Airport Rail Link - Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Runs from the basement of BKK to Makkasan (MRT transfer) and Phaya Thai (BTS transfer). The most reliable option since it avoids traffic.
Bangkok Travel Guide
Bangkok mixes glittering temples and royal palaces with legendary street food, riverside life, rooftop bars and giant malls. Great-value hotels and massages make it a fit for first-timers, food lovers, friends and families alike.
Plan your Bangkok trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
At a glance
- Currency
- THB (฿)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/B/C/O
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Optional (small, for good service)
- Local language
- ภาษาไทย
- How long to stay
- 3 to 5 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
November to February is the cool, dry season and the most comfortable time. March to May is very hot, and June to October brings short, heavy afternoon downpours. Songkran (mid-April water festival) is fun but crowded and pricier.
Airport to the city
Taxi / Grab - Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Take a queue ticket at the official taxi stand on level 1 for a metered taxi. Expect a 50 THB airport surcharge plus expressway tolls on top of the meter.
SRT Red Line - Don Mueang (DMK)
From the budget-airline airport to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station, then change to the MRT Blue Line.
A1 Airport Bus - Don Mueang (DMK)
Cheap bus from DMK to BTS Mo Chit near Chatuchak Market. Best if you travel light.
Getting around
BTS Skytrain
Elevated rail linking Sukhumvit, Siam and Silom, the most useful line for visitors. Buy single tickets at machines or top up a Rabbit card if riding often.
MRT Subway
The Blue Line reaches Chinatown, Wat Pho (Sanam Chai station) and Chatuchak. You can tap in with a contactless credit card.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Scenic and practical for the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and riverside sights. Sathorn Pier connects to BTS Saphan Taksin.
Grab / Bolt
Fares are fixed in the app, so no haggling. Rush-hour traffic is heavy, so combine with rail.
Tuk-tuk
Fun for a short ride, but agree on the price before getting in. Decline any detour to gem or tailor shops.
Where to stay
Sukhumvit (Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo)
Good for: First visit, dining and nightlife
BTS and MRT meet here, with the widest choice of hotels and restaurants. It is a longer ride to the old-town temples.
Siam
Good for: Shopping, families
Central hub with major malls where two BTS lines cross. Evenings are relatively quiet.
Silom / Sathorn
Good for: Business, rooftop bars
High-rise hotels, rooftop bars and Lumphini Park nearby. Good access to both the BTS and the river.
Riverside
Good for: Couples, luxury hotels
River-view luxury hotels with easy boat access to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Hotel shuttle boats make it convenient.
Khao San / Old Town
Good for: Backpackers, temple sightseeing
Cheap stays close to the Grand Palace and major temples. No rail station, so reaching other districts is slower.
Top sights
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Bangkok's must-see, about 500 THB entry. A strict dress code applies (cover shoulders and knees), so go early in the morning.
Wat Pho
Home of the 46 m golden Reclining Buddha and a famous Thai massage school. A 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Cross the river by small ferry from the pier near Wat Pho. It looks best at sunset, viewed from the opposite bank.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
A huge Saturday and Sunday market for clothes, crafts and snacks. Go in the morning to beat the heat and bring water.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Bangkok's best street-food strip comes alive after dark. Walkable from MRT Wat Mangkon.
Jim Thompson House
Traditional teak houses of the American silk entrepreneur, seen on a guided tour. Near BTS National Stadium.
King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk
A 314 m observation deck with a glass floor over the city. Sunset slots are the most popular.
Ayutthaya Day Trip
UNESCO-listed ruins of the old capital, about 1.5 hours by train or tour. Bring a hat and sunscreen as shade is scarce.
What to eat
Pad Thai and Som Tam
Classic street dishes at about 60-100 THB (~2-3 USD) a plate. Ask for mild papaya salad with mai pet.
Tom Yum Goong
Hot and sour prawn soup, about 150-350 THB in restaurants. Choose creamy (nam khon) or clear (nam sai).
Khao Man Gai
Poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken broth, about 50-80 THB. A perfect breakfast or lunch.
Mango Sticky Rice
Sweet mango with coconut sticky rice, about 100-150 THB. Best in mango season, March to May.
Poo Pad Pong Karee
Stir-fried crab in egg curry, found at seafood restaurants. Often priced by weight, so check before ordering.
Night Market Snacks
Skewers, spicy pork-bone soup (leng saeb) and more at night markets. About 300-500 THB per person fills you up.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 1,200 THB (~36 USD) - hostels, street food, public transport
Mid-rangeabout 3,500 THB (~105 USD) - 4-star hotel, restaurants and massages, Grab
Comfortabout 10,000 THB+ (~300 USD+) - riverside luxury hotel, fine dining, rooftop bars
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew in the morning, then Wat Pho and a massage, ferry to Wat Arun, and Chinatown street food for dinner.
- Day 2
Siam malls and Jim Thompson House, pool break in the afternoon, then sunset at Mahanakhon SkyWalk and a rooftop bar.
- Day 3
Chatuchak Market if it is a weekend, otherwise an Ayutthaya day trip; evening at Asiatique or a night market.
- Day 4
Slow morning of cafes and massage in Sukhumvit, then the Airport Rail Link to BKK.
Local tips
- Ignore anyone near the Grand Palace saying it is closed today and offering a tuk-tuk tour; it is a classic scam.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples and remove shoes indoors. Insulting the monarchy is a criminal offence.
- Street stalls and markets are cash-based, so carry small notes. Thai ATMs charge about 220 THB per foreign-card withdrawal, so withdraw larger amounts less often.
- Tipping is not required, but about 50-100 THB after a massage is customary.
- Tourist SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy at the airport, or set up an eSIM before you fly.
- Shops showing VAT Refund for Tourists let you claim VAT at departure on purchases of 2,000 THB or more per store per day.
- Do not drink tap water. Alternate indoor and outdoor plans to cope with the midday heat.
Related articles
Itinerary · ThailandBangkok in 5 Days: Itinerary with a Day Trip, Transit, Dress Code and Scam TipsA 5-day Bangkok plan with an Ayutthaya or floating market day trip, plus BTS, MRT and…ComparisonAirport to City: Train, Bus, Taxi or Transfer? A Practical ComparisonCompare the five ways to get from the airport into town, with tips for late-night…ComparisoneSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi vs Roaming vs Local SIM: Which Travel Data Option Wins?Compare the four ways to get mobile data abroad by cost, setup and trade-offs, plus how…TipsFlight Delay and Cancellation Compensation: EU261 Basics and How to ClaimEU261 and UK261 compensation amounts and conditions, what to ask for at the airport,…
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.