Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital, is a city for foodies, party animals, culture lovers and those who want to experience luxury on a budget. No matter what you like, this city truly has something for everyone. Rob and I met in 2017 in this city, and now in 2023 we finally returned to explore this city once again, and we honestly loved every minute of it. This is undoubtedly one of our favourite cities in the world, and perhaps after a visit it will be one of yours as well. Keep reading to find our where we stayed, our favourite things to do, how much we spend during our 3.5 week trip to this city, and loads of travel tips for those visiting Bangkok for the first time!

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Bangkok Video Guides

Quick link guide

Simply looking for a link we mentioned in the video? Or perhaps in a rush and don’t have time to check out the full guide or video? Check out a list of all links mentioned our videos and guide below:

TIPS & TRICKS

  • VISA - Check if you need a visa for visiting Thailand.

  • VPN - Don’t forget to get a VPN to protect your data during your trip, especially if you are logging in to multiple wifi networks.

  • Wise Travel Card - Our favourite travel debit card. Keep your regular bank accounts safe and use this card to buy groceries, order a Grab or pay for your hotel. Easily keep track of your balance and instantly freeze your card should it get compromised.

  • Klook €5 Signup Discount - Sign up for Klook to get a sim card, plan activities or even transport, with this link you will get a one time €5 discount if you signup!

  • Emergency Numbers Thailand - Thailand has multiple emergency numbers, save these in your phone for your trip.

ACCOMMODATION WE STAYED AT

  • Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn - Located centrally with direct connection via bridge to the skytrain. One of the most popular hotels in Bangkok, we loved our stay here.

  • Amara Bangkok Hotel - Centrally located, walking distance from MRT and skytrain. Beautiful rooftop pool with a stunning view and modern rooms.

  • Seekers Finders Rama IV - Located close to the MRT, a bit from all the sights but great value for money. Spacious, clean and a great option for those on a smaller budget.

  • Airport Hotel - Connected to the Don Muang Airport by bridge. Great location, kind staff and great for an early flight out or a late arrival flight!

TOP RATED TOURS & ACTIVITIES

GETTING AROUND BANGKOK

MUST PACK ITEMS

  • Power Adapter - Make sure you are able to charge your devices by bringing a power adapter.

  • Insect Repellent - If there is one item you cannot go without when backpacking Southeast Asia then it is insect repellent.

  • Sun Screen - While Bangkok has quite some cloudy and rainy days, when the sun does shine it is very easy to get a sun burn!

  • Rain Gear - It might be nice to pack a windproof and sturdy travel umbrella, a dry bag for your electronics or other preferred rain gear to stay dry-ish during these down pours!

  • Sim Card (8 days | 15 GB) - Short trip? Get a sim card in advance that will be ready for you to be picked up upon arrival.

USEFUL APPS

  • Xe.com - Easily convert from Thai Baht to your local currency on the go (internet needed) to see exactly how much you are paying.

  • Google Translate - Available for both Android and iPhones. We had no trouble using English but always good to have.

  • Google Maps - Available for both Android and iPhones. Useful for getting around town and seeing public transport schedules.

  • Grab - The Uber of Southeast Asia. Order a GrabTaxi or even food!

  • FoodPanda - Don’t feel like going out? Pick from hundreds of restaurants to get delivered to your hotel.

Free Bangkok Map Guide for Google Maps

Planning a trip to Bangkok and prefer to have all sights as mentioned in this guide on an easy to read map? Click on the link down below to check out our Bangkok travel map for Google Maps! On this map we have shared all places we visited as well other things that might be useful for planning your trip such as top rated hotels and tours!

Click on the link below to open it in your web browser or directly on your phone with the Google Maps app!

Please note that links in the pin descriptions are not clickable on the Google Maps app on iPhones/iPads due to limitations of the app. You can access the links by opening the link in your mobile or laptop web browser instead or by taking a screenshot of the pin description and copying the link through the photos app!

 

Bangkok Travel Tips

Bangkok Quick info

LANGUAGE | The official language of Thailand is Thai, also known as Siamese which is written in Thai script. While English is widely spoken, especially in touristic destinations such as Bangkok, we recommend downloading an app such as Google Translate just in case!

VISA | In July 2023 there were 64 countries that could visit Thailand visa free for 30 days. You can this link to see if you need to apply for a visa or if you can visit Thailand without a visa.

BEST TIME TO VISIT | Thailand has a tropical climate and as such Bangkok has an average of 32 to 35 degrees Celsius year round and rain showers are not uncommon, no matter what month you visit. November to March are known to be the driest months and June to October are known to be the wettest months with rain showers being more frequent. We personally visited Bangkok for 3.5 weeks in Late June and early July and had mostly dry days (albeit with grey skies) with rain showers in the late afternoon and evenings.

HOW MANY DAYS | Bangkok is a massive city and while we have visited Bangkok multiple times and spend multiple weeks here we feel like there is always something new to discover. If you just want to see the highlights and are limited in time then you would most likely need at least 3 to 4 days (depending on weather, how much you want to do in a day etc and how long you want to spend at each sight.). However, like we said, not even weeks is enough to discover this place so in the end it depends on your own preference, not everyone likes cities, and what you want to see of course!

Currency, Credit Cards & ATMs

CURRENCY | The currency used in Thailand is the Thai Baht. In July 2023 €1 equalled ± 38 baht and $1 (USD) equalled ± 34 baht. You can check the most up to date exchange rates with an app such as XE.

CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS | Visa and Master card were widely accepted during our trip to Bangkok in May 2023. We were able to use our Visa (Wise travel card) to pay at grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and use it with the Grab app for food delivery and Grab transport. We personally always carried a bit of cash around for places such as markets, tuk tuks and taxis as here often only cash was accepted. We personally have been using our Wise travel card for the last 4 years and love it for the following reasons:

  • It is a prepaid card so we just top it up with the amount we want to put on it.

  • Using a travel card allows us to keep our regular accounts save from getting skimmed.

  • We have both a physical as well as digital cards. We especially love the digital cards as we add these to our Apple Pay and if compromised we simply delete the card and create a new one.

  • Both the digital cards and the physical card can be frozen and unfrozen at any time. Which means if it does get compromised you can freeze it quickly in the app.

  • As long as we have internet we receive instant notifications on the app on our phone which means we can keep an eye on our balance as well as see if any transactions pop up that are not ours!

ATMS | ATMs are widely available in Bangkok but before using an ATM there are a couple of things that might be good to know:

  • It differs bank to bank how much you can withdraw. Certain ATMs allowed us 5,000 baht, others 20,000 baht.

  • All ATMs charge a fee of 150 to 300 baht, this is in addition to the fee your bank charges you (if they charge you). According to an internet search AEON bank has the lowest fee of 150 baht, however, we have not used this bank ourselves so we cannot confirm this.

  • Cash is given first, then card, so don’t forget your card!

Internet & Sim Cards in Thailand

When it comes to internet you don’t have to worry, you will find wifi everywhere in Bangkok! From fast food restaurants and malls to your hotel, you should have no trouble updating your Instagram while traveling through Bangkok. While wifi can be found everywhere, we would highly recommend to get a sim card upon arrival. This is mainly to make traveling through Bangkok and Thailand a bit easier. This way you don’t have to look for a wifi source when you need some directions or want to order a Grab. We purchased 1 sim card (True Move) upon arrival at the airport and paid a total of €24 which gave us 50GB for 30 days. You can also preorder an 8 day sim card through Klook that you can pick up at the airport (TIP: have not used Klook before? Use this link to get a €5 discount after you sign up!) .

VPN | No matter where you travel to, may it be Thailand or Pakistan, we would highly recommend using a VPN to protect your data while logging into multiple wifi networks during your trip. Another benefit is that it will give you access to multiple countries so you can watch Netflix no matter where you are in the world, and possibly access websites that might be blocked in the country you are visiting. We are currently using Surfshark VPN and would recommend checking them out as they are not only one of the more affordable VPNs they also allow you to add unlimited devices!

Thai Culture

One of the reasons we love traveling is to learn more and experience new cultures. However, a different culture can also mean different customs, depending on where you are coming from. We personally always love to learn a bit about the customs before visiting so we can be sure to try to be as respectful as possible when visiting a new country. Here are some do’s and don’ts that we know about when it comes to Thai culture:

  • Before entering a residence or temple be sure to take off your shoes.

  • When visiting temples or other important sights, such as the Grand Palace, be sure to dress respectfully: cover your knees and shoulders and don’t wear any see through clothes or clothes with tears in them.

  • Don’t touch or hand anything to a monk, especially as a woman. Monks are highly respected in the Thai culture so be sure to keep this in mind. In addition it might be good to know that it is common to give up your seat for a monk when using public transport.

  • Don’t touch people’s heads. This is considered the cleanest and most sacred part of the body.

  • And on the opposite side of the body are the feet which are considered the dirtiest part of the body. For this reason it is considered rude to put your feet up on coffee tables or other surfaces. Also it might be good to know that you should not point your feet towards buddha. So when visiting temple it is custom, you will see locals do this, to sit on your knees with your feet tucked behind you.

  • Don’t point, and also don’t point with your feet.

  • Don’t disrespect the Thai Royal Family.

If you know any other customs or do’s and don’ts that we and our readers should know about then be sure to let us know in the comment section on the video!

Must Have Travel Essentials For Bangkok & Thailand

  • Power Adapter - Most hotels in Bangkok will have a two pin sockets that are compatible with type A (USA type two pin flat) and C plugs (European style two pin round) and certain hotels will even offer a three pin socket. To avoid not having the option to charge your electronics we always recommend bringing a power adapter as it seems to depend on where you are staying at on which types of electrical sockets are available.

  • VPN - While you technically can’t put a VPN in your backpack, it truly is a must have travel essential for your cyber safety. When traveling you will often log in to tens of different wifi networks, not knowing how safe these wifi networks truly are! We personally use Surfshark VPN to make sure that our data and privacy is protected when using public Wi-Fi. It is one of the more affordable VPNs plus it has the added bonus that you can add as many devices as you’d like!

  • Insect Repellent - If there is one item you cannot go without when backpacking Southeast Asia then it is insect repellent! No matter morning, day or night, mosquitoes will find you. Pack a small insect repellent to put in your day bag so you always have some handy and ready to go.

  • Sun Screen - If you are planning a trip to Bangkok we highly recommend packing some sun screen! While Bangkok has quite some cloudy and rainy days, when the sun does shine it is very easy to get a sun burn! If you are planning on visiting Thailand’s beautiful beaches or perhaps doing some snorkelling be sure to pack a reef friendly sunscreen to protect Thailand’s reefs and natural wild life.

  • Rain Gear - When visiting Thailand it will undoubtedly rain, no matter if you are visiting in the rainy season or not. Daily tropical showers are very common and it will only take seconds to be completely drenched. It might be nice to pack a windproof and sturdy travel umbrella, or other preferred rain gear to stay dry-ish during these down pours! If you are carrying expensive electronic gear with you and you are planning on heading more into nature, where it might not be as easy to find shelter, a dry bag might be nice to make sure your electronics stay dry during the rainy days!

Health & Safety

We personally never felt unsafe when traveling Bangkok, however, as with any country it is always a good idea to use common sense and inform yourself on any possible precautions you might need to take for your trip. Here are a couple of quick tips of things that might be good to know before visiting Bangkok or Thailand:

  • Do not drink the tap water, it is not safe for consumption.

  • There are diseases in Thailand, such as Dengue, that spread through mosquitoes so you might want to protect yourself as much as possible from getting any mosquito bites.

  • Thailand does not have one emergency number, it has multiple so it might be good to educate yourself on the numbers before going. As numbers can change and we do not want to give you the wrong info check out this link here which will take you to the Tourism in Thailand website where you can find a couple of numbers that could be helpful during your trip!

  • If this is your first time visiting Thailand or a country in Southeast Asia then be sure to check with your doctor or travel clinic if you need any vaccinations for your trip to Thailand.

  • Rabies, a fatal disease, is still present in Thailand so be careful with touching/petting animals to avoid getting bitten, scratched or a lick to broken skin. If you are unfamiliar with the seriousness of the Rabies disease then be sure to educate yourself before leaving to Thailand so you will know what to do if you do get bitten, scratched or a lick to broken skin by an animal.

  • Be careful of pickpocketing, especially on public transport methods such as the Skytrain and Metro. At places like these or when visiting other busy places in

  • Bangkok it might be best to put your bag in front of you so you can keep an eye on it.

  • Check your countries travel advisory before planning and before leaving on your trip to Thailand. These travel advisories are a lot more up to date and contain a lot more information then we could ever provide in a small health & safety section in a travel guide such as this one!

 

Accommodation in Bangkok

Thailand is one of those destinations that no matter what budget you are traveling on, you will find the right accommodation for you. From hostel dorms and budget guesthouses to luxury hotels, it truly has something for everyone. Below you will find the places we stayed at since 2023.


Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

Rated with a 9.3 on Booking.com (Feb 2024)

The Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn is one of the highest rated hotels of Bangkok, and after staying here we knew why. While the hotel design itself felt a bit outdated, the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming and the location was hard to beat. The hotel is located right next to a Skytrain stop and even has a bridge connecting directly to a Skytrain station, making it easy to visit many of Bangkok’s famous sights by public transport. In addition it features a stunning infinity pool on the 14th floor where you can enjoy a refreshing swim while overlooking Bangkok’s skyline. We stayed here for 1 night and were very happy with our stay.


Amara Hotel

Rated with a 8.8 on Booking.com (Feb 2024)

The Amara Hotel is another one of Bangkok’s most popular hotels. The main reason for this is the rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the Bangkok skyline. The pool is located on the 26th floor and while rather small, the view is incredible and hard to beat. It is a nice spot for a quick dip, to sunbathe or simply to admire the stunning view for a bit. We stayed here for two nights and enjoyed the modern design of the room, which included floor to ceiling windows with views over the city of Bangkok. The hotel itself is centrally located and is about a 10 min walk to both a metro station as well as a skytrain station, perfect for those who prefer using public transport.


Seekers Finders Rama IV

Rated with a 8.7 on Booking.com (Feb 2024)

If you are traveling on a smaller budget then this hotel is definitely worth checking out. We stayed here for 17 nights and loved our stay here. While located a bit further away from the main sights this hotel is about a 7 min walk from a metro station on the blue line (which has stations close to popular sights such as China Town, Chatuchak Market and more). The rooms were modern, clean and spacious and we loved that there was a large desk as well as a mini fridge. We did not try the breakfast, but we highly enjoyed the iced coffee that can be purchased from the cafe in the lobby downstairs. We would definitely stay here again in the future.


Other places to stay in Bangkok

AIRPORT HOTEL | Before we flew out of Bangkok we decided to spend a night at the Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel as we had an early flight the next day. This hotel is located right next to the airport and connects with a bridge which made it a quick and convenient stay. The staff was friendly and welcoming and we enjoyed our stay here. The rooms were a bit old and out dated but comfortable and spacious.

LUXURY | Other top rated hotels in Bangkok: Sindhorn Midtown Hotel, Marriott Hotel The Surawongse and Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. We have not had the opportunity to stay in any of these hotels but all are highly rated (9 and higher in April 2023) on Booking.com! With a €300+ price tag the 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok was a bit above our budget but the rooftop infinity pool looks absolutely incredible so this one is definitely still on our personal bucket list!

Things to Do in Bangkok

1. The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is one of the most touristic but also one of the most beautiful sights to see in Bangkok. This palace was the former residence of King Rama I to King Rama V. Nowadays the royal family does not reside in the palace anymore but it is still used for ceremonial happenings. The entire complex of the Grand Palace takes up 94.5 hectare and has over a 100 buildings. One of the most beautiful buildings, in our opinion, was the temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), a temple that after having visited over a handful of temples in Bangkok, quickly became our favourite. If you want to learn more about the history of the grand palace you can opt to take a guided tour or an audio tour but be sure to allow yourself a couple of hours in your itinerary as this place is huge and there is so much to see!

  • Book a tour: Check out this tour to see The Grand Palace and optional Wat Pho + Wat Arun

  • Dress code: the Grand Palace has a very strict dress code. Sleeveless shirts, vests, short tops, see through tops, short pants or short hot pants, torn pants, tight pants, bike pants or mini skirts are allowed. Basically for both men and women make sure you that you are wearing a top that covers your full top half and shoulders and bottoms that cover you all the way to your ankles. Please know that scarves covering shoulders or legs are not accepted. You can find more about the dress code here.

  • Opening hours: daily from 08.30 a.m. - 03.30 p.m.

  • Entry fee: 500 baht for foreigners, free for Thai people.

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2. Temples in Bangkok

While the temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most beautiful ones we have seen in Bangkok, there are so many other temples that are worth a spot on your itinerary. Each temple we visited is unique in its design, and while these are some of the larger temples of Bangkok, you will undoubtedly run into many other beautiful ones while wandering the streets. All temples will have a dress code that will require you to cover your shoulders and knees, so be sure to dress appropriately. Here are some of our favourite temples:

WAT ARUN | Located right on the river banks of the Chao Praya river you will find the famous Wat Arun, or its full name Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. This temple is most well known for its 82m-high Khmer-style tower that is covered in stunning floral decorations, a detail you do not get to see until you visit the temple from up close. The temple is located right across the river from What Pho and for 5 baht you can take the ferry across which makes it easy to combine the two in one visit!

WAT PHO | Or its full name Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, is also known as the temple of the reclining buddha. While the entire complex is worth a visit, a highlight is the reclining buddha that is 15 metres tall and 46 metres in length. The feet of the buddha alone are 5 metres long and covered with the most stunning decorations. We were simply in awe when visiting the reclining buddha as while we can describe the size, it simply does not compare to standing right next to it. This temple is located within a walking distance from the Grand Palace and can be easily combined with a visit to both Wat Arun and The Grand Palace.

WAT PRAYUN | Wat Prayun or in its full name, Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, is a temple that is a bit more of the touristic trail. This temple is located a bit further away from the main sights and when we visited around 10.30am, there was simply nobody else there, something we had not experienced yet in the bustling city of Bangkok. This temple is known for its white stupa, but what makes this temple truly unique is that you can actually enter the stupa and admire the architecture from both the inside as well as the inside. After your visit be sure to stop by the Khao Mo Garden where for 20 baht you can buy a box of papaya or banana to feed the many turtles in the pond (don’t worry about your fingers, you will get a long stick)! The unique experience of visiting the inside of the stupa, having the temple to ourselves and afterwards feeding the turtles at the Khao Mo Mountain Replica Garden quickly made this one of our favourite temples in Bangkok!

  • Entry fee: free.

  • Opening hours: 07.00am to 06.00pm

WAT SUTHAT | Wat Suthat or in its full name, Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan, is one of the lesser visited temples of Bangkok. One of the prominent landmarks that you can find here is the Giant Swing located in front of Wat Suthat. According to the flyer that was provided to us this temple was built as a symbolic representation of Mount Sumeru. You will find over 150 buddha images here and the inside of the temple is covered in the most beautiful mural paintings and stunning door panels with wood carvings dating back to the Ayutthaya period. The bronze buddha image that is located inside the temple dates all the way back to the 14th century

  • Entry fee: 100 baht.

  • Opening hours: Unclear, there are various times reported on different websites. We arrived at 8.25am and the ticket office was open and we had the temple all to ourselves.

WAT RATCHABOPHIT | Wat Ratchabophit or in full, Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Ratchaworawihan is a temple that is located close to the Grand Palace and if you have some extra time in your itinerary worth a visit. Unlike the other temples we visited this temple actually had a circular courtyard, which was closed for visitors, but nonetheless impressive to see. The entry was free and if you have some time in your itinerary it might be worth stopping by as the inner courtyard looked stunning from what we could see through the open doors, so we would love to visit again on a day or time that this is open!

  • Entry fee: free.

  • Opening hours: 06.00am - 06.00pm.


3. Floating Market

Another unique type of market that you can find in (and around) Bangkok are the floating markets. There are a variety of floating markets in Bangkok from small to famous touristic destinations such as the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. We personally decided to visit a more local floating market called the Khlong Lat Mayom Market. This market is not only a lot closer to Bangkok but also a lot less visited by foreign tourists. While you won’t find many vendors selling their produce on boats you will find an endless amount of stalls selling delicious foods including pork satay, coconut pancakes, fish, thai milk tea and so much more. When you get closer to the water you will find a variety of boat tours offered that will take you around the nearby canals or klongs. We hopped on a 40 min boat tour for only 400 baht for the whole boat, a unique experience which makes this market currently one of our favourite spots in Bangkok!


4. Explore Bangkok by Bicycle

If you are looking for a bit more of a unique, and active, activity then we highly recommend exploring Bangkok by bicycle. We personally headed over by ferry to the green lung where we rented bicycles for just 80 baht each for the day, a perfect way to explore a lesser known part of Bangkok that is filled with trees and serenity. We spend a couple of hours cycling around the green lung, admiring the peace, quiet, and the green scenery before returning the bikes and taking the ferry back. You can do this activity yourself, like we did, or you can opt to take a bicycle tour of the green lung or explore Chinatown and the backstreets of Bangkok with this bicycle tour, a tour that is still on our personal bucket list!


5. China Town

Bangkok has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. This area of Bangkok is filled with bustling markets, street food and hidden temples. We personally love coming here at night to enjoy all the delicious street food and see Yaowarat road, Chinatowns main road, truly come to live. Have some Pad Thai, enjoy the variety of sea food, try local Thai coconut pancakes or indulge in some Patongko, fried dough sticks best enjoyed with some pandan custard. Right in front of one of 7/11s on Yaowarat road you will find a stall that makes them hot and fresh all evening long and was even mentioned in the Michelin guide for multiple years. The spot known as Pa Tong Go Savoey will be easy to find as there are almost always a line up of people waiting to try these delicious dough snacks! Other note worthy stops in Chinatown are:

  • Wat Traimit

  • Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

  • Sampeng Lane Market


6. Talat Noi

Right next to Chinatown you will find the historic neighbourhood of Talat Noi. This nieghbourhood is known to predate the founding of Bangkok. This neighbourhood is filled with small roads lined with mechanic shops that have parts lined to the ceiling. It is the perfect spot to get lost for a bit, admire the old houses and architecture and some of the street art. If you have some time we recommend stopping by Hong Sieng Kong a stunning and unique cafe filled with antiques situated on the banks of the Chao Praya river. We spend a bit of time here watching the boats go by while enjoying a refreshing drink!


7. Night Markets

One of the main things we loved doing in Bangkok is visiting the night markets to enjoy all the delicious foods this city has to offer. You will find local markets selling street food in many neighbourhoods, but there are also plenty of markets that are specifically set up for this. Some of the most famous spots are of course Yaowarat road in Chinatown, but if you are looking for some other spots try Pratunam Night Market, Jodd Fairs or the One Ratchada (our least favourite as it was kind of empty). You will find tons of street food stalls here selling a variety of snacks and foods!


8. Bangkok by Boat

The Chao Praya runs through Bangkok and it is almost impossible to miss this river and the many canals of Bangkok when visiting this city. The river actually became one of our favourite ways to get around the city. You will have ferries running up and down the river stopping near famous sights such as Wat Arun, Icon Siam, Asiatique and more. However, there are many other options to explore the city by boat such as:


9. Day MarketS

While there are plenty of night markets in Bangkok, there are also a large variety of day and morning markets that deserve a spot on your itinerary. Visiting markets is one of my, Odette, personal favourite things to do no matter where in the world I am. Here are some of our favourite day and morning markets in Bangkok:

  • Pak Klong Thalat - this is a local flower market that is open 24 hours a day. The market is hidden behind the many shops but you will know when you are close when you will see vendors selling flowers from small shops on the street. Keep your open for a small alley to actually enter the market itself. You will find buckets of flowers, and piles of marigold flowers, a flower that is often used for religious and ritual purposes.

  • Chatuchak Market - The chatuchak market is a tourist favourite and is actually the world’s largest weekend market! Visit this market on a Saturday or Sunday to shop for souvenirs, unique clothing for your wardrobe and so much more. This market is a maze of shops and every corner you turn you will find something new to explore!

  • Or Tor Kor Market - The Or Tor Kor Market is situated on the opposite side of the road of Chatuchak Market and is worth a visit if you have some time. This is a produce market but if you will head further to the back of the market you will find plenty of stalls selling mouthwatering food and snacks!

  • Amulet Market - This market is just around the corner of the Grand Bazaar and as you might have guessed by the name it is filled with amulets. You will find shops selling amulets, coins and other good luck charms.

  • Trok Mor Morning Market - If you prefer to visit a produce market then the Trok Mor Morning Market might be worth a spot on your itinerary. It is located close to many of Bangkok’s popular sights and you will find fruits, veggies and fish sold at this market as well as a couple vendors selling cooked food!


10. Shopping Malls

Bangkok is filled with gigantic shopping malls and while shopping might have not been on your itinerary these malls are a great way to escape the mid day heat of Bangkok. Almost every mall will have a food court where you can try some delicious food or you can simply get lost in the endless amount of shops. Here are some of our favourite shopping malls in Bangkok:

  • ICONSIAM - Located on the banks of the Chao Praya river this must be one of Bangkok’s most luxurious and interesting malls. In this mall you will be able to find an food market that is made to look like a floating market, over 500 different stores, around a 100 different restaurants and a cinema!

  • Terminal 21 Sukhumvit - This mall was designed to resemble an airport terminal and each floor has been given a destination with decorations to match.

  • MBK Center - This is the mall to visit if you are looking to bargain. You will find over 2000 shops in this mall selling anything from jewelry to electronics and clothing! This mall is also known for those who want to shop for designer fakes such as handbags, shoes and clothing.

  • Siam Paragon - This mall is one of Bangkok’s most famous malls and is conveniently located right next to a skytrain station. This mall has a food court, aquarium, cinema, luxury brand shops and so much more.


11. Try the local cuisine

The Thai cuisine is spicy, fresh, large in variety and simply delicious (at least in our opinion). No matter where you go you will find street food stalls, restaurants serving classics such as green curry and pad thai, and stalls selling drinks early in the morning everywhere. Here are some of our personal favourites:

  • Pad thai

  • Green, red and yellow curry

  • Thai milk tea

  • Thai fried rice

  • Pad kra pao (stir fried Thai basil with meat such as pork, beef or chicken)

  • Green papaya salad

  • Mango sticky rice

  • Satay

  • Panang curry

  • Massaman curry

But that is just the beginning of a list of wonderful and delicious foods and drinks that you can find in this country! We absolutely love the Thai cuisine and cannot wait to go back and try many more snacks and foods. If you are not sure where to go, what to eat or perhaps just want to know more about the Thai cuisine then you might like to check out a TukTuk street food tour, go on a food tour by TukTuk or perhaps even a cooking class!


12.Asiatique

Right on the banks of the river you will find an open air mall that feels like a crossing between a night market and a theme park. This spot is a favourite with locals as well as tourists and a nice place to stop by during the evening! Asiatique is located right on the river and has a little bit of everything: street food, sit down restaurants, mini golf, a ferris wheel and plenty of shops. While it is a bit more of a touristic stop, we did enjoy stopping by and enjoying the sunset river views!


13.Massage

If you are fan of getting massages then you are in the right spot coming to Thailand! You will find the option to get massages everywhere in Bangkok. From a quick foot massage while you are shopping to luxury spas that offer full body massages, manicures and more. It might be good to know that a classic Thai massage might be a bit more energetic then expected as it also includes passive stretching, however, many places offer more relaxing alternatives as well. Getting a massage is the perfect way to put a bit of relaxation in your itinerary, which is well deserved after that long flight and all the sightseeing you have done!


14.Relax at your Hotel

While we love sightseeing, we personally also love enjoying the luxury that hotels have to offer, and Bangkok is the perfect spot for this. Compared to many other destinations in the world you can enjoy quite a bit of luxury on lower budget here! For ± $100 a night you can find a selection of nice hotels with relaxing pools, rooms with a view over the city and breakfast buffets. Enjoy a refreshing swim, sun tanning by the pool or a drink at the hotel bar, this is your vacation after all!


15. Go on a Day Trip

Got some time left on your itinerary? Consider going on a day trip to one of the many sights that surround Bangkok. You can find plenty of organised day trips on websites such as Get Your Guide, making it easier then ever to pick a day trip that fits your interests and budget. Here are some of the most popular day trips:


 

How to get around Bangkok

How to get to Bangkok FROM THE Suvarnabhumi AIRPORT

PRIVATE TRANSFER | If you prefer to arrange your transport in advance and want to avoid any hassle then it might be worth checking out arranging a private transfer through Klook. We have used private transfers for Klook in Bali many times, and it seems to be just as popular in Bangkok. Prices start at around €20 and you can book a larger van if you are arriving with a larger group or family! If you have not used Klook before then you can signup here to get a €5 discount code after signing up!

TAXI & GRAB | This is normally our preferred mode of transport in Southeast Asia and what we used during our last visit. You head over to the official taxi stand (follow the signs after picking up your luggage) where you draw a ticket from the machine and a driver will be assigned to you. Please note that the driver might try to negotiate a price up front, but you can request for the meter to be turned on instead. If they refuse you can opt to go back to the stand and take a new ticket out. It might be good to know that the metered price does not include: the airport fees (50 baht), extra bag fees (for us this way 20 baht), as well as the fees for the toll roads (for us this was another 50 baht). The metered price will depend on distance travelled as well as how busy the roads are. For example, we arrived at 6.30am and the roads were fairly empty. From the airport to our first hotel (Seekers Finders) we paid 300 (meter) + 120 (extras) = 420 baht (± €11). Another option would be to see if you can get a Grab (like the Uber of Southeast Asia). This will allow you to see the price (minus airport fees and toll roads) up front.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT | If you are traveling on a budget you might prefer to use public transport instead. The city of Bangkok is connected to the Suvarnabhumi Airport with the Airport Rail Link. This line connects to the blue Metro Line at Makkasan station, and the blue metro line connects on other stations to both the Skytrain lines so while you might have to switch a couple of times it could be an affordable way to get into the city. In addition there are also a large number of buses that connect the airport to the city. When using public transport it might be easiest to plan your route with the Google Maps app so you can see what option would work best for you!

How to get to Bangkok FROM THE DON MUANG AIRPORT

TAXI & GRAB | Unlike the Suvarnabhumi Airport we could not find any private transfers available through Klook. However, according to a quick search on the internet both taxis and Grab are available at the airport. We took a Grab to this airport when we left Bangkok and did pay an extra 130 baht in toll road charges. So also to and from this airport toll road fees, and possibly other airport fees, will be applied to your total.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT | If you prefer to take public transport or if you are traveling on a budget then you can take one of the buses that connects the airport to the city. There are both public buses as well as airport shuttle buses available. Both are affordable and you pay the fare directly to the bus driver on board.

How to get around WITHIN Bangkok

PUBLIC TRANSPORT | Bangkok is very well connected by public transport, plus it is also very affordable to use. You will find metros, skytrains and buses combined in a network that will take you all over the city. The easiest way to figure out what mode of transport to take is by using Google Maps. We found that during our time in Bangkok that the public transport info in Google Maps is pretty accurate. Simply type in your start and end point and Google Maps will tell you which mode of public transport to take! We personally used the metro lines as well as the skytrain on a daily basis. Fares are around 17 - 50 baht per trip and you can either buy individual tickets or if you are staying longer purchase a metro stored value card (for the blue and purple metro line) and a rabbit card (for the two skytrains). The main benefit to having a card is you top it up and simply tap and go, this way you don’t have to stand in line to buy a ticket during rush hour. The costs for the cards are:

  • Metro card: the metro card was 180 baht per person which was 100 baht travel value, 30 baht card cost and a 50 baht deposit.

  • Rabbit card: the rabbit card was 200 baht with 100 baht travel value and 100 baht issuing fee. This card can be purchased in advance through Klook here.

For any other mode of transport, such as the boats and buses, you can simply buy a one way ticket at the station or on the mode of transport itself.

GRAB | If you don’t feel like using public transport than be sure to download the Grab app. Grab is like the Uber of Southeast Asia and it is extremely easy to use. Simply type where you want to go and you will see exactly how much it costs, and how long it will take before a driver will pick you up! Be sure to buy a sim card before exploring Bangkok, as you will need internet to order a Grab and we have found that wifi isn’t always available everywhere.

TAXI | Taxis are widely available in Bangkok and you will find them simply everywhere. We personally preferred to use Grab as it has the added benefit that you type in your destination, that way you do not have to explain to your driver where you want to go, which can be useful as there can be a language barrier at times.

TUK TUK | Another popular way to get around Bangkok is by taking a tuk tuk. You will find tuk tuks everywhere, especially near the main touristic sights. We have only taken a tuk tuk once in Bangkok and tend to avoid them for the reason that you have to negotiate a price which tends to be higher or the same as a taxi. With the Grab app we can see this info up front so hence why this is our preferred mode of transport. In addition tuk tuks in Bangkok are also known to scam tourists so if they offer you a tuk tuk ride or tour for a low amount or even for free (such as 10 baht for an hour) then know this is because they will take you to tailor, souvenir, jewellery or other shops where they will receive a cash or fuel voucher. While you are not obliged to buy something it might be a waist of your time and can also be an uncomfortable situation. However, tuk tuks are iconic for Thailand and it is a fun experience. So as long as you negotiate a fair price for both you and the driver then you should be just fine!

Tip: Want to enjoy Bangkok by tuk tuk but avoid the hassle of finding one or negotiating a price? Check out these tuk tuk tours instead:

 

Bangkok Travel Budget & Costs

Bangkok is a city that you can travel to as affordable or as expensive as you like. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend, but the reality is that it does not have to be expensive at all for you to have a good time. I, Odette, have visited this city as a backpacker a handful of times and easily managed to stick to a €25 - €40 a day budget. In 2023 we visited as a couple and our budget allowed us to enjoy a bit more of a luxurious stay. We spend a total of €2,374.84 for the both of us for a 24 day/23 nights visit. That is €49.47 per person, per day. These costs do not include any personal costs such as souvenirs purchased, tips and the costs of our flights to and from Bangkok.

Transportation €103.01
Public Transport €47.99
Taxis & Grab €55.02
Accommodation €1148.02
Seekers Finders (19n) €786.07
Eastin Grand Sathorn (1n) €120.32
Amara Hotel (2n) €171.58
Amari Hotel (1n) €70.05
Sightseeing €79.54
Food & Drinks €1011.82
Eating Out €927.23
Coffee €52.33
Groceries €32.26
Other €32.45
Laundry €8.32
Sim Card & Internet €24.13

How to spent less in Bangkok

While we were happy with our budget and how much we spent, there is of course the option to make your trip more affordable then we did! Here are a couple of quick tips that could (possibly) save you quite a bit of money while traveling Bangkok:

  • Local food & street food - As we work from the road we often ended up spending our afternoons inside to avoid the hot weather and to work which often meant that we ended up ordering food in. We did not necessarily opt for the most budget meals as our budget allowed us to spend a bit more (we had just come from Switzerland so we were enjoying the affordability of dishes like salmon and steak in Bangkok). Eating more local food or eating street food could easily reduce your spending when visiting Bangkok. You can find meals as affordable as $1 - $4 when it comes to eating street food and local food!

  • Public transport - We mostly used the public transport system of metro, skytrains and boats which actually saved us quite a bit of money. Especially the metro and skytrain were quick, always on time and often just a short walk away from some of Bangkok’s most popular sights. Rides were as affordable as 17 - 50 baht per ride (depending on the amount of stops) and boats were as affordable as 5 baht to cross to the other side of the river!

  • Accommodation - While our first hotel was a bit more affordable we decided to enjoy a bit of luxury on a budget in Bangkok which is why we stayed 3 extra nights in two different hotels which were a bit more expensive. If you are traveling on a budget though you can find plenty of hotels that are less then €50 a night and if you are on a strict budget you will even find hostels as affordable as €5 a night!

  • Alcohol - We are personally not the biggest drinkers and actually did not end up consuming any alcohol during our recent trip. However, if you are on a vacation and want to enjoy a drink or perhaps even visit a rooftop bar then be sure to set a bit of a budget aside for this. While it is not necessarily expensive, a couple of drinks each night can easily add €10+ euro to your daily budget.