Bangkok Travel Guide
Bangkok is famous for its chaotic streets, cheap and delicious street food, wild nightlife, and never-ending traffic. It’s also a city that most travelers either love or hate. I hated it when I first arrived. But, when I moved to Bangkok in 2006, I fell madly in love with it.
Most travelers just pass through here when they backpack or travel around Thailand, seeing the big temples, complaining about the traffic, and then move on. But there’s a lot to see and do in Bangkok beyond the big stuff. Because when you look beyond the chaos and peel back Bangkok’s layers, the city comes alive with endless things to do, see, explore, eat, and drink. It’s a city that opens itself up to those who are willing to get past all the temples and backpacker bars.
You just need to know where to look. As someone who lived here, I can tell you where to look!
This Bangkok travel guide will give you tips on how to plan, save money, and get off the beaten path in one of my favorite places in the world!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Bangkok
1. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
The palace was built over the course of three years at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I and is the official residence of the current monarch (although he doesn’t live there anymore; it is just used for official ceremonies). Hidden behind high concrete walls, you’ll see tons of wats (temples), chedis (mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics), carvings, statues, and the famous 15th century Emerald Buddha. This statue has his robes rotated three times a year by none other than Thailand’s king himself. Nearby you’ll find Wat Po with its larger-than-life golden reclining Buddha statue and busy massage school. Even if you’re only in Bangkok for a day, you should make it a point to visit the glittering Grand Palace! Try to get one of the free tours they offer as there is minimal signage in the palace.
2. Tour the Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok’s weekend market, the largest such market in the world, is an ideal place to buy anything and everything. It has over 15,000 stalls, making it the best place to get gifts, find knockoffs, barter, and eat some good food. You can find everything here and there are some really good eats here. Definitely wander around even if you don’t plan on buying anything. It’s open on Saturday and Sunday, 9am-6pm.
3. Explore Lumpini Park
Outdoor enthusiasts will find it hard to tear themselves away from Bangkok’s Lumpini Park. Jogging paths, bicycle paths, picnic areas, chess tables, Tai Chi classes, fitness equipment, and rowboats for rent on the lakes offer plenty to do. The tall trees and quiet setting offer a nice reprieve from busy Bangkok. It’s one of the few green spaces in the city.
4. See Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was a former American spy and silk merchant in Thailand during the 1950s and 1960s. He built his traditional Thai home in Bangkok and decorated it with gorgeous teak wood furniture and a surrounding garden. He vanished mysteriously in 1967 while in Malaysia, and his house is now a monument to traditional Thai architecture and includes a fabulous guided tour about Jim Thompson and traditional Thai lifestyle. A visit here is one of my favorite things to do in the city. And proceeds are used to help underprivileged kids! It’s open daily from 10am-6pm.
5. Take in the view from Wat Arun
This is a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the edge of the Chao Phraya River opposite the Grand Palace. It has one main spire and four small ones and is so iconic you’ll find it on Thai money. From the top of the main spire, you get sweeping views of the city, making for extraordinary photographs during sunrise and sunset (though, at the time of publication construction was going on). The intricate tiled facade reflects the light beautifully during sunrise and sunset. The stairs are steep, so be careful climbing.
Other Things to See and Do in Bangkok
1. Visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This floating market is just outside of Bangkok. While it exists mostly for the benefit of tourists, I still like visiting. The tours that come here are about half a day and leave early in the morning. It’s not a great place to shop, but the area is good for photography and eating. Open 7am-3pm daily.
2. Temple hop
Bangkok is full of history, temples, and Thai ruins. There are around ten main temples in the city, all with different architectural structures and layouts. For example, Wat Arun’s stupas are decorated with all sorts of interesting materials like seashells and porcelain. You can easily hire a guide (or even a tuk-tuk driver) to take you to all of them in one day as it only takes a few hours to see them all. If you don’t have that much time, aside from the Grand Palace and Wat Po, make sure you check out Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn. Just be sure to dress appropriately, keeping your legs and shoulders covered, as these are functioning temples.
3. Shop ’til you drop
Bangkok has tons of shopping malls in addition to all the markets. Like an incredible amount. Every time I come back, they add a few more. Make sure you check out Siam Paragon (for designer clothes), Terminal 21 (to see the stunning internationally themed decor), Platinum (for cheap, trendy clothes), Pantip (for cheap electronics), and MBK (for cheap knockoffs). Central World has more then 600 stores, ICONSIAM is the pinnacle of luxury, and Emsphere is full of restaurants that are open until 3am.
4. Hang out on Khao San Road
Khao San Road is the infamous backpacker/tourist street in Bangkok. All travel roads lead in and out of here. However, it is more than just a transit hub for travelers, offering a fun nightlife, delicious food, plenty of shopping stalls, tons of people watching, and bustling activity day and night. Post-COVID, it’s become less of a backpacker street and more of a hub for local Thais. It’s still a party though. For something quieter, check out Soi Rambuttri, which is right next door. That street has more chill bars and quieter music.
5. Visit the Temple of the Golden Mount
Only a short distance from Khao San Road, The Temple of the Golden Mount (Wat Saket) features an enormous chedi, a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics. This is one of my favorite temples in the city because of its beautiful golden temple, stunning setting, and wonderful views of the city from the top. At the base of the mountain is an overgrown cemetery for 18th-century plague victims. Entry to the temple itself is free, but there’s a small fee to go to the chedi.
6. Day trip to Ayutthaya
Close to Bangkok is the old capital of the Kingdom of Siam. This historic city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the summer palace and tons of breathtaking and unique temples. Since it is so close to Bangkok, it’s a very popular day-trip destination for tours. Lots of companies offer trips but it’s so easy to get to that I would simply go on your own by train. The journey takes about 1.5 hours each way. You can also visit on a day trip with Get Your Guide.
7. Enjoy Bangkok’s famous nightlife scene
You’ll never have a problem finding good bars and clubs to go to in Bangkok. Khao San Road and Silom are two of the most popular nightlife spots in the city, while Soi Nana (in Chinatown) is famous for its cocktail bars and quirky art vibe. Thong Lo is full of bars and clubs frequented by local Thais. Some of my favorite bars are Brick Bar, Whisgars, TOT, Cheap Charlies, Craft, and J.Boroski.
8. Eat in Chinatown
First, wander among the lilies, birds of paradise, and orchids at Pak Klong Talad, the flower market at the north end of Chinatown. From there, grab a bite to eat at one of the many food stalls. You can eat your weight in street food here and still not break the bank. It’s one of the best and cheapest places to eat in the city!
9. Watch a puppet show
A huge part of traditional Thai culture revolves around puppetry. Two types are common – Nang (shadow puppets) and Hun (marionettes). Nang puppet shows use puppets behind an illuminated screen to cast shadows of the characters, while the Hun shows feature masked puppeteers using more lifelike puppets to tell their stories. They’re both incredible art forms and worth the time to see a performance. If you’re lucky, you can see a show at an outdoor festival. Otherwise, head to the Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre, founded in 1985 by Sakorn Yang-keawsot (whose English name was Joe Louis).
10. Spend a hip night out in Thong Lo
The city’s top-end dining and nightlife lies in this trendy neighborhood, including many Western jazz bars and beer gardens. It’s very popular with Bangkok’s young middle and upper classes. The neighborhood is very walkable and a great place for a fashionable night out. Popular spots include Beer Belly, a craft beer bar with beer pong and a 2-for-1 happy hour from 5-8 pm; and Rabbit Hole, a swanky bar with creative cocktails.
11. Boat down the Bangkok canals
Known as the “Venice of the East,” Bangkok used to be full of waterways and canals. While not as many of those exist anymore, you can still see many of the old bridges, stilt houses, and colorful flower gardens crowding the waterways. You can cruise along the Chao Phraya River to see what remains. You can find several group and private canal tours, including a full-day tour with lunch.
12. Wander the Rot Fai Night Market
Rot Fai Market (or Train Market) is an authentic open-air bazaar selling an array of vintage collectibles and memorabilia, from antique furniture to hippy fashion and Mao kitsch. The Train Night Market is absolutely one of the coolest markets in Bangkok. It’s open at night Thursday through Sunday.
13. See a Muay Thai fight
If you want to see a Muay Thai fight in the city, Lumpinee Stadium is the place to go. While Lumpinee has been hosting Muay Thai fights since the 1950s, the current stadium (which opened in 2014) is huge and can hold up to 15,000 spectators. Fight nights are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6pm and you can buy tickets on the stadium’s website for the best price.
14. See Wat Suthat & the Giant Swing
Famous for the Giant Swing that meets you at the entrance of the temple, Wat Suthat is one of Bangkok’s most memorable tourist sites. The Giant Swing was first constructed in 1784 but was replaced in 2005 with an entirely golden teak one (the temple was added in 1807). Aside from the swing, the temple features a magnificent traditional roof, ancient murals, and hand-carved teak door panels. The huge complex includes multiple large temples on the property as well as smaller statues and courtyards. It’s open daily from 9am-6pm.
15. Tour the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium
This small garden is located around the corner from the Chatuchak Weekend Market. There are over 500 butterflies flying around this domed enclosure, which also features a wide range of flowers, ferns, and even some waterfalls. Entry is free and it’s open Tuesday-Sunday. The butterfly garden is located next to three sprawling parks to continue your day in nature: Queen Sirikit Gardens, Rod Fai Park, and Chatuchak Park. It’s the perfect area to relax and take a stroll.
16. Visit the Bangkokian Museum
This folk museum depicts middle-class life in Bangkok during the early to mid-1900s with a collection of three wooden houses filled with family items from that period. The main house was built in 1937 and the interiors show what life looked like for upper-middle class homes looked like during WWII. It’s small, so you don’t need a lot of time. It’s free, but donations are requested. Entry also includes a guided tour.
17. Peruse the National Gallery
This portrait museum has some amazing portraits of the royal family as well as paintings done by the late king, who was an artist and musician in his spare time. The museum has four different sections that show influences on the art from different periods along with Thai cultural artworks. Highlights include the Royal Paints of King Rama VI and King Rama IX, along with sculptures of King Rama VI and King Rama IX. It’s located in the former Royal Mint building, they have excellent interim contemporary art exhibits from local artists on the ground floor.
18. Take a food tour
Bangkok has an incredible food scene and is one of the best foodie destinations in the world. The best way to learn about the food culture (while devouring some samples) is on a food tour. Bangkok Food Tours has a variety of tasty tours where you can try everything from street food to exotic fruits. They also offer a half-day cooking class, which includes a market visit.
How to Stay Safe in Bangkok
Bangkok is a safe place to visit. I’ve never really felt unsafe here in all my years of visiting. Thais are super polite and respectful and, as long as you mind your own business, they aren’t going to do anything. That being said, Bangkok is also an incredibly chaotic and busy city and it’s always a good idea keep your valuables secure and out of reach — especially in crowded tourist areas and when on public transportation.
Solo female travelers should also feel safe here. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and follow standard safety precautions like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar, walking in unlit places alone at night, etc. If you want specific information about Bangkok, there are many incredible solo female travel blogs that can provide tips that I can’t.
The biggest incidents happen when people are drunk and stupid. Avoid illegal substances at all costs as Thailand is very, very strict on drugs and they don’t cut foreigners a break. Expect huge fines and jail time if you get caught.
The biggest problem travelers face here are the scams. There are a lot. Read this post on common travel scams to avoid so you can stay vigilant because when I first started coming here in 2005, I fell for a couple and don’t want that to happen to you.
If you experience an emergency, dial 191 for assistance.
Always trust your gut instinct and make copies of all your important documents.
For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Bangkok, this post answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok has tons of cheap, fun, and social hostels as well as good budget hotels. Here are some of my favorite places to stay:
- Mad Monkey Hostel
- @Hua Lamphong Hostel
- Lub d Bangkok Siam
- D&D Inn
- Bangkok Tree House
- Jasaen Stylish Boutique Hotel
For more hostel suggestions, be sure to check out my list of best hostels in Bangkok. For hotels, read my post for the best hotels in Bangkok. And, to find out exactly where in the city you should stay, here’s a post that breaks down the best neighborhoods in Bangkok.
Bangkok Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 300-600 THB per night
- Hostel private rooms – 1,200-2,500 THB per night
- Guesthouses – 500-1,400 THB per night
- Luxury Hotels – 2,000+ THB per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 240-720 THB per night
- Airbnb apartments – 1,650-3,300 THB per night
Food
- Street food – 30-100 THB per dish
- Casual sit-down restaurants – 100-175 THB per dish
- Western food – 175-350 THB per dish
- Sushi – 1,030-1,200 THB per meal
- Beer – 60-120 THB
- Glass of wine – 180 THB
- Cocktails – 300-450 THB
- Groceries for a week – 600-800 THB
Some of my favorite places to eat include Mai Kaidee, Kuangseafood, T & K Seafood, Raan Jay Fai, La Monita Taqueria, Isao, Bella Napoli, Indus, and 55 Pochana.
Bangkok Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 1,750 THB Per Day
This budget covers a hostel dorm, street food for all your meals, beers from 7-Eleven, a few temple visits, and public transportation to get around. If you want to have more fun, stay downtown, eat some nicer meals, or drink more, add about 300 THB more per day.
Midrange – 3,100 THB Per Day
On a midrange budget, you can get a budget hotel/guesthouse, more meals at sit-down restaurants, a few taxis, cocktails, and more attractions in the city and tours. You aren’t going to be living the high life, but you won’t want for anything either.
Upscale – 5,000+ THB Per Day
This is just the ground floor for luxury as Bangkok does luxury really well and if you want fancy hotels, meals, tours, or cocktails, you can get it here. The sky is the limit if you have the money to spend!
Bangkok Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Bangkok can be a cheap city if you avoid splashing out on fancy food, cocktails, and big name hotels. Sticking to Thai restaurants and inexpensive accommodation, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend a lot of money. Nevertheless, here are some ways to save money in Bangkok:
Go local – The easiest way to save money in Bangkok is to simply live like a local. Take local buses, eat street food, and drink local beer. The average Thai lives on less than 7,750 THB per month in Bangkok and on even less in the countryside. Keep it simple to keep it affordable.
Eat from the street stalls – Food from street vendors in Bangkok is some of the best Thai food I have ever had. The locals eat here; you should eat here too. Not only is it the best food around, it’s also the cheapest!
Make sure your taxi turns on the meter – All taxis are required to use a meter when they have passengers. However, most want to charge a higher flat rate instead of using the meter — especially if there’s traffic. If this happens, just walk away and see if a different taxi will turn on their meter for you.
Negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers – Unlike taxis, the tuk-tuk drivers do not have meters, so be sure to set the fixed price before you take off. They are very friendly, but if you act like a naive tourist, you will get taken advantage of!
Use public transportation – Locals use the extensive bus and BTS systems to get wherever they need to go in Bangkok. To save money, do the same. A 20-minute taxi ride might cost you 120 THB, while the same ride in a bus might only cost 10 THB.
Take the boats – There’s a limited canal system in Bangkok that can get you around parts of the city quicker (especially from Khao San Road to Siam Square) and cheaper than taxis or the SkyTrain. Prices are between 5-15 THB depending on the distance.
Get a sightseeing pass – The TAGTHAi pass for Bangkok bundles together many of the most popular attractions for a price that’s lower than paying for each entrance separately.
Reedeem hotel points – You can sign up for hotel credit cards and use the points to pay for accommodations when you travel. Most cards give you 1-2 nights when you sign up, which can save a lot of money. Here’s a post that will help you understand the basics so you can start earning points right away.
Stay with a local – Couchsurfing connects you with locals who can give you not only a free place to stay but can share their insider tips and advice too. It’s the best way to save money on accommodation while connecting with locals.
Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours help you get oriented within a city while picking up some interesting facts and history in the process. To see all the highlights and connect with a local guide, check out Bangkok Walking Tours or Free Bangkok Walks. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
Don’t book tours before you arrive – Want to take a cooking class or guided tour? Wait until you get here to book anything. Travel agencies are located all over the tourist areas, looking to sell their tours. While you’re able to purchase these tours online before you arrive, you’ll be paying a lot more that way. Instead, book when you arrive so you can haggle for a better deal.
Book group excursions – When booking your day tours, multi-day tours, cooking classes, etc., try to book it as a group so the price per person gets reduced. Traveling alone? Make friends and book a tour with your hostel.
Bargain hard – When shopping at the markets, use your negotiation skills. The rule of thumb is the more you buy, the cheaper the prices will be. So shop in packs for the best deals.
Save money on rideshares – Grab is Asia’s answer to Uber and my favorite way to get around Bangkok. It’s often more affordable than a regular taxi and you don’t have to worry about getting scammed since you pay via the app.
Buy beer at 7-Eleven – Buying beer at Thailand’s ubiquitous 7-Elevens and drinking outside will save you quite a bit on your bar tab. While you can’t get wrecked on the street, you can take drinks with you to sit outside your guesthouse or while on the beach. These places are usually 50% cheaper than drinking at the bar and they have tons of snacks.
Take advantage of happy hour – Thailand’s many happy hours have half-priced drinks and 2-for-1 specials. If you want to hit the bar, stick to drinking during happy hours. If you visit the areas frequented by backpackers, you’ll find even more drink specials.
Use a water bottle with a purifier – It isn’t safe to drink tap water in Bangkok, and although buying bottled water is cheap, it does add up. Instead, pick up a LifeStraw, which has built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe (it’s good for the environment too!)
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
How to Get Around in Bangkok
Public transportation – Bangkok’s public buses are the cheapest way to get around the city. They’re run by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, whose website has detailed information on various routes. Air-conditioned buses typically start at 10-18 THB and go up based on distance. A weekly pass costs 255 THB.
Fares for ordinary buses (with fans) start at 7-8 THB and also go up based on distance. A weekly pass for these types of buses costs 120 THB.
Commonly known as the BTS or the Skytrain, this is an elevated transit system with fares costing 16-52 THB per trip or 150 THB for a one-day pass. If you plan to be in Bangkok for a while, look at buying the Rabbit Card, which costs 200 THB, including 100 THB in pre-loaded fares. You can get a day pass for 140 THB which covers the entire BTS system that includes smart buses and express ferries. A 15-trip pass is 450 THB.
The Chao Phraya Express Boat Company is the main ferry service along the Chao Phraya River. The central pier is located at BTS Saphan Taksin, and fares are 14-30 THB. There is also a special tourist boat that runs between Phra Athit and Sathorn every 30 minutes between the hours of 9:30am and 6pm.
Canal boats are especially useful for getting to and from Siam Square and the surrounding area during rush hour. This is one of the best and cheapest ways to get from Khao San Road to downtown Bangkok. It only takes 15 minutes, and prices, in general, start from 10 THB.
The Metropolitan Rapid Transit (or MRT) is the city’s underground train system. It connects most of downtown with some of the suburbs. It uses tokens instead of tickets, but metro cards are available for frequent travelers. Fares cost 16-45 THB per trip, depending on your destination.
Taxi – Taxis are my favorite way to get around the city. However, only get in a cab that uses the meter. The rate for the first kilometer is 35 THB, with an additional baht for every 50 meters after that; a 5 kilometer (3 miles) journey runs about 60 THB. Use Grab to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off.
Motorcycle taxis are another popular way to get around the city, usually costing between 20-100 THB per trip. You tell your driver where you want to go, negotiate a price (haggle hard!), strap on the helmet, and speed off into traffic. They’re the quickest (but the scariest way) to get across Bangkok.
Tuk-Tuk – Tuk-tuks are noisy, polluting, and uncomfortable. They require hard bargaining skills and are only worth taking once for the experience. I sometimes like them for short distances but generally prefer a cab to a tuk-tuk. Fares vary greatly based on your haggling skills but expect to be first quoted around 100 THB.
Car rental – Car rentals aren’t super cheap here, usually costing around 800 THB per day for a multi-day rental. I’d skip the car rental as public transportation is faster and cheaper and the city can be a nightmare to drive in.
If you want to rent a car, use Discover Cars to find the best deals. You can get a free quote using this widget:
When to Go to Bangkok
November to the end of February is the best time to visit Bangkok if you want pleasant weather. Bangkok is “coolest” during this time but still averages a hot daily high of around 29°C (85°F). This is also the driest time of year. However, because this coincides with Christmas and New Year, expect big crowds and inflated prices.
The shoulder season (April to June) is the hottest time of year to visit Bangkok, with temperatures soaring as high as 40°C (100°F). If you have to come during this time, try to make it for the Thai New Year (Songkran) in April. Songkran is the largest water festival in the world, and you’re guaranteed to have a blast.
Avoid July to October if you can. This is monsoon season and rains can be heavy and unpredictable. I’m not saying it’s going to rain 24/7, but it rains more often and more heavily than at other times of the year. Prices are usually cheaper during this time though.
Bangkok Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Thailand!
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Bangkok Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Bangkok travel and continue planning your trip:
