Bangkok Travel Guide

Complete guide to Thailand's vibrant capital - temples, street food, and nightlife

Bangkok Travel Guide

Experience the energy of Thailand’s bustling capital with its ornate temples, legendary street food, and vibrant nightlife.

Best Time to Visit

Cool Season (November-February)

• Best weather (25-32°C / 77-90°F)
• Low humidity
• Peak tourist season
• Higher prices

Hot Season (March-May)

• Very hot (32-40°C / 90-104°F)
• Songkran Festival (Thai New Year, mid-April)
• Fewer tourists
• Good hotel deals

Rainy Season (June-October)

• Afternoon showers
• Still hot
• Lowest prices
• Fewer crowds
• City floods possible

Getting There

Airports

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

• Main international airport
• Airport Rail Link: ฿45, 30 minutes to city
• Taxi: ฿250-400 + ฿50 airport fee + tolls
• Uber/Grab available

Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

• Budget airlines
• Train: ฿20, 45 minutes
• Taxi: ฿200-350

Overland

• Train from Chiang Mai, Malaysia, Cambodia
• Bus from neighboring countries
• Long-distance buses to/from Thailand cities

Getting Around

BTS Skytrain & MRT Subway

BTS (Skytrain):

• 2 lines (Sukhumvit, Silom)
• Above ground
• ฿16-59 per ride
• Rabbit Card (rechargeable)
• 6 AM - midnight

MRT (Subway):

• Underground
• Similar pricing
• Connects to BTS at several stations

Pro Tip: Get Rabbit Card for convenience

Taxis & Grab

Taxis:

• Metered (insist on meter!)
• ฿35 base + ฿5-7/km
• Green light = available
• Many drivers don’t speak English

Grab (like Uber):

• Shows price upfront
• No language barrier
• Safer for tourists
• Slightly more expensive

Tuk-Tuks

• Iconic 3-wheeled vehicles
• Always negotiate price BEFORE
• Usually more expensive than taxi
• Fun experience but tourist trap

Boats

Chao Phraya Express Boat:

• Orange flag: ฿15 all-day
• No flag: ฿10-40 per journey
• Scenic and efficient
• Connects major temples

Khlong Boats:

• Canal water taxis
• ฿10-20
• Crowded but authentic
• Saen Saep line popular

Walking

• Hot and humid
• Sidewalks can be challenging
• Great for neighborhoods
• Best early morning or evening

Neighborhoods & Areas

Old Bangkok (Rattanakosin)

Famous For:

• Grand Palace
• Wat Pho
• Royal Bangkok
• Historic architecture

Stay Here If:

• Want to be near temples
• First-time visitors
• History buffs

Khao San Road

Famous For:

• Backpacker central
• Budget accommodation
• Party atmosphere
• Travel agencies

Stay Here If:

• Budget traveler
• Want to meet travelers
• Nightlife seeker

Sukhumvit

Famous For:

• Expat area
• Shopping malls
• International restaurants
• Nightlife (Soi 11)

Stay Here If:

• Want modern conveniences
• Business traveler
• Easy BTS access

Silom

Famous For:

• Business district
• Patpong night market
• Riverside hotels
• BTS & MRT access

Stay Here If:

• Central location
• Business traveler
• Good transport links

Thonburi (West Side)

Famous For:

• Local life
• Wat Arun
• Quieter
• Artist’s Quarter

Stay Here If:

• Want authentic experience
• Escaping tourist crowds

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

Famous For:

• Street food heaven
• Gold shops
• Temples
• Night market

Visit For:

• Best street food
• Evening food walk
• Cultural experience

Top Attractions

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Details:

• Bangkok’s #1 attraction
• Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Tickets: ฿500
• Dress code: Covered shoulders/knees
• 2-3 hours to explore

What to See:

• Temple of Emerald Buddha
• Ornate buildings
• Royal architecture
• Thai craftsmanship

Tips:

• Arrive at opening
• Free modest clothing if needed
• Watch for scams outside
• Bring water

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

Details:

• Huge reclining Buddha (46m long)
• Traditional Thai massage school
• Hours: 8 AM - 6:30 PM
• Tickets: ฿200

Experience:

• Walk around massive Buddha
• Massage: ฿260-420/hour
• Beautiful temple grounds
• Photography allowed

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Details:

• On Thonburi side
• Iconic spired temple
• Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM
• Tickets: ฿100

Best Time:

• Sunset view from river
• Early morning fewer crowds
• Lit up at night (view from across river)

Access: Cross-river ferry ฿4

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Details:

• One of world’s largest markets
• Saturday-Sunday 9 AM - 6 PM
• 15,000+ stalls
• 200,000+ visitors per day

What to Buy:

• Clothing, accessories
• Handicrafts, art
• Plants, pets
• Food, snacks

Tips:

• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring cash
• Start early (cooler)
• Bargain expected
• Stay hydrated

Floating Markets

Damnoen Saduak (Most Famous):

• 100km from Bangkok
• Tour or DIY (bus + songthaew)
• Very touristy
• Photo op

Amphawa (More Authentic):

• 90km from Bangkok
• Friday-Sunday only
• Local atmosphere
• Evening firefly tours

Taling Chan (Convenient):

• Within Bangkok
• Saturday-Sunday
• Less touristy
• Easy to reach

Jim Thompson House

Details:

• Traditional Thai house
• Silk merchant’s home
• Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM
• Tickets: ฿200
• Guided tour only

What to See:

• Traditional architecture
• Art collection
• Garden
• Silk shop

Street Food & Dining

Must-Try Foods

Pad Thai

• Stir-fried rice noodles
• Street: ฿40-60
• Restaurant: ฿80-150
• Thip Samai (famous spot)

Tom Yum Goong

• Spicy shrimp soup
• Hot and sour
• Street: ฿50-80
• Pe Aor (popular)

Som Tam (Papaya Salad)

• Spicy, fresh
• Specify spice level
• ฿30-50
• Perfect side dish

Mango Sticky Rice

• Sweet dessert
• Best in mango season (March-June)
• ฿60-100
• Mae Varee famous

Boat Noodles

• Small bowls of soup
• Order multiple
• Victory Monument area
• ฿10-15 per bowl

Satay

• Grilled meat skewers
• Peanut sauce
• ฿5-10 per stick
• Street vendors everywhere

Khao Pad (Fried Rice)

• Thai-style fried rice
• ฿40-60
• Safe option for cautious eaters

Best Street Food Areas

Chinatown (Yaowarat Road)

• Best evening food street
• Seafood specialists
• Chaotic and amazing
• Go hungry!

Victory Monument

• Boat noodles
• Local crowd
• Cheap eats
• Near BTS

Sukhumvit Soi 38

• Night market
• Varied options
• Touristy but good
• Mango sticky rice

Or Tor Kor Market

• High-end food market
• Very clean
• Quality ingredients
• Great for lunch

Talad Rot Fai (Train Market)

• Trendy night market
• Food and vintage shopping
• Young crowd
• Multiple locations

Restaurants

Mid-Range:

• Somtum Der (Isaan food)
• Thip Samai (Pad Thai)
• Jay Fai (Michelin star street food)
• Supanniga Eating Room

Fine Dining:

• Gaggan (Indian, expensive)
• Nahm (Thai, hotel restaurant)
• Bo.lan (Traditional Thai)
• Paste (Modern Thai)

Food Courts:

• Terminal 21 (themed mall)
• MBK Center (budget)
• Siam Paragon (upscale)
• Pay by card system

Shopping

Malls

Siam Paragon

• High-end mall
• Aquarium in basement
• Luxury brands
• Gourmet food hall

MBK Center

• Electronics
• Phone accessories
• Clothing
• Bargaining expected

Terminal 21

• Airport-themed floors
• Mid-range brands
• Great food court
• Instagram-friendly

Platinum Fashion Mall

• Wholesale clothing
• Buy multiple for discounts
• Fashion accessories
• Very cheap

Markets

Chatuchak (covered above)

Pratunam Market

• Wholesale clothing
• Best prices
• Very crowded
• Near malls

Asiatique

• Riverside night market
• Dining and shopping
• Ferris wheel
• Tourist-focused

Pak Khlong Talat

• 24-hour flower market
• Beautiful photo op
• Best late night/early morning
• Near Chinatown

Tailors

Get Suit Made:

• Raja’s Fashions
• Rajawongse Clothier
• Jesse & James
• 2-3 fittings needed
• $200-500 for suit

Nightlife

Rooftop Bars

Sky Bar (Lebua)

• Famous from “Hangover 2”
• 63rd floor
• Expensive drinks (฿500+)
• Dress code

Vertigo & Moon Bar

• Banyan Tree Hotel
• 61st floor
• 360° views
• Dress smart casual

Octave Rooftop Bar

• More affordable
• Great views
• Three levels
• Marriott Sukhumvit

Party Streets

Khao San Road

• Backpacker party central
• Cheap drinks (buckets!)
• Street vendors
• All night energy

Sukhumvit Soi 11

• Clubs and bars
• International crowd
• More upscale than Khao San
• Levels, Insanity, Nana

RCA (Royal City Avenue)

• Popular with locals
• Big clubs
• Hip hop, EDM
• Route 66, Onyx

Night Markets

• Open evening only
• Food and shopping
• Local atmosphere
• Rot Fai, Talad Neon

Day Trips from Bangkok

Ayutthaya (1 day)

What:

• Ancient capital
• Temple ruins
• UNESCO World Heritage

How:

• Train: ฿15-300, 1.5 hours
• Minivan tours: ฿400-800
• Rent bike to explore

Kanchanaburi (1-2 days)

What:

• Bridge on River Kwai
• War history
• Waterfalls
• Nature

How:

• Bus: ฿100, 3 hours
• Tour: ฿1,000-1,500

Pattaya (1 day/weekend)

What:

• Beach resort
• Water sports
• Nightlife (notorious)
• Cabaret shows

How:

• Bus: ฿100-150, 2 hours
• Very touristy

Hua Hin (2-3 days)

What:

• Royal beach resort
• Quieter than Pattaya
• Night market
• Golf

How:

• Bus: ฿150-200, 3.5 hours
• Train: ฿40-300, 4 hours

Practical Information

Money

• Currency: Thai Baht (฿)
• ATMs everywhere (฿150-220 fee per withdrawal)
• Credit cards in malls/hotels
• Cash needed for street food, markets, taxis

Language

• Thai official language
• English in tourist areas
• Learn basics:
  • Sawadee (Hello)
  • Khop khun (Thank you)
  • Aroi (Delicious)
  • Mai phet (Not spicy)
  • Thao rai (How much?)

Visa

• Many nationalities: 30-day visa-free
• Extend 30 days at immigration (฿1,900)
• 60-day tourist visa available
• Check your country’s requirements

Safety

• Generally safe
• Watch belongings in crowds
• Avoid gem scams
• Avoid drunk tuk-tuk drivers
• Don’t disrespect Buddha images or royal family

Scams to Avoid

Common:

• “Temple closed” (tuk-tuk takes you shopping)
• Gem stores (overpriced fake gems)
• Jet ski rental damage scams (Pattaya)
• Taxi meter “broken”
• Bird seed at temples (pay to feed pigeons)

Health

• Drink bottled water
• Street food generally safe (look for crowds)
• Pharmacies everywhere
• Hospital: Bumrungrad (tourist-friendly)
• Dengue in rainy season

WiFi & SIM

• Tourist SIM at airport (฿200-500)
• 7-Eleven sells top-ups
• Free WiFi in malls, cafes
• AIS, True, DTAC networks

Culture & Etiquette

Do:

• Wai (slight bow) when greeting
• Remove shoes at temples/homes
• Dress modestly at temples
• Stand for national anthem (8 AM, 6 PM)

Don’t:

• Touch anyone’s head
• Point feet at Buddha or people
• Disrespect monarchy (illegal!)
• Get angry (lose face)
• Public displays of affection

Sample Itineraries

3 Days

Day 1: Temples

• Morning: Grand Palace
• Afternoon: Wat Pho massage
• Evening: Wat Arun sunset, riverside dinner

Day 2: Markets & Food

• Morning: Damnoen Saduak floating market (tour)
• Afternoon: Rest, pool
• Evening: Chinatown food walk

Day 3: Modern Bangkok

• Morning: Jim Thompson House
• Afternoon: Shopping (MBK, Siam)
• Evening: Rooftop bar, Khao San Road

5 Days

Add to above:

Day 4: Day Trip

• Ayutthaya temple ruins
• Return evening

Day 5: Relax & Explore

• Morning: Chatuchak Market (weekend)
• Afternoon: Thai massage
• Evening: Asiatique night market

Budget Guide

Backpacker ($15-30/day)

Accommodation: $5-10 (dorm bed)
Food: $5-10 (street food all meals)
Transport: $2-5 (public transit)
Activities: $3-5 (temple entry fees)

Mid-Range ($40-80/day)

Accommodation: $15-30 (private room)
Food: $15-25 (mix street food and restaurants)
Transport: $5-10 (Grab, BTS/MRT)
Activities: $5-15

Comfortable ($100+/day)

Accommodation: $40-100+ (hotel)
Food: $30-50 (restaurants, some street food)
Transport: $10-20 (taxis, Grab)
Activities: $10-30

Resources

• Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Bangkok.com
• Richard Barrow on Twitter (Bangkok news)
• BTS/MRT Maps
• Grab app (transportation)
• Google Maps (navigation)