Welcome to Thailand's Capital City: Bangkok
When visiting Thailand, it is likely that you will arrive into Bangkok and most travellers will spend at least a couple of nights exploring this crazy city. It is somewhere that many tourists either love or hate but within this guide, I am going to show you the best of Bangkok and why you should consider spending some time exploring Thailand’s capital.
On arrival, Bangkok can seem intense, especially for first timers in Asia. It is a hustling city of over 11 million people so you can imagine how chaotic it can get. Despite this, there are actually many spots in and just outside of Bangkok where you can find peace and relax.
As I write this, it is my 3rd time visiting Bangkok so I now have a good understanding of the city. I personally really enjoy visiting Bangkok, it is a spectacular city with many things to do, whether that is from taking in the culture, enjoying the nightlife, experimenting with street food and local cuisine or even finding peace in hidden spots of nature. I have visited with no budget at luxury hotels and now on a backpacking budget so I will include activities and tips for both.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok
Bangkok can be visited all year round but the best time to visit for dry and sunny weather is November to February.
The monsoon season runs from July to October, the least appealing time to visit if you are looking for some sun.
The hottest months are between March and May where temperatures reach 40 degrees.
How Long to Stay in Bangkok
I would recommend spending 3 nights in Bangkok for the best experience. However, if you are only visiting Thailand for a holiday then 2 nights would be recommended as there are undoubtedly more beautiful places to see.
There are beautiful places just outside of Bangkok that you can incorporate into your itinerary if you are travelling for a longer period of time. There are many day trips that can be done from Bangkok including the historical ruins of Ayutthaya and the world’s largest outdoor museum: The Ancient City which are definitely worth a spot on your Thailand itinerary.
If you have time on your side, then I would recommend staying for 4-5 nights to experience all of the highlights in and around Bangkok.
Getting Around Bangkok
It is easy to get around Bangkok and there are many options available for all budgets.
Grab/Bolt – The equivalent of Uber, you order from your phone and can pay in cash. If you are staying in Central Bangkok then most journeys will be approximately 30 minutes and cost on average 230 baht (£5.30) – a great deal!
Tuk Tuk – You will find tuk tuk drivers all over Bangkok, just make sure to negotiate as they always state high prices at first. I always find Bolt to be the cheaper option but you must get a tuk tuk at least once for the experience – they also can be convenient for short distance journeys. (If you take the price down considerably, some drivers will take you to a suit shop where you will have to spend 5 minutes looking around – this gets the driver commission)
Taxi – There is no need to negotiate a fare for a taxi as they use metres to charge for distance. If a driver is refusing to use the metre then find another as this is usually suspicious.
Public Transport – Bangkok is well connected by the sky train which has cheap fees starting at 15 baht per stop. Buses also have super cheap fares but I am yet to use one.
Public transport can be mind boggling for first timers in Bangkok so make sure to do your research online beforehand to save confusion.
I would highly advise against renting a moped or car in Bangkok as the roads are very chaotic.
My favourite mode of transport in Bangkok is Grab and Bolt for convenience and cheap guaranteed price.
Accommodation in Bangkok
Accommodation ranges in price in Bangkok depending on where you stay and the type of room. If you are a solo traveller, hostels will be the cheapest option and will allow you to meet fellow travellers. Bare in mind, if you are travelling as a couple or group, private rooms can actually work out cheaper than hostels when split between two people. For those of you on a holiday with a larger budget, there are many amazing hotels with rooftop infinity pools for a considerable price here in Bangkok, with the most spectacular views across the city.
I have stayed in a variety of hotels in Bangkok, as well as an Airbnb apartment, but I will share my top two below:
Luxury: Amara Hotel Bangkok
This 5 star hotel was the highlight of my Bangkok trip in 2023. The infinity pool is unreal and offers a perfect sunset view of Bangkok’s skyline. Located just 2.7 km from the luxurious Siam Paragon Mall, this is the perfect hotel for those of you looking for the luxury side of Bangkok.
Price per night averages £97
Mid-Range: BU Place Hotel
I am currently writing this blog post from BU Place Hotel. I cannot recommend this place enough, the staff are really helpful, the facilities are great (outside pool, equipped gym and games area) and the local food is amazing and super cheap – £1.37 for home cooked meals just one minute from the hotel.
The location is great for those of you on a budget as there is a 7-11 next door and many cheap restaurants within a 5 minute walk. We chose this hotel as it was one of the cheapest with an outdoor pool – which is great if you are planning on spending a lot of time relaxing after a long flight like us!
We paid £22.80 a night during New Year – which was slightly over budget but definitely worth it with the lower cost for eating out and great facilities.
Best Things to Do in Bangkok
Mae Klong Railway Market
One of the best things to experience in Bangkok is the railway market where the track is occupied by market stalls and within a few seconds, everything is cleared out of the way to make way for the train. As if nothing had happened, within a couple seconds of the train passing through, the markets are back in action. Make sure to check the time that the train passes through online before visiting – I believe there are 6 times per day at present.
The journey time is approximately 1 hour by taxi from central Bangkok but public transport is also available.
Tichucha Rooftop Bar
In my opinion, Tichucha is the best bar in Bangkok. Whilst it is not the cheapest, it does offer one of the most spectacular views in Bangkok and the drinks are great. You only need to purchase one drink to enter and the price of a cocktail ranges from 400 – 500 baht (approximately £10). Now if you consider the view, I would say this is worth the money!
I would recommend trying the Yuzu Colada which comes in a pineapple!
Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn
Considered to be Bangkok’s most famous temple, Wat Arun is a beautiful and intricate temple situated by the riverside. It can be accessed from the pier by public ferry. Entry costs 100 baht and includes a small bottle of water. This is my favourite temple in Bangkok as it is very impressive and full of detail. I would put this in my top 3 things to do in Bangkok.
Chatuchak Market
Visit the world’s largest marketplace here in Bangkok. You will easily spend hours wondering the ailes of Chatuchak – the sheer size of it is very impressive to see for yourself. You can find anything here from fashionable clothing, accessories and bags to homeware, food and gifts. The market has over 15,000 stalls spread over 35 acres!
Ancient City - Muang Boran
Surprisingly, a lot of tourists have never heard of the Ancient City. This may be because it is just outside of Bangkok or just due to the fact that it is not advertised very often by the locals.
The Ancient City is a large park which showcases the finest Thai architecture through a range of miniature buildings. It is located just 30 km outside of the city, easily reachable by taxi, bus or sky train.
Visiting Times: 09:00 and 19:00
Entry: Tickets cost 700 baht for foreigners and 400 baht for Thai citizens.
Unfortunately the Ancient City is just too large to walk by foot. You will need to rent a mode of transport as you cannot bring your private vehicle inside.
Tram: There is a complimentary tram service running four times a day for intervals of 2 hours. Be aware that they only stop at limited sites so you will be missing out if you choose this option.
Bike: Your ticket includes a free bicycle to explore the park. This is a convenient way of getting around for free and spending as much time as you like – but this does come at the expense of being hot!
Golf Cart: I would recommend this option if you are not on a budget. You will need a driving license and the charge is 350 baht for the first hour and then 200 baht per additional hour. This can work out fairly expensive but you will get the most out of your trip.
I really enjoyed visiting the Ancient City, especially as there were limited crowds. Some sites you have all to yourself with endless photo opportunities without being disturbed!
The Grand Palace
A must see for first timers in Bangkok – The Grand Palace contains stunning buildings and temples, beautiful gardens and lots of history.
Tips:
– Visit early to avoid crowds – this is one of the most popular sites in Bangkok.
– Be cautious of tuk tuk scammers who wait outside the palace and inform you that it is shut – they just want to offer you an alternative tour to make money.
– Allow yourself a couple of hours to visit and enjoy the various sites inside.
Ticket Cost: 500 baht for foreigners.
Opening Times: 08:30 – 15:30
Within the Grand Palace grounds, you will find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha – the most sacred Buddha statue in Thailand.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Some time ago, most business in Bangkok was carried out on rivers and canals (known as khlongs in Thailand).
Damnoen Saduak is the most popular remaining floating market in Bangkok and many foreign tourists (as well as locals) visit everyday. It is situated about 60 miles west of Bangkok and is open between 7 am and 11 am.
Now, you can either book your own boat upon arrival which should cost 400 baht on a shared boat per hour or you can organise a day trip from Bangkok inclusive of transportation and often other local tours.
Tips:
– Most importantly, avoid getting scammed. (This was the only scam we fell for in Thailand and it was because we didn’t do our research!) If you are arriving by an over friendly cab driver or tuk tuk that has offered you an amazing price from Bangkok, they will often drop you to a private canal point just outside of the main market. You will then be charged a huge amount for a private boat (usually a 2 hour trip). This can be suitable for those who have the money or want a more in depth trip (you will be taken to a sugar farm, local temple and cruise down the local khlongs just outside of the market).
– Be aware of overpriced goods. Many of the souvenirs here (especially clothing) are triple what you would pay at other markets such as Chatuchak. I would recommend negotiating prices as they will always state a higher cost initially. For those of you on a budget, maybe just stick to one souvenir from here.
– Request a tour of the local khlongs. If you are on a private boat you will usually have this included but if not, you should still be able to request a tour of the local khlongs to see the local side of the market.
Lumphini Park
A serene escape from the hectic city, Lumphini Park is a green haven. It is one of the best spots in Bangkok for a peaceful walk, run or cycle and offers tranquility for those who are seeking a moment of stillness.
You will be surprised that Lumphini Park is in central Bangkok, it feels as if you have been taken right outside into the countryside but the skyscrapers line the background and remind you that you are indeed in the centre of a city.
Be sure to pack a book to read if you come here for a couple of hours as there are many pretty spots to sit and relax with the sound of birds chirping.
Take a Tuk Tuk Ride
Although I did advise tuk tuks as being a more expensive mode of travel, it is a fun experience to take part in at least once whilst in Bangkok. After all, the tuk tuk is an authentic experience in Thailand. Racing through the traffic in Bangkok can be exhilerating – just be sure to book a short distance journey to save money!
Terminal 21
A unique shopping mall in Bangkok, Terminal 21 has different floors based on travel destinations such as Paris, London, Rome and Tokyo.
Even if you are backpacking, this is a great place to explore and you do not need to buy anything to have a good time. On the other hand, it is great for shopping with a mix of luxury shops and discounted fashion and restaurants.
My Top 3 Things to Do in Bangkok
To conclude, I am going to summarise my personal top 3 things to do in Bangkok if you have limited time.
- Wat Arun – for the cultural experience.
- Lumphini Park – for relaxation.
- Tichucha Rooftop Bar – for a luxury experience and amazing views of the sheer size of Bangkok
