You are going to have a great time. Visiting Thailand’s capital’s busy streets can be an exciting journey. Bangkok offers something for everyone, with colorful markets, beautiful temples, and delicious street foods.
When you’re searching for adventure, food, or culture, this city has something to offer everyone. We’ll go over the most crucial travel advice in this guide to make sure you make the most of your time in this fascinating city. Prepare yourself for a virtual tour of the Land of Smiles.
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Things to Do in Bangkok
1. Puppet Show
A significant part of traditional Thai culture is puppetry. Nang, or shadow puppets, and Hun, or marionettes, are the two most popular varieties. There may be a performance at an open-air event. If not, check out Sakorn Yang-keawsot, also known as Joe Louis in English, who started the Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre in 1985. Tickets are approximately 700 THB per hour.
2. Golden Mount
On Khao San Road, the Temple of the Golden Mount Wat Saket is famous for its enormous chedi, which holds Buddhist relics. Because of its beautiful golden temple, gorgeous environment, and amazing views of the city from the summit, this is one of my favorite temples in the city. There is an expanding 18th-century plague cemetery at the foot of the mountain. The chedi visitation fee is 50 THB, while the temple itself is free.
3. Visit Ayutthaya
A short distance from Bangkok sits the site of the former capital of the kingdom of Siam. The summer palace and a variety of beautiful and unique temples may be found in this ancient city, which is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because of its closeness to Bangkok, it is a well-liked day-trip location for tours. Although many firms provide vacations, I would suggest traveling there on your own by train because it’s really simple. Round-trip train tickets range from 90 to 130 THB, and the trip takes 1.5 hours. For about 900 THB, Get Your Guide is offering a day tour.
4. Wat Arun
Away from the Grand Palace, on the other side of the Chao Phraya River, sits this lovely Buddhist temple. It is so famous that it may be shown on Thai banknotes. It has four lesser spires in addition to its main one. At sunrise and sunset, the main spire’s summit offers incredible views of the city and makes for amazing pictures. At sunrise and dusk, the intricately tiled facade reflects light in a wonderful way. Be cautious when climbing the steps because they are steep. It costs 100 THB to enter.
5. Khao San Road
Bangkok’s famous student and tourist hotspot is Khao San Road. Here, all paths lead both in and out. But with its bustling bustle day and night, vibrant nightlife, mouthwatering food, lots of shopping stalls, and plenty of people watching, it’s more than just a transportation hub for travelers.
Cost to Travel in Bangkok
Hostel Prices
The lowest prices are located on Khao San Road, where dorm rooms with 6–8 beds start at 170–220 THB per night. At a more premium hostel, a bed in a 4-6-bed dorm with air conditioning costs between 300 and 500 THB.
As prices for private rooms vary, they typically range from 700 to 900 THB. While there is a burgeoning hostel culture downtown, I still think the rooms are pricey, especially considering that Khao San Road offers more affordable lodging options and a greater opportunity to meet other travelers.
Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and linens are all included; free breakfast is not. The majority of hostels in Bangkok provide a range of entertaining extras, including free bicycle rentals, outside patios, and swimming pools. Most feature bars on-site or cafés, but shared kitchens are uncommon.
Budget hotel Prices
Even in the backpacker section of Khao San Road, private rooms in modest guesthouses or hotels start at 600 THB for a double room with a private bathroom. In other regions, single rooms and shared bathrooms start at 220 THB, while double rooms start at 320 THB if you’re seeking a less expensive choice.
Average Cost of food
Thai cuisine incorporates a variety of ingredients to create layers of flavor. Common spices and herbs include garlic, basil, galangal, cilantro, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and fish sauce. Thailand’s neighboring countries all have an impact on the country’s flavorful cuisine, which is aromatic and spicy and includes a wide range of curries, salads, soups, and stir-fries that vary by region.
The mainstays of Thai cuisine are rice and noodles, with the most popular meats being pork, chicken, fish, and shellfish. Thai food favorites include satay, kao phad fried rice, khao man gai rice with boiled chicken, massaman curry, and tom yum goong hot and sour soup with shrimp.
Western cuisine is priced starting at 150 THB and going up from there. A burger costs between 250 and 300 THB, a pizza costs 250 THB, and a pasta meal costs between 320 and 400 THB. A Western breakfast or lunch will set you back between 200 and 350 THB if you dine downtown. A combo meal at McDonald’s or any Western fast food restaurant costs about 300 THB.
Money Savings Tips
If you stay away from pricey hotels, restaurants, and cocktails, Bangkok can be a cheap city. Sticking to budget hotels and Thai eateries will prevent you from spending much money. Still, here are a few ways to cut costs in Bangkok.
Public Transportation
The large bus and BTS systems are how residents in Bangkok get around the city. Do it to save money. A 20-minute bus ride might just cost 10 THB; a cab ride might cost 120 THB.
The cheapest way to go around Bangkok is via the public buses that serve the city. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority runs them, and its website offers full information on several routes. Buses with air conditioning normally cost between 10 and 18 THB and the price increases with distance. It is 255 baht for a weekly pass.
The cost of using this elevated transportation system, often referred to as the BTS or Skytrain, is 16 to 52 THB for each trip, or 140 THB for a day pass. If you intend to spend some time in Bangkok, you might want to buy the Rabbit Card, which comes with 100 THB in pre-loaded fares and costs 200 THB. A day pass that allows you to use the whole BTS system, including express ferries and smart buses, costs 140 THB.
Taxi
My favorite mode of transportation in the city is the taxi because they are comfy and clean, and the fare is fixed. But only enter a cab that has a meter. A 5-kilometer, 3-mile trip costs roughly 60 THB. The first kilometer is 35 THB, and every 50 meters beyond that, there is an extra 50 THB charge.
Another popular kind of transport in the city is the motorcycle taxi, which usually runs between 20 and 100 THB per journey. You give your driver your destination, engage in heated price negotiations, put on your helmet, and then you accelerate into traffic. They’re the easiest way to move around Bangkok, but they’re also the scariest.
Ridesharing
Grab serves as Uber’s Asian substitute. The same procedure applies when you hire a driver through the Grab app and have the option of paying with cash or through the app. It frequently costs less than a standard cab.
Car Rental
In this section a multiday car rental normally costs about 800 THB per day, so they are not inexpensive. Since using public transportation is more affordable and faster than hiring a car, and driving in a metropolis may be an ordeal, I would advise against doing so.
When to go to Bangkok
Visit Bangkok between November and the end of February if you want nice weather. Although this is Bangkok’s “coolest” season, daily highs often hover around 29°C (85°F). Additionally, it’s the driest season. But as it falls around Christmas and New Year’s, be prepared for big crowds and expensive pricing.
With highs of 40°C to 100°F, the shoulder season of April to June is the warmest time of year to visit Bangkok. Try to arrive for Songkran, the Thai New Year, in April if you must travel during this period. You’ll have a blast during Songkran, the biggest water celebration in the world.
How to Stay Safe in Bangkok
Traveling with a backpack in Bangkok is secure, even for women traveling alone. But the city is also very full and hectic. Bag grabbing is included in the category of petty theft, which is the most prevalent crime in Bangkok. Always keep your valuables out of view and protected, especially while traveling by public transit and in crowded tourist destinations.
If lone female tourists follow the standard safety procedures, they should have no trouble visiting the city.
