Bangkok Travel Guide : Things To Do, Where To Stay & Travel Tips

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Here’s an ultimate Bangkok Travel Guide featuring travel tips, top attractions, recommended accommodations for all budgets, entry requirements and more. Explore the best of the city!

Bangkok Travel Guide – Bangkok ranks first when you look out for the most visited destinations in the world. No doubt, being a chaotic and crowded city it serves tourism with a vibrant culture, well preserved historical sites, bustling nightlife, variety of tasty delicacies and lots of lively shopping markets. Let’s get to know more about Bangkok through this travel guide.

Bangkok Travel Guide 2021

Best Time To Visit Bangkok

It’s summer all year round in Bangkok. The coolest months are November till March when the temperature lies between the range of 29 Degrees Celsius and 35 Degrees Celsius. These months are also the peak season months, so you should expect a crowd of tourists at all the attractions in Bangkok.

You may prefer visiting the monsoon season which falls between the months July and October. Although it may be rainy and humid, still you can enjoy various attractions and activities during the pleasant times when the rain stops or lessens. This is also the best time to book your hotels and tours on great deals.

Entry Requirements For Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Visa Exemption Rule

Bangkok is Thailand’s Capital city and Thailand has a Visa Exemption Rule according to which tourists who are passport holders of any of the further mentioned 55 countries are allowed to enter Thailand without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 30 days. These countries are – Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. You can check further requirements for qualifying the Visa Exemption Rule on the Thai Embassy Website.

Visa On Arrival

Thailand allows Visa On Arrival to tourists who are passport holders of any of these countries – Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. You can check further requirements for qualifying Visa On Arrival in Thailand on the Thai Embassy Website.

Note : Tourists who do not qualify for Visa Exemption Rule or Visa On Arrival should contact the Thai Embassy to obtain visas prior their visit.

Where To Stay In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok offers a wide variety of accommodation facilities which are well suited for any budget. The best areas to stay in Bangkok are Sukhumvit, Khaosan and Riverside area. Below are some of the most recommended accommodations in Bangkok from which you can select your stay options as per your preference.

Recommended Sukhumvit Accommodations

Sukhumvit is an urban area which is well connected with the best shopping malls, markets, restaurants, street food areas and the Skytrain (Bangkok Transit System). This place is very popular among the expats.

• Budget : Grand Business Inn
• Mid Range : ibis Styles Bangkok
• Luxury : Sheraton Grande

Recommended Riverside Accommodations

The Riverside is the most scenic and beautiful riverfront area comprising of best hotels in Bangkok. All the major attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, flower market and many shiny temples are located very nearby this area. Ferry rides can be easily arranged to the places you want to visit from the riverfront.

• Hostel: Hostel Urby
• Budget : New Siam Riverside Hotel
• Mid Range : Ibis Bangkok Riverside
• Luxury : Shangri La

Recommended Khaosan Accommodations

Khaosan road is the most famous, lively and busiest area in Bangkok. Almost all the cultural attractions are located very close to Khaosan. Though this area is not conveniently connected to the Skytrain (Bangkok Transit System), you can easily find tuk tuks and taxis to commute between places. The Khaosan is mostly preferred by backpackers and budget travelers due to the availability of cheap accommodations.

• Hostel / Budget : Innspire Bangkok
• Mid Range : Nouvo City Hotel

Language

The locals in Bangkok converse in Thai which is their local language. English is also spoken and understood by the locals at different levels of proficiency. So, it is not difficult to communicate with people in Bangkok.

Currency

Thai Baht (THB) is the currency used in Bangkok and according to the current official exchange rate 1 USD is equivalent to 32 THB. You can get your currency exchanged at the airport, bank or any exchange outlet. The Super Rich International Exchange outlet is known for guaranteed best rates on currency exchange in Bangkok.

Don’t Miss Reading : The 12 Best Things To Do In Pai, Thailand

List of Top Attractions to Visit in Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Here are some of the best things to do and popular attractions in Bangkok that you should not be missing out on :

1. The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace magnificently showcases the grandeur of the ancient kingdom in Bangkok. Built over 200 hundred years ago, this palace used to be the residence of the kings. The complex of Grand Palace comprises of various temples, gardens, courtyards and other royal premises. The Wat Phra Kaew (Temple Of Emerald Buddha) is built on the grounds of the Grand Palace. You would be stunned and mesmerized by the beauty of this palace. Don’t be surprised if you come across a flock of tourists and devotees while visiting the Grand Palace.

Insider Tip : The Grand Palace gets very crowded and busy by the day. Try to reach as early as possible.

2. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple Of The Emerald Buddha)

Wat Phra Kaew is home to the Emerald statue of Buddha and is the most sacred temple in Thailand. This 26 inches tall Buddha statue carved from a single jade stone, stands in a yogic posture. The temple complex also comprises of various statues and murals depicting mythological sagas.

3. Wat Arun (The Temple Of The Dawn)

Wat Arun is another prominent temple in Bangkok. It temple’s complex consists of a beautiful golden shrine of Buddha and towers decorated of colorful porcelain.

4. Khaosan Road

The Khaosan Road is known to be a hub for backpackers due to the availability of cheap guesthouses and hostels in the vicinity. It also has a very busy street market, various bars, Thai massage centers and eateries. Located very near to all the major cultural attractions the Khaosan road is a fun place to spend time in if you enjoy street food, cheap shopping and bar hopping.

5. Lumpini Park

The Lumpini park is the biggest and the most gorgeous park in Bangkok. It’s a must visit attraction for nature lovers. This park is a perfect place to relax and unwind yourselves away from the bustling atmosphere of the city. The Lumpini park also has a large boating lake where you can even hire a paddle boat.

6. Wat Saket (Golden Mountain Temple)

The Wat Saket is a hill top temple from where you can get some impressive views of the city. You would need to climb about 344 steps to reach the top and this would seem quite exhausting, but the path is fairly easy. The climb is well worthy of the views and the temple.

7. Chao Phraya River

There are a lot of activities going on at banks of the Chao Phraya River. You can go for a market tour, dine at a riverside restaurant, arrange a cruise date, wander through Asiatique night market, rent a bicycle at the promenade or just spend some quality time admiring the the beautiful river.

8. Day Trip To Ayutthaya

Take a day trip to the amazing Ayutthaya which is located at a distance from 80 km from Bangkok. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and consists of lots of distinctive Buddha temples, relics and shrines. Visiting Ayutthaya is one of the best day trips from Bangkok.

Insider Tip : While visiting the temples, make sure you are wearing clothes that cover up your knees and shoulders. You can also carry a scarf with you.

Read Also : Best Attractions In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food / Where To Eat In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok is a true paradise for foodies. Trying out the famous street food at Khao San road or Chinatown has been fairly a matter of concern for tourists. The authentic Pad Thai, grilled meats, soups, skewers, wraps, Thai curries and other delicacies are irresistible and a must try at those street food stalls. Just be careful from where you buying the food. It is suggested to buy street food from crowded food stalls because the chances at such stalls are high that the food is being freshly cooked for the service.

There are many restaurants lined up at the river side areas which serve a variety of Arabic, Asian, Mediterranean and Continental cuisines.

Public Transportation In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok does not have the most convenient means of public transportation. With some good planning and checking hassle free options from the below modes of transportation, you would be able to reach all the major tourist spots.

River Ferry

Getting onto a ferry on the Chao Phraya River would be the most easiest way to your destinations. The biggest pro is that you don’t have to get worried about the city’s traffic. The river ferries have various stops to all the major tourist attractions in Bangkok.

Bangkok Transit System (BTS) or the Skytrain

The BTS or Skytrain is a train service convenient for people commuting between these areas – Silom, Sukhumvit and Siam. There are BTS stations that are conveniently located near the tourist places.

Bangkok Metro (MRT)

The MRT stations are located between Sukhumvit and Silom area. There are many MRT stations in the routes that are conveniently located near the tourist places.

Taxi or Tuk Tuk

Hiring a taxi or tuk tuk may seem quick on the roads of Bangkok, but the catch here is the traffic can be sometimes up on the roads. So, you again need to be careful here about the rush hours and the distance you might be traveling for.

Bangkok Travel Essentials – Bangkok Travel Guide

There are a few things that you should not forget to carry with yourselves to Bangkok.

Universal Adapter : You may not be sure if the power supply switches at the hotels would be compatible with the chargers of your electronic devices. Here is where a Universal Adapter comes really handy. We love the Universal Adapter from JMFone as it charges up to five devices simultaneously and also come with a lifetime guarantee. Check it out here.

Sunscreen : You would need to apply a good sunscreen for protection from the harmful UV rays on sunny days in Bangkok. Make sure you carry one.

Mosquito Repellent Wristbands : Keep yourself safe from mosquitoes specially during the evenings. Check out these very effective Deet free and waterproof mosquito repellent wristbands from Mosquitno.

Refillable Water Bottle : The refillable water filter bottles from Lifestraw gives you safe drinking water. You can fill up these bottles from many places and be assured that you are drinking purified water.

Where To Shop – Bangkok Travel Guide

From cheap shopping markets to high end malls, Bangkok has everything to cater to needs of all kinds of shoppers.

Central World Shopping Mall

Make your way to Central World shopping mall in Siam which is the sixth biggest shopping center in the world. You can find good collections of stuffs at this shopping center both branded and non branded.

Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique is Bangkok’s famous riverside night market. You can get all here – shopping at great prices, amazing food and lively entertainment. Even if you are not here for shopping, you can pleasantly wander around the river side market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

The Chatuchak Weekend Market is the world’s largest flee market having more than 12,000 shops and stalls. Goods here are sold at best prices that cannot be beaten at all. You can find all kinds of stuffs here clothing, accessories, bags, books, antiques, Thai artworks and more.

Tipping In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Tipping in Bangkok is very common but not mandatory. If you wish to leave a tip for a good service it will be appreciated and welcomed.

Safety In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok is reasonably safe if you are mindful and well aware about the city. Here are few things you should be aware about;

• Beware of scammers in crowded areas.
• The taxi drivers may take you through long routes before you reach the destination to shell out more charges from you.
• Prostitution is illegal, but Bangkok has a bad reputation for it. Such rackets are led by local goons at many areas in Bangkok, ignore and keep yourself away from it.
• Stay away from over-friendly strangers.
• Secure your credit cards and cash safely in your money belt or wallet and keep checking time to time.

Nightlife In Bangkok – Bangkok Travel Guide

No other city can compare to Bangkok’s nightlife. With lots of bars, restaurants, clubs, rooftops and pubs; it is very agreeable if someone says that Bangkok’s nightlife are very happening. You should be heading to Sukhumvit Road or Khaosan Road to get into the best night clubs and bars in Bangkok.

We hope you enjoyed reading our Bangkok Travel Guide! If you have any queries or suggestions, do let us know in the comment box below.

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