“Where modernity and tradition meet”

Bangkok

Bangkok is an explosion of life, color, and flavor that captivates those who visit it.

Here is your guide to discovering Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. You will find essential information you need to know before visiting, such as must-see sites, areas of the city, and tips to make your trip easier. You will also be surprised by the number of transportation options available to get around the city.

General Information

How many days should I stay in Bangkok?

Frequent areas among female travelers

Must-sees

Transportation

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Airports

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General information

In Bangkok, you will find skyscrapers and wooden houses on the river; street food and luxury restaurants offering a variety of cuisines; more than 400 Buddhist temples alongside Catholic churches and mosques; art galleries and small local craft shops; daytime, nighttime, and weekend markets where you will find everything you need to live, eat, and dress for the rest of your life. It's a perfect mix for those who enjoy cosmopolitan life and the hustle and bustle of the city.

The heart of the city is the Chao Phraya River, which flows past the old town and the main temples. The waters of the Chao Phraya River have shaped the history of the modern Thai capital and are a vital source of the economy and daily activities of the communities. In short, you cannot understand Bangkok without this river!

How many days should I stay in Bangkok?

It is a must-see destination if you are traveling to Thailand. The amount of time you spend exploring the city will depend on your interests and what you want to visit. However, for a first visit, I recommend at least three days to see the must-see sights, enjoy culinary experiences, stroll through local markets, view the city from above, and much more.

Frequent areas among female travelers

I know that the city can be overwhelming due to its size and hustle and bustle, but don't worry! Identifying the busiest areas will help you find your way around the city more easily:

Sukhumvit
It's a vibrant, bustling area with hundreds of restaurants, shops, shopping centers, hotels, bars, and plenty of nightlife.

Thonglor
Known as Bangkok's Japanese district because a large percentage of the Japanese expat population lives here, it is home to many luxury hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars where you can drink all night long.

Old Town
This historic district of Bangkok is home to several tourist attractions, including the Grand Palace and the temples Wat Saket, Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, the Democracy Monument, and Wat Suthat. Here you’ll find the popular Khao San Road, a lively tourist area with bars, hostels, and budget hotels.

Chinatown
An area decked out in red, with Chinese temples, markets, wholesale shops, and hundreds of street food stalls, restaurants, and hotel options to suit every budget.

Must-sees in Bangkok

Temples

Temples (Wat in Thai) are an essential part of Thai culture. Their symbolism and rituals are very special, and each one tells a story. There are hundreds of temples in the city, among the best known are Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Saket (Golden Mountain), and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace). All are located near the Old Town area, which gives you the option of walking and planning your 1- or 2-day itinerary to visit them.

Other temples that are not well known among travelers but are worth visiting if you have more days in Bangkok are Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (Big Buddha), one of my favorites, Wat Benjamabhopit (Marble Temple), Wat Ratchanatdaram (a replica of the Loha Prasart temple in Sri Lanka), and Wat Traimit Withayaram.

Chao Phraya River and canals

The river is the heart of the city, and city life revolves around it. A boat ride is a must to get from one place to another, and taking a cruise at sunset is an ideal way to see how Bangkok transforms as night falls and enjoy dinner. If you are interested in discovering history and architecture, along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, you will see temples, museums, and skyscrapers.

Floating markets

The oldest and best-known floating market isDamnoen Saduak. Here, you will find yourself surrounded by wooden boats laden with fresh food, handicrafts, flowers, clothing, souvenirs, and even animals on display to attract tourists (which we do not recommend). Other floating markets closer to the city that you can visit include Taling Chan, Bang Nam Pheung, and Khlong Lad Mayom.

Skyscraper

Huge buildings are scattered throughout different parts of the city, so seeing the city from above is very easy. It is popular to visit rooftops to watch the sunset or enjoy the evening with dinner or cocktails.

The highest rooftop in Bangkok is Mahanakhon SkyWalk, with glass platforms at a height of 310 meters on the 78th floor , offering 360-degree panoramic views. Other recommended rooftops to visit are Mojjo, Tichuca Rooftop Bar, Sky Bar, and Yào Rooftop Bar.

Chinatown

Many countries have Chinatowns, but none compare to the one you'll find in Bangkok. It's the largest, due to its proximity to China and the multiple migrations of the Chinese community to the city. Among the things you can't miss are trying the street food, wandering through the markets, finding hidden bars and restaurants, getting lost among the shops with huge piles of merchandise, visiting temples, and drinking tea.

Ayutthaya

It is one of Thailand's ancient capitals, boasting ancient temples, including Wat Ratcha Burana, Wat Maha That (with Buddha Head), and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will find the Ayutthaya Historical Park, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely a place to visit during your stay in Bangkok. It is only 84 km away and can be visited on a day trip.

How to get around Bangkok?

The city is unpopular due to long travel times caused by traffic and the size of the city. However, there are multiple public transportation options that connect the city and are convenient for locals and travelers, such as the underground and aerial metro, buses, tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycles, ferries, tail boats, and canal boats.

And what happens during rush hour?
Traffic is heaviest in Bangkok between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. During these hours, it is advisable to avoid traveling on main roads. Instead, use secondary roads, allow plenty of time to reach your destination, or avoid traveling during these hours.

How to get to Bangkok?

The usual gateway to the country is Bangkok, which has the two airports that receive the most international flights in Thailand:

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

It is the city's main airport, receiving the largest number of international flights, and also operates domestic flights. It runs like clockwork because check-in is quick and punctual, demonstrating that it is extremely well organized. However, it is recommended that you arrive with enough time to catch your flights because the airport is huge and receives hundreds of people a day. Sometimes the lines at the counters and immigration booths can take longer than expected.

The airport is located about 30 kilometers east of downtown Bangkok. You can quickly reach Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi by taxi, Airport Rail Link train, public bus, or private transportation service.

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

It is the capital's secondary airport, operating some international flights but mainly handling most domestic flights. The airport is located about 25 kilometers north of Bangkok. You can quickly reach Bangkok from this airport by taxi, train to Hua Lumpong station, public buses, or private transportation services.

Other cities also have international airports, but the frequency and number of destinations are quite limited.

At this link, you will find more information about transportation options between the airports and the city of Bangkok.

Be careful on the road: there are few sidewalks in the city, so it is essential to be careful when walking on the streets because it can be very dangerous. Be careful when crossing avenues because red lights are not always respected. Driving on the wrong side of the road seems to be well accepted by Thais. Strange, isn't it?
Allow enough time to get to the airports: arrive early enough to catch your flights because the airport is huge and receives hundreds of people every day. Sometimes the lines at the counters and immigration checkpoints can take longer than expected.
Negotiate tuk-tuk and taxi fares: if you take a tuk-tuk on the street, you must negotiate the fare before using the service. In the case of taxis, asking for the meter to be used and using the Grab app to calculate the estimated price of a journey can save you money.
Essential apps for use in the city: