Brief overview of Bangkok 

Bangkok is the capital and also the most important city in Thailand. Thanks to its colorful history, cuisine and culture, Bangkok has become one of the most attractive destinations on the Asian tourist map. This is the starting point for many trips to discover Thailand and Southeast Asia. There are many reasons to visit Bangkok so let’s continue following our Bangkok travel guide.

Best Time to Visit Bangkok 

You should travel from November to February. At this time, the climate is not too hot; there are no heavy rains so it’s the peak season of Thailand tourism. In addition, if you visit Thailand between August and October, you can have the best deal and save your travel budget.

best time to visit bangkok

Foreign tourist in Bangkok, Thailand

Getting Around Bangkok

Going around Bangkok is made easy with its efficient transportation system. From the modern BTS Skytrain to the iconic tuk-tuks, discover the best ways to move around the city below:

Transportation 

Price 

Bus

7 Bath (~ 0.20 USD) - 20 Bath (~ 0.58 USD) per ticket.

Subway (MRT)

16 Baht (~ 0.46 USD) - 52 Baht (~ 1.51 USD) per ticket.

Chao Phraya Express Boat

15 Baht (~ 0.44 USD) - 40 Baht (~ 1.16 USD) per way.

BTS Skytrain

16 Baht (~ 0.46 USD) - 52 Baht (~ 1.51 USD) per ticket.

Tuk-tuk

100 Baht (~ 2.90 USD) - 300 Baht (~ 8.71 USD) per way. 

Motorbike rental 

120 Baht (~ 3.49 USD) - 250 Baht (~ 7.26 USD) per day.

 

tuk tuk in bangok - transportations in bangkok

Visitors experience the tuk-tuk transportation 

Top Things to Do in Bangkok

In the vibrant city of Bangkok, a world of enchanting experiences awaits. From exploring iconic temples and historic landmarks to indulging in mouthwatering cuisine and immersing in bustling markets, these top 5 activities offer your unforgettable Thailand journey.

Visit Wat Pho Temple 

Price: 200 Baht (~ 5.81 USD).

Active hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Wat Pho Temple, located in the heart of Bangkok, is one of the city’s most revered  and oldest temples so it is imbued with the history and architecture of Thailand. Known for its majestic Buddha statue and intricate architecture, Wat Pho is a must-visit destination  for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Thailand's rich cultural heritage.

Wat Pho Temple - bangkok travel guide

International tourists visit Wat Pho Temple

Grand Place

Price: 500 Baht (~ 14.52 USD) per person. 

Active hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

In addition to the list of Bangkok travel guides, I suggest you visit the Grand Place. It is a stunning building that served as the official residence of the Thai monarchy for dentures. With its breathtaking temples and remarkable design, Grand Palace is well-known for foreign tourists to delve into the nation’s captivating history and culture.

grand palace in bangkok

Foreign visitor in the Grand Palace, Bangkok

Floating Markets

Active hours:7:00 AM - 2:00 PM. 

Floating markets such as Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa, offer a vibrant and unique shopping experience where vendors sell their goods from boats along meandering waterways. These busting markets not only showcase local products and delectable street food but also provide an opportunity to immerse in the Thailand traditional riverine lifestyle.

Floating Markets in bangkok

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok 

Amphawa Floating Market

Tourists in private Amphawa Floating Market 

Jim Thompson House

Price: 200 Baht (~ 5.81 USD).

Active hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM. 

In the next spot in our Bangkok travel guide, we introduce Jim Thompson House. It is a captivating museum and former residence of the renowned American entrepreneur- Jim Thompson. This exquisite Thai-style house showcases an impressive collection of Asian art and antiques.

Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the ambiance of Jim Thompson House is serene, offering a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. Visitors can immerse themselves in the captivating fusion of Thai architecture and Western influence that reflects Thompson's love for Thai culture.

Jim Thompson House - bangkok travel guide

International visitor in Jim Thompson House 

MBK Center 

Active hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

MBK Center is a bustling shopping mall in Bangkok suitable for shopaholics. It offers a vast array of shops and stalls selling everything from fashion and electronics to souvenirs and local products. MBK center provides an exciting and vibrant shopping experience for visitors from all walks of life.

souvenir stalls in MBK center

There’re souvenir stalls in MBK center 

Exploring Bangkok's Nightlife

With a vibrant rhythm of life, friendly locals, outstanding cuisine and near-perfect nightlife, Bangkok attracts millions of foreign visitors from all over the world every year. This youthful - style capital Thailand offers many interesting activities, suitable for all ages.

Chang Chui Night Market

Chang Chui Market is also known as the “airplane market”, a unique and creative market in Bangkok, offers a one-of-a-kind experience with its innovative art installations. The market is special because the owner of this restaurant has transformed the interior of the plane into a no-frills dining space.

Chang Chui Night Market

Special design in Chang Chui night market 

Enjoy Siam Niramit Show

Active hours:

Show

Pre-show attractions 

Showtime

Price

Evening show

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

 

Adult: 1.500 Baht (~ 43.57 USD) - 3.300 Baht (~ 95.86 USD)

Child: 1.200 Baht (~ 34.86 USD) - 2.800 Baht (~ 81.34 USD)

Late show

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

 

The Siam Niramit Show is performed on the world’s largest stage, according to Guinness. This show includes creative entertainment, from sound, light to recreating the image of villages or turning the whole stage into a lively river. This is also a way for you to better understand Thai history and culture, through dramatic and artistic storytelling.

Siam Niramit Performance

Siam Niramit Performance 

Asiatique - The Riverfront Night Market

Active hours: 4:00 PM - 12:00 PM.

Asiatique-The Riverfront night market has long been considered by tourists as an ideal tourist destination when visiting Bangkok. It is a large complex that combines a shopping mall and a night market, along with a wide variety of entertainment. You should come early in the evening after 5:00 to experience the sunset on the boats. Moreover, there are some traditional Thai dishes to other Asian and European dishes in this market.

Asiatique bangkok

Tourists in Asiatique-The Riverfront night market

bangkkok travel guide

The beautiful view in Asiatique-The Riverfront night market

Chatuchak market 

Active hours: 

  • Week-day: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
  • Friday: 6:00 PM - 12:00 PM.
  • Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Chatuchak market is a shopaholic’s paradise in Bangkok. With over 8.00 stalls, this crowded market offers an incredible variety of goods, from trendy clothing and accessories to unique handicrafts, antique and delectable street food. Promise creating an unforgettable shopping experience for visitors of all ages.

Chatuchak market

Colorful souvenir stalls in Chatuchak market

See Fireflies on The Amphawa Floating Market

Many tourists visit Amphawa Market just to see the flocks of bright fireflies. At about 6pm, get on the boat and join different parts of the river. From the tree canopy, the flocks of fireflies turn out at sunset, creating the perfect shimmering spectacle to end a long day.

 

Khaosan Road 

Active hours: 6:00 PM - 4:00 AM.

Khaosan Road is a no-sleep vibrant street known for its lively atmosphere and bustling nightlife. The bustling hub welcomes travelers from all over the globe.The road is short but there are a diverse range of street food vendors such as barbecues, Pad Thai vendors, beer bars, pubs and music all night long. It's a favorite destination for backpackers and those looking for the city’s energetic culture.

Khaosan Road - bangkok travel guide

Lively and bright Khaosan Road

Experiencing Thai Cuisine

The capital of the Golden Temple country possesses a rich culinary paradise with many delicious dishes from the street to the restaurants. If you want to have the best experience, consider some dishes I recommend in the Bangkok travel guide below.

Thailand traditional foods

Tourist tries Thailand traditional foods

Thai mango sticky rice 

This is a delightful and popular dessert, is a delectable combination of sweet rice cooked in coconut milk and served with slices of ripe mango. You can capture the essence of Thai flavors through this dish.

Thai mango sticky rice

Thai mango sticky rice - a well-known local street food

Coconut cream

This dish is voted by tourists as the best coconut ice cream in Thailand. The secret to creating the attraction for this cream is Siamese coconut with a layer of coconut rice, fresh cream, jaggery, corn. There are delicious and refreshing tropical fruits.

Coconut cream bangkok

Coconut cream - a famous local street food

Garlic bread

The bread skewers are only baked when ordered by customers so they always keep their crispness and softness. The fragrant fresh garlic wraps the outside of the shell, the greasy layer of butter permeates the inside of the bread, all creating a delicious taste that is hard to resist. In addition to garlic butter bread, you can also try other skewered pastries.

garlic bread skewers bangok

Tasty garlic bread skewers in Chatuchak Market  

Honey Grilled Pork (Kor Moo Yang)

Moo Yang is the next delicious dish that you must try when coming to Thailand. Honey-grilled pork has a unique flavor thanks to being elaborately marinated and grilled on a charcoal stove. The meat is sweet, chewy, and the smell of grilled meat wafts everywhere, stimulating the taste buds of countless visitors.

Choconana

Choco nana is a familiar dish of Thai people with 2 main ingredients: chocolate and banana. The preparation is simple but the taste is extremely impressive. Choco nana is a frozen banana covered with hot chocolate. On top of the chocolate layer, the seller also adds nuggets and raisins to increase the flavor and create eye-catching colors.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

Staying at hostels and homestays in Bangkok is a great way to experience a young, enthusiastic and vibrant tropical capital. Here are the beautiful accommodations that absolutely should not miss.

  • NapPark Hostel at Khao San

Price: Starts at approximately 300 Baht (~ 8.71 USD) - 500 Baht (~ 14.52 USD).

Address: 5 Tani Road, Talad Yod, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200.

  • The Yard Hostel

Price: Starts at approximately 500 Baht (~ 14.52 USD) - 800 Baht (~ 23.24 USD).

Address: 51 Phaholyothin Road, Samsen Nai, PhayaThai, Bangkok 10400.

  • Baan Gaysorn Hostel

Price: Starts at approximately 400 Baht (~ 11.62 USD) - 600 Baht (~ 17.43 USD).

Address: 37 Phitsanulok Road, Wat Sommanat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100.

  • Nitan Hostel Khaosan

Price: Starts at approximately 400 Baht (~ 11.62 USD) - 600 Baht (~ 17.43 USD).

Address: 89 Khaosan Road, Talad Yod, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200.

Bangkok Travel Advice and Tips

  • When you go by transportation such as tuk-tuk, you should ask the fare in advance to avoid getting ripped-off.

  • Choose simple and comfortable clothes, wear trainers to facilitate walking.

  • Get a map of the market at the information kiosks for easy shopping and avoid getting lost.

  • The market has few stalls that accept card or bank payments so you should bring cash.

  • Self-protection of personal property. Travelers are advised to use bags that have buckles and are worn in the front of the chest.

  • You should go in groups to buy products, this will save a bit of shopping costs.

Glad to see that you keep reading and exploring Bangkok City with us. In the above post, we share the Bangkok travel guide: the best time, must-visit attractions and local dishes here. Make sure you keep in mind our Bangkok travel tips to plan a perfect trip on the next Thailand and Vietnam tour.