Bangkok Travel Guide

Wat Arun in Bangkok illuminated at night, framed by trees.
Wat Arun · Photo: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bangkok mixes glittering temples and royal palaces with famous street food, riverside life, rooftop bars and giant malls. Great-value hotels and massages make it a fit for first-timers, food lovers, friends and families alike.

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Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 1 (exercise caution) · some areas of the country have advisories

Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): southern Songkhla (Malaysia border), Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, within 50 km of the Thai-Cambodian border / L2: Tak / Special advisory: Chiang Saen (Laos border) and Mae Sai (Myanmar border) checkpoints / L1: rest of the country

Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).

Since Dec 10, 2025 · Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.

Plan your Bangkok trip

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On this page

At a glance

Currency
THB (฿)
Power & plugs
220V · Type A/B/C/O
Driving side
Left
Tipping
Optional (small, for good service)
Local language
ภาษาไทย
How long to stay
3 to 5 days

Emergency numbers

When to go

November to February is the cool, dry season and the most comfortable time. March to May is very hot, and June to October brings short, heavy afternoon downpours. Songkran (mid-April water festival) is fun but crowded and pricier.

Monthly climate normals

Warmest: Apr (avg high 35.7°C) · Coolest: Dec (avg low 23.2°C) · Wettest: Sep (335.9 mm)

High °CLow °CRain mm
Jan32.7°23.4°23.6
Feb33.7°24.8°21.4
Mar34.7°26.4°51.0
Apr35.7°27.2°93.3
May35.1°26.9°216.8
Jun34.1°26.4°198.5
Jul33.5°26.1°189.7
Aug33.3°25.9°227.1
Sep33.2°25.4°335.9
Oct33.0°25.2°288.7
Nov33.1°24.7°44.6
Dec32.3°23.2°11.6

Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.

Source: Thai Meteorological Department submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI) · Bangkok Metropolis station · 1991–2020 normals —View source

Airport to the city

Airport Rail Link - Suvarnabhumi (BKK)

Runs from the basement of BKK to Makkasan (MRT transfer) and Phaya Thai (BTS transfer). The most reliable option since it avoids traffic.

Time about 25-30 minCost about 15-45 THB by distance

Taxi / Grab - Suvarnabhumi (BKK)

Take a queue ticket at the official taxi stand on level 1 for a metered taxi. Expect a 50 THB airport surcharge plus expressway tolls on top of the meter.

Time about 30-60 minCost about 350-500 THB

SRT Red Line - Don Mueang (DMK)

From the budget-airline airport to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station, then change to the MRT Blue Line.

Time about 15 min (+ transfer)Cost about 20 THB (fare policy can change; check official)

A1 Airport Bus - Don Mueang (DMK)

Cheap bus from DMK to BTS Mo Chit near Chatuchak Market. Best if you travel light.

Time about 20-40 minCost about 30 THB

Getting around

BTS Skytrain

Elevated rail linking Sukhumvit, Siam and Silom, the most useful line for visitors. Buy single tickets at machines or top up a Rabbit card if riding often.

MRT Subway

The Blue Line reaches Chinatown, Wat Pho (Sanam Chai station) and Chatuchak. You can tap in with a contactless credit card.

Chao Phraya Express Boat

Scenic and practical for the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and riverside sights. Sathorn Pier connects to BTS Saphan Taksin.

Grab / Bolt

Fares are fixed in the app, so no haggling. Rush-hour traffic is heavy, so combine with rail.

Tuk-tuk

Fun for a short ride, but agree on the price before getting in. Decline any detour to gem or tailor shops.

Where to stay

Sukhumvit (Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo)

Good for: First visit, dining and nightlife

BTS and MRT meet here, with the widest choice of hotels and restaurants. It is a longer ride to the old-town temples.

Siam

Good for: Shopping, families

Central hub with major malls where two BTS lines cross. Evenings are relatively quiet.

Silom / Sathorn

Good for: Business, rooftop bars

High-rise hotels, rooftop bars and Lumphini Park nearby. Good access to both the BTS and the river.

Riverside

Good for: Couples, luxury hotels

River-view luxury hotels with easy boat access to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Hotel shuttle boats make it convenient.

Khao San / Old Town

Good for: Backpackers, temple sightseeing

Cheap stays close to the Grand Palace and major temples. No rail station, so reaching other districts is slower.

Map of stays in Bangkok

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Top sights

  1. Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

    Bangkok's must-see; foreign visitors pay an entry fee (check the official site for the current price). A strict dress code applies (cover shoulders and knees), so go early in the morning.

    The golden chedi and orange-and-green tiled roofs of Wat Phra Kaew seen from the Grand Palace's outer court.
    Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew · Photo: Ninara (edit: TSP) / CC BY 4.0
  2. Wat Pho

    Home of the 46 m golden Reclining Buddha and a famous Thai massage school. A 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace.

    A tile-decorated great chedi of Wat Pho against a blue sky.
    Wat Pho · Photo: Bjørn Erik Pedersen / CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

    Cross the river by small ferry from the pier near Wat Pho. It looks best at sunset, viewed from the opposite bank.

    Wat Arun's white central prang in daylight, seen across the Chao Phraya River.
    Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) · Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote / CC BY 4.0
  4. Chatuchak Weekend Market

    A huge Saturday and Sunday market for clothes, crafts and snacks. Go in the morning to beat the heat and bring water.

  5. Chinatown (Yaowarat)

    One of Bangkok's best-known street-food strips, coming alive after dark. Walkable from MRT Wat Mangkon.

  6. Jim Thompson House

    Traditional teak houses of the American silk entrepreneur, seen on a guided tour. Near BTS National Stadium.

    The red teak traditional Thai house seen through the trees of its tropical garden.
    Jim Thompson House · Photo: Don Ramey Logan / CC BY-SA 3.0
  7. King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk

    A 314 m observation deck with a glass floor over the city. Sunset slots are the most popular.

  8. Ayutthaya Day Trip

    UNESCO-listed ruins of the old capital, about 1.5 hours by train or tour. Bring a hat and sunscreen as shade is scarce.

    The central prang and surrounding temple ruins of Wat Chai Watthanaram in Ayutthaya.
    Ayutthaya (Wat Chai Watthanaram) · Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Pad Thai and Som Tam

Classic street dishes at about 60-100 THB a plate. Ask for mild papaya salad with mai pet.

Tom Yum Goong

Hot and sour prawn soup, about 150-350 THB in restaurants. Choose creamy (nam khon) or clear (nam sai).

Khao Man Gai

Poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken broth, about 50-80 THB. A perfect breakfast or lunch.

Mango Sticky Rice

Sweet mango with coconut sticky rice, about 100-150 THB. Best in mango season, March to May.

Poo Pad Pong Karee

Stir-fried crab in egg curry, found at seafood restaurants. Often priced by weight, so check before ordering.

Night Market Snacks

Skewers, spicy pork-bone soup (leng saeb) and more at night markets. About 300-500 THB per person fills you up.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout 1,200 THB - hostels, street food, public transport
Mid-rangeabout 3,500 THB - 4-star hotel, restaurants and massages, Grab
Comfortabout 10,000 THB+ (~300 USD+) - riverside luxury hotel, fine dining, rooftop bars

According to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports (2025), foreign visitors to Bangkok spent an average of 6,069.73 baht per person per day (spending there; excluding international airfare). Actual costs vary widely with your itinerary and lodging.

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Suggested itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew in the morning, then Wat Pho and a massage, ferry to Wat Arun, and Chinatown street food for dinner.

  2. Day 2

    Siam malls and Jim Thompson House, pool break in the afternoon, then sunset at Mahanakhon SkyWalk and a rooftop bar.

  3. Day 3

    Chatuchak Market if it is a weekend, otherwise an Ayutthaya day trip; evening at a riverside or local night market.

  4. Day 4

    Slow morning of cafes and massage in Sukhumvit, then the Airport Rail Link to BKK.

Local tips

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Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.

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