Bangkok has long been the gateway city for travellers visiting Southeast Asia, and for us it was the entry stop from Europe before what would become over a year exploring Asia. This is a city of contrasts with chaotic roads, peaceful temples, and flavourful cuisine. It’s difficult to capture the magic of the city’s many fascinating sides, but I’ll do my best in this Bangkok travel guide!
There are so many things to do in Bangkok and lots of essential info to know if you’re visiting Bangkok for the first time. Figuring out what to eat, when to visit, and where to stay can make or break your stay.
My favourite places in Bangkok were the beautifully ornate temples and the bustling markets. I love trying different foods, too. Does that sound like your idea of a great trip? If so, here’s an easy travel guide for Bangkok based on my own travels in Thailand, so you can start planning your own.
Best Time of Year to Travel
Located on the Gulf of Thailand and along the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok is always warm and humid! Choosing the best time of year to travel depends on when it’s slightly less hot outside of the rainy season.
November to February offers the coolest temperatures, with average temperatures around 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F). Naturally, this is the most popular time of year for visitors.
May to September is the rainy season. If you’re staying in Bangkok as a digital nomad for over a month, you may choose to risk the downpours for cheaper accommodation. It’s unlikely that it will rain for your entire trip!
How Many Days to Spend in Bangkok
Allow around 3-5 days in your Bangkok travel itinerary. It’s a huge city with so many incredible temples, markets, palaces, street food stalls, and more.
Many travellers fly in and out of Bangkok when touring around Southeast Asia. You could plan a couple of days in the city at the beginning and end of your trip.
Where To Eat
This wouldn’t be a good Bangkok travel guide without mentioning food. We ate at some fantastic places during our trip, and here are the ones I would recommend:
- After the Rain Cafe: Nestled in the Sam Phran District is this adorable cafe with smoothies and light bites, reachable by boat!
- Jay Eng Mu Sate: Incredible, fresh satay street food stall in Chinatown, easily accessible by the subway
- Cedar Thai Restaurant: Beautifully decorated, modern restaurant with heaping plates of authentic Thai dishes. Perfect for a nicer, sit-down meal
- Make Me Mango: I think it’s against the law to visit Thailand without trying mango sticky rice. This dessert restaurant sells everything you can possibly make with mango, from smoothies to jelly and sundaes. So fun!
Banthat Thong Road was also a great place to visit for street food at night. YOLK is very popular for desserts (there are often lines). Each stall usually excels at one type of dish.
If you’re totally overwhelmed with food choices, I highly recommend booking a food tour in Chinatown. I really enjoyed this Bangkok Food Tour by A Chef’s Tour.
10 Top Things To Do in Bangkok
1. Lumphini Park
This central park is the best place to escape the busy urban sprawl. See the historic statues, like the King Rama VI Monument, and paddle on the large ponds.
The pedalo boats are free to rent for 90 minutes. So worth it! It’s accessible via the MRT subway’s Green and Blue lines. Open 4:30 AM-10:00 PM daily.
2. The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is essential on any Bangkok trip itinerary. Built in 1782, this sprawling castle complex was home to the Thai monarchy for 150 years. Today, it’s a museum open to visitors.
Like any Thai religious site, you need to dress modestly. Cover your shoulders, chest and knees (no shorts, mini skirts, or sleeveless tops). You can rent cover-ups or buy elephant pants and scarves from vendors outside the palace.
Tickets are 500 baht for foreign visitors. The complex is open 8:30am–4:30pm, with tickets sold until 3:30pm, so go earlier if you can.
3. Wat Samphran
You’ve probably seen this iconic pink dragon temple on social media! It’s a Buddhist temple just outside of Bangkok and is in such a dreamy location.
Wat Samphran is free to visit, but if you’d like to enter and climb to the top (you go through the dragon!), a donation of 80 baht is requested. I highly recommend climbing to the golden Buddha statue for the beautiful views above the treeline.
To reach the temple, first take the Blue Line of the MRT Subway to Bang Wa Station. It takes around 30 minutes. Then, order a Grab ride share for the remaining 30 minutes.
Open 7:00 AM-6:00 PM daily.
4. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Bangkok is lined with hundreds of canals, and the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located on one of them. It’s a super fun experience to buy food from a boat as you’re sailing past!
I booked a Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market Tour. It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 AM-5:00 PM.
If you want to explore more markets, people also love Chatuchak. The main market is best at the weekend, and there’s also a plant and flowers section on weekdays. Hours can vary by section, so I always recommend checking the latest opening times before you go.
5. Erawan Museum
Not so much a stuffy museum as a breathtaking cultural landmark. The Erawan Museum is best known for its colossal three-headed elephant statue perched above the building – massive, surreal, and totally Instagram-worthy.
Inside, you’ll find intricate religious relics, psychedelic staircases, and a colourful dome that feels more like stepping into a sacred dreamscape than a museum. It blends Thai, Hindu, and Buddhist influences in a way that’s both peaceful and visually overwhelming (in a good way).
Take the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line to Chang Erawan Station and walk about 10 minutes. As with any temple or religious site, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Full-price tickets cost 400 baht. Open 9:00 AM–6:00 PM daily. You can also book tickets online via Klook.
6. Tichuca Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bars are a must-visit in Bangkok! The city is so beautiful when it’s lit up at night. I enjoyed the Tichuca Rooftop Bar on Sukhumvit Road with their tropical drinks and decorations.
Drinks cost between 360 and 640 baht. Open from 5:00 PM-11:30 PM every day except until 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a short walk from the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line ThongLor station.
7. Wat Arun
There are no words to describe Wat Arun and its stunning and ornate tile exterior. It’s incredible and well worth crossing the river to visit in my book.
Hop on the MRT subway’s Blue Line and get off at the Saman Chai station. Take a short ferry service from Tah Tian terminal; they depart every 15-20 minutes.
Alternatively, stay on the subway and get off at the Itsaraphap station, and Wat Arun is a 10-minute walk. But if you have time, it’s more fun to ride the ferry! It’s open daily 8am–6pm and the entrance fee is 200 baht.
There are over 400 temples in Bangkok, so you can visit many more during your trip! Wat Pho and Wat Phra are also popular.
8. ICON Siam
For a change of pace or to escape the heat, visit ICON Siam. It’s a massive luxury shopping mall and cultural complex that offers more than just retail therapy. You’ll find high-end boutiques, art exhibits, an indoor floating market, and even a riverside park.
It’s one of the best places to blend traditional Thai culture with sleek, modern design—and it’s air-conditioned, which is always a win in Bangkok. Take the BTS Skytrain’s Silom Line to Saphan Taksin Station, then hop on the free shuttle boat at Sathorn Pier.
Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
9. Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Bangkok’s Chinatown is a full-on sensory overload in the best way possible – vibrant neon signs, sizzling woks, and narrow alleyways packed with gold shops, herbal medicine stalls, and some of the best food in the city. I fully recommend visiting with a guided food tour by A Chef’s Tour, it was AMAZING. You’ll try everything from crispy pork to black sesame dumplings, with local guides who know exactly where to go (and what’s worth skipping).
While you can explore on your own, the chaotic maze of Yaowarat really comes alive when someone else handles the navigation and explains what’s on your plate.
10. Ancient City (Muang Boran)
This open-air museum is basically Thailand on fast-forward. Located just outside Bangkok, the Ancient City features beautifully detailed replicas of the country’s most famous landmarks—think floating markets, ancient ruins, and grand temples—all spread out over 300 acres.
You can walk, bike, or hop on a golf cart to get around. It’s great if you want to see loads of iconic architecture but don’t have time to zig-zag around the entire country.
Pro tip: Combine your ticket with Erawan Museum on Klook to save money and make a full day of it. Trust me, it’s worth it if you want a culture-heavy day trip with lots of breathing room.
Open daily from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
How to Get Around Bangkok
Bangkok dwarfs Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, and it’s significantly larger than Singapore. In short, it’s a big city! You’ll need to use a mix of transport options during your trip.
If you can, use the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway to get around. The Airport Rail Link is also a great way to travel between the city and Suvarnabhumi Airport. All three options are easy and air-conditioned.
Single journeys cost around 45 baht, and day passes are around 120-150 baht. Note that you can’t use a subway day pass on the SkyTrain and vice versa.
Unfortunately, they don’t extend across the entire city. Download ride-hailing apps like Grab and Bolt to travel to the remaining places. For longer distances, take the subway or skytrain as far as possible and then a taxi to keep costs low.
And of course, you have to travel by tuk-tuk at least once! It’s far from the cheapest method of transport, but it’s a must-do cultural experience.
Where To Stay
You can’t beat the Sukhumvit area for first-time visitors in Bangkok! Sukhumvit Road is a long street on the eastern side of the city. Choose accommodation within walking distance of a subway or skytrain stop so it’s easy to hop around different parts of the city.
There are literally hundreds of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and short-term rental apartments near Sukhumvit Road. You’ll have no problems finding somewhere to suit your needs!
Follow This Bangkok Travel Guide
Use my experiences to plan your own Bangkok itinerary. There’s so much to do in the city, whether you’re staying 3, 4, 5 days, months or longer. It’s one of those insatiable destinations that you can return to again and again and uncover something new. If this is your first trip to Bangkok, it probably won’t be your last.
FAQs
Is it best to use cash or cards in Bangkok?
While cash is usually preferred in rural areas of Thailand, many places in Bangkok accept cards. It’s good to have both!
Do you tip in Bangkok?
Tipping isn’t a Thai custom, but hospitality workers in hotels and restaurants appreciate a few extra baht.
Do they speak English in Bangkok?
Many people working in the tourism industry in Bangkok will speak English. However, learning Thai phrases like ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ is a good idea. Thai is a gendered language, so use the right version for you.
What to avoid in Bangkok to not get sick?
Bangkok is generally a food-safe city, but avoid eating street food that isn’t cooked fresh and the tap water without treating it first. Use a filtered straw or water bottle to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Is Bangkok a walkable city?
Due to its size and humidity, Bangkok is not somewhere you can walk outside for very long. However, some neighbourhoods are pedestrian-friendly.
