Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and one of the world’s most visited cities. It’s also one of the most affordable cities to visit around Southeast Asia super popular amongst backpackers from all over the world.
Bangkok has the perfect blend of things to see and do. It’s a massive city with ‘chaotic’ streets and traffic but if you organize it well you can easily see most of it in a few days.
Fascinating temples and vibrant culture, numerous stylish hotels, tasty street food everywhere, loads of cheap shopping opportunities and wild nightlife, do I need to say more?
If you’re visiting Bangkok for the first time this mini travel guide will help you plan your trip so that you can make the most of your time in the city.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO BANGKOK
💬 LANGUAGE Thai is the official language and be aware that English isn’t widely spoken so be ready to use a lot of sign language and smile.
💵 CURRENCY Thai Baht (THB / ฿)
🔌ELECTRIC 220V. Most common sockets are sort of a combination of Types A and C.
🚫 DON’Ts IN THAI CULTURE Don’t touch people’s heads and don’t point at anything with your feet.
☀ CLIMATE Bangkok has a tropical climate so it’s warm all year round with the dry season from November-April and the rainy season to May-October.
🕒 HOW MANY DAYS? For your first time I think 3-4 days is enough time to see the major attractions and have enough time to book a trip outside the city like the floating markets.
HOW TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY
Bangkok has two airports – the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK) which can cause some confusion when trying to book further transport into the city.
From Suvarnabhumi International Airport
🚗 The recommended way in my opinion is for you to get a taxi which you can easily get just outside the airport, straight into your accommodation. The taxi fare will depend on your destination but it should be about $7 (฿240).
🚄 The second option is to take the Airport Rail Link City Line Train but you have to transfer to downtown Bangkok. The prices are about $1.5 (฿45).
🚌 Your final option is to the take the airport bus which will take you right to the center of Bangkok like Khao San Road but it can take up to 1 hour.
From Don Mueang International Airport
🚗 The recommended way again in my opinion is for you to get a taxi which you can easily get just outside the airport and straight into your accommodation. The taxi fare will depend on your destination but it should be about $12 (฿450).
🚌 The second option is to take the bus, either the A1 bus or the Airport Limo Express bus. The A1 is cheaper at only $1 (฿30) but you have to get a connection bus and the Airport Limo Express costs $4.8 (฿150) but is direct to Khao San station.
WHERE TO STAY
It can be a real challenge for a first time visitor to choose where to stay in the city. Pick somewhere a bit more popular for your first visit close to bus/metro stations so it’s easy to move around.
The most popular areas that people stay are: Siam Square, Sukhumvit, Silom, Chinatown, Bangkok Old Town, Dusit and Thonburi with the best combination for shopping, food and transport options.
For many years backpackers preferred option was to stay in Khao San Road but I’ve been told recently that this has changed over the course of this pandemic. I personally opted to stay near this area because it was close to many attractions on a walking distance in Lamphu Tree House Boutique Hotel.
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HOW TO GET AROUND BANGKOK
Bangkok is such a big city and the best advice I can give you for your first time visit is to really plan what things you want to see every day to make the most of your days. Here’s the best ways to get around:
🚄 BY TRAIN Bangkok has two train networks, the BTS or Skytrain (an elevated transit system) and the MRT, the metro which are cheap options. Single ticket fares going from $0.5 (฿16). If you are doing multiple stops over the day and staying for some time it might be worth to buy an unlimited ride pass for about $4 (฿140).
🚗 BY TAXI I have used taxis a lot whilst visiting Bangkok especially at the end of the day with my 1 year old son at the time because it was just easier and comfortable. It does take a lot of time during rush hours so it’s not the fastest way to move around. Only get into cabs with a meter or negotiate the final price in advance so you don’t get any surprises at the end of your trip.
🚃 TUK TUK Tuk-tuks are popular and I would recommend it just for the fun of trying and for a short distance as they are not the most comfortable transport. Do negotiate your fares!
⛴ BY BOAT Canal boats are really useful to move around in the city center during rush hour. There’s the Klorng Boats that run along Khlong Saen Saep and the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company that operates the main ferry service along the Chao Phraya River with fares starting as low as $0.4 (฿12). There are also many private long-tail boats that can be hired for sightseeing.
🛵 MOTORCYCLE TAXIS known as motorsai they can beat the traffic in Bangkok if you are in a rush for a small fee of $0.5 (฿20).
WHERE TO EAT IN BANGKOK
I have to say eating was one of my favourite things to do in Bangkok. Since I love street food and love to try all sorts of different types of foods I was pretty much in heaven. These are my recommendations:
Raan Jay Fai The only street food place in Bangkok that holds a Michelin star, definitely interesting!
Seen Restaurant & Bar Bangkok Beautiful Rooftop
Khao Gaeng Jake Puey one of the best places to eat Thai curry rice
Sanrio Hello Kitty House a cute place all decorated with the famous kitten Hello Kitty
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Unicorn Cafe if you fancy a unique and fun place full of unicorns, this is for you!
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN BANGKOK
Bangkok has so many things to see and do that it could take you months to explore everything that the city has to offer. For a first time visit I have compiled the top attractions and things to do and a few other things I have discovered during my trip.
TEMPLES
There are so many temples and you will probably end up visiting some, so, please take note that there is a dress code: shoulders and knees should be covered both for men and women.
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: The Grand Palace or the Royal Palace was built in 1782 and it served as the official residence of Thailand’s Royal Family until 1925. It’s still used now for official events like royal ceremonies and state functions.
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It’s a large complex with a lot to see so aim to spend a few hours there. One of the most important temples is the Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
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Wat Pho: Buddhist temple complex that houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including the enormous reclining Buddha measuring 15 meters tall and 46 meters long.
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Wat Arun: located just across the river from Wat Pho. You can take a quick ferry ride across the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Saket: also known as the Golden Mount, sits on top of an 80-meter tall manmade hill with great views over Bangkok.
Wat Suthat Thepwararam: one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bangkok most famous for the giant red swing, just outside with over 21 meters tall.
MARKETS
Bangkok is rich in markets of all types. From food markets to floating markets they are everywhere.
Floating Market: You can easily book a half-day trip to go to the floating markets around the city. Some popular options are Khlong Lat Mayom, Thaling Chan, Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Maeklong Railway Market: this train market in the province of Samut Songkhram outside Bangkok is super interesting as the train is active and sometimes vendors and buyers have to quickly get out of the tracks to allow the trains to pass.
INTERESTING PLACES
Khao San Road: one of the most famous streets in Bangkok, mostly because of backpackers and budget street food. I found it to be super interesting to just sit there watching people go by.
Bangkok canals: known as the ‘Venice of the East’ the city used to be full of waterways and canals and the Chao Phraya River is a great way to experience Bangkok as you can take a cruise to some of the most famous temples like Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
Massage: super popular in Thailand because they are super cheap compared to Europe prices.
Bangkok Malls: at first I was also not super interested in go into malls but then I had two full days of rain and end up exploring these. I must say they are quite impressive, like nothing I have ever seen. If you do want to do the same, then head up to MBK Center or Terminal 21.
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Bangkok was the first city I visited in Southeast Asia and let me tell you it did not disappoint my expectations! It’s such an incredible city with so much to see and do that I can’t really compare it to any other and I truly wish everyone gets to go one day!
Have you visited Bangkok? What are your highlights? Would love to hear your experiences!
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Nice read. Bangkok seems like a cool place to visit. I would love to try the street food sometime.
I would absolutely love to go to Bangkok. It sounds amazing and your pictures are so good. I can’t wait to start travelling again.
Would absolutely love to visit Bangkok some time and visit the temples and try the local food. This post is very informative and will really help first-timers visiting. Thanks for sharing!
I want to travel to Bangkok so badly! Your guide gives me chills. wonderful destination!
This is great as I’ve never been. It’s interesting to hear about a place and good to do research before we go. It’s somewhere I’d consider visiting.
I’ve been to Bangkok so many times and it has always been fun. Great food and lots to see and do. It’s best to go with a friend or family because it is more enjoyable.
This is really helpful. Happy to know that it’s warm all year round so, I don’t have to worry much about bringing warmer clothes which consumes a lot of luggage space. Would love to visit Sanrio Hello Kitty House. Anyway, will bookmark this post for future reference.
Bangkok looks amazing! ive never been to that side of the world before. That Hello Kitty Shop looks like lots of fun!