khan Na Yao, Bangkok How to Get There: From Victory Monument BTS Station, head towards Ko Din Daeng Bus Stop via the circular skywalk, then take Bus No. 168 or 36ก to Siam Amazing Park.

Visitors must purchase their tickets at least one day in advance. You can book online via Klook! You can also choose the package — combine your ticket with an international lunch buffet or combine it with both lunch and shared transfer.

✅ GET DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE!

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Founded in the 1350s, Ayutthaya was Siam’s old capital before it was destroyed by the Burmese. Today, however, parts of its glorious past still shine through, especially at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, where four major temples stand up to this day: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Ratchaburana – the Royal Palace and Wiharn Phra Mongkol Bophit. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Lying about 80 km from Bangkok, it is easily accessible and can be visited on a day trip. You can do this independently by taking public transportation and then hiring a tuktuk to tour you around. (We’ll write a separate post about it.) But if you need a guide and you want someone else to take care of everything for you, you can book with Klook.

✅ SEE OPTIONS & RESERVE HERE!

Pattaya Day Tour

Pattaya is another popular day trip destination from Bangkok, thanks mainly to its proximity, just around 150 km and roughly 2.5 hours away. The closest major beach destination to the capital, it is best known for water sports, island tours, and beach activities. But it also harbors some cultural structures like Wat Phra Yai Temple and the Sanctuary of Truth.

Jump-Off Point: Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal/Ekkamai Bus Terminal or Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Bus); Hua Lamphong Railway Station (Train) How to Get to Pattaya: By bus, go to Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal, then take the bus bound for Pattaya. The travel time is about two and a half hours. The one-way fare is ฿130-200 per person. By train, go to Hua Lamphong Station and get on a train to Pattaya. The travel time is 2-3 hours, depending on the type of train. The fare is ฿30-฿300, depending on the ticket class. The train for Pattaya normally leaves early in the morning — around 6:00 AM.

If you want a convenient roundtrip transfer between Bangkok and Pattaya, you can just join a guided tour. Klook offers Pattaya Beach and Koh Larn Coral Island Full Day Tour from Bangkok. This covers roundtrip transfers, an English-speaking guide, a Sanctuary of Truth ticket, insurance, and bottled water.

✅ CHECK RATES OR RESERVE HERE!

Muay Thai Match

If you’ve ever wanted to witness a live muay thai match, there’s no better place to make that happen than Bangkok! The two common venues are:

• Lumpinee Boxing Stadium 6 Ramintra Road, Anusawaree, Bangkok
• Rajadamnern Thai Boxing Stadium 1 Ratcha Damnoen Nok Road, Bangkok

You can secure your slot in advance and get discounted ticket by booking online through Klook!

✅ GET LUMPINI STADIUM MATCH TICKET HERE!

✅ GET RAJADAMNERN STADIUM MATCH TICKET HERE!

Other Attractions:

• Siriraj Medical Museum . Not for the faint of heart! Also known as the Museum of Death, it houses a huge collection of artifacts gathered in the 120 years of the Siriraj Hospital’s service as a pioneer in the medical field in the country. These pieces are divided into seven smaller museums dedicated to parasitology, anatomy, and forensic science among others. It’s a must-visit for dark tourism enthusiasts and those who simply wish to learn more about these fields. How to get there : Board the SkyTrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station, take Exit 2, and hop onto a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Siriraj Pier N10 or Tha Rot Fai Pier, both on the west side of the river. Walk a couple of blocks into the hospital complex. Follow the signs to Adulyadej Vikrom Building. The museum is on the second floor. More info : Siriraj Museum
• iconSIAM . Opened in 2018, this massive shopping mall is one of the largest in Asia. It is bursting with retail shops including luxury labels and budget-friendlier options, and the first Takashiyama Department Store in the country. But it’s best known for its indoor floating market, mimicking those in nearby provinces and showcasing local products and cuisine. Nearest Station: Charoennakorn Station (Sky Train Gold Line via Krung Thon Buri BTS Station) or Saphan Taksin BTS Station (then ferry from Sathorn Pier to IconSIAM) Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
• Bangkok Chinatown . Popular for its shops, especially near Charoenkrung Road. But there are also temples around the district. To be honest, it’s not as grand or as visually arresting as Chinatowns in other countries, unless you visit during the Chinese New Year, when the district really comes to life. How to get there: Take the Skytrain to S6 Saphan Taksin Station (BTS Silom Line), take Exit 2, and walk to the boat terminal. Buy a ticket and board a Chao Phraya Express Boat. Alight at the Ratchawong Pier (N5) and make your way on foot from Ratchawong Road to Sampeng Lane and Yaowarat Road.

WHERE TO SHOP IN BANGKOK

Here are some of the best areas to satiate your inner shopaholic! We’ll be creating a separate, more detailed article about these spots in another post.

• Pratunam . Bangkok’s most popular shopping district. Between its busy alleys are even busier blocks filled with indoor and outdoor stalls selling mostly apparel and accessories. Smack at the heart of the area stand two massive malls — Platinum Shopping Mall and the Paladium World Shopping — both filled to the brim with bargain finds. Most of these specialize in wholesale, they also sell in retail quantities. How to get here : Take the MRT to Ratchaprarop Station and walk south from there. It should take around 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take the BTS Skytrain System and get off at Chit Lom Station.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market . If your visit in Bangkok falls on a weekend, squeeze this into your itinerary. This retail paradise is a labyrinth made of shops, once popular only to wholesale traders but eventually became a favorite attraction among tourists. Here you’ll find almost anything you can think of: from souvenirs to flowers to clothes to furniture to street food! Prioritize this over Pratunam. We found that most of the items in Pratunam are also sold here at a cheaper price. (That said, I think Pratunam has a much more diverse selection when it comes to apparel.) Nearest BTS Station: Mo Chit Station, take exit 1.
• Siam Square . Made more popular to foreigners as the shooting location for the hit movie The Love of Siam, Siam Square does not disguise itself with pretenses of being culturally significant. It is a shopping and entertainment district. Yet, if you think about it, it somehow represents a generation — a younger, more industrialized, more fashionable Bangkok. Catering mostly to college students and young adults, Siam Square comprises several blocks harboring a wide array of stores — over a hundred of ’em — apparel stalls, boutiques, bookshops, record stores, restaurants, cafes, even cinemas. How to get here : Take the BTS Skytrain System and get off at Siam Station.
• Ratchada (Train Night Market) . The colorful rows of tent stalls of Ratchada (New Rot Fai Market) will absolutely fill your stomachs with its wide selection of affordable Thai cuisine and international dishes— snacks, street food, sweets, exotic delicacies, and milk teas! The market also offers affordable clothing, accessories, shoes, and many more! Nearest Train Station: Bangkok MRT Thailand Cultural Centre Station. Take Exit 3, then walk towards Esplanade Mall. Ratchada is located just beside the mall. ⛔️ Opening Hours: As of this writing, Ratchada Night Market remains temporarily CLOSED!

WHERE TO EAT IN BANGKOK

We’ll be creating a more detailed version of this article soon. But in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of our favorite places to eat in Bangkok.

• Thipsamai , where we had the best pad thai of our lives. It’s said to be the first store to serve the now ubiquitous noodle dish. It uses thinner rice noodles coated in shrimp oil. Michelin bib gourmand awardee Address: 313 315 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Bestsellers: Pad Thai, ฿105; Pad Thai with prawns: ฿150 Open: 10AM – 12MN for takeaway only; 5PM – 12MN, dine in & takeout
• Jeh O Chula (Jay Oh) , for the best affordable tom yum noodle soup! It’s crazy popular that queuing can take up to 2 hours, unless you arrive early. We arrived past 4pm, just in time for the opening. But barely 5 minutes after we arrived, the line grew quickly. If you could, reserve a table via Klook. Those who book with Klook have a separate line, which is much shorter. Reserve here! ✅ Michelin bib gourmand awardee Address: 113 ซอย จรัสเมือง Rong Muang, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Bestsellers: Tom yum mama (spicy tom yum noodle soup), plain ฿150, with meatballs, squid, shrimps and crispy pork belly, ฿300; salmon salad, ฿300. Open: Daily 4:30PM-12MN
• Polo Fried Chicken , another Michelin-recognized establishment just across Lumphini Park in Silom area. It started out as a humble street stall but grew to become a proper eatery serving only a few Thai favorites. Address: 137/1-3,9 10 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Bestsellers: Fried chicken half, ฿130; som tam (papaya salad) with salted egg and dried shrimp, ฿80; pork larb/laap (spicy sour minced meat salad), ฿80. Operating Hours: Daily 7am-8:30pm
• Moo Yang Mae Sumontha , a hidden stall inside Chatuchak Market serving moo yang (grilled pork). But its version is roasted honey glazed, which is incredibly tender, succulent, and properly cooked. Address: 587 โครงการ 22 ซอย 4 /2ตลาดนัด จตุจักร 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok Bestseller: Roasted honey glazed pork, ฿60 per 100g. Open: Weekends 8AM-6PM
• Kuang Heng Chicken Rice , established 1932. If you get hungry while shopping around Pratunam, this is the place to refill that empty tummy! It’s located just next to Platinum Mall and across the street from Palladium. Address: 930 Phetchaburi Rd, Makkasan, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Bestsellers: Hainanese chicken and deep-fried chicken, ฿50 (single); chicken/pork satay, ฿80 per 10 sticks. Open: Daily 7am-10pm
• Jay Fai , with one Michelin star and featured on the Netflix series Street Food . It’s so incredibly popular that we still haven’t been able to try it. It doesn’t accept reservations beforehand, so you need to show up and fall in line early to be considered for the waitlist. We attempted three times but the waitlist was always full by the time we arrived. Nevertheless, I’m adding it to this list so you could try it for yourself. Address: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Bestsellers: Hainanese chicken and deep-fried chicken, ฿50 (single); chicken/pork satay, ฿80 per 10 sticks. Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-9pm Closed: Sunday-Tuesday

USUAL PRICES IN BANGKOK

Below is the list of the prices of common items that you will need for a comfortable budget stay in Bangkok! Bear in mind that the figures are in Thai Baht.

FAST FOOD & CONVENIENCE STORE

• Bottled water (500ml): ฿6-12
• Bottle of softdrink (550ml): ฿20
• 7-Eleven rice meal: ฿40-55
• Big Mac (McDonald’s): ฿128

STREET FOOD

• Grilled meat: ฿10-30 per stick
• Pad thai: ฿50-60
• Noodle soup: ฿50-70
• Rice meals: ฿50-100

ENTRANCE FEES

• Grand Palace: ฿500
• Wat Pho: ฿200
• Wat Arun: ฿100
• Siriraj Medical Museum: ฿200
• Mahanakhon Skywalk: ฿836
• Dream World Bangkok: ฿575
• Siam Amazing Park: ฿650

TRANSPORTATION

• BTS/MRT fare: ฿16-52
• Taxi flagdown rate: ฿35
• Grabcar within the city: ฿100-280, depending on distance/traffic conditions

TOURS (with Transfers)

• Maeklong Railway Market + Damnoen/Amphawa Floating Market: ฿1356
• Ayutthaya: ฿1690
• Pattaya + Koh Larn: ฿2239

SAMPLE BANGKOK ITINERARY

Here’s a sample itinerary that you may use. We stayed much longer, but if you have only an extended weekend to spend in Bangkok, here’s something to consider.

Note that this itinerary assumes that you’re a party of 2 , splitting some of the costs, and that you’re staying at a hotel in Siam, close to BTS National Stadium Station. Feel free to adjust here and there to match your hotel location, flight schedule, and your travel preferences.

DAY 1: MAHANAKHON SKYWALK & JEH-O-CHULA 01:00 PM – Arrival in Bangkok – Pickup Data SIM Card & Rabbit Card 02:30 PM – Train to Phaya Thai Station ฿45 – Transfer to BTS to Siam, ฿25 03:00 PM – Walk to your hotel, check in, freshen up 04:00 PM – Train to BTS Chong Nonsi Station, ฿28 04:15 PM – Mahanakhon Skywalk, ฿836, Book here! – Chill and wait until sunset 07:00 PM – Train to BTS National Stadium, ฿28 07:15 PM – Walk to Jeh-O Chula 07:30 PM – Eat tom yum set at Jeh-O Chula, ฿350/pax, Reserve here! ! 09:00 PM – Walk or train to Siam, ฿22 09:30 PM – Back to hotel, lights out

DAY 2: DIY TEMPLES TOUR & KHAO SAN ROAD 07:00am – Wake up call 08:00am – Train to BTS Saphan Taksin Station, ฿37 08:30am – Walk to Sathorn Pier 08:45am – Board orange-flag boat, ฿15 09:15am – Get off at N9 Tha Chang Pier 09:30am – Grand Palace Complex, ฿500 10:00am – FREE Tour at Temple of Emerald Buddha 11:00am – Lunch, ฿100 12:00pm – FREE shuttle to Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre 01:00pm – Khon Performance (included in Palace ticket) 01:45pm – Walk to Wat Pho 02:00pm – Wat Pho, ฿200 03:30pm – Boat to the other side of the river, ฿5 03:45pm – Explore Wat Arun, ฿100 05:00pm – Boat to the other side (Tha Thien*), ฿5 05:15pm – Boat to N13 Phra Arthit, ฿15 05:40pm – Walk to Khao San Road 06:00pm – Dinner & drinks at Khao San, ฿400 09:00pm – Taxi/grab to Silom, ฿100/pax *Note: Tha Thien/Tha Tian Pier is temporarily closed for renovation, as of Dec 2022. For now, you may walk all the way back to Tha Chang and catch the boat to Phra Arthit Pier.

Day 4: SHOPPING, DEPARTURE A: If this falls on a weekend 08:00am – Wake up call, check out, leave bags 08:40am – BTS to Chatuchak Park Station, ฿42 09:00am – Shop at Chatuchak Market 11:00am – Lunch at Moo Yang Mae Sumontha, ฿120 11:30am – Continue shopping 02:00 PM – BTS back to hotel, ฿42 02:20pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags 02:50pm – BTS to Phaya Thai Station ฿25 – Transfer to ARL to Suvarnabhumi Airport, ฿45 03:30 PM – Flight check in 06:45 PM – Flight out B: If this falls on a weekday 08:00am – Wake up call, check out, leave bags 08:40am – BTS+ARL to Ratchaprapop Station 09:00am – Platinum + Palladium Malls 11:30 AM – Lunch at Kuang Heng Chicken Rice, ฿120 12:30pm – Continue shopping in Pratunam 02:00 PM – ARL+BTS back to hotel 02:20pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags 02:50pm – BTS to Phaya Thai Station ฿25 – Transfer to ARL to Suvarnabhumi Airport, ฿45 03:30 PM – Flight check in 06:45 PM – Flight out

If you follow this Bangkok itinerary, prepare to shell out ฿5000 (USD 144, EUR 136, SGD 195, PHP 7950) , excluding airfare and hotel but including a bit of allowance for wiggle room and to make up for any possible price adjustments and incidental expenses.

If you spend TH฿600 per night per person on accommodations, the same itinerary will cost you TH฿6800 (USD 197, EUR 185, SGD 264, PHP 10,800) , excluding airfare but with some allowance to cover adjustments and incidental expenses.

(If you’re coming from the Philippines, it doesn’t include the PHP1650 travel tax yet.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BANGKOK

What are the covid-19-related travel requirements in thailand.

The Thai government has lifted COVID-19 restrictions for tourists. Travelers are only required to present the usual border requirements like passport (and visa if applicable). No proof of vaccination required.

But if your next destination is a country that requires an RT-PCR COVID test (like India and China), travel insurance is mandatory . It must cover the full length of intended stay in Thailand + 7 extra days.

* This section is as of January 2023

Is Bangkok safe?

Yes, Bangkok is generally safe and tourist-friendly. Of course, you should still use common sense at all times, and don’t flash your gadgets in the open or leave your valuables unattended.

My only frustration with Bangkok is that it has more than its share of scams targeting tourists, so always be careful.

What are the common Bangkok scams?

Bangkok’s scams are more organized than they appear. One widespread modus operandi involves people loitering by the gate of temples (or other tourist spots) and approaching tourists. I almost fell for this on my first trip. They are very friendly, and they usually introduce themselves as teachers. They claim that the site you’re about to visit is closed because it is a holiday and that they know a more beautiful place that is not on tourist maps. They then hail a random tuktuk (which isn’t random at all for the driver is part of the scam) and tour you around. You will be taken to a jewelry store selling overpriced gems and accessories. The tuktuk may also overcharge you for the ride.

Khao San Road is also rife with scams. You’ll find tourist agents selling all sorts of transportation tickets that turn out to be less than what they promise. For example, you’ll find plenty of “direct buses” to Siem Reap, but most of them are not really direct as they involve switching vehicles at one point during the trip. Worse, some of these buses stop at “travel agencies” that will sell you fake visa.

Patpong is also notorious for scams. You’ll be invited by barkers to a sexy club to see a “pingpong show” or other mind-blowing presentations, to say the least. They’ll say the show is free but you must order a drink. The catch is, the drink is ridiculously overpriced.

As in any other city, be careful and vigilant. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

November to February , when the temperature and precipitation levels are kind and low. But because of the pleasant weather, it is also the peak season. High season begins in November and ends in April, around Songkran Festival (Thai New Year, April 13-15). If you’re visiting within this period, prepare to share the city with millions of other tourists.

Bangkok could’ve been a year-round destination if it weren’t for the bouts of rain and flooding problems, which is why it is best to avoid the wettest months.

Rainy season is from May to October, but the wettest months are September-October. We have tried traveling to Bangkok in January, July, August, September, October, and November, and we can tell you that the precipitation level can definitely affect your overall travel experience. We’ve been stranded in some sites because of torrential rains and flooding and ended up wasting much of our time.

What is tipping policy in Bangkok?

Tipping is NOT mandatory in Bangkok, but it is surely appreciated.

When eating at sit-down restaurants, a tip of 10% of the bill should be fine. You can also just round off your bill. For example, if your bill is ฿135, you can leave ฿150. Same with cabs. If the meter is ฿105, round it off to ฿110 or ฿120. At hotels, you can give ฿20-50 to the porter who carries your luggage to your room, depending on the number of pieces. For a massage, tip ฿50. For full-day tour guides, at least ฿200 is alright.

Where to exchange money in Bangkok?

Bangkok has countless money changers, but most of them have poor rates, especially those at the airport. Trust me. I made that mistake and lost a lot in the conversion. If you really need to do so at the airport, exchange only a little or enough to get you to the city center.

At the city center, find a SuperRich Thailand branch. SuperRich has the best rates, make sure it’s a legit SuperRich branch.

What is the power socket used in Bangkok?

Most common sockets are sort of a combination of Types A and C. They have two holes that can accept both flat and round pins, the shape of two door knobs or rubber stamps facing each other. This type of socket can take plugs that are Types A, C, and F. If your plug has three pins, you will be needing an adaptor.

Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?

Foreigners holding passports issued by the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, Germany and 40+ other countries can enter Thailand visa-free , provided that they stay shorter than 30 days.

To see the complete list of countries, visit this: List of Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Countries

However, visitors must have the following upon entry:

• a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
• return or onward ticket
• at least 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family or equivalent in other currencies, cash.

It will also help to have a hotel reservation .

Note that if you’re not arriving by air, you’re only allowed to enter Thailand twice per year.

Do I really need 10,000-baht show money at the immigration?

In theory, yes. It is the law. But it’s not implemented all the time. Lately, they have been a bit stricter.

Our team has been in and out of Thailand recently but none of us were asked how much we carry. But it would help to just comply, just in case.

The amount should be 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family.

It doesn’t need to be in baht. It can be any currency as long as it has the equivalent value.

Updates Log

2024•1•5 – Removed travel insurance for test-requiring next destination as it no longer applies 2022•12•21 – First up

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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• Mar 14, 2023

Bangkok, Thailand: The Ultimate Travel Guide To The Capital Of Thailand

Updated: Mar 16, 2023

Bangkok is located in the center of Thailand. As a convenient and major transport hub, it’s usually the first place you’ll visit on your trip around the country. And while Bangkok is noisy, crowded, and overwhelming at times, it’s also exciting and fascinating. You can find an abundance of vibrant food markets, historic temples and palaces, and excellent nightlife. In this article, we highlight the most important things to know before going, where to stay, where to eat, the 10 best things to do in Bangkok for your first or second visit, and the best day trips from Bangkok.

Check out our video on Bangkok to see the best things to do through our camera!

Table Of Contents

Important things to know, where to stay in bangkok.

Where To Eat And Drink in Bangkok

Best Things To Do In Bangkok + map

Day trips from Bangkok

Tips to save money and other resources

Best time to travel to Bangkok

The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and March . In this period the weather will not be as warm and humid as normal while also not being too cold. Because the weather is best in this period this is also the busiest period! The rainy season in Bangkok usually starts around late June and continues to early October. During its peak in July and August, flash flooding is not uncommon as the rainwater channels through the streets looking for a place to escape.

Cost and currency

Bangkok is a bit more expensive than other places in Thailand but it's still very affordable compared to countries in Europe and North America. Food can vary from cheap (street food stalls) to expensive (Michelin-star restaurants or rooftop bars). Also, hotels are affordable as long as you don't go for extremely luxurious 5-star hotels.

How to get around Bangkok

If you want to save some money on transportation, we recommend taking the MRT metro or BTS Skytrain for longer distances in the city. The traffic in Bangkok is horrible, so it’s not only the cheapest but also the quickest way to move around, especially during rush hour! You can also download the “Grab” or the "Bolt" App to book a ride (it's a ride hailing App like Uber).

Safety in Bangkok

Bangkok is a fairly safe city . Just as in every other big city you have to watch out for scams and petty theft but as tourists these are the only things you need to watch out for. Also, some people will try to rip you off, including taxi drivers who refuse to turn on their meters . You can avoid this by asking the price before getting into the taxi or simply using Grab or Bolt so you know how much you're paying for a ride. Avoiding travel scams requires some common sense and a healthy dose of suspicion.

The best place to stay for your first time in Bangkok is in the Old Town (Khao San & Banglamphu area are close to most attractions) or Sukhumvit area (modern area that is well-connected with public transportation). These are our top picks:

Nappiness Hotel - SHA ExtraPlus : this is the hotel that we stayed at and would definitely recommend! It's located right in the heart of Banglamphu in the Old Town and had comfy beds and shower for an affordable price.

Nouvo City Hotel : modern boutique accommodation in Bangkok's Khaosan Area, a 10-minute walk from lively Banglamphu Market. It also has a rooftop pool with sun loungers.

Baan Noppawong: beautiful colonial house in the Old Town. The rooms are clean and very comfy.

Sacha's Hotel Uno SHA: Ideally located in Sukhumvit, this hotel is minutes away from Bangkok's business and financial districts, commercial district and transportation links.

Where To Eat And Drink

Food markets in bangkok.

Sukhumvit 38

Tha Pra Chan & Banglamphu

Petchaburi Soi 5

Bang Khun Non (near Taling Chan floating market)

Khao San Road

Restaurants in Bangkok

There are a lot of great restaurants in Bangkok and you're guaranteed to find a great place around almost every corner. That said, here are some of our favorite picks in the Old Town area, close to the city's attractions!

Thip Samai : well-known for its delicious pad Thai

Raan Jay Fai : famous Michelin-star street food spot, but you need to come early to put your name down. This is Bangkok’s first street food stall to be awarded a Michelin star in 2018!

Pat café : affordable and good quality food

Eagle Nest : good rooftop bar with beautiful view over the river

The Deck : good rooftop bar and restaurant but more expensive

1608 cafe and bistro : waterfront restaurant that seems to attract locals but a bit pricey (lots of food options)

Saiwatana : near Wat Pho temple and good local lunch

Best Things To Do In Bangkok

If you're traveling to Bangkok and want to save time searching for directions to all of the places we mention in this article, then look no further than our custom map. Simply click on a point in the map below to get directions there for yourself!

Let's now jump into the 10 best things to do in Bangkok!

10. Try the street food

One of the first things you should do in Bangkok is try the diverse street food. You’ll find food stalls all around the city center, offering local cuisine that is both affordable and delicious. A dish generally costs between $1 to $3 and ranges from small snacks like barbecued chicken and steamed dumplings, to the famous Pad Thai and tasty sweet mango sticky rice. Some of the most diverse street food can be found in Chinatown (also called Yaowarat) , Banglamphu , and around Khao San Road .

9. Admire the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is Bangkok’s most impressive and popular tourist attraction . Established in 1782, this complex was the royal residence for generations and is still used for important ceremonies today. The royal compound is enormous, covering over 200,000 square meters or 2 million square feet. The highlight is undoubtedly the colorful “ Temple of the Emerald Buddha ” (Wat Phra Kaew) . Keep in mind that when visiting Buddhist temples, you should dress appropriately to respect the culture, which means shoulders and anything above the knees should be covered up.

8. See the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

Located only a few blocks from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is a beautiful Buddhist temple that can easily be combined with your palace visit. Known as one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, this place has a rich history and is home to an impressive Reclining Buddha , measuring 46 meters or 147 ft in length and 15 meters or 49 ft in height. We visited later in the day and were greeted with Chinese New Year celebrations and Buddhist ceremonies. Wat Pho is also home to one of the earliest massage schools. You can get one of the best massages here!

7. Visit a floating market

For a more entertaining market experience, you should head to one of the floating markets near Bangkok. Located on a series of canals, these vibrant markets sell fresh and delicious foods as well as handcrafted souvenirs. The most popular floating market is Damnoen Saduak , which is about a 1.5 hour drive from the city center of Bangkok. A visit here is usually combined with the Maeklong Railway Market , where trains pass by a few times per day. We enjoyed this tour as it was something we had never experienced before.

But if you want to stay closer to the city, you can also choose to visit floating markets closer to the downtown area, such as Taling Chan and Wat Sai floating market . They are easier to access by public transportation, but make sure to check opening hours before going.

6. Take a stroll in Lumpini park

For a true escape from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, take a stroll in Lumpini Park. This big green oasis offers several lawn areas, paved walking paths, trees, playgrounds, and an artificial lake where you can rent boats . Since the park is located in modern Bangkok, skyscrapers rise all around it. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the fresh air and shade.

5. Get a view over Bangkok

Another great thing to do in modern-day Bangkok is to get an elevated view of the city. And when it comes to rooftop bars and restaurants, you have a lot of choices. We visited the Mahanakhon building , home to Bangkok’s highest observation deck , which provides spectacular views of the city and river. There is also a glass ceiling that you can stand on to look down on the buildings below as well as a bar and seating area . The best time to visit is in the early evening when the sun slowly sets over Bangkok. But be aware that this is also the busiest time! Alternatively, you can head to one of the many rooftop bars in the city, such as Sky Bar, View Rooftop Bar Bangkok, and Yào Rooftop Bar.

4. Explore lesser-known Buddhist Temples

With roots steeped in centuries-old history and Buddhist culture, you can find hundreds of temples in Bangkok. In addition to visiting the most popular ones, it’s also worth visiting less well-known temples. We visited the Golden Mount and Loha Prasat in the Banglamphu area in downtown Bangkok with a local guide. While embracing the local culture with its unique traditions and beliefs, we saw Bangkok from a different perspective and got a real insight into the history of Thailand. We highly recommend getting a local guide at least once during your visit.

3. Experience Khao San Road

You can’t leave Bangkok without visiting its infamous backpacker district. Khao San Road is a vibrant street, packed with hostels, food vendors, clothing stalls, bars, restaurants, and travelers from every corner of the globe. It’s colorful, loud, and exciting in its own way. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some of the fried insects, such as grubs or scorpions. After having a few Chang beers at the bars, the insects might become a little more enticing!

2. Shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Known as Thailand’s largest market, Chatuchak comes alive every weekend. On Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm , thousands of shops open their doors to sell food, clothing, souvenirs, and home goods . It’s a great place to mingle with locals and shop for souvenirs at a more affordable price than the tourist areas in Bangkok. You can easily get here by metro as the market is next to the MRT Station called Kamphaeng Phet station.

1. Watch the sunset over the Chao Phraya River & Wat Arun

Flowing through Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is the city’s lifeblood. During the day, many locals use the ferries and boats to commute to work here, and during the early evening, the city lights up with beautiful colors. From one of the rooftop bars next to the river ( Eagle’s Nest or The Deck Restaurant at Arun Residence ), you can watch the sunset over Wat Arun . It’s a great way to end the day! And if you’re looking for some more excitement, it’s also possible to take a dinner cruise down the river.

Additional things to do in Bangkok

There are a few things to do in Bangkok we didn’t mention that are definitely worth doing if you have some extra time in Bangkok:

Visit Jim Thompson House

Get a Thai massage

Shop at Asiatique: the Riverfront

Watch a Muay Thai match

Visit the Bangkok National Museum

Street art of Talat Noi

While Bangkok will easily keep you busy for a few days, it’s also worth exploring some of the amazing places nearby.

Day trip to Ayutthaya

One of the best day trips goes to the country’s former capital Ayutthaya, located only 1.5 hours to the north of Bangkok . Here, you’ll find remarkable temple ruins that date from between the 14th and 18th centuries.

Day trip to Kanchanaburi & Erawan National Park

Another great day adventure is to the historic Kanchanaburi and breathtaking Erawan National Park, where you can find one of Thailand’s most beautiful waterfalls . The movie “Bridge Over the River Kwai” put this place on the map, but Kanchanaburi is in fact way more than that. We highly recommend staying a few days if you can! We have a full video about the best things to do in Kanchanaburi , so check it out if you’re considering going there!

Use These Websites To Save Money On Your Trip To Bangkok

Booking.com for places to stay

Skyscanner for cheap flights

GetYourGuide for local tours

Rentalcars.com for affordable car rentals

Free Giveaway

Did you enjoy our article on the best things to do in Bangkok? Download our free giveaway and spark your wanderlust with our top 100 travel destinations around the world!

Other Top Bangkok resources:

If you're looking for some other suggestions and tips on Bangkok, here are some great articles that will help you:

Visit Bangkok: Top 30 Things To Do And Must See Attractions by Voyage Tips

10 Best Things To Do Your First Time In Bangkok by Earth Trekkers

20 Things You Should Do in Bangkok by Home Is Where Your Bag Is

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Essential travel guide to bangkok, thailand [2024].

Bangkok is an incredible city, full of historical sights, vibrant night life, and some of the best street food you’ve ever eaten. Be prepared for lots of people, lots of traffic, hot days, and cheap food! It’s one of our favorite cities in Southeast Asia and definitely worth a visit.

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, this one-stop travel guide to Bangkok will surely come in handy for you. It covers our favorite hotels, neighborhoods, things to do , and places to eat and drink in Bangkok.

Bangkok (or Krung Thep in Thai which means “ city of angels “) is an exciting, high energy melting pot of east meets west. A dynamic city that has embraced technology and modern living with its busy expressways, bold skyscrapers and designer-filled shopping malls.

Yet underneath it all, it remains a traditional haven of culture, history and time-honored customs, where elders are respected and family always comes first.

Heading to Thailand? Read about the floating markets of Bangkok and see our Essential Travel Guide to Bangkok . You can pack out your itinerary with these great things to do in Bangkok .

Table of Contents

When to Visit

Thailand has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of around 75 to 92 degrees F, so pack light clothing for your trip. Natural fibers are often more comfortable when you’re walking and touring in hot weather. Practically everywhere you go in Bangkok you’ll find you some relief from the heat, with blasts of icy cold air conditioning in shops and hotels.

March to May is the hottest time, with the highest temperatures and humidity. June to October is monsoon season, so remember to take an umbrella. Bear in mind that the monsoon season varies throughout the country and can affect the weather you experience. November to February is cooler and less humid.

What to Do in Bangkok

With so many things to do in this huge city, you’re going to need to make some decisions. We like to get an overview of the temples and monuments before launching a bit deeper into exploring different neighborhoods and eating our way through the street food areas.

The Grand Palace is the number one attraction in Bangkok. Since the founding of Bangkok as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand Palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. The Royal Family now resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes.

We highly recommend the Jim Thompson House for a peek into a traditional Thai wooden house. This exquisite Thai house and buildings stand as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War.

Khao San Road is famous for its international diversity marrying east and west, if not solely for the funky hippy charm and somewhat diluted sense of reality you may feel yourself walking into.

Make sure to also explore the stretches of Sukhumvit Road for a more downtown Bangkok feel teeming with clubs and restaurants.

Vimanmek Mansion Museum is the world’s largest golden teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-storey royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing unique memorabilia.

Tours to Book

One of the best ways to experience the most in Bangkok is to book tours, because a guide will be able to show you around better than you can do on your own.

If you have time, be sure to add a food tour of Chinatown , the floating markets , and book a cooking class to learn how to make some of your favorite traditional Thai dishes.

Here are a few of our favorite tours in Bangkok:

• Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand or book a private tour here
• Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food by Tuk-Tuk
• Amazing Bangkok Tour : Royal Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun
• Full-Day Private Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In Summer Palace from Bangkok
• Bangkok Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk

If you’d rather, book a private tour guide to take you around to the sights you really want to see

Bangkok boasts the outstanding monuments of country’s past. Bangkok’s best temples include:

• Wat Trimitr with its five and a half ton solid gold Buddha
• Wat Po with its huge reclining Buddha – the first traditional massage school in Thailand, (massages are avalable.)
• Wat Banjamaborpitr – the White Marble Temple – one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples with impressive Thai architecture.
• Wat Phra Kaew, which contains the legendary Emerald Buddha – a solid jade figurine donning pure gold robes that are changed by the King with the seasons

How to Get Around in Bangkok

There are two types of the Mass Transit in Bangkok, the BTS SkyTrain service and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Subway service. They have a simple map that you can understand easily. It’s clean and safe and a great way to get around the city.

BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkok’s leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Tuk Tuks are also available to tourists as a way to get around. You can ask them to take you to anywhere in Bangkok area. The most distinct advantage of using Tuk Tuk is the price is really cheap and you can negotiate the fare before you decide to take it. The first rule of thumb of using Tuk Tuk is you MUST negotiate a price and you can usual get them to come down by 50 – 100 Baht less that what the driver offers.

Taxis are always an option if you don’t mind spending more money. The distance and fare is automatically calculated by electronic meter so you do not have to ask for a fare quote or make negotiations. All you have to do is know the name of destination and tell the driver.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

Some of my favorite places in Bangkok are along the riverside. It’s a very convenient area for getting around and there are fantastic hotels in that area. Siam is the most central location for tourists looking to do the main tourist activities. 

Sukhumvit has a more local feel and is closer to some of the street food destinations for dinner. It’s relatively safe and quiet with lots of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping right at your fingertips, and it’s easy to get to and from the airport with a lot of traffic.

We recommend the following hotels in Bangkok:

Chatrium Hotel Riverside

4.5-star luxury hotel on the river, with 5 restaurants and a full spa, plus free wifi.

Read Reviews | Book a Stay

Siam Kempinski

5-star hotel with a spa, located near the Siam Paragon Mall, incredibly great for walking.

Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit

Very nice 5-star luxury hotel with 7 restaurants, in Sukhumvit. Close to easy transit.

Essential Travel Guide to Bangkok

12 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

How to See the Floating Markets Near Bangkok

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

8 thoughts on “ Essential Travel Guide to Bangkok, Thailand [2024] ”

Great post! Off to Bangkok later this year so this will come in super handy.

xx Leesa & Kate

Travel inspiration? www.wanderlustchronicles.com.au

Thanks! I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time. It’s a great city.

Great share!!I went to Bangkok 2 years back .It was really a memorable vacation.I loved shopping there.

Thanks! We loved it too.

BKK is awesome Laura. We spend 1-2 days there when traveling to Thailand. Great spot for fab food, massages and that distinct Bangkok flavor you cannot find anywhere else on earth. Pinned and Tweeted.

I completely agree, Ryan. It’s really one of my favorite places to visit (mostly for the food, I have to admit!). Thanks for the pin and tweet!

Would I have to get a Passport?

Yes, you’d have to have a passport to visit Thailand.

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Bangkok Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know About The Vibrant City

With numerous places to visit in bangkok, a world of food to explore and adventures to revel in, this vibrant city promises a fun time..

By: Divya Arora Published: Jan 20, 2023 05:00 PM ICT

Embracing tradition and culture along with modernity, Bangkok is a land of unforgettable experiences and nuanced contrasts. The capital city of Thailand manages to charm its visitors and pave a way into their hearts, so much so that it feels like a second home. With a plethora of places to visit in Bangkok, a world of food to explore and adventures to revel in, this city promises a gala time to everyone. And our extensive guide to everything in Bangkok promises a deep dive into this city, which every traveller must bookmark.

With towering skyscrapers standing majestically alongside its temples, local Thai food and varied global cuisines sharing a platter, luxurious malls and local markets spoiling shopaholics alike, Bangkok makes for a great escape when one wants to experience the best of everything. While its wats , museums and palaces are a reflection of Thai history and heritage, its heady nightlife is a world of its own; palpable with busy streets, flamboyant nightclubs and bars, shopping complexes, cultural tours, cabaret shows, Muay Thai and theatrical dance performances.

The place offers a wholesome mix of nightlife, Thai culture, food and shopping that can be both luxurious and affordable as per the needs of its visitors and tourists. It is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, more for its effervescence and spiritedness that takes over as soon as one lands in the city.

Best time to explore Bangkok

Owing to its tropical weather, Bangkok is generally a year-round destination that experiences three main seasons. With each one of them having its own charm. To explore the best of Bangkok tourist attractions, check out the best time to visit Bangkok .

The summer season lasts from March to June when the temperature varies between 30 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius. While these are the hottest months, it is also time for Thai New Year, Songkran, and a great festive cheer takes over the city regardless of the weather. Shopping in malls, boat cruising, revelling in aquariums and temples are some of the things that can be done in Bangkok during this season whereas outdoor activities should be avoided especially, during day time.

Book your luxury staycation here

The months of July to October see the rainy or monsoon season when the temperatures are relatively lower and range from around 26 degrees celsius to 34 degrees Celsius. It is often regarded as the ‘low season’ since monsoon can disrupt your plans. It is usually not considered an apt season to visit Bangkok, however, if you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet getaway, you can consider these months since the footfall of tourists is really low and you might snag some amazing deals on your stay and tickets.

The best months in Bangkok are from November to February, the cool season when the temperatures vary anywhere between 23 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius. They further drop down to 20 degrees celsius during the evenings making the weather highly pleasant. It is also the peak tourist season which means the city is crowded and prices are higher as compared to the off-season. Nevertheless, this season promises a rather happening nightlife, festive cheer around owing to Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year and a fun ambience.

Best places to visit in Bangkok

One of the top places to visit in Bangkok that’s a paradise for shopaholics and foodies is Chinatown. A vibrant and exotic tourist destination that’s indicative of Bangkok’s local culture and lifestyle, Chinatown is highly popular for its various food stalls, restaurants, gold shops and plenty of shopping stores. It runs along the Yaowarat road and is one of the most happening sites to check out especially after sunset when the entire neighbourhood enlivens in the intoxicating aromas of its various street-side cuisines.

Book your stay in Chinatown

Dream World

If you’re looking to indulge in fun activities while in Bangkok, especially when holidaying with your family, Dream World Amusement Park is what you should be buying tickets to. Packed with a plethora of adventure rides, a Snow Town and different themed zones to activity areas, shopping spots, restaurants and other attractions, Dream World promises a day filled with fun, laughter and fantasies. If you plan to visit on weekends and holidays, you can also watch and revel in shows such as ‘The Colours of the World Parade’ (an extravagant parade of your favourite cartoon characters) and Hollywood Action (showing the S.W.A.T team engaging in a battle with a terrorist group).

Book your stay near the Dream World Amusement Park

Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is one of the famous temples in Bangkok that one must visit. Having one of the largest temple complexes in the city, the giant reclining Buddha measures about 46 metres and is entirely covered in gold leaf. While there, you can also get a great Thai massage as the place is a well-known centre for traditional medicine and massage. Other interesting attractions on the premises include four chapels featuring 394 gilded Buddha figures sitting in the lotus position, Chetuphon Thai bistro and the Chinese guardian statues in the courtyard.

Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of the Dawn and is as high as 260 feet on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river. It is one of the most stunning temples owing to its intricate architectural design, colourful towering spires and how gorgeous it looks at sunset. In fact, it is famous for offering spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset which can be more beautifully enjoyed by climbing to the top of the central prang (spire) from where you can watch the serene river, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in all their glory. The ordination hall of the temple has a splendid golden Buddha figure along with detailed murals decking up the adjacent walls.

Book your stay near Wat Arun

Safari World

Yet another exhilarating tourist attraction to visit in Bangkok is the Safari World which is unlike any other zoo. The place is divided into two sections — Safari Park and Marine Park. The Safari Park is a spacious open zoo spread across 200 acres that’s home to hundreds of animals roaming around freely. You can drive through the jungle area in your safari vehicles and spot wildlife. The Marine Park, on the other hand, hosts different live shows including the Bird Show, the Stunt Show and the Dolphin Show. Other activities including Jungle River Cruise and Jungle Walk are also highly popular and add to the entire experience.

Jim Thompson’s House

Former home of James H.W Thomspon, an American entrepreneur who spent over 30 years of his life reviving the city’s lost art, the Jim Thompson House is one of the best places to visit in Bangkok especially if you have a thing for museums. The place features six traditional teakwood houses preserved to uphold their glory and be a reflection of the old times. It is like a museum and an art centre that allows you to experience Thai art and design, antiques of the bygone era and the country’s rich heritage and history.

Book your stay near the Jim Thompson's House

Siam Paragon

Siam Paragon is a prominent mall to visit in Bangkok that would satiate all your shopping desires. Situated minutes away from luxury properties and other tourist attractions, this mall is an entertainment and shopping hub perfect for both tourists and locals. Featuring both luxury designer brands and local Thai stores, this mall makes for a great option when you want to spend the day indoors shopping and relishing delicacies at its various restaurants or enjoying a movie.

book your stay near Siam Paragon

Madame Tussauds

If you have some time to spare while visiting Bangkok, or if the temperature outside is too much to handle, you can step into the world of stars and celebrities at Madame Tussauds. A globally famous wax museum, it features look-alike wax statues of some of the most prominent faces from the world of TV, movies, sports, music, history, science and art. You can stand next to them or replicate original scenes, pose and get clicked for a fun-filled time.

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

If there’s one place that not only depicts Thai heritage at its best but also glorifies it further in a stunning manner, it is The Grand Palace. Located in the heart of the city, it is one of the most famous places to visit in Bangkok. Living up to its name, it is a spectacular site that was built in 1782 and served as a home to Thai kings and the Royal Court for 150 years. For that matter, it still hosts royal ceremonies and gives a glimpse into the royal life of the king while its opulent architecture and fine craftsmanship are enough to leave you in awe of the place. While the walls of the royal palace depict the Thai war ministry and state departments, its grounds are also home to the famous Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as the Buddha figure enshrined there has been carved from a single block of grey-green Jasper.

Benjakitti Park

A beautiful escape into nature right in the middle of the bustling city, Banjakitti Park is the place to head to if you desire a quiet, peaceful time in between all those tourist attractions. Located close to Queen Sirikit National Conventional Centre and Terminal 21, the forest park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and makes for a perfect place for a picnic when the weather is pleasant. Offering stunning views of the city, the park features a big lake, various cycling pathways, playgrounds, elevated walkways and skate ramps. Additionally, there’s no entry fee for visiting this park which also makes it one of the best free places to explore in Bangkok.

Terminal 21

And bringing together one’s dream of travelling and shopping in a single place is Terminal 21 that’s one of the best concept shopping malls in the world. Designed in a 21st Century airport style, the theme of every floor in this mall is centred around a different city including Paris, Tokyo, London, San Francisco and Istanbul. From the decor of these floors to the type of cuisines served in restaurants and a harmonious mix of local and designer brands, this shopping mall offers a unique experience in its entirety.

Wat Traimit

Also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, Wat Traimit features a gigantic statue of Buddha curated from 5.5 tons of solid gold, sculpted in Sukhothai style. Presumably dating from the Sukhothai period, the statue is housed in a marble structure and is one of the most popular places to visit in Bangkok.

Book your luxury experiences here

Things to do in Bangkok

Shop at chatuchak weekend market.

Of all the best things to do in Bangkok , shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market is a must. It is one of the most famous markets in Bangkok where you’d find literally everything. With over 15,000 stalls offering a diverse collection of food and merchandise, this market is a dream come true for all shopaholics. It is also one of the best places to shop for authentic Thai handicrafts, home decor, souvenirs and other items that you might find expensive elsewhere.

Boat trip or dinner cruise on Chao Phraya River

Chao Phraya River is a popular waterway in Bangkok that runs ferries and express boats as a mode of transportation. Additionally, the leisure dinner cruises let you revel in the beauty that the river and its neighbouring establishments have to offer at night time. So, whether you travel by boat during the day to visit different parts of the city or you jump onto the cruise at night to experience the lit-up city skyline, visiting the river is a must.

Enjoy a relaxing massage and spa session

Of the numerous things that Bangkok is famous for, a traditional Thai massage probably tops the list. The city brims with innumerable massage parlours and centres offering different types of massage and spa sessions ranging anywhere between a few minutes to more than an hour long. Whether you opt for a foot massage, one that helps in healing your ailments or a long rejuvenating session, experiencing Bangkok’s massage culture is a must. Some of the most prominent spas that you can check out for a therapeutic session include Nitra Serenity Centre (at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok), Divana Scentuara Spa, Devarana Spa, Banyan Tree Spa and Harnn Heritage Spa.

Book bespoke Wellness experiences here

Shop at floating markets

One of the most charming attractions of Bangkok is its various floating markets which are a wonderful experience in themselves . Offering tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh coconut juice and local food cooked in floating kitchens, these floating markets will leave you in awe as you traverse through from one vendor to another in wooden row boats. One of the most popular floating markets is Damnoen Saduak that’s popular for selling a variety of things apart from fruits and vegetables. Stalls selling products similar to the ones at the Chatuchak Weekend Market are also set up on the sides for that you can get off the boat and shop. Most of the floating markets are located outside of Bangkok and can be reached via public transport (BTS Skytrain and public bus) or a private car or taxi.

Discover Khao San Road

A backpacker’s haven, Khao San Road is a street that is one of the busiest, liveliest and most bustling areas of Bangkok. Offering cheap accommodation to travellers from every corner of the world, the area brims with shops and stalls to shop from, food vendors, restaurants and pubs. It is always packed with people, especially during the night and is hence, a telltale of the city’s amazing nightlife.

Book your stay on Khao San Road

Attend the Calypso Cabaret show

Promising an evening of Las Vegas-style glitz and glamour is the Calypso Cabaret with different spectacular dance performances put together by mostly transgender dancers. From impressive and flashy costumes to upbeat music and lighting, the show is nothing less than theatrical art.

What to eat in Bangkok

A haven for food lovers, Bangkok also makes for an exotic destination owing to its food and delectable cuisines available throughout the city . It is especially famous for its street food that’s nothing short of a sensory experience and is also super affordable. For that matter, finding authentic Thai food is easy as every market and every tourist attraction has restaurants and food stalls selling some of the most delicious dishes.

Some of the most popular areas to experience world-class street food include the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road, the floating markets and Chinatown. And some of the most famous dishes one’s got to try in Bangkok include:

Pad Thai — stir-fried rice noodles served with red pepper flakes, cilantro, yellow limes and shrimp Roti Gluay — fried banana pancakes Som Tam — spicy papaya salad flavoured with sweet tomatoes, lemon grass, fish sauce, dried shrimp and crunchy peanuts Khao Niaow Ma Muang — sticky mango rice Tom Yum — hot, sweet and sour soup made with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal , Thai peppers, fish sauce along with shrimp, pork, beef or chicken and served with Thai salad Woon Sen — vermicelli (Thai glass noodles) served with crab or shrimp Guaytiao Rua — Thai Boat noodles Yum Hoi Nang Rom — an oyster salad made with fresh oysters, fried shallots, fried vegetables called Kra Tin, herbs, chilli paste and sauce Kai Jeaw Poo — Thai crab omelette

Discover more dining experiences here

What to shop in Bangkok

As much as it is a foodie’s haven, Bangkok is also a shopaholic’s paradise that has plenty of places for people to shop at. From shopping malls and complexes to different flea, weekend and floating markets, the city is home to a plethora of such shopping centres. Some of these include MBK Centre, Icon Siam, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road, Terminal 21, Chinatown, Siam Paragon and Damnoen Saduak floating market.

To top it off, there’s nothing you wouldn’t find in this city. From traditional antiques and handicrafts to local and international fashion and lifestyle brands and products, essentials and souvenirs, you can literally shop your heart out when in Bangkok. Some of the things that you should surely consider buying include Thai silk, antique pieces, aromatic spa essentials, handmade Thai jewellery, wicker products including bags, traditional handicraft items, Thai sauces and spices, souvenirs and Thai snacks and foods.

Hero Image: Courtesy of Quang Nguyen Vinh; Featured Image: Courtesy of Chait Goli/Pexels

Related:  Where To Find The Best Plant-Based Ice Cream In Bangkok

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: Since this gorgeous city has a lot to offer, one would need a minimum of four to five days to explore some of the most famous places and tourist attractions.

Answer: While exploring the city’s various markets and shopping malls is free of cost and requires no entry fee, you can also check out other places including Erawan Shrine, Khao San Road, Lumphini Park, Artist’s House, Pak Khlong Flower Market, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) and Jesada Technik Museum.

Answer: For many visitors who are backpacking or are on a budget, Khao San Road has some great affordable stay options. The area is also quite happening and known for its nightlife vibe. Additionally, most visitors also prefer the Siam Square and Sukhumvit areas as they form the main tourist area flanked by shopping malls, restaurants and even the BTS Skytrain. Other popular areas where tourists prefer staying include Chinatown, Bangkok Riverside, Dusit, Bangkok Old Town, Thong Lor and Silom.

Answer: There are multiple ways of getting around the city including taxis, BTS Skytrain, MRT subway train, túk-túk, boats and ferries, motorcycle taxis and buses.

Answer: Since Bangkok is a tropical city, loose, lightweight and breezy clothing in breathable fabrics is highly preferred. While you can wear anything from shorts and skirts to dresses across the city, you’d be required to dress modestly when visiting religious places. Both men and women are expected to have their shoulders and knees (ankles as well at some places) covered when visiting such places. Avoid wearing revealing clothes or carry cover-ups, shrugs and sarongs along.

• Bangkok food guide
• places to visit in bangkok
• what to do Bangkok

Divya Arora

With an academic background in Public Relations, Divya has a flair for writing about topics spanning genres like lifestyle, beauty, fashion, travel, FnB, tech and entertainment. She fancies everything that's a wholesome blend of contemporary finery and timelessness. Quirky earrings and tees are her weakness. When not creating content, you will find .. Read More her devouring food, snuggling in with a book and a cup-a-chai, admiring skies or revisiting Hogwarts. Read Less

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THE ULTIMATE BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE

Most travel guides are written with under 2 days actual time spent in destination.

This Bangkok guide is based on over 7 years first-hand experience.

It’s loaded with easy to follow itineraries, over 50 unique destinations , and best kept local secrets, and common tourist traps identified.

You’ll be exploring Bangkok like a true local right from the airport terminal.

And you’re guaranteed to save MORE than the price of the guide.

A few ways this guide will benefit you:

• Guaranteed to save you at least $30 in Bangkok
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Details: 43 pages of local advice, colorful photos, and useful maps. Last Updated: September 2023

BONUS: INTERACTIVE MAP ACCESS

$19.95   FREE access with your travel guide.

Supercharge your travels with exclusive lifetime access to my personal Google Maps destination pins. Contains 50+ unique destinations, things to do, places to eat and drink right around Bangkok, updated regularly.

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

This guide is your one-stop resource for things to do in Bangkok The Bangkok Travel Guide contains a huge range of destinations. Some you will know, others are local secrets!

Lively Markets

Visit floating markets, fresh markets, and night markets. Cruise the busy canals of Amphawa, dodge the train at the Maeklong Railway Market, and explore the pottery market on an island right in Bangkok!

Ancient Temples

Did you know there are over 400 temples in Bangkok? Visit the classics like Wat Arun but then venture to local secrets like Wat Bowon Niwet and Wat Chakrawat. You’ll get opening hours, entry fees, and easy to follow directions.

Inner City Oasis

Escape the city madness and laze in a green oasis. There are amazing hidden parks right in the city center. Explore the huge Chatujak Park in Mor Chit, or the Sri Nakhon Wetland Park on Bang Krachao island. There is much more nature in Bangkok than you’d think!

Bangkok has just about everything you need in terms of shopping. Here you’ll learn where to get the best deals on electronics, the cheapest clothing, and lots of great factory seconds products.

Don’t spend all your time on Khao Sarn Road. With a bunch of alternate bars that locals love, you’ll have a great selection of places to hang out every night of the week. Enjoy Thai live music, tasty food, and cheaper drinks!

Local Neighbourhoods

Learn how locals live with an introduction to Bangkok’s suburbs. Have you heard of Phra Khanong, Phra Nakhon, Onnut, Thong Lor, or Ekkamai? Discover incredible food, cheaper drinks, and lively local bars.

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Your One-Stop Bangkok Guide

this guide is for travellers who...

• Will stay at least 1 day in Bangkok
• Want to discover lots of local secrets
• Are ok travelling independently

this guide is not for those who...

• Want a constant raging KS Road party
• Are just visiting for the sex industry
• Want all transport pre-packaged

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this Bangkok Travel Guide unique? This guide contains all your favorite top destinations, but also lots of unique local attractions you won’t otherwise know about.

Why do you know Bangkok so well?  Bangkok is my second home. I’ve lived and visited regularly over the past eight years.

Can I get a printed copy? This guide is only available as PDF, however, you can still print it out yourself.

How is this guide different to your blog posts? My Bangkok related blog posts give you an introduction to destinations. This guide goes further and gives you step by step directions, entry fees, and opening hours. There is just way more detail in here!

Can I contact you with further questions or problems? Sure, I’m happy to help.  You can send me an email here.  I normally try to respond within two days.

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Bangkok Thailand | A Travel Guide for First Time Travelers

Bangkok, the world’s most visited city. A city many fall in love with… or not. A city known for its amazing cuisine, culture and traffic.

When we first decided to travel around Southeast Asia, Bangkok was the first on our list. Although we had an idea of what to expect, we were amazed at all that Thailand’s capital city had to offer.

Bangkok is one of Asia’s top major cities with high-rise skyscrapers, sky-train, luxury hotels and malls. In this huge chaotic but fascinating megacity, we had never expected to find that the Thai culture would be so present and ingrained. With wats and shrines scattered all over the city, the royal palace and loads of great street food.

We wrote this post back in 2019 after our first visit to Bangkok. Since then we made multiple trips to the Thai city and also lived there for several months straight. Fast forward to 2024 and we’re back in Bangkok and writing posts about everything Bangkok.

Save this blog post on Pinterest to read it later ↓

This blog post will provide an  excellent travel guide  to a  first time   stay  in the Thai capital city.

We will provide some  useful travel tips for planning a trip to Bangkok . We will share our  Bangkok travel experience  including our experience with  travelling around the city , the best tourist attractions ,  Thai food , and  Bangkok’s nightlife .

This guide will help you get a glimpse of the city before travelling to it.

Things to do in Bangkok and 3 Day Itinerary

#1 boat trip along the chao praya river and temples’ sightseeing.

Chao Praya River is the heart of Bangkok, and a boat trip along its’ banks is a must. The river is home to the most touristic spots in Bangkok including the temples of the Grand Palace  and  Wat Phra Kaew (located on the same grounds),  Wat Pho  and  Wat Arun .

From Tha Tien pier (Wat Pho) take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun for 4 Baht per person one way. These 3 temples bear an admission fee ranging from 500 baht (for the Grand Palace) to 50 baht (for Wat Arun).

Always wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples. Cover knees and shoulders and no shoes inside temples.

Chao Praya River

#2 take a stroll around lumpini park.

Lumpini Park is a fresh breath of air in Bangkok. Bangkok’s residents come here to jog, cycle around the lake or just to have a nap. Lumpini Park is a great place to get away from it all and chill for a couple of hours. You can also consider taking a packed lunch with you and enjoying some fresh air under the shade of the trees. The park is also home to some wildlife including the monitor lizard.

The park closes at 9 pm.

Bus number 15 (which passes in the vicinity of Khao San Road) stops in front of one of Lumpini Park’s gates, near the food stalls, located outside the same park.

#3 Shop till you drop at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak market is a massive area loaded with stalls selling just about anything. Prices are not so cheap so there is room for some bargaining to be done which is a common practice throughout Southeast Asia. The weekend market is open on Friday from 18:00 to 24:00, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00.

To get to the market we got bus number 44 from the road of the Democracy Monument.

#4 Get lost in MBK shopping mall

MBK shopping mall is a huge complex spread over 8 floors where you may find just about anything including clothing, electronics, food, etc. Particularly relevant to those wanting to buy a mobile phone, the fourth floor is dedicated entirely to mobile phone retailers. We bought a new mobile phone at a very favorable price (after some bargaining) from this complex.

Other shopping malls near MBK include Siam Paragon, a high-end mall and CentralWorld which is more mid-range.

Bus numbers 47 and 15 go through the street of the Democracy Monument (which monument is located near Khao San Road) to MBK, Siam Paragon and the CentralWorld area.

These activities can easily fit within 3 days allowing time to enjoy Bangkok’s nightlife .

#5 Other interesting places/activities that we missed but will feature on our ‘to-do’ list for the next visit

A  floating market  (there are quite a few around Bangkok)

The teak wooden house of Jim Thompson . An American businessman who helped revitalize the Thai silk industry, and who later on went missing never to be heard of

A sightseeing boat trip through  Bangkok’s canals  ( klong )

Mahanakhon Skywalk  is a rather new attraction in Bangkok offering some spectacular viewpoints having a glass skywalk and a rooftop bar.

A river cruise along the Chao Praya River .

Nightlife in Bangkok

You might be tempted to just chill out after a long day sightseeing around Bangkok but certainly, it’s not a good option as Bangkok has plenty of attractions and activities for nighttime such as night markets, clubs and bars and the infamous red-light districts.

Khao San Road

The famous Khao San Road is particularly busy at night with plenty of tourists, street food vendors, bars thumping all kinds of different beats or even live bands and comedy shows. Thais promoting laughing gas and alcoholic buckets, massage parlours, vendors selling fried insects and souvenirs and restaurants, all this in a rather short street making it rather chaotic but also entertaining.

Khao San is a must-see while in Bangkok, we loved the lively atmosphere and spent a couple of nights here.

Soi Rambuttri

If you fancy somewhere quieter, Soi Rambuttri might be more suitable. Rambuttri is just parallel to Khao San Road, with plenty of restaurants and bars, and also live music. It is family-friendly and perfect for chilling out over a beer and people watch.

Bangkok Red Light District

Bangkok’s nightlife is infamous for its red-light districts, mainly Nana Plaza ,  Soi Cowboy  and  Patpong . Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are about 20 minutes walk from each other in the Sukhumvit area. Not much to add to this as when we visited everywhere was closed due to the upcoming general election.

Patpong is a small night market selling fake branded items and souvenirs located in Silom. Prices are higher than elsewhere so it is recommended to haggle hard. The night market is lined up with bars and Thais luring tourists inside the bars.

A guy lured us into a bar and just out of curiosity and not knowing what to expect we went in. Not for long as we immediately left because once inside we felt uncomfortable.

The bar had a ping pong show. This is an amusement show of girls shooting ping pong balls out of their vaginas. The guy lures in unknowing tourists and states the show is free, just need to buy a few drinks. But after exiting the bar and doing some research, we learned that tourists are made to pay thousands of baht as the show isn’t free after all.

Yaowarat Road – Chinatown Bangkok

At night time Yaowarat Road home to Chinatown, is particularly busy with lots of people visiting the area and jam-packed with cars. We had visited the area twice, on a Sunday and Tuesday with Sunday being extremely busy. Some of the restaurants here actually have people queue waiting to be seated. The area is a hot spot with Chinese tourists and with all the cluster of bright Chinese shop signs and lined-up street stalls, this makes for some amazing pictures and selfies.

After multiple visits to Chinatown, (and in fact, Chinatown is our favorite area in Bangkok especially when it comes to food options), we have written this Chinatown foodie guide .

Sky bars and nightclubs in Bangkok

Sky bars in Bangkok are a popular tourist attraction and there are quite a few to choose from. Expect to pay higher prices if visiting any. The city also has a good selection of nightclubs for those wishing to dance the night away. Sky bars and nightclubs are scattered mostly around Siam Square and also in Silom, Sukhumvit and Pratunam.

Food in Bangkok

Being a foodie kind of traveler, one of the main attractions to us in Bangkok is the food. No need to worry about where you’re gonna eat. Here you’ll find a food stall practically on each corner, or dozens in one street!

Street food dishes are usually small in size as many Thais eat small portions multiple times a day. Mostly, the stalls are run by women who prepare just a handful, if not just one main dish. This is the reason why these women chefs give you one of the most amazingly combined dishes that are so precise in what is in each dish and will leave you wanting more.

Mostly, these stalls sell Asian food, although you do find sweet pancakes or deep-fried chicken stalls. We savored amazing street food  near the  Wang Lang market  and  Yaowarat China Town . Here you will find anything from smoothies to cream-filled sponges.

Yaowarat Chinatown

Bus number 53 which passes from Phra Arthit Road (close to Khao San) goes to Yaowarat. The bus going to takes quite a long time although coming back isn’t so bad.

Thai Dishes

The most popular dish among foreigners is the amazing  Pad Thai , which is noodles with either pork, chicken or seafood. Thipsamai Pad Thai is around 15 minutes walk from Khao San Road and is Bangkok’s most famous Pad Thai eatery. We only found out about this place after leaving Bangkok which is a shame. But we will surely be checking it out on our next visit.

Food in Thailand, especially the eateries catered for the locals are always amazing . Other famous dishes such as  Tom Yum soup  (coconut milk soup with shrimps), stewed pork leg, Khao Pad (fried rice), Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup) are a must try. These are just a few amongst a vast range of other great dishes.

One of our favourite dishes is the crispy pork, either with noodles or rice, with the pork being the best we have had anywhere else. Prices vary for each dish but are generally around 60 to 100 Baht per dish. A dish of fried pork is usually around 100 Baht.

A word of advice, do not miss the tasty and cheap street food of Bangkok. Pad Thai is the most popular Thai dish among foreigners. Although this dish is amazing, don’t miss out on all the other great dishes to be explored. As a general rule, always ask for the price beforehand if this is not displayed. If something looks good just go for it.

Having said that, when in Bangkok, we occasionally opted for some tasty Western food (we recommend checking reviews first). There’s a huge number of restaurants to choose from but comes in as more expensive than local food.

Map of Central Bangkok

The map highlights Bangkok’s major districts (each district is shown in a different colour). It also pinpoints the places of interest mentioned in this post.

Credit for map of central Bangkok: Globe-trotter, based on work from OpenStreetMap.org contributors; license:  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ .

Bangkok Major Districts :  Hotspots

Rattanakosin :  Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Bangkok National Musuem, Thipsamai, Raan Jay Fai (the last 2 being top eateries in Bangkok)

Siam Square: MBK, Siam Paragon, Central World, Jim Thompson House, Erawine Shrine

Thonburi: Wat Arun, Wang Lang Market

Sukhumvit :  Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy

Silom:  Lumpini Park, Patpong, Mahanakhon Skywalk

Is Bangkok worth visiting?

Still not decided whether or not to visit Bangkok? Below is our take.

Our answer is a definitive yes.

Bangkok is one of Thailand’s main highlight destinations. It is the main hub for international flights into Thailand and at some point, you will surely pass through Bangkok.

So, there is no reason for not spending a couple of days here. The chances are that if coming to Thailand you will end up hearing loads of great things about the Thai capital, and it would be disappointing not having experienced it firsthand.

Our recommendation would be to have your stay in Bangkok on flexible days .  The city may be overwhelming to some, apart from the fact that it is very busy and for this also polluted. So you may either love it or hate it. Also, temperatures can go quite high, especially from March to June .

Why is planning a trip to Bangkok important?

With all the different activities, means of transport and great locations to lodge in or around, a trip to Thailand’s capital city must be planned out accordingly.

If you are into cultural stuff, there are loads of temples to be explored. Nightlife? What city doesn’t have nightlife? Food, hmm you’ll probably need to do some in-depth plan on that. You’ll be overwhelmed by the variety and vast range of different street food stalls you’ll find. High end luxury hotels, sky bars, cabaret shows, ping pong shows, river cruises, river markets and to get a lifelong souvenir, there are loads of tattoo studios to choose from.

Having said that, we do not think that planning should take up a lot of your time. That is why we have written this post. By drawing from our own experience we want to make planning a trip to Bangkok easy. The map included in this post should provide a good understanding of Bangkok’s city centre layout.

Travel itinerary planner – Bangkok

We understand that planning a trip, especially for the first time, can get quite frustrating and confusing .  We have been there. For this reason, we will try, as much as possible, to simplify the travel planning process through our 4 step approach .

1. Set a travel budget

First things first, it is important to set the budget upfront and split this into daily amounts. Setting a budget is particularly relevant for long term travelers. It should be noted that as per other destinations in Thailand, Bangkok can be explored on both a tight and (obviously) not so tight budget.

From our own travel experience in Thailand, around 1/4 of our daily budget was spent on lodging expenses, another 1/4 for food and drinks and 1/4 for transportation costs. The remaining 1/4 should cover any unseen expenses or splurge a little. Please note that this is just a rough average and is calculated on the same standards for each expense category.

2. Choose the location of accommodation

Before deciding on where and in which area your accommodation is going to be, do some research on places of interest and activities and identify those which interest you the most. (The map in this post highlights Bangkok’s major districts which include Khao San Road, Ratanakosin, Yaowarat, Siam Square, Silom and Sukhumvit and its places of interest)

Ask yourself, what are your likes and dislikes? Surely, not all there is, is good for you. So just point out whatever is fit for you and skip on the rest. We do suggest choosing accommodation which is close to some of your favourite spots. This will save you both time and money. Keep in mind that Bangkok is a busy city and in some areas, at particular times it gets quite busy, (so the supposedly 30-minute drive, might end up a 1-hour drive at the least).

While in Bangkok, we chose to stay close to Khao San Road. Although close enough (a 5 minutes walk), the area of our accommodation was quiet. Khao San Road is close to some major tourist attractions, to Chao Praya River and has good bus connections although it is not connected to the Skytrain (BTS).

Other districts that are good for staying in while in Bangkok are Siam Square and Sukhumvit, which are in proximity to one another. Siam Square is Bangkok’s shopping paradise whilst Sukhumvit is most popular for its nightlife.

Check this other post if you want more information on the best area to stay in Bangkok .

3. Day-by-day trip planning (or at least a rough plan)

When the decision is made of what to see and do in your time, the next step is to start planning out your days and allocating rough time frames for each activity. On this point, do allow some extra time in between activities and do not cram everything together. Remember Bangkok can be quite hot, especially between March and June.

In our case, since we visited Bangkok during March (one of the hottest months), we opted to do the sightseeing early morning to avoid the heat and the crowd. In the afternoon, we opted to visit malls (Siam Square is particularly famous for its big shopping malls which include Siam Paragon, Central World and MBK), Lumpini Park situated in Silom district (which is close to Siam Square) or relax and chill out in the various cafeterias.

We do suggest getting an idea of the location of the preferred places of interest to efficiently plan out your day.

4. Choose the mode of transport

After deciding on what place you will be lodging, start checking out what means of transportation you prefer to be using, this also depends on what budget you have. In Bangkok city, you will be spoilt for choice in deciding the mode of transport which includes the following; the metered taxis, Grab taxis, tuk-tuks, buses, boats, the sky train (BTS), the underground train (MRT) and the motorcycle taxis.

Read these 2 posts for how to get from the airport ( Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport ) to the city centre .

Getting around – Bangkok’s public transportation

Metered taxi.

When using a taxi, make sure that the taxi meter is switched on. You will notice that taxis invade Bangkok’s streets and it’s super easy to hail a taxi. Just wave at an unoccupied one.

Grab taxi Bangkok

Grab taxis (Uber is not available in Bangkok) are a great and cheap option. Just download the app and you’re good to go. During nighttime, we preferred making use of the Grab taxis over the metered taxis and the tuk-tuks.

When using Grab taxis, you will have to wait for some minutes before it picks you up from your current location.

The fare is always shown before getting into the car and you can track the journey to your destination through the app. We noticed that Grab taxis are cheaper if you pay by card rather than by cash.

>Since writing this article we’ve changed our mind about Grab taxis – read this post about Grab taxis compared to metered taxis .

Tuk tuks should be used for short distance travel and always know the final price before the start of your journey. Ideally, you would know the distance to be covered so you will be in a better position to negotiate a reasonable price for your trip.

Motorcycle taxis

The motorcycle taxis are identifiable through the red vest the driver wears. We did not make use of this mode of transport. If you choose to do so, always wear a helmet.

Skytrain (BTS)

If your accommodation is anywhere near a BTS sky train station, that would also be a good ‘travelling around Bangkok’ option. We do not have much to say or any recommendations about the sky train as we did not make use of this transport alternative.

Bangkok Buses

We have found buses in Bangkok to be easy to use, budget friendly and efficient. They were our favourite way of traveling around Bangkok during day time. Having said that, buses are the most time consuming means of transport so might not be the best option if time is a constraint. The red and cream buses are cheap, although not air-conditioned. These buses have their windows wide open so are quite cool and are used mostly by locals.

Buses cost anything between 7 to 20 Baht per trip, depending on what bus service you use. We opted mostly for the red and cream bus as the air-conditioned ones were continuously giving us a slight cold. Bus tickets are bought once onboard through the conductor who usually is happy to help you with indicating the perfect stop.

If you decide to give buses a try, before setting off, first check the bus stop location and bus number to the destination on Google Maps. Then confirm this information with the hotel.

Transitbangkok is also a useful website providing a guide to Bangkok’s buses. Bus stops are helpful in that they usually include information on the bus numbers going past that stop and information on the bus route (part of it). We have to add here that Thai people are extremely helpful and it is fairly easy to find Bangkokians who speak basic English.

Some bus stops include an information board (as above) including the name of the stop, bus numbers going through that stop, the different bus types and other useful information such as where there is a skytrain station and an extract of the bus route

Chao praya riverboats.

Boats travel through the Chao Praya River and the city’s canal, Saen Saep Canal. Through the Chao Praya River, boats with different coloured flags operate on different schedules and stop at different piers (refer to the picture below for information on the different flag colours and the respective pier stops).

Useful pier names – Attraction

Tha Chang – Grand Palace

Tha Tien – Wat Pho

Phra Arthit – closest to Khao San Road

Sathorn (Taksin) central pier – Saphan Taksin BTS station

Note: Each pier has a sign including the pier name and number.

This is Wat Arun pier board which gives information on the pier stops of the tourist boat (blue flag). It shows that the orange flag boat does not stop at this pier and therefore from Wat Arun one should take a cross river ferry to Tha Thien. The board also shows the price and service time of the no-flag boat.

We opted mostly for the red flag (although this flag is referred to as orange) boats which cost 15 Baht per trip. The red flag boats are the cheapest and most frequent but tend to be the most crowded. We noted that the river bank is quite closed (one cannot walk along the river bank as access is closed due to hotels/other buildings along the bank) and access to the pier is only possible through certain areas which are sometimes not so obvious.

The blue flagged boat (refer to Wat Arun Pier board above) is the Tourist boat which is not so frequent and more expensive when compared to the orange/red flag.

The different flag colours and their respective pier stops

Suvarnabhumi airport to bangkok city centre.

The airport rail link from Suvarnabhumi airport into Bangkok city centre is a great option at a reasonable price.

Identify the route, (in this case we used the blue line), and buy a coin from the automatic machines which are situated underground. The cost for a trip from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city centre (we stopped at Phaya Thai) was 45 Baht per person.

From there, we then got a Grab taxi to our accommodation close to Khao San Road, for 125 baht. There are cheaper bus options that will also take you to Khao San either directly from the airport – the S1 bus – or from Phaya Thai station, bus route 59. At the airport, the S1 bus is located on the first floor, outside, next to the other buses.

Bangkok has 2 airports; Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang . Suvarnabhumi Airport serves the full service airlines whilst the other serves the low cost carriers .

Is Bangkok Tour Package worth Considering?

We are kind of ‘do it yourself’ travelers who prefer to research first and then plan sightseeing accordingly. We choose to visit hot spots when they are not so crowded with tourists and therefore we rarely take on package tours.

With easy access to a variety of transport options, Bangkok is easy to visit independently. But if you are the traveler type that prefers to have the day all set out to detail and travel around in an air-conditioned vehicle (especially in Bangkok, where temperatures tend to be high) then package tours might be a good option.

There are a lot of tours to choose from online. We have put together a list of the best tours to do from Bangkok that add a little spice to your overall stay in Bangkok by visiting a nearby location all sorted out for you . Read our guide to the best day trips from Bangkok .

Useful Thailand Travel Tips

Sim card thailand.

Sim cards may be bought directly at the Suvarnabhumi airport. Prices may be higher here, but it saves a lot of hassle. So unless having planned out everything for your arrival, (especially the means of transport to your accommodation), the airport would be the best option.

We bought the DTAC 30 Days Happy Tourist Sim Card for 899 Thai Baht at the airport. The sim card included 12 GB of data valid for 1 month (whilst the sim card is valid for 12 months).

After 1 month, we topped up with 350 Thai Baht for 7.5 GB of data through DTAC mobile application. The DTAC Thailand sim card provided us with good network coverage throughout Thailand’s major areas.

Best Currency Exchange Rate for Thai Baht

The best currency exchange rate would be in Thailand. Don’t exchange beforehand as the rates in your country wouldn’t be as good as what you find in Thailand.

The airport has loads of currency exchange kiosks but their rates aren’t so good. The best way would be to only exchange enough to get you to the accommodation and exchange the rest elsewhere. The more touristy streets generally have the best rates as they have more competition. These foreign exchange kiosks are just small aluminum boxes set up along the streets. Before exchanging any money always ask if there is an additional fee.

Always Ask the Price Before Buying

If getting a short distance tuk tuk or just grabbing some quick street food, always ask the price first. This is a practical way to not pay a higher price, as well as barter, especially for tuk tuks.

Drink Plenty of Water

Bangkok is a hot humid city, so drink loads of water especially if out and about.

>> We have recently visited the River Kwai Jungle Rafts from Bangkok and wrote about our experience and all you need to know. Read our review of the River Kwai Jungle Rafts .

>>> And if you plan to visit  Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi from Bangkok , we will find all you need to know about getting there in these 2 posts; Bangkok to Ayutthaya and Bangkok to Kanchanaburi .

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——— ABOUT US ———

We're Jackie and James, now in our late 30's, we've been traveling on and off for 5 years now. After living our entire lives on a tiny island named Malta, we set off to explore Asia on a budget while writing detailed guides about awesome destinations. We hope our travels help you realize that traveling doesn't have to cost a fortune.

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Bangkok Travel Guide

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Under the shadow of the Bangkok’s skyscrapers you’ll find a heady mix of chaos and refinement, of frenetic markets, snail’s-pace traffic jams and hushed golden temples, of dispiriting, zombie-like sex shows and early-morning alms-giving ceremonies. A first-time visitor to Bangkok will be blown away by the sights, sounds and smells bursting from the city. Return travellers come back to stay in the capital for that very same reason.

Places to visit in Bangkok

Top things to do in bangkok, best time to visit bangkok, where to stay in bangkok, where to eat in bangkok, traditional massage and spas in bangkok, going out in bangkok, bangkok travel advice, a brief history of bangkok, around bangkok.

One way or another, the place is sure to get under your skin. With our Bangkok travel guide we’re confident you’ll enjoy every challenge Thailand’s capital city throws at you.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Thailand, created by local experts

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Chiang Mai Safari Adventure

The perfect trip for some family fun and adventure, lovely Chiang Mai with its lush valleys and national parks ticks all the boxes. Expect majestic cliff-top temples, sprawling national parks and exciting safari adventures.

12 days  / from 2750 USD

Thailand's Islands and Highlands

Experience the best of Thailand as you discover glitzy Bangkok's temples, markets and waterways. Compare the bustling, lively capital with the glorious rolling hills and lush interior of mountainous Chiang Mai before heading south to beach bliss and unexpected cultural delights in hedonistic Phuket.

12 days  / from 2450 USD

Thailand Discovery

A great way to discover Thailand, take in the Central Plain and Bangkok, the north with Chiang Mai and the south at the lively resort of Phuket.

Tailor-made trips for   Thailand

Ratanakosin

Any Bangkok city guide worth their salt will tell you that the place to start is Ratanakosin, the royal island on the east bank of the Chao Phraya, where the city’s most important and extravagant sights are located.

They include: the Grand Palace and adjoining royal temple, Wat Phra Kaeo; the Wang Na (Palace of the Second King), now the National Museum; Wat Pho, which predates the capital’s founding; Wat Mahathat, the most important centre of Buddhist learning in Southeast Asia; the National Theatre; the National Gallery; and Thammasat and Silpakorn universities.

Banglamphu and the Democracy Monument area

Immediately north of Ratanakosin, Banglamphu’s most notorious attraction is Thanon Khao San, a tiny sliver of a road built over a canal in 1892, whose multiple guesthouses and buzzing, budget-minded nightlife have made it an unmissable way-station for travellers through Southeast Asia.

There is plenty of cultural interest too, in a medley of idiosyncratic temples within a few blocks of nearby landmark Democracy Monument, and in the typical Bangkok neighbourhoods that connect them, many of which still feel charmingly old-fashioned.

Chinatown and Pahurat

When the newly crowned Rama I decided to move his capital across to the east bank of the river in 1782, the Chinese community living on the proposed site of his palace was obliged to relocate downriver, to the Sampeng area.

Two centuries on, Chinatown has grown into the country’s largest Chinese district, a sprawl of narrow alleyways, temples and shophouses packed between Charoen Krung (New Road) and the river.

For fifteen years between the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 and the founding of Bangkok in 1782, the west-bank town of Thonburi stood in as the Thai capital.

Its time in the spotlight was too brief for the building of the fine monuments and temples, but some of its centuries-old canals, which once transported everyone and everything, have endured. It is these and the ways of life that depend on them that constitute Thonburi’s main attractions.

The most popular way to explore these old neighbourhoods is by boat, but joining a bicycle tour of the older neighbourhoods is also very rewarding.

The spacious, leafy area known as Dusit has been a royal district since the reign of Rama V, King Chulalongkorn (1860–1910). The first Thai monarch to visit Europe, Rama V returned with radical plans for the modernisation of his capital, the fruits of which are most visible in Dusit, notably at Vimanmek Palace and Wat Benjamabophit, the so-called “Marble Temple”.

Dusit is also the venue for the spectacular annual Trooping the Colour, when hundreds of Royal Guards demonstrate their allegiance to the king by parading around Royal Plaza. Across from Chitrlada Palace, Dusit Zoo makes a pleasant enough place to take the kids.

Downtown Bangkok

Downtown Bangkok is central to the colossal expanse of Bangkok as a whole, but rather peripheral in a sightseer’s perception of the city. In this modern high-rise area, you’ll find the main shopping centres around Siam Square.

Travel further east, you’ll find yet more shopping malls around the noisy and glittering Erawan Shrine, where Rama I becomes Thanon Ploenchit, an intersection known as Ratchaprasong. It’s possible to stroll in peace above the cracked pavements, noise and fumes of Thanon Rama I, by using the elevated walkway that runs beneath the Skytrain lines.

The city outskirts

A handful of places that make pleasant half-day escapes, principally Chatuchak Weekend Market, the cultural theme-park of Muang Boran, the upstream town of Nonthaburi and the tranquil artificial island of Ko Kred.

A Bangkok city guide boiled down into nine brilliant things to do

• The Grand Palace

The country’s most unmissable sight, incorporating its holiest and most dazzling temple, Wat Phra Kaeo. Experience it as part of the Flexi Private Temple Tour .

Admire the Reclining Buddha and the lavish architecture, and leave time for a relaxing massage.

The central repository of the country’s artistic riches.

Legendary hangout for Southeast Asia backpackers; the place for cheap sleeps, baggy trousers and tall tales.

See the Bangkok of yesteryear on a touristy but memorable longtail-boat ride.

• Jim Thompson's House - An elegant Thai design classic, can be discovered on a guided tour including a weaving community visit.

Eight thousand open-air stalls selling everything from triangular pillows to secondhand Levis.

Fine cocktails and jaw-dropping views, especially at sunset, at The Sky Bar and Distil.

• Thai boxing - Witness a fight in style with a VIP ticket to Rajadamnern Stadium or try it yourself by taking a class .

The climate of most of Thailand is governed by three seasons: rainy (roughly May–Oct), caused by the southwest monsoon; cool (Nov–Feb); and hot (March–May).

The cool season is the most clement time to visit Bangkok, although temperatures can still reach a broiling 30°C in the middle of the day. Bear in mind, however, that it’s also the busiest season, so forward planning is essential.

If your time in Bangkok is limited, you should think carefully about what you want to do in the city before deciding which part of town to stay in. Traffic jams are so appalling here that easy access to Skytrain, subway or river transport can be crucial.

In this travel guide on where to stay in Bangkok , we explore its various districts, picking out accommodation options that are notable in one way or another, from the best value for money to those with the prettiest views.

As you’d expect, nowhere in Thailand can compete with Bangkok’s diversity when it comes to food: it boasts an astonishing fifty thousand places to eat, almost one for every hundred citizens.

The best gourmet restaurants in the country operate from the downtown districts, proffering wonderful royal, traditional and regional cuisines that definitely merit a visit.

At the lower end of the price scale, one-dish meals from around the country are rustled up at the food courts of shopping centres and department stores, as well as at night markets and street stalls, which are so numerous in Bangkok that we can only flag the most promising areas.

Chinatown naturally rates as the most authentic district for pure Chinese food; likewise neighbouring Pahurat, the capital’s Indian enclave, is best for unadulterated Indian dishes.

From the best pad thais to eating insects , here’s the lowdown on where to eat in Bangkok .

Thai cookery classes in Bangkok

8/91 Soi 54, Thanon Ngam Wongwan. Thorough, four-hour classes in a quiet, suburban house in northern Bangkok. B2200, including transfers from central hotels. Closed Sun.

233 Thanon Sathorn Tai (BTS Surasak). In a grand building, courses that range from B3300 for a half-day to a five-day private course for professional chefs for B90,000.

Klong Toey. A chance to experience the slums of Klong Toey and spend a morning learning to cook. B1200, including a market tour and free transfers from next to Phrom Pong BTS station. Closed Sun.

You can also book a Thai cooking class that includes a trip to Bangkok's largest market, Khlong Toei, to choose and buy your own ingredients before cooking them up.

Bangkok has a good reputation for shopping, particularly for antiques, gems, contemporary interior design and fashions, where the range and quality are streets ahead of other Thai cities. Silk and handicrafts are good buys too, though shopping for these in Chiang Mai has many advantages. As always, watch out for fakes: cut glass masquerading as precious stones, old, damaged goods being passed off as antiques, counterfeit designer clothes and accessories, pirated CDs and DVDs, even mocked-up international driver’s licences (though Thai travel agents and other organizations aren’t that easily fooled).

Downtown is full of smart, multi-storey shopping plazas like Siam Centre, Siam Paragon and Central World on Thanon Rama I and Emporium on Thanon Sukhumvit, which is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s fashion stores, as well as designer lifestyle goods and bookshops. The plazas tend to be pleasantly air-conditioned and thronging with trendy young Thais, but don’t hold much interest for tourists unless you happen to be looking for a new outfit.

Shopping centres, department stores and tourist-oriented shops in the city keep late hours, opening daily at 10 or 11am and closing at about 9pm; many small, upmarket boutiques, for example along Thanon Charoen Krung and Thanon Silom, close on Sundays, one or two even on Saturdays. Monday is meant to be no-street-vendor day throughout Bangkok, a chance for the pavements to get cleaned and for pedestrians to finally see where they’re going, but plenty of stalls manage to flout the rule.

If you're into shopping but not that much into haggling or doing the research, you can take a private driver and guide to take you to the best malls and plazas in Bangkok. The guide will help you haggle and find the best deals for your desired items and having a private car means never having to worry about dragging your shopping bags around the public transport.

Shopping for everyday stuff

You’re most likely to find useful everyday items in one of the city’s numerous department stores: seven-storey Central Chidlom on Thanon Ploenchit (daily 10am–10pm), which boasts handy services like watch-, garment- and shoe-repair booths as well as a huge product selection (including large sizes), is probably the city’s best. For children’s stuff, Central Chidlom also has a branch of Mothercare, as do the Emporium and Siam Paragon shopping centres. Meanwhile, the British chain of pharmacies, Boots the Chemist, has scores of branches across the city, including on Thanon Khao San, in Siam Paragon, in Central World, in Emporium and a late-night branch at the Thanon Suriwong end of Patpong 1.

The best place to buy anything to do with mobile phones is the scores of small booths on the third floor of Mah Boon Krong (MBK) Shopping Centre at the Rama I/Phrayathai intersection. For computer hardware and genuine and pirated software, as well as digital cameras, Panthip Plaza, at 604/3 Thanon Phetchaburi, is the best place; it’s slightly off the main shopping routes, but handy for Khlong Saen Saeb boat stop Tha Pratunam, or a longer walk from BTS Ratchathevi. Mac-heads are catered for here, including authorized resellers, and there are dozens of repair and secondhand booths, especially towards the back of the shopping centre and on the upper floors.

Having clothes tailor-made

Bangkok can be an excellent place to get tailor-made suits, dresses, shirts and trousers at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the West. Tailors here can copy a sample brought from home and will also work from any photographs you can provide; most also carry a good selection of catalogues. The bad news is that many tourist-oriented tailors aren’t terribly good, often attempting to get away with poor work and shoddy materials (and sometimes trying to delay delivery until just before you leave the city, so that you don’t have time to complain). However, with a little effort and thought, both men and women can get some fantastic clothes made to measure.

Choosing a tailor can be tricky, and unless you’re particularly knowledgeable about material, shopping around won’t necessarily tell you much. However, don’t make a decision wholly on prices quoted – picking a tailor simply because they’re the cheapest usually leads to poor work, and cheap suits don’t last. Special deals offering two suits, two shirts, two ties and a kimono for US$99 should be left well alone. Above all, ignore recommendations by anyone with a vested interest in bringing your custom to a particular shop.

Prices vary widely depending on material and the tailor’s skill. As a very rough guide, for labour alone expect to pay B5000–6000 for a two-piece suit, though some tailors will charge rather more (check whether or not the price you’re quoted includes the lining). For middling material, expect to pay about B3000–5000, or anything up to B20,000 for top-class cloth. With the exception of silk, local materials are frequently of poor quality and for suits in particular you’re far better off using English or Italian cloth. Most tailors stock both imported and local fabrics, but bringing your own from home can work out significantly cheaper.

Give yourself as much time as possible. For suits, insist on two fittings. Most good tailors require around three days for a suit (some require ten days or more), although a few have enough staff to produce good work in a day or two. The more detail you can give the tailor the better. As well as deciding on the obvious features such as single- or double-breasted and number of buttons, think about the width of lapels, style of trousers, whether you want the jacket with vents or not, and so forth. Specifying factors like this will make all the difference to whether you’re happy with your suit, so it’s worth discussing them with the tailor; a good tailor should be able to give good advice. Finally, don’t be afraid to be an awkward customer until you’re completely happy with the finished product – after all, the whole point of getting clothes tailor-made is to get exactly what you want.

Gem scams are so common in Bangkok that TAT has published a brochure about it and there are several websites on the subject, including the very informative w2bangkok.com/2bangkok-scams-sapphire.html, which describes typical scams in detail. Never buy anything through a tout or from any shop recommended by a “government official”/“student”/“businessperson”/tuk-tuk driver who just happens to engage you in conversation on the street, and note that there are no government jewellery shops, despite any information you may be given to the contrary, and no special government promotions or sales on gems.

The basic scam is to charge a lot more than what the gem is worth based on its carat weight – at the very least, get it tested on the spot, ask for a written guarantee and receipt. Don’t even consider buying gems in bulk to sell at a supposedly vast profit elsewhere: many a gullible traveller has invested thousands of dollars on a handful of worthless multicoloured stones, believing the vendor’s reassurance that the goods will fetch at least a hundred percent more when resold at home.

If you’re determined to buy precious stones, check that the shop is a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, by visiting their website which has a directory of members (w thaigemjewelry.or.th ). To be doubly sure, you may want to seek out shops that also belong to the TGJTA’s Jewel Fest Club (wjewelfest.com), which guarantees quality and will offer refunds; see their website for a directory of members.

Thai massage sessions and courses are held most famously at Wat Pho, while luxurious and indulgent spa and massage treatments are available at many posh hotels across the city, as well as at the following stand-alone places.

Divana Massage and Spa 7 Soi 25, Thanon Sukhumvit t 02 661 6784, w divanaspa.com; map. Delightful spa serving up Thai massages (100min for B1150), foot, aromatherapy and herbal massages, as well as facials and Ayurvedic treatments. Mon–Fri 11am–11pm, Sat & Sun 10am–11pm.

Nicolie Sun Square, a small shopping arcade on the south side of Thanon Silom between soi 21 and 23 t 02 233 6957, w nicolie-th.com ; map. Superb Thai (B1600/90min) and other massages, as well as facials and scrubs, in a soothing environment decorated with Asian objets d’art. Daily 11am–10pm.

Pian’s Soi Susie Pub, which runs between the east end of Thanon Khao San and Thanon Ram Bhuttri t 02 629 0924; map. Uninvitingly clinical-looking but highly rated a/c massage centre, offering Thai massages (B200/hr) as well as foot, oil and herbal massages; you can also study Thai massage here. Daily 7.30am–12.30am.

Returning visitors to Bangkok will notice that its drinking and nightlife scene has thoroughly grown up in the past ten years, leaving notorious Patpong – and its neon-light sex bars – behind. Visit Bangkok now and you’ll find it offers everything from ‘illegal’ microbreweries (strictly speaking small-batch brewing is verboten) and rooftop cocktail bars to achingly cool clubs and dance bars, hosting world-class DJs.

Drinking and nightlife

The high-concept bars of Sukhumvit and the lively, teeming venues of Banglamphu, in particular, pull in the style-conscious cream of Thai youth and are tempting an increasing number of travellers to stuff their party gear into their rucksacks. During the cool season (Nov–Feb), an evening out at one of the seasonal beer gardens is a pleasant way of soaking up the urban atmosphere (and the traffic fumes). You’ll find them in hotel forecourts or sprawled in front of dozens of shopping centres all over the city, most notably Central World Plaza.

Among the city’s club nights , look out for the interesting regular events organized by Zudrangma Record Store at venues such as Cosmic Café , which mix up dance music from all around Thailand and from all over the world. Getting back to your lodgings should be no problem in the small hours: many bus routes run a (reduced) service throughout the night, and tuk-tuks and taxis are always at hand – though it’s probably best for unaccompanied women to avoid using tuk-tuks late at night.

As long as you keep your wits about you, you shouldn’t encounter much trouble in Thailand. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are two of the main problems, but the most common cause for concern is the number of con-artists who dupe gullible tourists into parting with their cash.

Personal safety

On any bus, private or government, and on any train journey, never keep anything of value in luggage that is stored out of your sight and be wary of accepting food and drink from fellow passengers as it may be drugged.

Drinks can also be spiked in bars and clubs; at full moon parties on Ko Pha Ngan this has led to sexual assaults against farang women, while prostitutes sometimes spike drinks so they can steal from their victim’s room.

Gay and lesbian Bangkok

Buddhist tolerance and a national abhorrence of confrontation and victimisation combine to make Thai society relatively tolerant of homosexuality, if not exactly positive about same-sex relationships.

Although excessively physical displays of affection are frowned upon for both hetero-sexuals and homosexuals, Western gay couples should get no hassle about being seen together in public.

Thailand’s gay scene is mainly focused on mainstream venues like karaoke bars, restaurants, massage parlours, gyms, saunas and escort agencies. The bars, clubs and café-restaurants located around the east end of Thanon Silom and especially in the narrow alleys of Soi 2 and Soi 4, are the most notable of Bangkok’s gay nightlife venues.

Thailand’s sex industry

More than a thousand sex-related businesses operate in the city, but the gaudy neon fleshpots of Patpong and Sukhumvit’s Soi Nana and Soi Cowboy give a misleading impression of an activity that is deeply rooted in Thai culture. The overwhelming majority of Thailand’s prostitutes of both sexes (estimated at anywhere up to 700,000) work with Thai men, not farangs (Europeans).

The farang sex industry in Bangkok is a relatively new development, having started during the Vietnam War, when the American military set up seven bases around Thailand. Sex tourism has since grown to become an established part of the Thai economy.

Despite its ubiquity, prostitution has been illegal in Thailand since 1960, but sex-industry bosses easily circumvent the law by registering their establishments as clubs, karaoke bars or massage parlours, and making payoffs.

Inevitably, child prostitution is a significant issue in Thailand, but NGOs such as ECPAT say numbers have declined over the last decade, due to zero-tolerance and awareness campaigns.

Bangkok is a relatively young capital, established in 1782 after the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya, the former capital. A temporary base was set up on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, in what is now Thonburi, before work started on the more defensible east bank.

The first king of the new dynasty, Rama I, built his palace at Ratanakosin, within a defensive ring of two (later expanded to three) canals, and this remains the city’s spiritual heart. This remains the best place to start your exploration, where the city’s most important and extravagant sights are located.

Initially, Bangkok was largely amphibious: only the temples and royal palaces were built on dry land, while ordinary residences floated on thick bamboo rafts on the river and canals.

A major shift in emphasis came in the second half of the nineteenth century, first under Rama IV (1851–68), who as part of his effort to restyle the capital along European lines built Bangkok’s first roads.

Modern Bangkok

Since World War II, and especially from the mid-1960s onwards, Bangkok has seen an explosion of modernisation. Most of the canals have been filled in, replaced by endless rows of cheap, functional concrete shophouses, high-rises and housing estates.

The benefits of Thailand’s economic boom since the 1980s have been concentrated in Bangkok, attracting migration from all over the country and making the capital ever more dominant.

Every aspect of national life is centralised in the city, but the mayor of Bangkok is not granted enough power to deal with the ensuing problems, notably that of traffic.

The Skytrain and the subway have undoubtedly helped, but the competing systems don’t intersect properly or ticket jointly, and it’s left to ingenious, local solutions such as the Khlong Saen Saeb canal boats and side-street motorbike taxis to keep the city moving.

Visiting Bangkok's outskirts isn’t particularly popular as it harbours few attractions. However, there are a handful of places that make pleasant half-day excursions.

• Mainly Chatuchak Weekend Market (which has over 8,000 stalls), the cultural theme-park of Muang Boran (explore one of the world's largest museums with your private transport here ), the rather more esoteric Prasart Museum, the upstream town of Nonthaburi and the tranquil artificial island of Ko Kred.
• If you want to go a little further, visit Ayutthaya for the day: there's excellent private tours that leave from Bangkok and take in no fewer than five UNESCO -sited temples.
• If you’re travelling with children, you may want to visit the Mahanakhon SkyWalk where you can scale Bangkok’s highest building for panoramic views, or visit Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World to experience sharks and rays swimming over your head in the under-ocean tunnel.

Top image © Chatchai Somwat/Shutterstock

This page contains affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

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2023 Bangkok Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary)

by thepinay solobackpacker | Sep 12, 2023 | Featured , Itinerary , Thailand , Tourist Spots , Travel Guide | 44 comments

Bangkok is special to me, because this is where I first backpacked solo abroad. I remember booking a cheap airfare months before my trip. I booked a tour and a hotel from a travel agency but after paying it, they called me and said I had to pay for two because the hotel room is good for two. So I asked for a refund. And that’s how I started researching about DIY trips to Bangkok, Thailand that eventually led me to setting up this blog. I read a Bangkok Travel Guide that introduced the concept of backpacking and DIY travels to me.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE

Bangkok is a good introduction to Southeast Asia backpacking because everything here is cheap (hotels, food, tours, shopping, transportation, etc.), it is easy to explore, it is rich in culture, it has arguably the best food in Southeast Asia, it is tourist-friendly (save for a few pushy touts), it is generally safe (except for tuktuk scams) and it is easy to cross the border (from Thailand) to neighboring countries like Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. I’ll blog about border-crossing from Thailand in the future, but for the meantime, here’s my Bangkok Travel Guide with budget and itinerary to help you plan your next trip. .

WHEN TO VISIT BANGKOK  : Bangkok is situated in Southeast Asia, near the equator, dear readers. So expect it to be hot and humid during summer and prepare for torrential downpour during the rainy season.

November to February is the best season to visit Bangkok since it is cool and dry. I have traveled to Bangkok a few times during this season. However if you want to avoid the crowd, take note that December to January is the peak season.

March to June is pretty hot, I traveled a few times to Bangkok during this season and I could not stand staying in a fan room. I recommend booking an air-conditioned room if you plan to travel around the aforementioned months. If you want to get a tan, this is a good season for Thailand beaches. And if you are in Bangkok around second week of April, don’t miss the popular Songkran Festival.

July to October is the wet season, expect drizzles to heavy downpour that might ruin your travel plans. However, there is a good side to the low season, hotels and airfares can go as low as 50% off, so it can be pretty tempting to travel.

BANGKOK CURRENCY AND MONEY EXCHANGE: Bangkok uses Thai Bhat (THB or ฿) as currency. But I suggest you bring US dollars to get a better rate. I had a hard time finding a money changer in Bangkok that accepts Philippine peso the last time I was there. Money exchange shops are widespread in Bangkok, but bank rates are usually better, so, I prefer withdrawing cash from ATM.  Take note that there is a ฿200 (₱315 – $6) fee when you withdraw using foreign accounts.  Some banks like Aeon Bank charge less, about  ฿150 (₱236 – $5)  per withdrawal. So if you plan to withdraw from an ATM, make it one time big time since the fee per transaction is quite hefty.

BANGKOK WI-FI: While most accommodations in Bangkok have free Wi-Fi, it’s important to stay connected online while you are outside and touring around. You can use your data or rent a pocket Wi-Fi.

• Thailand Pocket Wi-Fi: RENT HERE
• Thailand Simcard: BUY HERE

BANGKOK ELECTRICITY : Bangkok and the rest of Thailand uses 220 V. Power outlets commonly have two-prong round or flat sockets. Bring universal adapter plug. You can also buy at convenience stores in Bangkok like 7Eleven.

BANGKOK TIME : Take note that the Philippines is 1 hour ahead of Bangkok, Thailand. Adjust your watch while in Bangkok so you won’t miss your tour or flight.

THAILAND VISA : Philippine Passport holders are entitled to a 30 day visa-free entry (by air) to Thailand. If arriving by land like crossing borders from Cambodia, Laos or Malaysia, you will only get a 15 day visa-free stay.

HOW TO GET TO BANGKOK FROM MANILA

Several airlines fly to Bangkok from Manila like Cebu Pacific, Thai Airways and Philippine Airlines.

BANGKOK AIRPORT (SUVARNABHUMI) TO BANGKOK CITY CENTER

• AIRPORT TRANSFER

If you want an easy and efficient transfer in a modern air conditioned vehicle from Suvarnabhumi airport to your hotel, you can book an airport transfer.

Bangkok Airport Transfer: RESERVE HERE

• AIRPORT TAXI

The Bangkok Airport taxis are located outside the First floor (Ground Floor), near entrances 3,4,7, and 8. Taxis have different colors depending on the taxi company.

There are 2 kinds of  Bangkok Airport taxis:

• Ordinary taxi: good for 2-3 passengers with small luggage
• Maxi taxis: good for 3-4 passengers with large baggages

Taxi fare is charge by the meter, plus additional  THB 50 (₱78 -$1.50) airport surcharge and Express Way fees.

To get an airport taxi, after collecting your baggage, proceed to the kiosk with “Taxi Meter Only” sign. You need to tell the staff where you need to go and you’ll be given a paper printed with your destination. You will be pointed to where you need to go for the taxi pick up.

If you will be taking Grab  from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to Bangkok City, expect to pay around  ฿375 (₱590 /$11) to ฿1,000 (₱1,571 /$30)  depending on your destination.  Travel time from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to Bangkok City is roughly 30-45 minutes.  Remember that many drivers in Bangkok aren’t fluent in English, so you might have a hard time communicating.

•   BY AIRPORT RAIL LINK

This is the fastest way to get to Bangkok City from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) if you want to avoid the infamous Bangkok traffic. However, it won’t bring you directly to your hotel, unless your hotel is near one of the BTS or MRT stations.

The Airport Rail Link is located at the Basement Level and is open from 5:30 AM to 12:00 midnight only.  Fare is roughly THB 45 (₱71 -$1.35) from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok City and vice versa.

The line starts at Phyathai Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Airport line stops at 7 stations along the way.

• (A1) Suvarnabhumi Airport
• (A2) Lad Krabang Station
• (A3) Ban Thap Chang
• (A4) Hua Mak
• (A5) Ramkhamhaeng
• (A6) Makkasan (City Air Terminal, interchange with MRT Blue Line (Petchaburi)
• (A7) Ratchaprarop
• (A8) Phayatai Station (interchange with BTS Sukhumvit Line).

If you’re heading to Bangkok City, you can connect to BTS Skytrain or MRT Metro Trains at (A6) Makkasan Station for THB 35 (₱55 -$1) or at (A8) Phayatai Station for THB 45 (₱71 -$1.35). Fare for the city line is THB 15 (₱24 -$0.45) to THB 45 (₱71 -$1.35) depending on the distance.

Just to give you a brief explanation, the Airport Line is the line that connects to the airport from both the BTS and MRT Line (pretty much like Manila’s LRT and MRT). BTS is a skytrain that runs across Bangkok from North to South East are. Meanwhile, the MRT is a subway that runs along the main road in Bangkok.

BANGKOK AIRPORT (SUVARNABHUMI) TO SUKHUMVIT BY AIRPORT LINE + MRT/BTS SKYTRAIN

Here’s how to get from Bangkok Airport to Bangkok City via the Bangkok BTS and MRT Line:

1.At Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok Airport), make your way to the Basement Level. 2. Buy tokens or pass for the Bangkok Airport Train.

3.Ride the Bangkok Airport Train.

4.Alight at (A6) Makkasan Station. Fare is THB 35 (₱55 -$1).

5.If your hotel is located in Silom and Chinatown. Walk to the (BL21) Phetchaburi Station (MRT Blue Line).

6.Ride the blue line at (BL21) Phetchaburi Station to (BL22) Sukhumvit Station. Fare is THB 17 (₱27 -$0.51).

7. Alight at (BL22) Sukhumvit Station. Take Exit No.3 – Sukhumvit Road. From there you can get to Asoke intersection on Sukhumvit Road, to Silom and Chinatown.

BANGKOK AIRPORT (SUVARNABHUMI) TO SUKHUMVIT BY UBER/GRAB/TAXI

Coming from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport Sukhumvit, Uber/Grabe/Taxi will cost you around TBH 325/PHP 496 (USD 10/EURO 8/ SGD 13/MYR 41).

BANGKOK AIRPORT (SUVARNABHUMI) TO KHAO SAN ROAD: BY UBER/Grab/Taxi

If you decide to take UBER/Grab/taxi to Khao San Road, prepare to pay around TBH 375/PHP 573 (USD 11/EURO 10/SGD 375/MYR 48).

BY AIRPORT LINE + BTS Skytrain

From Bangkok Airport to get to your hotel in Khao San Road, you can take the Airport Line + BTS Skytrain. The closest BTS Skytrain stations are National Stadium Station (closest station but needs 2 transfers), Ratchatewi Station (1 transfer) and Siam Station (1 transfer) but it is still quite far, about 5 KM. So from any of these stations, you can take Uber/Grab or taxi to Khao San Road.

STEP 1: Take the Airport Line to Phyathai (Phaya Thai) Station. STEP 2: Transfer to dark green line and alight at Ratchatewi Station or Siam Station. Take a cab/Uber/Grab to Khao San Road. Fare is around TBH 107/PHP 163 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4.36/MYR 14).

STEP 1: Take the Airport Line to Phyathai (Phaya Thai) Station. STEP 2 : Transfer to dark green line and alight at Siam Station. STEP 3: From Siam Station, transfer to light green line to National Stadium. STEP 4: Take UBER/Grab/taxi to Khao San Road. Fare is about TBH 95/PHP 145 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 12). IMPORTANT: Good news is, the MRT Extension has been approved, so once that line opens, you can just get off at Democracy Monument Station (OR 5) and walk to Khao San Road.

BANGKOK AIRPORT (SUVARNABHUMI) TO SILOM

BY UBER/GRAB/TAXI

Uber/Grab/Taxi to Silom from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabumi) will cost roughly TBH 375/PHP 573 (USD 11/EURO 10/SGD 375/MYR 48).

BY AIRPORT LINE + MRT/BTS SKYTRAIN OPTION 1

STEP 1: Take the Airport Line and alight at Makkasan Station. STEP 2: Transfer to MRT Blue Line en route to Hua Lamphong. Get off at Silom (Si Lom) Station.

STEP 1: Take the Airport Line and get off at Phyathai (Phaya Thai) Station. STEP 2: Transfer to BTS Sukhumvit Line en route to Bearing and alight at Siam Station. STEP 3 : Transfer to BTS Silom Line en route to Bang Wa) and get off at Saladaeng Station.

BORDER-CROSSING IN THAILAND

Poipet (Thailand) – Aranyaprathet (Cambodia)

ALSO READ: 

BANGKOK – CAMBODIA BORDER CROSSING

Huay Xai (Thailand)/ Chiang Khong (Laos) Koh Lipe (Thailand)/ Langkawi (Malaysia)

ALSO READ: BANGKOK TO CAMBODIA BORDER CROSSING

GETTING AROUND BANGKOK

Getting around Bangkok can be confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to explore the city. There are 6 modes of transportation that you can use:

TRAIN (BTS Skytrain/MRT)

A cheap way to get around Bangkok is via the train (BTS Skytrain/MRT). You can use single-trip tokens or pre-paid Smart Passes. Single Journey tokens will cost you THB 15/PHP 23 (USD 0.45/EURO 4/SGD 0.61/MYR 2) – THB 52/PHP 80 (USD 2/EURO 4/SGD 2/MYR 7) depending on the number of zones you crossed, while the day pass is THB 130/PHP 199 (USD 4/EURO 4/SGD 5/MYR 16). You can purchase tickets from the ticket booth or ticket machines in every station. Always print the receipt or ask for one, you might need it later.

BY CAR RENTAL

• Enjoy a comfortable private charter from Bangkok in a modern air conditioned car (up to 3 people) or a van (up to 10 people)
• Choose between full or half day packages to suit the requirements of your trip
• Plan your own itinerary and let your driver find the shortest route to get there
• Feel safe in the hands of your experienced driver and guide on request (full day charter only)

Thankfully, Uber and Grab are now available in Bangkok that will make commuting hassle-free!

I’ve used taxi in Bangkok a few times, I just hail one and they automatically turn on the meter. If they don’t, insist on using it or get out and hail another cab. Do not approach the ones parked near Khao San Road, they don’t use the meter! Flag down is THB 35/PHP 53 (USD 1/EURO 0.89/SGD 1.43/MYR 35), and usually cost me around THB 70/PHP 107 (USD 2/EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 9) to THB 100/PHP 153 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 13).

BANGKOK SCAM ALERT (FLAT FARE TAXI): When you ride a taxi and the driver refuses to turn on the meter saying it’s a flat fare taxi. The driver will most likely charge you about 3 times the usual meter rate. Get off and hail another cab.

The Chao Phraya express boat is usually a cheap way to get to the Grand Palace complex and Wat Pho, not to mention you will avoid traffic. Meanwhile, the Saen Saep express boat is popular among locals for daily commute.

IMPORTANT: If you are a female, do not sit next to a monk on a boat (or any public transportation) or stand in the same area of the boat. Do not touch them or their things. It is frowned upon.

BANGKOK SCAM ALERT (TBH 10 or TBH 20 Tuktuk Ride): Don’t believe when a local approaches you and tells you that ferry is not frequent and will leave at certain times of the day only. He will then hail a tuktuk to take you around for about TBH 20/PHP 30 (USD 0.90/EURO 0.76/ SGD 1.22/MYR 4) but instead of taking you directly to your destination, the driver will take you to different travel agencies and shops. TBH 30 is a small amount but if you are pressed for time, this can ruin your itinerary.

You can charter a long-tail boat to explore Khlong Bangkok Noi and other canals in Thonburi. Negotiate the price first before leaving.

I’ve used the bus a few times before, it can be confusing. It’s a cheap way to get around Bangkok, however I won’t really recommend this because you might get lost if you don’t know where to get off.

There are motorbikes that can take you to your destination (short-distances). I’ve used this a few times to get to my hotel and evade traffic. They are mostly wearing helmet and uniforms and parked at the BTS/MRT Stations or bus stop. The fares are clearly posted, so make sure you read them or ask the driver before hopping on the motorbike. Helmet is provided.

Honestly, I’ve never used a tuktuk before for my Bangkok tour because of the gem scam issue. But a good friend advised me, it is not as bad as he thought. The drivers will add the gem market to the destination (it’s like when you take the tours in Vietnam or Indonesia and they take you to souvenir shops where the driver and the tourist guide get commissions). So it’s still up to you if you will purchase from those gem stores. If you do, they will get a commission. But if you are really hesitant since this will waste your time and ruin your itinerary but you want to experience riding in a tuktuk, you can use it for short distance ride but be wary of another scam the TBH 10 or 20 tuktuk ride. See details below this post (list of Bangkok Scams).

BANGKOK SCAM ALERT (CLOSED FOR TODAY): Don’t believe when a friendly local approaches you and introduces himself as a teacher and then will tell you that the Grand Palace or a certain temple or a certain attraction is closed for a Buddhist holiday or cleaning. He will then hail an accomplice tuktuk to tour you or take you to another temple or attraction. The driver will drive you around to gem stores or shops and get a commission for taking you there. I was told they usually get gas coupons.

BANGKOK TOP ATTRACTIONS

Ko rattanakosin area.

This is where Bangkok’s most important temples are concentrated, including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Dubbed as the historic center of Bangkok, Rattanakosin established sometime in 1782 when the capital of Thai Kingdom was moved here – Rattanakosin Kingdom, which was the 4th Kingdom of Thailand.

THE GRAND PALACE and WAT PHRA KAEW

When in Bangkok, don’t miss the Grand Palace the official residence of the Kings of Thailand since 1782. This sprawling complex is sprinkled with jaw-dropping buildings, gardens and pavilions.

Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand Open Hours: 08:30 AM– 03:30 PM Entrance Fee: THB 500/PHP 764 (USD 15/EURO 13/SGD 20/MYR 63), ticket includes a visit to Wat Phraew and Dusit Palace (you can use within 7 days).

BANGKOK SCAM ALERT: If a local approaches you and tells you the Grand Palace is close for the day and offers to take you to other temples instead. Do not believe him/her. It’s a scam. Go directly to the main entrance.

DRESS CODE: Do not wear shorts or tank tops, it is considered disrespectful. Make sure your legs and shoulders are covered. You can rent sarong near the palace gate in case you failed to comply like me.

HOW TO GET TO THE GRAND PALACE:

STEP 1: Take the Silom Line (BTS Skytrain) and alight at (S6) Saphan Taksin Station.

STEP 2: Hop on the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Ta Chang Pier (No.9). From here, the Grand Palace is about a 5-10 minute walk.

If coming from Khao San Road, the Grand Palace is about 20-30 minute walk. Consult Google Maps for directions. Or just take a taxi or UBER/Grab for about THB 47/PHP 72 (USD 1.42/EURO 1.19/SGD 2/MYR 6).

I’ve tried this route twice but I usually visit other temples along the way. Will write a more detailed Bangkok Walking Tour blog soon.

If coming from the National Stadium, Silom or Lumphini BTS/MRT Station, you can take Bus #47. Fare is about THB 7/PHP 11 (USD 0.21/EURO 0.18/SGD 0.29/MYR 0.89) on weekdays and FREE during weekends.

From Phaya Thai, Hua Lamphong BTS/MRT Station or National Stadium, you may take a cab or UBER/GRAB for about THB 100/PHP 153 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 13).

Bangkok Grand Palace and River Cruise Sightseeing Half Day Tour

• See the best of Bangkok on an immersive tour of the city with a professional guide
• Take a relaxing cruise down Chao Phraya River and view iconic Bangkok landmarks
• Have lunch at Wang Lang Market, a truly local place and a street food haven
• Transportation between sights and English speaking guide services are included

Inclusive Of:

Join in tour Air conditioned vehicle with free WiFi on board Professional licensed English/Chinese/Japanese/Korean speaking guide All admission fees as mentioned in the program (THB500) Boat ride at the floating market Insurance provided by the operator

Nearby the Grand Palace is another famous temple – Wat Pho, known for its gigantic reclining Buddha. But more than that, Wat Pho is actually the earliest public education center in Thailand. Interestingly, the Epigraphic Archives of Wat Pho (Temple of the Bodhi Tree) in Bangkok has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme.

Address : 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Sub district, Pranakorn District, Bangkok Open Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Entrance Fee: THB 100/PHP 153 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 13)

HOW TO GET TO WAT PHO:

See directions above for getting to The Grand Palace. Wat Pho is near Tha Tien Pier adjacent to the Grand Palace but it is located on the other side of the entrance gate.

WAT ARUN Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Khwaeng Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: 8:00 AM -6:30 PM Entrance Fee: THB 100/PHP 153 (USD 3/EURO 3/SGD 4/MYR 13)

HOW TO GET TO WAT ARUN:

See directions above to get to the Grand Place. Then ride the boat to Wat Arun at Than Tien Pier near the Grand Palace. Fare is THB 4/PHP 6 (USD 0.12/EURO 0.10/SGD 0.16/MYR 0.51). Boat leaves every 10-15 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

CHAO PHRAYA PRINCESS CRUISE

• View historic Bangkok landmarks, such as the Emerald Buddha Temple and Grand Palace, by night on a grand cruise ride
• Hark back to the 80s and 90s with a live band, performing hits by ABBA, Donna Dummer and the Supremes
• Enjoy the Bangkok nightscape and take in the cool breeze from the perch of the boat deck, overlooking the famous Chao Phraya River
• Indulge in a gourmet buffet of Thai delicacies as well as international favorites

Dusit is the the administrative center of Thailand, this is where the royal palace is located, as well as the magnificent Dusit Palace, Vimanmek Teakwood Mansion and Marble Palace.

DUSIT PALACE (Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall)

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is my favorite building in Bangkok because of the intricate paintings on its ceiling and the surreal Arts of the Kingdom exhibit.

Address: U-Thong Nai Road, Bangkok, Thailand

• As of October 1, 2017, the Dusit Palace is  indefinitely closed and the Arts of the Kingdom exhibit will be moved to Ayutthaya.

Entrance Fee: THB 150/PHP 229 (USD 5/EURO 4/SGD 6/MYR 19). But if you have the Grand Palace Ticket, it is included in the ticket so long as you pay a visit within 7 days.

DRESS CODE: Do not wear shorts or tank tops and make sure your legs and shoulders are covered. You can rent sarong near the palace gate in case you failed to comply like me.

IMPORTANT: Photography is not allowed inside, you need to deposit your bags including your camera and phone.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Vinmamek Mansion, Marble Temple

HOW TO GET TO DUSIT PALACE

The most convenient is to get there by Uber/Grab or Taxi. If coming from the Grand Palace to Dusit Palace (type Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Uber) fare is around TBH 145/PHP 221 (USD 4.35/EURO 3.68/SGD 6/MYR 18).. If coming from Khao San Road to Dusit Palace (type Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Uber), fare is about TBH 112/PHP 171 (USD 3.36/EURO 3/SGD 5/MYR 14).

But if you want to save a few bucks, you can ride the BTS Skytrain to Victory Moment Station and ride air-conditioned bus 12 or 515 to Dusit Palace at Ratchawithi Road. Alternatively, you can take the BTS Skytrain to Rajchathevi Station and ride bus 16.

If you are coming the Old City, take air-conditioned bus 70 to the Dusit Palace. You can hail bus 70 at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace. If you are at Khao San Road area, you can hail bus 70 at Ratchadamnoen Klang Road. Then, alight outside the Royal Elephant National Museum at Uthong Nai Road. To be sure, ask the locals where to get off.

You can also take bus #3/9/32/43/64/65/524 and alight at Thewet Market or The National Library. Then, you can reach Dusit Palace on foot.

VINMAMEK TEAK MANSION (Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall)

What makes Vimanmek Mansion special, which is a former royal villa in Bangkok, is entire museum was built out of golden teak. Today, the mansion has been turned into a museum that is open to the public.

Address: 16 Rajvithi Rd, Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Update: Building is closed for renovation.

MARBLE TEMPLE

Address: 69 Nakornpathom Rd Dusit, Bangkok Open Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Entrance Fee: THB 20/PHP 31 (USD 0.60/EURO 0.10/SGD 0.20/MYR 3)

KHAO SAN ROAD AREA

Khao san road.

WAT SAKET (GOLDEN MOUNT TEMPLE)

Open Hours: 8:00 AM -5:00 PM Entrance Fee: THB 20/PHP 31 (USD 0.60/EURO 0.10/SGD 0.20/MYR 3)

HOW TO GET TO THE GOLDEN MOUNT (WAT SAKET)

This is near The Grand Palace and Khao San Road. STEP 1: Ride the BTS Sky Train to Ratchathewi Station (N1) (Sukhumvit Line). Take Exit 1 and upon exiting turn around and walk straight ahead to Khlong Saen Seab. STEP 2: Ride the long tail boat from the pier to Phan Fha Pier at Wat Saket.

WAT SUTHAT AND THE GIANT SWING

Open Hours: 9:00 AM -4:00 PM Entrance Fee: THB 20/PHP 31 (USD 0.60/EURO 0.10/SGD 0.20/MYR 3)

OTHER BANGKOK ATTRACTIONS

ASIATIQUE SKY FERRIS WHEEL

• Marvel at the spectacular bird’s eye views of Bangkok city from clean and comfy, air-conditioned cabins
• Enjoy 3 full rotations on the Ferris Wheel
• Located at Asiatique the Riverfront, an open air mall with a range of entertainment, shopping and dining options

How to get to Asiatique:

Take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin [S6]. From Saphan Taksin Station, take exit 2 to the pier, about 80 steps. Take the ferry to Aisiatique. Ferry runs from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The free ferry runs until 8:00 PM only, so from 8:01 PM to 11:00 PM, you need to pay for the ferry.

MUAY THAI LIVE

• Witness fight scenes straight out of the big screen – in this live show on stage!
• See jaw-dropping martial arts moves in this tale about Thai boxing
• Experience the action up close with a Premium ticket
• Enjoy refreshments outside the venue before the show begins

BANGKOK DAY TOURS AND SIDE TRIPS

Damnoen saduak floating market.

• Discover Thailand’s most popular floating market without any forced shopping stops along the way
• Steer your boat down the narrow winding canals and explore one of Thailand’s oldest traditions
• Get a few souvenirs for friends back home and take beautiful pictures of the bustling floating market
• Learn all about the floating market’s long history from your professional guide

Join in tour Air-conditioned vehicle with free WiFi on board Professional licensed guide All admission fees as mentioned in the program Boat ride in floating market Insurance provided by operator

• Visit the neighboring seaside city of Pattaya and explore its scenic beaches on a day trip from Bangkok!
• Take a boat trip to Coral Island and explore its sparkling white beaches and crystal clear waters
• Enjoy fun-filled water activities such as jet ski, parasailing, sea walking, snorkeling and more!
• Experience Pattaya’s vibrant and bustling night life as you stroll along Pattaya Beach Road
• An English, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean speaking guide is available to guide you!
• Learn about the rich, enchanting history of Buddhism with visits to three of the most important temples in Ayutthaya – Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Lokayasutharam
• Discover the former glory and grandeur of Ayutthaya with a visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
• Take a ride around the mystical city of Ayutthaya on a motor boat and marvel at the ancient ruins and structures
• Savor a delicious local lunch at Ayutthaya Floating Market while watching a Thai cultural show

Join in tour Air conditioned vehicle with free WiFi onboard Professional English/Chinese/Korean/Japanese-speaking guide All admission fees Boat ride Insurance provided by the operator

THINGS TO DO IN HUA HIN

• Visit Thailand’s famous markets on an immersive day trip from Bangkok
• Watch a train pass through the middle of a bustling market – Maeklong Railway Market
• Relax at the authentic weekend market of Amphawa, frequented by the locals
• See the iconic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most popular market in Thailand (Three Markets Tour only)
• Learn about the history and culture of these iconic markets from your informative guide

Join in tour Air conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi on board Professional licensed English/Chinese/Korean/Japanese speaking guide All admission fees as mentioned in the program Boat ride at the floating market Insurance provided by operator

KANCHANABURI

Kanchanaburi Custom Tour from Bangkok

• Hike in one of Thailand’s best nature preserves and jump into the emerald pools of the 7 tier Erawan Falls in Erawan National Park
• Cross the Bridge over River Kwai, setting for the namesake World War 2 movie
• Visit WW2 memorials of Kanchanaburi, where the infamous Burma Death Railway was built with POW labor
• Hike through Hellfire Pass and walk in the footsteps of the thousands of Aussie POWs who cut through the mountain rock by hand
• Choose from a 1-2 day customizable trip in Kanchanaburi to see everything the province has to offer or just your favorites

Private customizable tour 12 hour charter service (per day) Experienced driver Air conditioned vehicle Fuel costs Toll charges Car seat available upon request Guide (optional) Insurance provided by operator

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

SIEM REAP TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary) 2019

Where to shop in bangkok.

This famed 8 storied mall is packed with over 2,000 shops selling clothes, bags, accessories, electronic gadgets, mobile phones and cameras. Prices are negotiable here.

Address: Phayathai Rd, Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00PM

HOW TO GET TO MBK MALL:

Ride the BTS Skytrain and get off at National Stadium Station. MBK can be reached on foot from there.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

If you like bargain hunting then Chatuchak Market is for you. You can find almost everything you need here at bargain prices. You can even purchase in wholesale price.

Address: 587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

HOW TO GET TO CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

Take the BTS Skytrain and alight at Mo Chit station. Take Exit 1 and follow the crowd until you see stalls selling apparels. Turn right and continue to follow the crowd. You should see a small entrance to the Chatuchak Mark.

TERMINAL 21

Terminal 21 houses over 600 shops in its 9 floors selling everything you can possibly need. What’s unique about this mall is each floor features different cities like Tokyo, London, Paris, Hollywood, Caribbean, Istanbul and San Francisco.

Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

HOW TO GET TO TERMINAL 21: Take the BTS Skytrain and alight at Asok.

PLATINUM FASHION MALL

If you’re in Bangkok on weekdays but you missed the Chatuchak Market, you can find dirt cheap clothes and other apparels at Platinum Fashion Mall instead.

Address: 10400, 644/3 Phetchaburi Rd, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

HOW TO GET TO PLATINUM MALL:

Take the BTS skytrain and alight at Chidlom Station. Take exit 9 and walk through Ratchaprasong Skywalk. Turn right to enter Gaysorn Plaza Building.

PANTIP PLAZA

Pantip Plaza is the place to be if you like to shop for mobile phones, cameras, software, computer accessories, software and hardware and other electronic gadgets that won’t empty your wallet.

Address: New Phetchaburi Road in Ratchathewi district, Bangkok Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM HOW TO GET TO PANTIP PLAZA:

Take the BTS Skytrain and alight at BTS Chidlom Station. Hire a tuk-tuk or cab/ UBER/Grab to take you to Pantip Plaza. Alternatively, you may also walk 10 minutes down Ratchadamri Road past Central World on your left, over the Saen Saeb canal and then turn left on Phetburi Road. Walk for about two blocks to Pantip Plaza, which you should see on your left. Use Google Maps.

CENTRAL WORLD

Central World is the largest shopping mall in Thailand, and one of the largest in the world. You can find almost everything you need here. The mall has easy access to Erawan Shrine and Trimurti Shrine.

Address: 4, 4/1-4/2, 4/4 Ratchadamri Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

HOW TO GET TO CENTRAL WORLD Take the BTS SkyTrain and get off at E1 Chit Lom Station (Sukhumvit Line). Take Exit 9 for Skybridge to Gaysorn Plaza and cross road to Central World via flyover.

SIAM PARAGON, SIAM DISCOVERY AND SIAM CENTRE Address: 991 1 Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

This is the first mall I visited in Bangkok since it’s pretty accessible, just in front of Siam BTS Skytrain. Siam Paragon has over 250 shops that caters to high-end shoppers. Madame Tussauds is located on the 6th Floor of Siam Paragon.

MADAME TUSSAUDS BANGKOK (WAX MUSEUM)

HOW TO GET TO SIAM PARAGON:

Take the BTS Skytrain and alight at Siam BTS Skytrain station. You won’t miss the mall because it is just in front of the station.

BUDGET HOTELS IN BANGKOK

Silom is the financial district of Bangkok. It is also a good base due to the wealth of budget hotels here plus access to MRT link to Hualamphong Station. Also check out the old backpacker neighborhood near Lumphini Park packed with affordable rooms.

Lub d Bangkok Silom Hostel

4 Decho Road Suriyawong Bangrak, Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

HQ Hostel Silom

5/3-4, Silom Soi 3, Silom Road, Bangrak, Silom, Bangkok

Hostel Na Nara

72,74 Narathiwasratchanakarin Road, Silom, Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

(KHAO SAN ROAD AREA)

Khao San Road is Bangkok’s backpacker’s mecca. It is dappled with hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels Everything you could possibly need is available here.

TARA PLACE 

The warehouse bangkok .

120 Bunsiri Road, San Chao Por Sua, Phra Nakhon, Khaosan, Bangkok, Thailand

BAAN DINSO 2

78/3 Ratchadamnoen Klang Road Pranakorn Borvornnivate, Khaosan

SUKHUMVIT AREA

Sumkhumvit has a a wealth of budget and mid-range accomodations too. Also, it is pretty accessible as it is on the MRT links to the BTS and MRT Lines. It is also near the Eastern (Ekamai) bus station and the MRT links to Hualamphong Station.

Chan Cha La 99 Hostel

Rezt Bangkok

75 Soi 22, Sukhumvit Rd., Klongton, Klongtoey, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Oneday Hostel Sukhumvit 26

BANGKOK ITINERARY

*Take note that the Philippines is 1 hour ahead of Bangkok, Thailand.

BANGKOK ITINERARY 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS (BANGKOK + AYUTTHAYA)

Here’s a sample 4 days 3 nights Bangkok itinerary with side trip to Ayutthaya.  Feel free to tweak this depending on your budget and schedule.

BANGKOK ITINERARY 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS

(bangkok + pattaya).

Here’s a sample 4 days 3 nights Bangkok itinerary with side trip to Pattaya.  Feel free to tweak this depending on your budget and schedule.

  ALSO READ: BANGKOK ITINERARY

Bangkok budget/cost, bangkok budget for 4 days 3 nights, (bangkok + ayutthaya).

Here’s a sample trip budget if you follow the Bangkok Itinerary 4 day 3 nights (Bangkok + Ayutthaya) above.

If you opt for Pattaya day trip instead of Ayutthaya day tour, you can replace the Ayutthaya budget with Pattaya City & Coral Island Day Tour from Bangkok with Klook for about THB/PHP 2,083 (USD 41/EURO 35/SGD 55/MYR 173). Total expenses for a 4 days 3 nights Bangkok trip if you follow the 2nd itinerary above is roughly TBH 6,026.03 / PHP 9,219/ USD 1180.26/EURO 153.46/SGD 246/MYR 764.

If you plan to do a 5 Day 4 night Bangkok trip, then you can do both Pattaya and Ayutthaya as side trips.

BANGKOK/THAILAND LAWS

It is very important to abide by the Thailand laws listed below to avoid getting into serious trouble. Better be safe than sorry.

• Never disrespect Thailand’s King, Queen, Heir or Regent by insulting them or defacing images of the monarchy (such as stepping on a bank note). It’s a serious offense that can result in 3 to 15 years in prison. This offense is known as Lèse majesté in Thailand, based on Thai Criminal Code section 112.
• Never step on the bank note. It is a serious offense.
• Illegal drugs (using, carrying, transporting or producing) is punishable by death sentence.
• The drinking age in Thailand is 20. Drinking alcohol is illegal in the following locations in Thailand: temples or places of worship, public offices, public parks, pharmacies, petrol stations and education institutions.
• Do not throw chewing gum on the ground (be careful when you spit it, make sure it goes to the trash can!). If caught, there’s a hefty fine and you can be jailed.
• Do not litter in Thailand, you can be fined THB 2,000 if you’re caught.

BANGKOK TRAVEL TIPS

• Take off your shoes when you enter a temple.
• Tuck your feet under you so that they are not pointing at anyone or anything when you are sitting on the floor.
• Never take photos of people while they are praying and do not have your picture taken with a Buddha image.
• Visitors are not allowed to enter a temple wearing revealing clothes like tank tops and shorts or skirts above the knees. Good thing, most temples will have sarong or pants for visitors to borrow.
• Female should never touch a monk or hand him anything directly. When offering alms, place it on a table for the monk to pick up. Also, do not sit next to a monk on a boat (or any public transportation) or stand in the same area of the boat. Do not touch them or their things.

BANGKOK SCAMS

• (CLOSED FOR TODAY/GEM SCAM): Don’t believe when a friendly local approaches you and introduces himself as a teacher and then will tell you that the Grand Palace or a certain temple or a certain attraction is closed for a Buddhist holiday or cleaning. He will then hail an accomplice tuktuk to tour you or take you to another temple or attraction. The driver will drive you around to gem stores or shops and get a commission for taking you there. I was told they usually get gas coupons.
• (TBH 10 or TBH 20 Tuktuk Ride): Don’t believe when a local approaches you and tells you that ferry is not frequent and will leave at certain times of the day only. He will then hail a tuktuk to take you around for about TBH 20/PHP 30 (USD 0.90/EURO 0.76/ SGD 1.22/MYR 4) but instead of taking you directly to your destination, the driver will take you to different travel agencies and shops. TBH 30 is a small amount but if you are pressed for time, this can ruin your itinerary.
• (FLAT FARE TAXI): When you ride a taxi and the driver refuses to turn on the meter saying it’s a flat fare taxi. The driver will most likely charge you about 3 times the usual meter rate. Get off and hail another cab.

SUKHOTHAI TRAVEL GUIDE

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44 comments.

You are a blessing!! Thank you!! I’m about to go to Bangkok on the 2nd and my friend just frigging ditched me.. Thank you!!!!

welcome. enjoy Bangkok! 🙂

Hi! i just want to say thank you for posting this. It will make our trip so much easier and less hassle.

Keep it up!

welcome. enjoy your trip, Patricia! 🙂

Hello Ms. Gael, thank you very very much for this detailed and informative travel blog for Bangkok. I am planning to go there this end of October till 1st week of November, 2018 to meet my Indian friend and to celebrate also my birthday there. It will be our first time to travel in Bangkok, I hope it will be very memorable for us. I super appreciate this blog. Thank you! (^_^)

Awww! Really appreciate you dropping by! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy your Bangkok trip! Safe travels always! 🙂

Hi Gael, heaidng to Bangkok in two days from Canada. Last minute trip for 11 days. Very excited and I’m glad that I found your blog, some great ideas!

Thanks again!

Welcome! Enjoy Bangkok! 🙂

I’ll be going to Bangkok this May and I am a bit nervous since this will be my first time to travel alone. But thank God, I found this detailed blog post. Thank you so much! <3

Planning my First Trip outside the Philippines. Thanks a Lot. 🙂🙂🙂

Welcome! Excited for you! Have fun! 🙂

Hi thanks for the Tip. Super great help.

Can I ask a question. For any car or van hire in thailand in Klook, is it per vehicle or per person for the price? Just confused.

rate for car or van hire via klook is usually per vehicle. 🙂

for the car rental usually it’s per vehicle. click the link on the blog for more details. 🙂

I use this as my reference for our trip in Bangkok next week! You’re great! 🙂

Thank you! Enjoy! 🙂

Hi! I was wondering if there was an error with the post? Your sample itinerary for Bangkok+Ayutthaya is missing, instead the budget breakdown for Bangkok+Ayutthaya was doubled. I hope to see the itinerary for Ayutthaya. Your post is very helpful, more power! ^^

Thank you for that pointing that out. Apologies. I fixed it already. 🙂

Hello! may i ask if what is advisable? using a 4g sim or renting a pocket wifi? thanks.

if you are alone, you can just use a sim card since it’s cheaper. Pocket wifi id advisable for those traveling in groups

Wow! This is amazing! I’ll use this itinerary on my Bangkok trip. This is very helpful. Thank you for taking time to share your wonderful experience. More power!

welcome! hope you enjoyed Bangkok! 🙂

This would really help for our future thailand trip, but which most you suggest place to stay??? Near the victory mall and airport.

Can you also post any travel tips if we’ll DIY our trip to Ayutthaya? 🙂

I’ll work on that 🙂

This is very, very helpful! I am currently working on the itinerary for our Bangkok trip this September 🙂

Hi, Is there a “show money/proof of fund” at Thai Immigration? Thank you!

Supposedly, but usually they ask those who’ve been crossing back and forth sa Thailand for visa run.

I got a lot of useful information here! We will be traveling to Bangkok next week. Hihi. Will share my itinerary as well. Thanks a lot 🙂

Welcome. Enjoy Bangkok! 🙂

Love how detailed this guide is. I actually send this to my mom since she’s going to BKK with her friends. She couldn’t thank me enough cause she’s able to fill up their itinerary.

Awww. Glad was able to help! Hope she enjoys her trip! Thanks for dropping by! 🙂

Saan po may bilihan ng murang mga damit? 🙂

Sa Chatuchak Market 🙂

Bangkok is a great place to hangout. Really you have shared a great piece of information for Bangkok travelers. Your post is too long, but it is worth reading it. Good luck and keep writing!

Thank you for reading! Safe travels! 🙂

I went to Bangkok last year, but was only in for about a day and a half total as I was going south towards Chumphon. I love this guide and am looking forward to implementing it on my next trip in Bangkok! You sound very knowledgeable about the city and getting around.

these kind of blog are so much informative and surely so much helpful for the bloggers that are really needed to be the at best part.

What’s your advice for first time female travellers planning to visit Bangkok? I’m really scared and I dont know if I should still push through my plans. 🙁

Bangkok is safe naman for solo female travelers. Traveled there many times alone. You can read this guide to help you plan your trip 🙂

This is really helpful.Thank you.

welcome. enjoy Bangkok!

How’s the traffic condition?

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• Thailand Tours
• Bangkok Tours

Bangkok Tours and Trips 2024/2025

Home to some 11 million people, bustling Bangkok can often seem chaotic and intimidating to a first-time visitor but don’t be put-off. Once you delve into the life of the city, you’ll discover curious markets, enduring canals and reverent temples wrapped up into surprisingly cosmopolitan way of life. The more you ...

• Thailand Travel Guide

266 Trips in Bangkok with 1,257 Reviews

• Starts Bangkok, Thailand
• Ends Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand Island Hopper

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Beach & Chill out Beach , Chill out & Sailing, yachting and motor boating 'data-more-tripid='37249'>+1 more
• Accommodation Bungalow, Hotel & Sleeper Train
• Transport Boat, Private Vehicle, Train, Sleeper Train, Ferry, Minibus & Taxi
• Age Range 18-40 yrs
• Operated in English
• May 04 Only 2 seats left
• May 08 Only 1 seat left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Ends Chiang Mai, Thailand

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Active and outdoor & Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Guest House & Resort
• Transport Boat, Bus, Sleeper Train, Private Vehicle & Train
• Age Range 12-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,149
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 230
• Total Price from: US$ 919
• Apr 20 Only 2 seats left
• Apr 27 Only 4 seats left

• Ends Ko Tao, Thailand

Southern Thailand Sojourn: Nightlife & National Parks

• Activities Wildlife & Kayaking and canoeing Wildlife , Kayaking and canoeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Explorer & Safari 'data-more-tripid='4563'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Bungalow, Resort & Villa
• Transport Boat, Ferry, Bus, Sleeper Train, Taxi, Train & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 749
• Special Deal (25%): - US$ 188
• Total Price from: US$ 561
• Apr 25 Only 2 seats left
• Apr 27 Only 10 seats left

• Ends Phuket, Thailand

Thai Experience 13 Day

• Activities Chill out & Beach
• Accommodation Hotel, Bungalow & Resort
• Transport Boat, Train, Ferry & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 17-55 yrs
• May 03 Only 7 seats left
• May 08 Only 10 seats left

• Ends Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Thai Intro 12 Day

• Activities Adventure & Snorkeling Adventure , Snorkeling , Cooking classes , Chill out , Tubing , River canal tour & National parks 'data-more-tripid='23572'>+5 more
• Accommodation Bungalow, Hotel, Guest House & Resort
• Transport Boat, Train & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 17-45 yrs
• Apr 19 Only 4 seats left
• Apr 21 Only 4 seats left

Best of Thailand (4 Star Hotels)

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local culture
• Accommodation Hotel & Resort
• Transport Flight, Private Vehicle, Boat & Coach
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,052
• Special Deal (45%): - US$ 923
• Total Price from: US$ 1,129
• Apr 20 10+ seats left
• Apr 27 10+ seats left

Thailand Beaches: Bangkok to Phuket

• Activities Beach & Chill out
• Accommodation Resort, Sleeper Train, Bungalow & Hotel
• Transport Train, Boat, Bus, Minibus, Sleeper Train & Taxi
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,480
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 148
• Total Price from: US$ 1,332
• Apr 28 Only 4 seats left
• Oct 13 Only 9 seats left

Thailand Impressions 10 Days - Khao Sok National Park

• Free cancellation
• Trip customizable
• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local boat rides Cultural, religious and historic sites , Local boat rides , City sightseeing , Beach & National parks 'data-more-tripid='41067'>+3 more
• Transport Boat, Flight, Private Vehicle & Train
• Age Range 1-90 yrs

River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms

• Activities Getaways and short breaks
• Transport Train & Minibus
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Apr 23 10+ seats left
• Apr 25 10+ seats left

Northern Thailand Adventure

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Zip lining Cultural, religious and historic sites , Zip lining & Trekking and Hiking 'data-more-tripid='37250'>+1 more
• Accommodation Home-stay & Guest House
• Transport Boat, Private Vehicle, Train, Bus & Minibus
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,495
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 299
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• Apr 21 Only 8 seats left

9 days Discovery Thailand - Private Tour

• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Local boat rides & Wildlife Local boat rides , Wildlife , Sightseeing Tours & Beach 'data-more-tripid='40086'>+2 more
• Transport Coach, Flight, Boat & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 1-99 yrs
• Operated in English, French, German, Spanish
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,880
• Special Deal (55%): - US$ 1,584
• Total Price from: US$ 1,296

• Ends Krabi, Thailand

Exotic Thailand 13 Days - Kanchanaburi/ Chiang Mai/ Krabi

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Natural landmarks sightseeing
• Accommodation Guest House, Hotel & Resort
• Transport Boat, Flight & Train
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,691
• Special Deal (5%): - US$ 85
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Mysterious Thailand 10 Days

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local culture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Local culture & Beach 'data-more-tripid='41068'>+1 more
• Transport Boat & Flight
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,077
• Special Deal (50%): - US$ 1,539
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Thailand Hike, Bike & Kayak

• Activities Wildlife & Trekking and Hiking Wildlife , Trekking and Hiking , Rafting , Kayaking and canoeing , Bicycle tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Explorer & Safari 'data-more-tripid='4541'>+6 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Guest House, Sleeper Train, Home-stay, Resort & Bungalow
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• Brochure Price: US$ 2,249
• Special Deal (25%): - US$ 563
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Traveling to Thailand? Chat with a local travel specialist in Thailand who can help organize your trip.

Bangkok Tour Reviews

• Nina Galpin

Traveller Photos for Trips in Bangkok

Bangkok - Tour Highlights and Travel Tips

Home to some 11 million people, bustling Bangkok can often seem chaotic and intimidating to a first-time visitor but don’t be put-off. Once you delve into the life of the city, you’ll discover curious markets, enduring canals and reverent temples wrapped up into surprisingly cosmopolitan way of life. The more you explore Bangkok, the more you’ll come to love the mix and match style of this ‘City of Angels’.

Travel Highlights

• Visit the Wat Arun, the iconic Buddhist temple, which is pictured on Thai currency. Found on the Chao Phraya River and facing the Grand Palace, climb its main spire and look-out over Bangkok. Wat Arun means ‘Temple of Dawn,’ so visit at sunrise for the best view.
• If you need something, anything, while in Bangkok, head to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. This is souvenir shopping on another level.
• Khao San Road is a backpackers paradise. You’ll find travellers galore here and so it’s a great place for nightlife, food, shopping and meeting people.
• Watch a show at the trendy Patravadi theatre. Performances include theatre and dance as well as acrobatics and musical shows.
• The Rot Fai night market is made for vintage lovers. Selling antiques, vintage clothing and memorabilia, spend an evening perusing unusual finds.
• Visit one of Bangkok’s uncountable malls for the decor as well as the well-priced goods. Terminal 21 is especially known for its gorgeous interiors.

Travel Tips

• Bangkok has a hot, humid climate. Make sure you drink plenty of water while you’re running around the city sightseeing.
• While it’s always nice to be friendly, be vigilant on the streets and politely decline help from the locals if you are uncomfortable.
• Bangkok is a big city, plan ahead when it comes to transport.
• Don’t take a taxi in rush-hour traffic. If you do take a taxi, make sure the meter is running.
• Carrying ID is expected in Thailand. Carry a copy of your passport just in case.
• Don’t hesitate to bargain!
• Save money on food by eating from the local street-stalls. Maybe fried cockroach for dinner?
• Bangkok is famous for its amazing rooftop bars - check some of the best ones out  here . 

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Tours & Trips including Bangkok 2024/2025

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250+ bangkok tour packages with 13,368 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms

Loved this part of the tour. We were well looked after, fitted loads in and still had time to relax - Just what I needed as a follow on trip to my main trip.

Central Thailand Highlights in a Loop 3 Days, Small Group Tour (English Only)

Small Group: Damnoen Floating market & Train market

It was fantastic to go out with friends by LJ Tour. Tour guide was mr.Steve. He made trip really nice and fun. I couldn't do it myself. Would recommend to explore with LJ Tour!

Southern Thailand Sojourn: Nightlife & National Parks

The trip was amazing, the CEO (papa chai) mad the trip smooth… and met some amazing people and had wonderful time altogether… definitely returning back

Bangkok-Pattaya 6-Day Tour

Our tour guide (Kiki) greeted us warmly and immediately ensured our comfort after a long flight. During all drives she remained engaged and offered lots of information about the area and what we were seeing. She helped us check into all hotels, tours, restaurants and even helped find some specialty souvenirs. Kiki and our driver remained by our side the entire trip and clearly explained the plan for each day. At the end of the day we were briefed on the next day. They were able to accommodate our needs and we are very happy with the our guides. The accommodations were very good even at the 3 star level. Each hotel had lots of options for food and nightlife within walking distance. Traveling with a child, each hotel and location were comfortable and family friendly. We would recommend this tour company.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.
• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• Sightseeing

Bangkok Must See - 4 Days

I took 3 Day Bangkok and Ayutthaya 1-Airport pick and drop-Excellent 2-Hotel excellent location , it was 4 star hotel. Comfortable beds, close to Terminal 21 Mall , only 5 minutes walk. 3-Food was good 4-Guide very informative specially Giftsy . 5-Tour coach was good 6- Mr Tony was quick response to provide support and answer any clarification you have. 7- Tour was very economically and worth of each penny. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY AND TOUR.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express

This trip gives a well paced overview of central North Thailand. G Adventure organized the trip well and their travel manager Sek was amazing.

Central Thailand Highlights in a Loop 3 Days, Private Tour

The driver and guide were very good. The air conditioner in the van was not very good. One day when the temperature was 37 degrees outside we got in the van which was 35 degree’s which was terribly hot. It took nearly an hour for the van to cool to 28 degrees. I told the staff that the air conditioner was not acceptable. The next day there was tape over the thermometer so we couldn’t see the inside temperature. The staff took some effort to let the air conditioner continue when we were out of the van and the inside temperature remained too warm but not as hot as the first day.

4 Day Bangkok City Break including Amphawa Floating Market & Erawan National Park

Thai Experience

Just finished the 13 day Thai Experience tour with Dan Woodward and had the time of my life! I cannot put into words how magical and caring Dan is. He made the trip special and I feel so very lucky to have had him as our English leader. The trip was worth every penny and I’m looking forward to booking another trip with Intro. We saw some great things and managed to do activities that we wouldn’t have been able to do without a travel group. 100% recommend x

Hua Hin Discovery 3 Days - Private Tour

Thai Intro 18 Day

My vacation was truly amazing, unforgettable even! We explored enchanting locations, and indulged in a variety of activities from vibrant markets to sleeping in the jungle. Each day brought new adventures and unforgettable memories. In short, it was a journey that heightened my wanderlust and appreciation for different perspectives

Best Pattaya Experience 3 Days

15+ Bangkok highlight Beach, River wai, Biking, Kayak

It's a wonderful trip. I impress about explore Thai culture, history, and Natural Attraction. the guide was very friendly and good service. cool!

Northern Thailand Adventure

Great Tourguide, nice group, well organized, nice locations

What people love about Bangkok Tours

Arja (Jane) was an awesome guide! Totally recommend if you only have a couple of days and wanna learn about Thai culture and WW2.

Mee was a wonderful guide who went out of her way to make our tour special.

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• Thailand Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Two-Week / 14 Days Thailand Itineraries 2024/2025
• Best 10 Days Thailand Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

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