If you are looking to visit Southeast Asia, chances are that you have plans to visit the incredible city of Bangkok. With a bustling nightlife, plenty of history to explore, and some of the best street food in the world, it is a backpacker’s magnet. In this guide to Bangkok, Thailand, I am going to provide you with all of the information you’ll need to plan your visit.

Because the beautiful city of Bangkok is built on dozens of canals with buildings standing on stilts, it is often referred to as the “Venice of the East”. This gives the city of Bangkok a uniquely beautiful look for Southeast Asia, but it also comes with its challenges. The city is sinking at a rate of a few centimeters a year, so I wouldn’t put off your visit for too long.

An All You Need Guide to Bangkok, Thailand

In this guide, I am going to provide you will all of the information that you need to plan a successful trip to see Bangkok. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you are able to see and do on your trip.

I also outline all of the top things to see and do while you are there, as well as the best places to stay and eat. With the information in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand in hand, you can be confident that your trip to see one of Thailand’s most incredible cities will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

At a Glance

Before you start making any travel plans, you will want to make sure to take care of all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for your trip.   In addition, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what languages they speak in Thailand so that you can plan any translation needs you might have.

You will also need to know what currency they use so that you can exchange currency before your trip if necessary. I have included some of this key information in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.

Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements

I have included a link to my Thailand Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements for Visitors Guide for you to review below.  This should help you navigate the legal requirements for visiting Thailand. It includes all of the important VISA, passport, customs, and immunizations requirements and recommendations for your visit. You will want to take special care in reviewing the immunizations section of this guide.

In addition to the immunization information in the guide above, I have also linked to a few supplemental health guides I have created below. I explain why I recommend getting the Rabies pre-exposure vaccination before traveling internationally. I also discuss how to protect yourself from tick and mosquito-borne illnesses when travelling. Even though Bangkok isn’t in a high-risk area for malaria, it is still good to protect yourself just in case.

Packing Tips

Outside of taking care of your passport, visa, and immunization requirements, the most important task for your trip is packing. In order for your trip to be a success, you need to make sure you pack the right clothing and gear for the weather and the activities you will be enjoying. To help make sure you are prepared, I linked to my packing resources for you to review in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

Top Things to See and Do in Bangkok

With a wealth of cultural, culinary, and entertainment attractions to enjoy, you certainly won’t be bored when you visit Bangkok. For those visiting, I strongly recommend that you spend at least a few days exploring the city to ensure you have enough time to see it all.

In addition to the city’s many incredible temples, Bangkok also has some of Southeast Asia’s best markets and street food. To ensure you have all the top sights and activities on your itinerary, I have outlined the top 10 things to see and do in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

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The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is a building complex located in the heart of Bangkok that has been the official residence of the kings of Siam dating back to 1872. Without a doubt, the palace complex is one of the most famous landmarks in the city of Bangkok.

There are many amazing and beautiful buildings in the temple complex, but the most famous of them all is Wat Phra Kaew. Otherwise known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, the temple contains a small, but greatly revered emerald buddha that dates all the way back to the 14th century.

If you are visiting Bangkok and would like to see the Grand Palace, make sure you leave yourself at least 3 hours to tour the complex. This way, you can be sure to see everything within the palace complex. Also, you should be sure to wear the proper attire if you want to be allowed inside. This includes pants that cover your knees and a shirt that covers your shoulders.

Wat Pho

The city of Bangkok has many amazing temples that you can explore, and the incredible Wat Pho is certainly one of the most famous. Located on Rattanakosin Island, just to the south of the Grand Palace, it is also often referred to as the “Temple of the Reclining Buddha”. It gets this name because it is home to a massive 49 feet (15 meters) tall and 150 feet (46 meters) long reclining Buddha statue.

This reclining Buddha statue is so large you will wonder how they got it into the temple. It is also adorned in gold leaf, which also makes it one of the most breathtaking Buddha statues you will see in Thailand. For those who plan to visit, you will need to make sure that you remove your shoes before entering.

While you’re there, drop coins in the 108 bronze bowls that line the wall opposite the Buddha for good luck. The number 108 is sacred in the Buddhist religion as the 108 positive actions and symbols helped lead Buddha to perfection.

Wat Arun

The other can’t miss temple in the city of Bangkok is the spectacular Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. Commonly referred to as just Wat Arun, this beautiful temple is situation on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Not only is the temple’s riverside location beautiful, but the towering temple is itself rather stunning.

It is located in very close proximity to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, so seeing all three temples in an afternoon is quite easy. I would recommend waiting to see Wat Arun until near sunset. Though it is commonly referred to as the “Temple of Dawn”, the temple is especially beautiful with the sun setting behind it.

When planning your visit to Wat Arun, make sure you leave yourself at least an hour to explore. Like with other temples in Thailand, you will also need to make sure that you observe the proper temple attire when visiting. This means covering your knees and shoulders.

Day Trip to the Ayutthaya Temples

If you are looking for a good day trip from Bangkok, I would recommend taking a trip to see the nearby Ayutthaya Temples. Once one of the religious capitals of Asia, this ancient city contains dozes of temples to tour. While the city was looted by the Burmese in 1767, much of the temples remain in fairly good condition. Here are some of the top temples I recommend exploring:

• Wat Yai Chaimongkhon (the most popular temple).
• Wat Phra Mahathat (see Buddha’s head entwined in roots).
• Wat Phra Si Sanphet (home of three iconic chedis).
• Wat Phanan Choeng (home to one of the oldest Buddhas in Thailand).

Visit a Floating Market

No visit to Bangkok is complete without visiting one of the city’s incredible floating markets. Why visit a street market when you can hop on a boat and have all of the things you want brought to you. Incredible food, handmade crafts, and even a great cup of coffee are all available from vendors in boats in these floating markets.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market, located just outside the city, is probably the most popular if the area’s floating markets. However, there are a number of other ones you can visit that I have listed in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

• Amphawa Floating Market
• Taling Chan Floating Market
• Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
• Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

Tour Bangkok’s Chinatown

The Chinese culture has had a tremendous influence on Thailand. Nowhere is it better to experience the beautiful mix of Chinese and Thai cultures than in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Here, you will find stunning temples, incredible street food, and wonderful handmade crafts.

The minute you set foot in Chinatown; the incredible smells will overwhelm your senses. In between stops to enjoy the incredible street food, here are some additional things you may enjoy in Chinatown:

• Wat Traimit (see the largest gold Buddha in the world).
• Sampeng Lane (incredible souvenirs and other crafts).
• China Gate (this beautiful gate is at the entrance to Chinatown).
• Yaowarat Street at Night (great spot for street food).
• Wat Mangkol Kamalawat (Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple).
• Romaneenart Park (Great place to relax away from the crowds).

Take a Boat Ride on the Chao Praya

One of the best ways to experience Bangkok is to get onto the Chao Praya River to see the city from the water. It gives you a whole different perspective to see significant sites like the Wat Arun temple from the river. Especially near sunset, it is incredible to take a boat cruise and enjoy the scenic views of Bangkok. If you would like to take a cruise during your stay, please see the Recommended Tours in Bangkok section of my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

Visit the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market

If you love flowers, you won’t want to miss the incredible Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market. This amazing 24-hour flower market will overwhelm your eyes and nose as you browse thru the spectacular display of beautiful flowers. This is one of the most highlighted activities for many tourists who visit Bangkok. Among the many species of flowers available at the market you will find orchids, roses, and lotus blooms.

Visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market

It’s no secret that the city of Bangkok is renowned for its incredible markets. If you are looking to visit a market during your stay in the city, one of the best markets to attend is the amazing Chatuchak weekend market.

With over 15,000 different stalls and over 11,500 different vendors, it has become the world’s largest weekend market. Make sure you plan to spend at least a few hours at the market as it covers over 35 acres. You won’t be disappointed as there is an incredible assortment of food, art, crafts, clothing, and much more!

Try Street Food on Khaosan Road

One thing that is absolutely certain is that you cannot leave Bangkok without trying the incredible street food. And if you are looking for the best street food in Bangkok, you should head to Khaosan Road. Here you will find popular favorites such as Pad Thai (available with various meats and egg or vegan style), deep fried spring rolls, delicious meat skewers, fruit smoothies, and even scrumptious ice cream.

For those who are more adventurous, this is also where you can try and assortment of deep fried bugs. Or, if you are like me, make a dash straight for the mango sticky rice and pad kana muu grob (stir fry with kale and crispy pork). Whatever you decide to try, I guarantee you won’t have tried anything else like it. The food in Thailand, and especially Bangkok, is incredible.

One of the best ways to visit Khaosan Road to try the street food is to hire a local tuk tuk driver to take you there. Then, after you have eaten your fill of delicious treats, you can get another tuk tuk to take you back to your hotel or hostel. In addition, there are also food tours that will take you to Khaosan Road to try the food. I outline some of these tours in my Recommended Tours in Bangkok section below.

How to Get to Bangkok

When traveling to Bangkok, it is important to remember that the city has two major international airports. If you are traveling from outside of Thailand, you will most likely fly into the newer and larger Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). However, that isn’t always the case, so make sure you verify when purchasing your airfare.

For those who are traveling to Bangkok from within Thailand or regionally, it is a good bet that you will be flying into Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). This airport is a 50-minute taxi ride across the city from Suvarnabhumi, so make sure to account for that when planning your transportation.

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Travel Time from Other Cities in the Region

City	Direct Flights	Flight Length (HR:MIN)
Vientiane, Laos	6 per day	1:00
Chiang Mai, Thailand	46-52 per day	1:05
Siem Reap, Cambodia	6-7 per day	1:05
Phuket, Thailand	46-51 per day	1:15
Yangon, Myanmar	9-11 per day	1:10
Luang Prabang, Laos	3-4 per day	1:20
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	12-13 per day	1:25
Da Nang, Vietnam	6-7 per day	1:40
Hanoi, Vietnam	10 per day	1:50
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	19-22 per day	2:05
Singapore	24-25 per day	2:15
Hong Kong, China	20-23 per day	2:40
Jakarta, Indonesia	8-11 per day	3:25
Manila, Philippines	7-9 per day	3:25

Best Times to Visit Bangkok

When planning your trip to Bangkok, one of the most important factors you will need to consider is when to visit. Thailand, like most other destinations, has more enjoyable weather at certain times of the year. Essentially, there are three separate seasons in Thailand. Which season you choose to visit during will have a big impact on what you are able to see and do.

These seasons include the hot season (March through May), the wet season (May through October), and the cool season (November through February). To assist you in determining the right time to plan your visit, I cover what you can expect in terms of weather in each of these seasons in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

Average Temperature (°F)

Like most of Southeast Asia, the climate in Bangkok, Thailand is a tropical one. It is typically very warm in Bangkok year-round, but the hottest temperatures are from late February until early May. This is the hot season in Bangkok, which high temperatures routinely reaching into the 90’s Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius).

Thankfully, the temperatures aren’t this hot all year round in Bangkok. In fact, the cool season that typically runs from November until early February typically has very mild temperatures. However, this is also the busiest time of year in Bangkok. It can be crowded and more expensive to visit at this time, especially during December and January.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Monsoon season in Bangkok typically runs from May until November each year. This is a very rainy time of year to be in Bangkok, and runoff from Ayutthaya and upstream destinations can flood the Chao Phraya River. While improvements have been made since the catastrophic flooding of 2011, parts of the city can still be impacted. When this happens, getting around the city can be difficult as it impacts traffic.

Even without flooding, visiting during the rainy season can limit what you are able to see and do. For this reason, I would avoid the rainy months. Instead, I would target the cool season of November thru February. If you want to avoid the heat and rain, but also save a few dollars, the shoulder month of November is probably ideal.

The Best Months to Visit Bangkok

Overall, the best window to visit Bangkok is undoubtedly between December and the end of February. The weather is typically much cooler and dryer during this time of year, which gives you the best weather to explore.

However, the months of December and January can be more crowded and expensive because of the nice weather. For this reason, I would suggest targeting either late November or late February for your visit. You should still have great weather, but you will also avoid the crowds and the steeper rates of the busy season.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

One of the most important decisions you will need to make when planning your trip to Bangkok is where you will stay. When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip.  So, not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there.

Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price.  If you are starting to plan your trip to Thailand and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand for you to review below.  As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

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Where to Eat in Bangkok

When most people plan a trip, the primary focus is on how to get there, where to stay, and what to see and do.  What many travelers neglect to plan, is where to eat when you are there.  Granted, it is sometimes fun to be spontaneous when choosing a restaurant while traveling. It is also smart to get some recommendations when you arrive.

However, it can also be advantageous to have some ideas of restaurants you would like to try before traveling as well.  This way, you won’t miss out on a highly recommended culinary experience that you will regret.  To help you decide on some restaurants in Bangkok to add to your list, I have included a list of some highly recommended options for you to review in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

Bangkok, Thailand Restaurant Recommendations

Restaurant	Cuisine	Price
Riverside Terrace	Seafood, International, Asian	$$-$$$
The Siam Tea Room	Asian, Thai, Veggie	$$-$$$
Praya Kitchen	Seafood, International, Sushi	$$-$$$
The Rain Tree Cafe	International, Veggie, Halal	$$$$
Blue Sky Rooftop Bar	Bar, International, European	$$$$
The Silk Road	Chinese, Cantonese	$$$$

Recommended Tours in Bangkok

There is a seemingly never-ending number of things to see and do in Bangkok. One of the best ways to get out and experience what the city has to offer is on a tour. If you are looking for fun tours and excursions to fill out your trip, I have included some category links to recommended tours and excursions you can review in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

Bangkok Photo Gallery

One thing that you will never be in short supply of when visiting Bangkok is interesting and beautiful things to photograph. I was able to capture a wealth of incredible photographs during my visit to Bangkok. I have included some of my favorite photos in a gallery for you to review in my guide to Bangkok, Thailand below.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram. Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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